Sleep mat for scouts

[Qwerty]

My son has started scouts and is just back from his first weekend away. His sleeping bag is fine, but the decathlon foam pad isn't comfy or warm enough for him.

It's scouting so it needs to be robust and lightish, but does anyone have a suggestion for an upgrade?

 

[TLM]

Black Fjällräven foam pads are one of the best foam pads, not cheap though. Look for at least 10mm thickness and as small cell size as possible.

 

[Chris]

British Army closed cell mat has served people well for decades. 10mm thick and cheap as chips.

Fairly large, but scouts have managed fine with it for years.

 

[Silverclaws2]

In my day of which includes plenty of backpacking and of course the Queen's Scout Expedition, it was closed cell foam Karrimats

 

[stonepark]

He could take the foam mat (as a base layer) and a 2nd mat either another 12mm foam mat or an air mat which would be 50mm thick and help with both heat and comfort.

Has he spent a few nights sleeping on the floor with the original mat to get used to roughing it? For someone used to a soft mattress, a night of the ground/floor is often a shock.

 

[Bazzworx]

I use one of the Dutch army 20mm foam ones which I have cut to my length then made a sit mat out of the off cut. I got fed up with air mats getting punctures as I sleep on the ground. It's not as comfy as an air mat but it is very good for insulation.

 

[hughtrimble]

He could take the foam mat (as a base layer) and a 2nd mat either another 12mm foam mat or an air mat which would be 50mm thick and help with both heat and comfort.

Has he spent a few nights sleeping on the floor with the original mat to get used to roughing it? For someone used to a soft mattress, a night of the ground/floor is often a shock.

This is what I do. Worth the weight/pack space for the comfort and protection of the air mat, and the reassuring knowledge that if the air mat goes pop I still have the closed cell foam for the remainder of the night.

 

[TeeDee]

I'm actually wondering if there is a more 'chonky' closed cell mat out there?
Ive no problem with a larger thicker mat because once its down , its down for the duration and when you are up and moving its on the back of the bergen.

So I'm wondering of there is anything out there that maybe a hybrid blend of old school rugged durability and new manufacturing technology.

I've one of those mats ( forget the name ) that folds and basically is waffled and corrugates on itself but its a bit thin.

So is there anything out there that is similar but built more heavy duty , thicker and more durable?

( I'm discounting anything inflatable as when you do get a leak it can seriously ruin the experience for however you are out )

 

[hughtrimble]

I've one of those mats ( forget the name ) that folds and basically is waffled and corrugates on itself but its a bit thin.

So is there anything out there that is similar but built more heavy duty , thicker and more durable?

( I'm discounting anything inflatable as when you do get a leak it can seriously ruin the experience for however you are out )

I don't really understand. So modern, but not waffled, and no air in/out. So it's a solid foam mat but using modern materials? Perhaps some of the Multimats with their fancy foams. Though they're not new exactly, been around for a while.

Good thread here where Dan and Keith explain to me just what's going on with some of their materials:

Post in thread 'What did you buy today?'

Jun 5, 2025

I bought it from Camping International

Is anyone aware of the advantage of the Expedition 12XL (1850 x 575 x 12mm) vs the Comfort 12XXL (1900 x 570 x 12mm)

The latter is very slightly longer, half the price, and lighter presumably because it doesn't have the brass eyelets. Am I missing something? Both five season, both made in Wales etc.

Multi Mat Extreme 12XL Foam Mat - Camping International

The Multimat Extreme 12 XL Foam Sleeping Mat,?offers extreme comfort and warmth yet remains incredibly lightweight (450g) making this season 5 mat ideal for expeditions and much colder climates. The durable and reliable Extreme foam mat range offers you the optimum combination of weight...

camping-intl.com

MultiMat Comfort 12XXL Roll Mat - Red - Camping International

Designed for Comfort and Practicality Multimat’s Comfort XL is the ideal choice for backpackers and campers on the move. Part of the Premium range, this mat delivers as much comfort as possible while remaining practical and easy to use. Key Features: Luxury Foam Sleeping Mat: Almost 50% thicker...

camping-intl.com

• hughtrimble

 

[TeeDee]

I don't really understand. So modern, but not waffled, and no air in/out. So it's a solid foam mat but using modern materials? Perhaps some of the Multimats with their fancy foams. Though they're not new exactly, been around for a while.

