Here at Alton, understanding comfort in the wild isn't just our passion.
It's our job.
Over the past decade, we've spent countless nights in the wild testing gear, trying out different camping setups, and listening to the feedback of thousands of adventurers just like you.
And trust us, we've had enough sleepless nights to know exactly what doesn't work, and more importantly, what does.
So in the name of better sleep (and better adventures), we’re sharing the ten worst sleeping mat mistakes people commonly make – and exactly how to fix them.
Keep reading, and your next night in the wild might just be your best yet.
Mistake #1 – Choosing the Wrong R-Value
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night feeling like you’ve got an ice block beneath you?
Then congratulations, because you've made one of the most common sleeping mat mistakes around – choosing the wrong sleeping mat r-value for the conditions.
Choosing a sleeping mat with an inadequate R-value for the conditions is like choosing to wear shorts on a ski trip.
In other words, choosing the wrong R-value isn't just uncomfortable; it can completely derail your adventure.
Too cold, and you’ll spend all night shivering instead of recharging. Too warm, and you'll feel stuffy and overheated, spending more time sweating than sleeping.
Either way, you'll wake up feeling (and looking) like you’ve aged 15 years overnight.
How To Fix It: Take the Time To Understand R-Value Before You Buy.
The first thing you need to do is check the lowest possible temperature where you’re going.
Now, this isn’t just about looking at the weather forecast for the dates you’re going (although that is important to know, too).
It’s about researching the lowest possible temperature you may encounter.
A quick online search for the weather averages in the area will give you a general idea of how cold it might be, but we recommend using the Bureau of Meteorology’s climate data research tool to get a more accurate result.
Once you know the lowest possible temperature you’ll be using your sleeping mat in, you can easily work out the R-value you’re going to need by referring to our sleeping mat R-value chart.
An R-value of around 1 to 2 is ideal for mild climates, where the overnight temperature is no lower than 10ºC. An R-value of 3 or 4 works well for 3-season use, but for very cold weather you’ll need a sleeping mat with an R-value over 5.
Want a more detailed breakdown of all the factors that go into choosing the best sleeping mat R-value? Check out this blog next.
Mistake #2: Underestimating Mat Size & Width
Another mistake we see all the time is people underestimating the importance of choosing the right sleeping mat size.
Getting the right sleeping mat size is important because the length and width of your sleeping mat seriously impacts your comfort and warmth.
If your sleeping mat is too short for you, you will probably end up with your feet hanging off the end. This isn't just uncomfortable – in it can also cause you to lose body heat.
The same goes if your sleeping mat is too narrow for you. If you’re dangling off your sleeping mat, you’re missing out on all the insulation and comfort it is supposed to be giving you.
A lot of people think having a bigger, wider (and heavier) sleeping mat is an unnecessary luxury. But in our experience, the extra comfort a wider sleeping mat offers is well worth a little extra weight in your pack.
How To Fix It: Choose A Sleeping Mat That’s Wide Enough For You.
How big your sleeping mat should be comes down to three key factors: how tall you are, what position you like to sleep in, and how cold it is.
You’ve probably noticed that some sleeping mats come in Regular, Regular Wide, and Large size options.
When choosing your sleeping mat, take a look at the height and width measurements and compare back to your own height. We recommend choosing a sleeping mat that is around 5cm longer than you are tall.
It is also important to consider your preferred sleeping position. If you sleep like a vampire, flat on your back with arms crossed, then you can probably get away with a narrow width, but for those of us who like to spread out while we’re sleeping, then having a wide sleeping mat can make a HUGE difference to our comfort and warmth.
Finally, in very cold conditions, having a wider, longer sleeping mat is even more important. The added width creates a larger insulating barrier, ensuring you stay warm all night.
Mistake #3 – Ignoring Sleeping Mat Shape
You’ve probably noticed that sleeping mats come in a variety of ever-so slightly different shapes. Rectangular, mummy, tapered…
You might be thinking, “Come on, mate, they’re all practically the same – what difference does it make?”
Well, mate, let us tell you: sleeping mat shape makes a difference.
Get the right shape for your needs and preferences, you’ll be significantly more comfortable and sleep a whole lot better as a result.
Get the wrong shape for you, and you’ll be forced to rest in uncomfortable positions, sleep poorly, and wake up feeling groggy and tired. Not fun.
