Hey There! 👋 I like to travel on a budget and it means a lot of camping since hotels quickly stack into a decent amount of money. Having a good sleeping mat is crucial for a comfortable and restful night’s sleep so I am full of energy to continue my adventure the next day.
It’s essential that the sleeping mat provides insulation from the chill of the ground as well as a plush, springy platform. Especially if you prefer to sleep on your side or in an “embryonic” position as I do.
Secondly, the mat should be quick to inflate and deflate and should not take too much space on the motorcycle since I already have lots of other gear including a tent, cooking gear, tools, and other personal items.
Contents
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Sleeping Mat
These are the main factors that influence the overall comfort of a sleeping mat.
- Dimensions – I like it to be +5 centimeters longer than my height and at least 60cm wide. Make sure it fits inside your tent. If a mat is longer than the tent – you will be forced to put it diagonally inside a tent or force it in which reduces longevity.
- Thickness – Higher thickness leads to better insulation (R-value is a measure of insulation) and cushioning/support but increases packing size. 7 cm thickness is a golden ground for me where the mat is comfortable yet does not pack too big.
- Type – there are 3 main types of mats:
- Foam mats – the simplest and cheapest type of sleeping mat. Made of a single layer of dense foam that provides some cushioning and insulation. Takes up a lot of space when packed.
- Self-inflating mats – offer a good balance of comfort, warmth, weight, and durability. They are made of a combination of foam and air, and they have a valve that allows air to enter and fill the mat when it is unrolled, and to escape when it is rolled up
- Air mats – lightweight and pack down very small. They rely entirely on air for cushioning and insulation, so they need to be inflated manually or with a pump. They are also prone to leaks and punctures, so they require careful handling. You can use a foam mat in combination with an air mat to improve insulation and reduce the chance of puncture.
- Durability – For inflatable mats look for reinforced seams to prevent tearing and reduce
puncture chance. Foam mats are simple and durable. - Ease of use – the fewer actions I have to do to use the mat – the better. I already have to unpack my gear, put up a tent, and cook a meal. Also, I am usually tired in the evening after a full day of riding. Self-inflating mats win here. Foam mats are also just unroll-and-use, but they provide little sleeping comfort for me since I can’t sleep on my back.
Below are listed the sleeping mats to consider for motorcycle camping.
Sleeping Mats for Motorcycle Camping
Best Overall
#1 BeyondHOME
Type: Air+Foam
Self-Inflating: ✅ Yes
Dimensions (LxW): 203×71
Thickness: 10 cm
R-Value: 9.5 (High)
Packing size: 76×20 cm
Benefits & Features
✅ Super easy to inflate. Simply switch the valve core to the ‘INFLATE’ position and let the mattress self-inflate within 3 minutes. No need to bring an additional pump or use your breath. One less task for the evening.
✅ High R-value of 9.5 means that this mat has enough insulation for winter use which is more than enough for motorcycle camping.
✅ Packs manageable size to carry on a motorcycle. For this level of comfort, thickness, and size (LxW) this mat packs small enough. You won’t be able to put it inside the side pannier due to its length. However, it will fit inside a waterproof 60L duffle bag that can be placed on the rear seat. By the way, that is how I transport my camping gear including a tent and sleeping bag.
✅ Good for tall people due to 203 cm length. ⚠️ For me, this length is overkill since I am 175 cm tall and I would prefer a smaller mat that is easier to fit inside my tent and pack smaller.
✅ No squishing noise when you move on it due to the TPU material. The second benefit of this material is that there is no plasticky smell as with many cheaper mats.
✅ 10 cm of thickness creates enough support to sleep on the side and not have any shoulder pain or pressure points.
⚠️ If you want to use it for backpacking or hiking – it is too big and heavy to carry all day on your own. But for motorcycle camping this is not an issue since a motorcycle does all the carrying job. 😋
Runner Up
#2 Klymit
Type: Air
Self-Inflating: ❌ No
Dimensions (LxW): 193×76 cm
Thickness: 8 cm
R-Value: 4.4 (average)
Packing size: 28×16 cm
Benefits & Features
✅ Decent insulation. With an R-Value of 4.4, this sleeping mat is comfortable for spring and summer use.
