Caring for a self-inflating mattress involves three main points: inflation, transport and storage...A self-inflating mattress does not require any sort of inflator or pump to inflate. Just open the air valve(s), and the inner foam core expands to its original shape, drawing air into the chamber.This self-inflating process can take anywhere from a few minutes to hours, depending on the thickness of the foam and on how long it has been compressed.Once the foam has fully expanded, close the valve and lie on the pad. If it feels too soft, a breath or two of air can be added to firm up the mattress.Larger pads usually have two valves to the same air chamber. Open and close both to self inflate and to seal the inflated mattress shell. While inflating a self-inflating mattress that is new or has been stored compressed for a long time, you can occasionally grab one end and give the pad a few gentle whips to encourage the foam to expand.Valves on self-inflating camping mats seal differently than the valves on inflatable air mattresses.
Twist valves on self-inflating pads usually have a screw cap that twists approximately a quarter turn clockwise to close and counterclockwise to open. The air enters through slots in the top of the cap.Twist valves are easier to seal than the plug valves on standard inflatable air mattresses, which require a great deal of air to inflate and can attach to inflators.For transport the pad is rolled up and compressed similar to a rectangular sleeping bag. The valve is closed and the pad stays compressed.Unlike a sleeping bag, a single, self-inflating pad isn't folded in half before rolling, so the rolled pad is usually wider, but smaller in diameter than a rolled-up sleeping bag. A transport bag or attached compression straps are then placed around the rolled-up pad to keep it from unrolling during transport.A double, self-inflating pad, however, does get folded in half before being rolled up and strapped or bagged for transport. These are not common, but are used occasionally by couples.
Thin pads roll up the easiest. Rolling up a thick, self-inflating pad, so that it can fit into a carry bag, is somewhat akin to squeezing the last bit of toothpaste out of the tube:Be sure to carefully pack the rolled pad, so that it doesn't get punctured during transport.Unlike an inflatable air mattress, a self-inflating mattress is stored fully inflated with the valve(s) open.Once home from a camping trip, it's easy to treat the rolled-up pad like a sleeping bag and put it in the corner or on the shelf until the next trip, but over time this will shorten the life of the pad.If it is continuously stored in a rolled up, compressed state, the foam core may eventually get crushed and lose its ability to fully expand to its original shape. This can also happen to any folds in the pad, so do not store the pad folded, either.Better self-inflating mattresses will have high-quality, foam cores. This foam will be able to better recover from a long-term compressed state. Before storing the pad, take a moment to unfasten the straps and open the valve and let the pad self inflate.
Since self-inflating mattresses are stored fully inflated, they cannot be stored in a compact space. Here are some ideas for storing them:While lying flat, pads can be stacked on other pads or with unrolled sleeping bags.Double, self-inflating pads are unfolded, as well as inflated for storage, so they will need the largest space. Couples who want to sleep together, may find it more convenient to use a double sleeping bag on twin, self-inflating pads.Storing the pad fully inflated also allows it to self inflate in the shortest period of time when you set up camp. Leaving the valve open during storage allows moisture inside the shell to evaporate out.To get the best performance from a self-inflating pad, remember these three states for the pad:Cheap camping folding air bed mattress with built-in foot pump for adults Dongguan Haohan Shangmao Ltd. US $15-20 1000 Pieces Transaction LevelSleeping kit is one of the most important components of your outdoor equipment, as getting a good night’s rest is essential for your performance in outdoor activities.
It is vital to choose the right sleeping system, be that a sleeping bag, a cot, an inflatable mattress or a foam mat, to meet the conditions you expect to face. A camp cot, rather than a mat, is the best option for a base camp area or a camping holiday where you don’t have to carry all your kit. For expeditions in more austere areas where you do, an inflatable mat works best. Foam mats won’t puncture and modern mats can be folded down to a small size but are not as compact as an inflatable mat. Here are three of the camp beds I’ve found most effective. The Thermarest Ultralite Cot is really a bed in a bag that you can carry anywhere. At 1.25kg (2 ¾ lb) it is lighter than many sleeping bags and its packed size is comparable to a three-quarter-length inflatable mattress. It is formed from an ingenious system of leg pieces that are fixed using lightweight poles in a “bowed frame” construction. It is extremely sturdy and will load to almost 150kg (23st). It is much less bulky than the Helinox (see below) and if you weigh less than 80kg (12 ½ st) you can reduce the leg components to cut the weight to less than 1kg.
