Your Ultimate Sleeping Mat for Camping – Stay Warm, Sleep Well
Discover the Best Sleeping Mat for Your Next Adventure
Choosing the right sleeping mat can make or break your camping trip. At PAST Outdoors, we’ve curated the best options for every outdoor enthusiast—from casual campers to alpine trekkers. Whether you’re considering the comfort-focused Thermarest NeoAir or the versatile Exped sleeping mat range, our gear review will help you find the ideal mat for warmth, packability, and support.
Top Inflatable Sleeping Mats from the PAST Outdoors Collection
Explore our top picks from the inflatable sleeping mat collection, featuring trusted names like Thermarest and Exped. Lightweight, insulated, and designed for rugged use, these mats—including the Thermarest NeoAir and Exped Ultra 5R—are built to elevate your camping comfort without weighing you down.
Our number 1: Exped Dura 8R Sleeping Mat
Why we love this: Warmth, durability & silence
The Exped Dura 8R Sleeping Mat is a standout for serious adventurers who demand performance in the harshest conditions. What we love most is its unbeatable combination of warmth, durability, and silence. With an impressive R-value of 7.8, it's built to handle extreme cold—making it ideal for alpine expeditions or winter camping.
The rugged outer fabric resists punctures and wear, while the internal insulation and baffle design help eliminate that annoying crinkle sound common in many mats. If you're looking for a reliable Exped sleeping mat that excels in comfort and quiet resilience, the Dura 8R is hard to beat.
Why the Exped Mat Range is Perfect for All-Season Camping
From the sub-zero-rated Exped Dura 8R to the versatile Exped Ultra 5R, Exped’s line of sleeping mats offers reliable performance in any season. These Exped sleeping mats are engineered for durability and warmth, with sustainable materials and smart valve designs that make setup a breeze. Wherever your journey takes you, there's an Exped mat ready for it.
Exped Sleeping Mat Showdown: Ultra 5R vs. Dura 8R
We put two of Exped’s most popular sleeping mats to the test: the Exped Ultra 5R and the Exped Dura 8R. The Ultra 5R offers excellent insulation with an R-value of 4.8 and a compact design perfect for fast-and-light adventures. For cold-weather expeditions, the Dura 8R delivers unmatched warmth with an R-value of 7.8, making it the ultimate winter-ready Exped mat.
Our number 2: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT
Why we love this: The warmest and lightest
At PAST Outdoors, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT earns our strong second-place spot for high-performance cold-weather sleeping mats, and for good reason. It delivers outstanding warmth with an R-value of 7.3, yet remains incredibly lightweight and compact, making it ideal for alpine missions where every gram counts.
What sets it apart is Therm-a-Rest’s Triangular Core Matrix™ technology, which balances stability and insulation without the bulk. While it’s not quite as rugged as the Exped Dura 8R, the XTherm NXT is perfect for ultralight adventurers who refuse to compromise on warmth or packability.
The Thermarest NeoAir series stands out for its featherweight design and outstanding thermal performance. Ideal for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers, the NeoAir combines comfort with cutting-edge materials to minimize pack size without sacrificing support. Find out why this Thermarest sleeping mat continues to lead the field.
Our Number 3: Therm-A-Rest Z Lite
Our third-favourite pick, the Therm-A-Rest Z Lite, excels where simplicity and reliability matter most. It’s the most budget-friendly option in our lineup without sacrificing performance.
Made from closed-cell foam, its accordion-style design offers extreme durability, resisting punctures and wear even on rocky campsites. With an R-value of 1.7, it provides respectable warmth for three-season use, and at just 410g, it’s one of the lightest mats you can carry.
Whether you’re a weekend car camper or a thru-hiker on a tight budget, the Z Lite delivers unbeatable value in a fuss-free package.
PAST Outdoors Top Camping Mat Pick for All Adventures
After testing and reviewing a wide range of products, our top camping mat pick at PAST Outdoors is the Exped Dura 8R. Its unmatched warmth, durability, and quiet sleep surface make it the most dependable sleeping mat for harsh and cold environments. Read more on our blog on Exped vs Thermerest : Our take on the best Sleeping Mats for you.
