Sleeping pad

A sleeping pad (short for insulating mat ) is a surface to sleep, which is used for camping and trekking. It is used for thermal insulation, to protect the sleeping bag from sharp stones or branches and sometimes the sun comfort through softness.

The ordinary mattress consists of foam polyethylene (short: PE). In this material there are differences in quality. In the simplest version, the mats are hardly resistant to pressure and do not retain their insulating effect, so they need to be replaced soon.

Sleeping pads of closed cell foam, such as EVA, are more elastic and pressure-resistant.

Depending on the application, there are sleeping pads made ​​of foam in different thicknesses ( usually between 5 mm and 19 mm ) and a standard size of 60 cm in width and 180 to 200 cm in length, and in various forms: smooth, dimpled, grooved or foldable. For weight reduction also shortened sleeping pads are used, in which the legs of the sleeper does not lie on the mattress. There are also small and lightweight sleeping pads with aluminum coating ( Alumatten ).

Camping mats insulate well and are compared to thermal air mattress easier and usually less slippery. Thermal air mattresses have compared to Isomatten a smaller pack size and offer more sleeping comfort, but they can get a flat tire.

Thermal air mattress

The " self-inflating air mattress " is a polyurethane foam mat, which is surrounded by an airtight cloth cover. This case has one or more lockable valves. In unused condition, the mat is rolled up, the compressed foam there. Opening the Aufrollsicherung and the valve, then the elastic foam to follow his desire to take the original shape. Air is sucked into the foam remaining therein when the valve is closed. In addition, the mat can be further inflated.

Compared to conventional air mattress air mattress is the thermal lighter and thinner and also on the pressure loss, a certain thermal insulation. Which is usually at the bottom of a smooth, stain-resistant fabric and on top of an anti-slip layer to prevent slippage of the sleeper on incline.

Newly acquired mattresses should " rest " with the valve open for a few days before the first use, so that the foam can expand completely. In order to obtain the swelling capacity of the foam, thermal air mattresses should be stored in the unrolled state the valve is open.