Sleep comfortably under the stars
Sleeping outdoors is generally quite simple, but doing it comfortably is an art. So I always take at least two of these ground mattresses with me on my outdoor excursions. They help me to fall asleep gently, even on the most hostile ground.
I love sleeping under the stars, whatever the season. However, I don't deny myself comfort and enjoy sleeping in warmth and softness. As I'm careful to limit the weight of my rucksack when I go trekking, the weight and size of the sleeping mats need to be taken into account. They also need to be sufficiently insulating to prevent the cold from the ground seeping into your back.
That's a lot of requirements, I agree. But during my holidays and hikes, there's no question of neglecting my sleep. Clearly, finding a mattress that's super soft, warm, comfortable and at the same time extremely light and durable isn't necessarily easy. Nevertheless, some come close to this ideal. Here are three of my favourites.
Therm-a-Rest Z-lite Sol: a benchmark
A classic among outdoor enthusiasts, this foam mattress is very light (410 g), but its dimensions when folded (51x13x14 cm) aren't the most compact. However, the fact that it folds like an accordion is one of its strong points. It's ready in a flash for a break after hiking or kayaking - no need to inflate it. Folded up, it can be used as an improvised seat. I use it for my morning outdoor yoga sessions and for relaxing by the lake on wet ground.
And I use it as a sleeping mat for almost all my hikes. Used on its own, I find it too thin. But under a second inflatable ground mattress, it has already served me well for many nights. Its silver-coloured coating reflects heat, ensuring a pleasant temperature when you're sleeping on damp, cool ground. And when I sleep on the ground, without a tent, it helps protect my more fragile inflatable sleeping mats from sharp branches and thorns. I've even used it when I sleep in a hammock, where it's still quite cool at night because of the moisture in the air and the lower temperatures. So I used it as extra insulation. For me, this ground mattress is a bit like a base layer for clothes: I take it first and use it as a base in just about any condition.
Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated: the featherweight
With a weight of 480g and a size (uninflated) equivalent to a one-litre bottle, it would be wrong to deprive yourself of the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated. At least if you sleep in a tent and prefer to sleep on your back. Hard to beat in terms of size and weight. I also tried it outside, when sleeping under a tarpaulin. Even with the Therm-a-Rest Z-lite Sol underneath, small sharp branches on the forest floor twice managed to poke holes in the Ultralight's outer cover. I woke up suddenly on the ground. The Ultralight Insulated is easily repaired with the patches provided, but it's still very unpleasant to sleep on a mattress that deflates. That's why I don't recommend it for outdoor adventures without a tent. I'd rather take a mat that weighs a few grams more, but has a more robust outer cover. On the other hand, I do appreciate the inflation bag and the valve that prevents air from flowing back into the mat when it's folded.
Sea To Summit Etherlight XT Insulated: for sleeping on your side
If I had to choose just one mattress, it would be the Sea To Summit Etherlight XT Insulated. At 10cm thick when inflated, it's unbeatable in terms of comfort. Even when you sleep on your side, your hip and shoulder bones don't touch the ground. It's comfortable and stops me waking up at night because my bones hurt after turning over in my sleep.
The slightly thicker outer sides and structured surface provide more stability. And its insulation, combined with Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite, keeps you nice and warm. In terms of comfort and convenience, this mattress is the best I've had so far. And it makes virtually no noise when you roll over on it. Its weight of 490g and volume barely larger than a litre bottle are also convincing. It's worth noting, however, that while it's admittedly a little sturdier than the Sea To Summit Ultralight Insulated, I still place the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite underneath to protect it from the ground.
The Etherlight XT Insulated also has a built-in pump and valve that allows for slow, controlled deflation. I find this function particularly useful when I realise while sleeping that I've over-inflated my mattress. Short, gentle pressure on the valve changes the hardness of the mattress. As on the Ultralight, you can also let the air out of the mattress by opening the valve all the way, so that nothing refluxes.
These three ground mattresses have accompanied me in spring, summer and autumn. For the winter, I used to use a mattress with down, but unfortunately it's no longer made. When winter approaches, temperatures drop and new warm ground mattresses become available, I'll be testing out these new models and introducing you to my new favourites for chilly nights.
Headline photo: Siri Schubert41 people like this article
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