✅ Comfortable for side sleepers.
✅ Packs small enough and will easily fit into the side panniers.
⚠️ Inflating it will require some manual effort. Expect 30 to 50 breaths to fully inflate. Note that the flip-style valve is difficult to get the pump nozzle to fit.
Best For Money
#3 POWERLIX
Type: Air
Self-Inflating: ❌ No
Dimensions (LxW): 195×58 cm
Thickness: 5 cm
R-Value: 1.6 (Low)
Packing size: 28×10 cm
Benefits & Features
✅ Packs small enough to easily fit in the average motorcycle pannier.
✅ Comes with an inflation bag that can be used to inflate this mat if you do not want to do it by breath.
⚠️ Low R-value of 1.6. It means that there is low thermal insulation. Use it in combination with a foam pad if the temperature drops below 12 °C at night.
⚠️ Lack of size selection. 195 cm is way too long for my height and I would prefer a shorter mat so it packs smaller. Secondly, my tent is 185cm long so I have to bend this mat slightly to fit it in.
⚠️ A bit squishy if under-inflated.
❌ There are complaints of air leaks overnight.
Most Simple and Affordable
#4 Sleeping Mat
Type: Foam
Self-Inflating: Not Applicable
Dimensions (LxW): 183×61 cm
Thickness: 1 cm
R-Value: 1.0 (Low)
Packing size: 61×15 cm
Benefits & Features
✅ Simple foam matt that works great in combination with an air mat.
⚠️ Has a strong plastic smell. First-time uses in closed areas like tents may be unpleasant but the smell will go out eventually.
⚠️ Low comfort if used on its own, the comfort level is reduced due to insufficient thickness for distributing the load across larger areas, leading to the formation of pressure points. Especially if you are a side sleeper as I am.
Worth Mentioning
#5 TREKOLOGY
Type: Air
Self-Inflating: ❌ No
Dimensions (LxW): 186×76 cm
Thickness: 20 cm
R-Value: 1.8 (Low)
Packing size: 28x13cm
Benefits & Features
✅ Comfortable and supportive for a non-foam inflatable mat.
✅ Has integrated “pillow” bump. It is not sufficient for my liking but better than nothing.
✅ Packs small enough to easily fit into a side pannier.
✅ A thickness of 20 cm is sufficient for the air mat to provide support for side sleepers and prevent the mat from folding-in into the ground, even without the use of foam.
⚠️ Low grip leading to sleeping bag sliding off it overnight as you move in sleep.
⚠️ Pillow design is not comfortable if you sleep on your stomach.
⚠️ Low R-value. Good for summer use, however, may get uncomfortable during spring and autumn or below 10 °C.
MOST Comfortable but Packs too big
#6 LOSTHORIZON
Type: Air+Foam
Self-Inflating: ✅ Yes
Dimensions (LxW): 203×71 cm
Thickness: 11 cm
R-Value: ✅ 13 (High)
Packing size: 73×41 cm
Benefits & Features
✅ Most comfortable mat in this list. It is like taking your bed with you. 11 cm thickness with self-inflation.
✅ High R-value. Suitable for use in minus temperatures which is a huge overkill for motorcycle camping since we rarely ride in winter.
❌ Packs enormous at 73x41mm. This mat would require a separate large-size duffle bag just to carry it.
Bottom Line
A night of good sleep is crucial to recharge your body’s energy to fully enjoy your adventure. The right sleeping mat is 80% for a comfortable and restful night’s sleep during motorcycle camping.
When choosing the sleeping mat for camping – consider dimensions, thickness, ease of use, durability, and self-inflating feature. My top pick is the BeyondHOME sleeping mat, offering easy inflation, high insulation, manageable packing size, and good cushioning support. Klymix is my second choice as being a simple and durable air mat. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the POWERLIX mat, but be aware of its lower thermal insulation.
