The Bottom Line
I would never camp without a self-inflating, insulating mattress, and Therm-a-rest pioneered the field.
Pros
- Insulates you from the ground
- Mostly self-inflating - just needs a few puffs to fill
- Packs flat and light
Cons
- None
Description
- Very lightweight
- Comes in a variety of lengths, widths, and thicknesses.
- Insulates you from the ground.
Guide Review - Therm-a-Rest Camping Mattress
Even after a hot day of walking, the ground can be cold and hard under your sleeping bag. A Therm-a-rest pad beats an air mattress because it insulates you from the ground as well as providing cushion. It rolls up flat, then re-inflates mostly by itself, with just a few puffs from you. I consider this pad an absolute requirement for sleeping in a sleeping bag.
