These are a classic benchmark product recognised by hikers and mountaineers across the generations. They provide an extremely durable and relatively inexpensive option which is crampon-proof, lightweight, and completely idiot proof. But they’re also really uncomfortable.

Foam mats remain a common sight strapped to the packs of alpinists on big routes, and we would recommend them for many alpine bivvies, or in scenarios where mat failure is likely and would result in serious consequences.

As well as lacking comfort they don’t fold up very small and provide precious little insulation. For certain situations they are still hard to beat, but for many applications there are now better options available than the closed-cell foam mat.

Essentially using air mattress technology, these mats are phenomenally lightweight and relatively comfortable, but they lack any real insulation and are quite vulnerable to puncture. When low weight is critical and in applications where mat failure is not disastrous (for example, some adventure races or mountain marathons) they are a good option, and we ourselves have used them regularly, but we would not recommend these mats for most applications unless you’re obsessed with saving weight.

We once made a sleeping bag which was Balloonbed compatible: it had fabric tubes running along its length which were then filled with long modelling balloons. The resultant bag/mat combination was extremely light and relatively comfortable, but the sound of bursting balloons during overnight camps at Mountain Marathons defined some competitors’ experiences.

These mats offer the greatest performance across most metrics. They are the warmest option, they are very light, they are exceptionally comfortable, and they pack up very small. Their limitations are their relatively high price, and the risk of puncture (though this is seldom as much a problem as many people expect). For cold-weather camping, for weight conscious users, or for those to whom comfort is key, this is the best sleeping mat option available.

These are another veteran and iconic product. They use foam to pull air into them (‘self-inflating’) and then a little air is used to top them up and increase the pressure. Self-inflating mats are significantly more comfortable than closed-cell foam mats, they are warmer, and weigh only a little more. They are easy to use and pretty durable, and pack up much smaller than a foam mat too. However, self-inflating mats can puncture and lack the real intense warmth and comfort of an insulated mat. They are a good all-round option for many campers, but are no longer the highest-performing option available.