How To Fix It: Take Your Sleeping Position Into Account.
The best shape for a sleeping pad comes down to your preferred sleeping position.
Rectangular mats are the big-dogs of the sleeping mat world. They’re great if you like sprawling out, but they’re often a little heavier, too.
Mummy sleeping mats are widest at the top and get narrower at the feet, which makes them lighter and more packable, but you may have a little less room to spread out.
Tapered sleeping mats, also sometimes called semi-rectangular sleeping mats, are our personal favourite. Although there is a fair bit of variation in this category, tapered sleeping mats are generally designed to offer more room than traditional mummy sleeping mats, but with more weight savings compared to rectangular sleeping mats.
Psst… if you’re shopping for a new sleeping mat, this article goes into more detail about the different sleeping mat shapes and how to choose the best option for your needs.
Mistake #4 – Getting a Noisy Sleeping Mat
We’ve all been there. Tucked into your sleeping bag after a long day of hiking, exhausted and trying to get comfy and fall asleep, all quiet and peaceful…
Until you roll over and wake the whole campsite up with your rustling and shuffling and swishing.
Nope, it’s not your imagination – some sleeping mats really are that loud.
Camping sleeping mats are usually made from thin, tightly woven synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester with added coatings such as polyurethane (PU).
These materials excel when it comes to being air-tight, waterproof and lightweight, but they aren’t able to absorb sound the same way your soft, cushioned mattress at home can. They’re slick and slippery, so you get that distinct plasticky rustling sound every time you move.
The insulation inside your sleeping mat can also contribute to the noise levels. Sleeping mats with high R-values often utilise a heat reflective metallic film thin inside the mat.
Like an emergency blanket, a metallised film reflects your body heat back at you instead of letting it escape into the cold ground. This is great for boosting warmth without adding extra weight, but it can sound like you’re sleeping on a packet of chips.
How To Fix It: Choose A Low-Noise Sleeping Mat and/or Use a Fitted Sheet
If you’re still shopping for a sleeping pad, then please do yourself (and everyone else) a favour and invest in one with a low-noise coating.
Special low-noise coatings such as laminated TPU work by creating a smoother, softer surface that reduces friction noise when you shift around at night. While these coatings don’t eliminate all noise, they do significantly reduce those annoying rustling and swishing sounds when you roll around on your sleeping mat, which is a massive bonus for light sleepers.
Another easy method to reduce sleeping mat noise even further is to add a layer between you and the mat. A sleeping mat fitted sheet does a great job at absorbing sound and reducing friction. Plus, it’s more comfortable to sleep on, protects your mat from damage, and keeps it cleaner.
Bonus Tip: How inflated your sleeping mat is also impacts how noisy it is. Generally, the firmer your sleeping mat is, the noisier it will be, so avoid over-inflating your sleeping mat. Not only will this be quieter, but it is actually more comfortable, too.
Mistake #5 - Over-inflating Your Mat
Of all the common sleeping mat mistakes we see, over-inflating is far and away the most common one.
It seems logical. More air equals more support, right?
Wrong!
When you crank up the air pressure to maximum, your sleeping mat isn't able to effectively cradle your body in a natural resting position, which can cause you to wake up with aches and pains in your hips, back or shoulders.
And don’t even get us started on the bouncing castle feeling you get when you try to shift positions. Over-inflation creates a taut, trampoline-like surface, making it much harder for your sleeping mat to absorb your movements.
Worse still, an over-inflated mat is more prone to popping or developing slow leaks. So not only are you uncomfortable, but you’re also more likely to have late night disinflation disasters, too.
How To Fix It: Don’t Fully Inflate Your Sleeping Mat.
After years of trial and error, we have found that sleeping mats need a lot less air that you might think.
To figure out what level of inflation feels the best for you, get your sleeping mat and lay it on the floor. Inflate it so it looks about ‘a third’ full – not totally saggy, but definitely not rigid, either.
Once you’ve done that, lay on down and roll around a bit to find your comfortable sleeping position. If you can feel the ground anywhere while you’re laying down, then add a little bit more air – but don’t over do it.
Exactly how inflated your sleeping pad should be will depend on your preferences, but as a general rule side sleepers will be more comfortable with less air, while back sleepers might prefer a bit more.