When I tested on uneven ground, it worked better than the Helinox, providing an even sleeping platform. I carried the cot over a long distance and found it a worthwhile piece of extra kit for wild camping. However, the Helinox is more comfortable and a bit larger, so more suitable for the bigger-framed person. In all other areas, the Ultralite Cot excelled. Verdict (out of 5) Weight 5 Size 5 Comfort 4 Ease of use 4 Overall 5 Light and small enough to be carried as an alternative to a roll mat or an inflatable bed, this top-quality piece of kit gets my vote for almost any type of environment. This is a truly awesome piece of kit, as comfortable to use as any proper bed. It weighs just 2kg (4.4lb) and can hold up to 150kg (23st). Its sophisticated tensioning system features levers that force its three base legs to stretch out the sleeping surface to keep it rigid and still. If you want to avoid sleeping on damp, wet or uneven surfaces, and avoid contact with insects or other animals, this bed provides the elevation.
The biggest drawback is the bulk of the cot when collapsed. It also requires reasonably flat ground to set it up, otherwise the frame twists. As with all cots, the air gap beneath it will allow heat to be lost , so you will need a foam or inflatable mattress over it to reduce the effects of extreme cold. If I were based in a single location, so not having to carry the cot around, this would be a great investment as it provided me with a comfortable night’s sleep. It is ideal for an expedition base camp or a family camping holiday. Helinox has produced an even lighter and smaller cot, the Lite Cot, available from 2015. It is just as good as the Cot One though more portable at 1.3kg and half the size. It is nearly as light as the Thermarest Cot but bulkier. Weight 4 Size 3 Comfort 5 Ease of use 5 Overall 4 The Cot One is a fantastic family camp cot, or a spare bed for the unexpected guest. It isn’t practical for wild camping, but is great for an expedition where you’re centrally located or on a vehicle-based expedition.
Mammut Lahar EMT Mat Price: £60, Amazon.co.uk Details: milletsports.co.uk This is a great mat for the price and a great accompaniment to the Kompact 3 sleeping bag. Weighing only 0.57kg (1lb 40z), it provides good insulation and would be a useful addition to either of the two cots described above in cold conditions. Because of its light weight and small packed size, it is ideal for wild camping. It has no disadvantages when the ground is uneven. When your budget won’t stretch to a camp cot, this can be a good substitute. It is easy to inflate and deflate, and converts into a comfortable chair to use on rocky ground, with a boulder as a back rest. It has a really useful anti-slip surface to prevent you from sliding off when on uneven ground. Weight 5 Size 5 Comfort 4 Ease of use 5 Overall 5 This versatile and effective sleeping mat isn’t as comfortable as the cots above but, at the price, is a great option when you need to travel quickly with a small pack. See Paul's review of the best sleeping bags
How to survive on a desert island Paul Hart offers advice on how to survive should you find yourself stranded on a desert island, including tips on locating food and building a shelter More 'Action Packed' gear reviews The best travel backpacks for men The best trekking trousers for men The best softshell jackets for men The best fleece jackets for men The best warm lightweight jackets The best lightweight walking shoes The best waterproof trousers The best waterproof jackets The best tents The best rucksacks The best hiking boots About Paul Hart Few travellers put more demands on their kit than Paul Hart, a former Royal Navy lieutenant commander. Having served with the Royal Marines and the Paratroopers and led expeditions in the world’s toughest environments, he has joined Telegraph Travel to bring more than 30 years of adventure experience to bear on everything from boots and backpacks to tents and technology. For more of Paul's gear and kit reviews, click here