Top 10 self-inflating mat companies
The best foreign brands of self-inflating mats
Traditionally, companies from the USA and Europe are considered the best developers of self-inflating bedding. The rugs of the brands of these countries are light, durable and functional models, which, subject to all the rules of operation, will faithfully serve you for more than one year. The main disadvantage that most buyers pay attention to is the high price of products. However, if you plan to engage in tourism thoroughly, it is better to give preference to proven manufacturers with a worldwide reputation.
5 Alexika
Country: USA-Germany
Rating (2022): 4.8
Alexika Sport Group is an international company registered in Portland (USA) in 1995, which, like many other companies, began as a small community of mountain climbing and hiking enthusiasts. Over time, the quality of the goods raised the company's reputation to the highest level, production expanded and soon the brand became international by opening a European head office in Augsburg (Germany). And in 2000, tourist equipment under the Alexika brand appeared on the Russian market. The priority activity of the concern is the production of high-strength tourist tents, sleeping bags and rugs.In addition, Alexika Sport Group produces a lot of accessories for tourism, among which it is worth noting light and compact hand pumps for self-inflating mattresses, which help speed up the process of filling them with air in any weather conditions.
In their reviews, buyers call the main advantage of this brand's rugs their volume, thanks to which it becomes comfortable to sleep even on the most rocky and uneven surface. Tourists also appreciated the high-strength non-slip bottom coating material, which provides excellent traction, and the soft front side made of waterproof polyester and velor.
4 Sea to Summit
Country: Australia
Rating (2022): 4.8
Up-and-coming Australian brand Sea to Summit has become world famous for its huge range of hiking and travel gear. Travel equipment of this brand is truly universal. Due to the simplicity and reliability of the design, it is ideal for use by professionals, as well as for the rest of ordinary ordinary tourists. The founder and main ideologist of the company is Tim Macartney-Snape, a member of the solo ascent of Everest in 1990. Using innovative technologies and his own rich experience, Tim has ensured that his brand equipment has become a reference among connoisseurs of quality tourist expeditions.
Sea to Summit self-inflating pads are the perfect balance of light weight and consistently high comfort.The mats are presented in two series - UltraLight (lightweight compact models designed for three-season use) and Comfort Light (the softest and warmest products recommended for camping and car travel). All products are characterized by a minimalist design and the presence of original valves with two inflation modes.
3 Tramp
Country: USA
Rating (2022): 4.9
Travel mats produced by the Tramp brand are most in demand among domestic buyers. The search for products of this brand occupies the first lines on popular Russian-language web services, and sales statistics show a constantly high level. For the first time, goods of this brand appeared on the shelves of domestic stores in 2003, quickly winning the love of Russian tourists for the excellent ratio of quality and affordable price. The company produces its own line of tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, clothes and shoes for traveling, as well as a wide range of self-inflating rugs, which are durable and highly reliable. In addition to the main products, convenient accessories can also be purchased from Trump, for example, self-inflating pillows, which, together with bedding, can make up a full-fledged sleeping place.
Tourists who tested the equipment of this company in the field noted the good thermal insulation of the mats, their compactness, light weight and the ability to quickly take the desired shape. Some models are provided with a repair kit, with which you can quickly "patch" a small damage to the surface of the product.
2 Exped
Country: Switzerland
Rating (2022): 5.0
The Swiss brand Exped specializes in the production of high-tech products for tourism and recreation, which can be classified as premium. This family firm was founded in 1997 by a couple who love to travel the world as "savages", and therefore are well versed in all the intricacies of living outside of civilization. Now Exped equipment is exported to more than 20 countries of the world, where it is in constant demand among fans of outdoor recreation.
The latest developments of the company have made it possible to improve the traditional technology of tourist carpets and mattresses so much that it has become as comfortable to rest on them as at home, on your favorite sofa. This was facilitated by the use of a new type of filler made of down and synthetics, due to which the boundaries of the temperature range of product operation were significantly expanded. Self-inflating models have also undergone some changes - Exped has developed a new design of the valve, providing bedding with Flat Valves with increased strength. They are very difficult to damage, which means that the equipment will serve you much longer than analogues from other companies. The brand's range consists of rugs of different sizes, thicknesses, configurations and weights. Most models come with a 5 year warranty.
1 Therm-A-Rest
Country: USA
Rating (2022): 5.0
The company was formed in 1971 when three mountaineering and hiking friends decided to upgrade their equipment by making the outdoor mattress more ergonomic, compact and lighter. As a result, a completely new technology was developed - the use of polyurethane with cells not isolated from each other as a filler.This revolutionized the manufacturing of outdoor products and started the production of self-inflating mats all over the world. Therm-A-Rest products have repeatedly won the most prestigious awards in their category, including the “gold medal” from the reputable Backpacker magazine for the design of comfortable bedding. The quality of the rugs is so high that it has been recognized at the state level - brand products are included in the mandatory set of equipment for a US Army soldier.
The most popular among buyers today are the Prolite lines of self-inflating bedding (as light and compact as possible) and EvoLite (hybrid design with foam and air channels). According to customer reviews, Therm-A-Rest mats can be called without hesitation the best in all performance and quality characteristics.