Give it a go and see what feels best for you!
Mistake #6 – Buying the Most Expensive Mat In the Shop
It’s easy to assume that the most expensive sleeping mat is going to be the warmest, most comfortable, and most durable option available. After all, why else would it cost so much?
But if you’ve done this, then we have some bad news for you. You’ve made one of the most common (and expensive) sleeping mat mistakes of them all.
While price can tell you a bit about a sleeping mat’s quality, it isn’t going to give you the full picture. Some big brands offer high-quality outdoor gear at reasonable prices, while others produce equivalent quality gear but massively inflate their prices because they know people are willing to pay more for their brand name.
Independent brands, like us here at Alton, can also deliver outstanding quality products, often at a significantly lower price. We do this by keeping our overheads low and not having to answer to stakeholders who pressure bigger brands into raising prices to squeeze maximum profit from each sale.
It's important to understand it's not a black-and-white issue—price alone doesn’t define quality or value. And like we always say, you have to remember that the best sleeping mat doesn’t exist, because ‘best’ is subjective.
How To Fix It: Choose the Best Sleeping Mat for YOU.
The best sleeping mat is the one that fits your specific adventures, sleeping style, and comfort needs – and your budget.
So before you automatically grab the most expensive mat in the shop, think about what you actually need—because spending more money won’t magically make your sleep better if you’re using the wrong sleeping mat in the first place.
And remember, peak price doesn’t equal peak performance.
For an in-depth guide to choosing the best sleeping mat for you, be sure to check out this article.
Mistake #7 – Forgetting a Sleeping Mat Repair Kit
No matter how tough your sleeping mat is, accidents happen. Maybe you hear the sinister hissing sound of a leak as you settle into bed for the night, or maybe you just wake up at 2am to discover your precious sleeping mat has gone saggy.
Either way, if you don’t have a repair kit, then even a minor sleeping mat leak can be a major hassle.
So what do you do about it?
How To Fix It: Be Prepared To Repair Sleeping Mat Punctures.
First and foremost, always carry a repair kit. Most sleeping mats come with one, but if yours doesn’t, then do yourself a favour and buy one – and brush up on how to use it before you need it.
Now, another point worth mentioning is that if you notice your sleeping mat is slowly losing air throughout the night, don’t panic straight away. Many people assume they have a slow leak when, in reality, they just haven't closed the valve properly. To avoid this, double check the valve is completely closed and sealed when you finish inflating your sleeping mat.
Mistake #8 – Neglecting Sleeping Mat Hygiene
Sleeping mat hygiene is easy to ignore. After all, your sleeping mat just sits there, right? It’s not like your boots, which get caked in mud, or your sleeping bag, which develops that unmistakable stinky sock smell over time.
But make no mistake – your sleeping mat is exposed to sweat, dirt, and whatever mysterious substances you’ve dragged into your tent after a long day in the wild.
Over time all that dirt, grime and moisture can all take a toll and shorten the lifespan of your sleeping mat.
How To Fix It: Regularly Clean Your Sleeping Mat.
A little maintenance goes a long way in keeping your mat clean, comfortable, and in top condition for years of adventures.
Start with prevention. Keep your mat on a clean surface, avoid eating on it, and if it gets damp, be sure to dry it out completely before packing it away.
After each trip, give your mat a once over with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use soaps or detergents as they can damage the material.
If a simple wipe-over won’t cut it, you can wash your sleeping mat by hand using this method, but be sure the valve is completely sealed so no water goes inside.
Only ever wash your sleeping mat with technical gear cleaner (such as Nikwax Tech Wash) that’s safe for synthetic materials. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry for at least 24 hours before packing it away.
Mistake #9 – Storing Your Sleeping Mat Incorrectly
So, you've just returned from a trip, tossed your sleeping mat into a cupboard, and moved on with life. Weeks (or months) later, you pull it out, ready for the next adventure – only to discover it smells weird, the fabric feels slimy, and it isn’t holding air as well as it should.
If this is you, then we’ve got some bad news for you: you’re making a rookie mistake – and ruining your sleeping mat in the process.
There are a couple reasons why we strongly advise against storing your sleeping mat tightly folded or rolled up.