Good thread here where Dan and Keith explain to me just what's going on with some of their materials:

Post in thread 'What did you buy today?'

Jun 5, 2025

I bought it from Camping International

Is anyone aware of the advantage of the Expedition 12XL (1850 x 575 x 12mm) vs the Comfort 12XXL (1900 x 570 x 12mm)

The latter is very slightly longer, half the price, and lighter presumably because it doesn't have the brass eyelets. Am I missing something? Both five season, both made in Wales etc.

Multi Mat Extreme 12XL Foam Mat - Camping International

The Multimat Extreme 12 XL Foam Sleeping Mat,?offers extreme comfort and warmth yet remains incredibly lightweight (450g) making this season 5 mat ideal for expeditions and much colder climates. The durable and reliable Extreme foam mat range offers you the optimum combination of weight...

camping-intl.com

MultiMat Comfort 12XXL Roll Mat - Red - Camping International

Designed for Comfort and Practicality Multimat’s Comfort XL is the ideal choice for backpackers and campers on the move. Part of the Premium range, this mat delivers as much comfort as possible while remaining practical and easy to use. Key Features: Luxury Foam Sleeping Mat: Almost 50% thicker...

camping-intl.com

• hughtrimble

My bad - one of these -




Which IS good at being space saving and compact but ultimately its thin.

So i wondered if there was something that took the best of both worlds ?

Old school durability but maybe with a new waffle concertina type style ?

 

[hughtrimble]

My bad - one of these -

View attachment 102677


Which IS good at being space saving and compact but ultimately its thin.

So i wondered if there was something that took the best of both worlds ?

Old school durability but maybe with a new waffle concertina type style ?

Isn't that a relatively recent design though? It's thin, but that's because the waffle shape is designed to trap warm air in those pockets beneath you, rather than relying on the foam itself. So it's using that design to enable it to be thinner and thus lighter whilst also insulating you.

 

[TeeDee]

Isn't that a relatively recent design though? It's thin, but that's because the waffle shape is designed to trap warm air in those pockets beneath you, rather than relying on the foam itself. So it's using that design to enable it to be thinner and thus lighter whilst also insulating you.

Yes its a relatively recent design.
And yes its thin.


Have you used one?

 

[stonepark]

Mechanics EVA work mat... Folding but 30mm thick?

 

[hughtrimble]

Yes its a relatively recent design.
And yes its thin.


Have you used one?

No, last time I tried to buy one (Decathlon MT500) they were selling a smaller size than advertised online. But it'll likely replace my current one which goes underneath my Exped air mat, unless I keep reading threads by @Dan00001 which tend to make me want to go for a Multimat.

 

[Toddy]

Yes its a relatively recent design.
And yes its thin.


Have you used one?

We have an older version, it's at least twenty five years old, but it's bulky, it folds in four/five ? pleats, bright orange.....it's up the loft, haven't used it since Himself went to Skye before lock down.....but it's twice as thick as the normal camping mats.
I cannot remember the name on it just now, if I do I'll post.
It has been rock solid reliable though, but it's honestly rucksack filling bulky. Comfortable though, and cetainly warmer than most.

I bought the down mat to replace it because of the bulk.

 

[TeeDee]

Mechanics EVA work mat... Folding but 30mm thick?

Amazon.co.uk

A touch short but in the right sort of direction I guess.

• Great for staying clean and more comfortable when working under and around vehicles. Open size - 117cm long, 42cm wide and 3.2cm thick

 

[TeeDee]

We have an older version, it's at least twenty five years old, but it's bulky, it folds in four/five ? pleats, bright orange.....it's up the loft, haven't used it since Himself went to Skye before lock down.....but it's twice as thick as the normal camping mats.
I cannot remember the name on it just now, if I do I'll post.
It has been rock solid reliable though, but it's honestly rucksack filling bulky. Comfortable though, and cetainly warmer than most.

I bought the down mat to replace it because of the bulk.

But as mats seems to mostly travel on the outside of a pack ( mine do at least ) I'm ok with that , even if just bungeed down.

I'd be interested to know what make yours is Toddy if you have a moment of remembering.

 

[Toddy]

Son2 is going glamping with a family friend next week. He'll need his sleeping bag. I'll ask him to burrow out the mat and take a photo while he's up the loft.

I quite like the look of the modern eggbox like ones. The old one is much flatter.