The best Russian brands of self-inflating mats
Russian brands for the production of tourist equipment do not have as much experience as their foreign competitors. Despite this, some brands have been able to gain the trust of customers in a very short time, and have earned a reputation as reliable manufacturers of quality travel products. An important advantage is the ability of domestic developers to adapt their products to the natural conditions of our country, which makes their products as comfortable as possible for hiking in their native land.
5 Alloy
Country: Russia
Rating (2022): 4.3
Splav is far from being a young manufacturer. Its history began in the 90s with the tailoring of catamarans.Today, the catalog contains hundreds of models of tourist clothing, shoes, all kinds of equipment and accessories to create maximum comfort on the road. At a cost, all goods are absolutely affordable for the average buyer. In addition, the company offers a profitable program with bonus points for each purchase.
There are many reviews and reviews about branded products, but not all of them are unambiguous. About self-inflating mats, for example, they write that they are compact, light and comfortable, but after a few months they begin to etch the air. The company's website has an active forum where the company's specialists provide support to customers in solving problems, which further improves its position in consumer confidence ratings.
4 Trek Planet
Country: Russia
Rating (2022): 4.5
Trek Planet launched its first collection of outdoor gear in 2010. Youth does not prevent the company from taking a leading position among more experienced players. Its main trump card is an extensive assortment that takes into account the interests of both one-day tourists and lovers of long camping trips. The price-quality ratio is optimal: the reviews note the solid appearance of the products.
So, the self-inflating rug model Relax 70, like the entire premium line, at a cost of about 4000 rubles. equipped with expensive brass valves. Similar products with a thickness of 70 mm from foreign companies are at least 2 times more expensive. In operation, domestic mats do not fail - they do not slip, do not get wet, inflate quickly and hold volume well. It is convenient to use them even at home as an extra bed for guests.
3 Navigator
Country: Russia
Rating (2022): 4.7
The Russian company Shturman, established in 2016 in Tver, is the youngest of all those participating in our review. Under this trademark, goods for road expeditions and tourism are produced - hermetic bags, camping utensils, protective clothing, self-inflating rugs and pillows. The developers assure that before launching the product into mass production, all models are tested in the field in order to completely eliminate possible inconvenience when using them in the future.
The company produces a series of compact single mats (model "Shturman ShT-SK-PO25Z") with an ergonomic design that fully meets the anatomy of the human body, double pads of increased dimensions (model "Shturman ShT-SK-ZD100S") and modules that can be connected to each other. the other with Velcro (model "Navigator ShT-SK-ZO50S"). Most uppers are made from soft yet durable woven microsuede, a man-made material that provides good grip, excellent warmth and a pleasant feel. The bottom is equipped with a special anti-slip coating. All mats of TM "Shturman" have an increased level of protection against mechanical damage, quickly take the desired shape and can be supplemented with self-inflating pillows from the same manufacturer. This is a lightweight and compact piece of equipment that can greatly enhance your outdoor enjoyment.
2 Helios
Country: Russia
Rating (2022): 4.8
The domestic brand Helios belongs to the Tonar group of companies, which is the largest manufacturer of goods for hunting, fishing and tourism in the Siberian region.This modern, rapidly developing enterprise has its own production base with an area of more than 20,000 square meters. m, and sells its products not only in the domestic market, but also in the countries of near and far abroad. Travel accessories of this brand participated in many Russian and international competitions, where they won honorary awards and first places.
Helios self-inflating mats are distinguished by their reliability, practicality, and, of course, more affordable cost than imported counterparts. The price range for this position lies in the range from 2,500 to 4,000 rubles, which allows anyone who goes on a multi-day hike or just for a picnic to purchase them. Due to the compactness of the bedding and its low weight, the product is convenient to take with you on a bike or motorcycle trip. All models feature a water-repellent finish with anti-slip rubber dots. The mats go on sale in a packing case, with a repair kit and ties included.
1 Greenell
Country: Ireland-Russia
Rating (2022): 4.9
The homeland of the brand is Ireland - one of the few countries on our globe where nature has still retained its purity and pristine freshness. For more than 10 years, Greenell has been producing affordable and high-quality tents, rugs and various outdoor furniture for camping. Some time ago, the trademark became part of the Russian company Nova Tour, after which its products became even more in demand among our customers.In 2016, Greenell launched a line of goods for tourists under the slogan "Made in Russia and for Russia", all items of which are made in the Russian Federation, taking into account the geographical environment of our country, and exclusively from domestic materials.
The production of oversized self-inflating mats brought particular popularity to the brand. In addition to the fact that all models already have dimensions larger than standard ones, they can also be connected to each other. The result is the largest possible coverage for a comfortable family outdoor recreation. The thickness of the bedding is a record 10 cm, while the weight of each product does not exceed 4 kg. For ease of transportation, a special bag (included in the price) made of waterproof fabric, equipped with strong handles, is sold along with the rug. This is one of the best companies in our rating, which optimally combines traditional European quality and all the advantages of "home" production.