First, if you tightly roll or fold up your mat, you’re creating creases in the fabric and compressing the insulation layers inside the mat.
Over time, these creases can turn into weak points that are more prone to leaks, and the insulation can become less effective, too.
Second, when your sleeping mat is compressed, any moisture won’t be able to escape, creating a perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew.
Prolonged exposure to moisture can also weaken the fabric structure itself, leading to peeling, bubbling, or delamination (when the layers separate).
Fortunately for you, with a little bit of effort, you’ll be able to prevent all of these things from ever being an issue.
How To Fix It: Store Your Sleeping Mat Properly.
Immediately after a trip, you should unpack your sleeping mat and give it a little TLC. Clean it, make sure there aren’t any leaks, and allow it to dry completely with the valve open.
We like to leave ours in a dry, well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight for a good 24 hours after a trip so we’re sure it’s completely dry inside and out before packing it away.
To store it, the best technique is to leave it unrolled and flat somewhere like under a bed or the couch (but make sure it’s clean under there first). We like to wrap ours in a cotton sheet so it’s protected from dust and bugs, too.
However, if space is tight, then store your sleeping mat loosely rolled with the valve open, rather than tightly packed into the gear stuff sack. A cotton sleeping bag storage sack is also perfect for storing your sleeping mat.
And whatever you do, be sure to store your sleeping mat in an area that is dry, clean and not exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations. Very hot temperatures can cause the adhesives used in some mats to weaken and put the synthetic materials at risk of delamination.
Mistake #10 – Not Using A Sleeping Mat
Believe it or not, there are people out there who question whether sleeping mats are really necessary.
Maybe they think that real camping means roughing it, caveman-style. Maybe they think they’re proving something. Or maybe they just forgot to pack a mat and are now trying to save face.
Whatever the reason, we have one thing to say to them: You’re making a terrible mistake.
Without a sleeping mat, you're not just in for a long, cold night of pain, poor insulation and pathetic recovery – you’re also inadvertently setting off a chain reaction of negative effects that could end up having life-threatening consequences.
You see, the ground doesn’t care how tough you think you are; the moment you lie down without insulation, your body heat begins to be sucked away by the earth beneath you.
It’s science 101. Heat moves from warm objects (you) to cold ones (the ground) until temperatures equalise.
And since the earth has a practically infinite capacity to absorb heat, you’re always going to end up on the losing side of that equation.
As a result, your body has to work extra hard to stop you from becoming dangerously cold (hello, hypothermia). That means you’ll be burning through your energy reserves all night long as your body fights to keep your internal organs at a safe temperature.
Best case scenario, you’ll wake up feeling terrible.
Not only will you be physically exhausted, the combination fatigue and mild hypothermia can reduce cognitive function, too, so you’ll be far more likely to make mistakes, whether that’s getting lost, making bad decisions, or having accidents.
And the worst case scenario? Well, let’s just hope it never comes to that.
How To Fix It: Use A Sleeping Mat!
This mistake is easy to fix. All you have to do is use a sleeping mat.
Your sleeping mat is not just a comfy cushion, it’s a strategic insulative barrier between you and the cold ground.
Provided you have a sleeping mat with an R-value rating that is suitable for the conditions, it will be able to prevent your body heat being conducted away through the ground, so you stay at a comfortable (and safe) temperature as you sleep.
And that improved sleep quality means your body can repair and recharge, so you wake up feeling ready to meet the demands of the outdoors.
At the end of the day, if you really want to live out your own Alone-style survivalist fantasy, then we can’t stop you. But just be warned that while it is possible to build a DIY insulative camping bed, it requires a lot of time, effort and research to get it right.
And while we’re all for learning bushcraft and wilderness survival skills, we’re also very happy to have our warm, comfortable sleeping mat to curl up on after a long day in the wild.
But hey, you do you.
Better Sleep = Better Adventures
Now, you can keep suffering through cold, restless nights, or you can take action to fix these common sleeping mat mistakes, fine-tune your setup, and never settle for a miserable night outdoors again.
Your sleeping mat is more than just a ‘comfort’ item. It’s the foundation of your recovery, your warmth, and your ability to actually enjoy the adventure you set out for.
Because when you get improve your sleep, everything else – your energy, your endurance, and your experience in the wild – improves, too.
