How do you choose a winter mat (sleeping pads)?
Airsoft can certainly be played even in winter, but if you spend the night outside in the snow or you have several hours of downtime, it is easy to catch cold and hyperthermia. You can avoid this with good quality equipment and, above all, a suitable mat that will protect you from moisture and cold from the frozen ground. What mat should you choose, and what do you need to consider when buying one? We will look at this in today’s article.
Why is a sleeping bag not enough?
If you have a good quality sleeping bag for low temperatures, it may seem that a mat is a surplus that will only take up space. You are mistaken! Regardless of whether you have the best sleeping bag, a significant part of its thermal insulation properties will be lost to body pressure, and problems will arise. All the cold from the ground will go directly into your body, which not only brings with it discomfort and cold, but in extreme cases it can also be life-threatening. That is why it is necessary to insert an extra layer between the sleeping bag and the ground – a mat, which protects you from the cold, is sufficiently soft and flexible, and at the same time fits comfortably into your backpack.
What type of mat should you choose?
Before making a purchase, you always have to prioritize - how often will you camp in the wild on a mat? What are your financial options? Do you need a more compact or economical option? What is the maximum weight of the mat, and how much space should it take up in your backpack?
There are basically four basic types of mats - foam, inflatable, self-inflating, and mats with an aluminum liner. The most economical variant is the classic aluminum mat, which has excellent thermal insulation properties, but is quite cumbersome.
Foam mats have good thermal insulation properties depending on their thickness (usually between 5 and 20 mm). We also offer professional and very compact THERM-A-REST Z-LITE mats, which are filled with polyethylene, and are very light (only 410 g). The disadvantage is that classic foam mats are not very waterproof, and you may have problems with them on a wet floor.
Inflatable mats have very small dimensions when folded, and they are divided into sections, so they are very comfortable, and the air layer reliably protects you from the cold and any unevenness. In addition, inflatable mats weigh less than foam mats, have excellent thermal insulation properties, and have reliable valves that keep the mat inflated throughout the night. However, they need to be handled carefully. Logically, there is a higher risk of punctures and air leaks with these types of sleeping mats. Therefore, always carry a puncture repair kit with you.
Self-inflating mats provide the best ratio of compactness, durability, and comfort. In our offer you will find, for example, BCB Adventure XP-1131 - BCB self-inflating mats. These mats are filled with a special foam which, when the valve is opened, starts to draw air into it, which inflates it. After completely inflating, the thickness is around 3 cm, so you will sleep like a baby. Thanks to the special foam, it has excellent thermal insulation properties, inside the compression bag it is relatively compact and light, and its ergonomic shape ensures maximum comfort.
In any case, one thing is certain: if you are going to go camping in the winter, we definitely recommend that you take an inflatable or self-inflating mat. They keep you warm and dry, offer sufficient comfort, and are also compact and light, so you’ll hardly feel them on your back.
You should definitely not underestimate the specific choice of mat. If you are still unsure and would like advice on selection, then do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to discuss all of the options with you and together we will choose a mat that will meet your exact requirements.