While the Thermarest NeoAir XTherm NXT is a close second with its lightweight performance and excellent insulation, the Dura 8R edges ahead for those who prioritize ruggedness and all-season reliability. Whether you’re a seasoned mountaineer or a weekend camper, investing in the right Thermarest or Exped sleeping mat can completely transform your nights outdoors.
Exped Inflatable Sleeping Mats and Thermarest mats
Transform your campsite into a five-star retreat with PAST Outdoors’ inflatable sleeping mats. Whether you crave the robust warmth of the Exped Ultra 5R, the plush comfort of the Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self-Inflating Mat, or the feather-light packability of the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT, our inflatable mats inflate in seconds, pack down and provide unbeatable insulation and support.
Built tough for rough trails yet light enough for fast-packing, PAST Outdoors inflatable mats mean you spend less time fussing and more time exploring - so every morning you wake refreshed, ready for your next adventure.
Self inflating camping mattress vs foam sleeping mats
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between inflatable sleeping mats and foam sleeping mats?
Inflatable sleeping mats offer superior comfort, insulation, and packability, inflating to provide cushioned support while packing down small. Foam mats are typically more rugged, lightweight, and require no setup, but they offer less comfort and insulation compared to inflatables.
Are inflatable mats durable enough for rough terrain?
Yes! Inflatable mats from PAST Outdoors, like the Exped Ultra 5R, are designed with tough, trail-ready materials that resist punctures and wear. Always use a groundsheet or tent floor for extra protection on rocky or uneven ground.
How compact are inflatable mats when packed?
Very compact. Many models, such as the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT, pack down to the size of a water bottle, making them ideal for backpackers and minimalist adventurers.
How do I choose the right mat for my needs?
If you prioritise warmth and comfort in colder climates, go for a high R-value inflatable like the Exped Ultra 5R.
For casual camping, the Sea to Summit Camp Plus offers excellent comfort and easy setup. Ultralight hikers may prefer compact options like the NeoAir Xlite NXT for minimal weight.
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So comfy – I read the other reviews and made sure to go one up from my regular size. I would recommend printing the size chart to check for yourself. Fits perfectly, and I've almost forgotten about my other shoes since these arrived.
Perfect for wearing: at work / on walks / in the lab / on bike rides / going out in the city.
Staff from Past Outdoors were very helpful and responsive to a couple of enquiries I had. Order came quickly. Obviously recommend!
great concept, when using hydration/electrolyte tablets and hiking, the system would pressurise and the drinking nozzle would leak (not sure if this was because we were at altitude or not). I fitted some magnets so it wasn't flopping around
Just like Justin Timberlake, I am saying Bye Bye Bye to gels.
A friend got me on to these after bemoaning how difficult it can be to keep gels down; I was a little sceptical, but intrigued by Margarita flavour; decided to take the plunge.
So much easier than a gel! No chance of it leaking and getting everywhere. Easier to swallow and provides the same "kick" as the gels do.
Purchased the Sea To Summit Ascent Down Sleeping Bag -9°C after consulting with Past Outdoors CEO.
Have not used it ‘in the field for want of better words’ yet, so it’s a 4/5 but in a good way! However, that does not preclude providing a short positive overview of the logic in why it is a sound purchase. Simply because its well thought out and functional design, and by extension, it’s versatility for dealing with the conditions and circumstances at time of needed use: think sleeping bag; quilt; and a makeshift overcoat. So, if you are the type whose body runs hot during your sleep hours, this sleeping bag can help you maintain personal comfort, and importantly, quality sleep and rest - it can be adjusted to vent excess body heat, if needed - and that’s gotta be a good thing, hasn’t it. It is a well made purpose-built product, based on intelligent, functional and well-reasoned design, using materials that make for a ‘toasty warm’ sleeping bag; but adjustable for personal comfort, when used in your real world outdoor settings. Cheers.
