A good night's sleep doesn't start with the sleeping bag. A suitable sleeping mat protects against heat loss to the ground and also determines how comfortable you are sleeping outdoors.
Grüezi bag® sleeping mats therefore combine insulation with a special two-layer construction: Two separate air layers can be adjusted independently. The bottom layer is slightly firmer for a stable base, while the top layer is softer so that the shoulders and hips can sink in comfortably. The V-chamber construction and raised side chambers further support a stable sleeping position.
Whether camping, trekking, bikepacking, roof tent or van : Here you will find the right sleeping mat for your needs.
Which sleeping mat is right for me?
The right sleeping mat depends primarily on where you are staying overnight, how much weight you want to carry, how much freedom of movement you need, and what temperatures you will be traveling in.
At Grüezi bag® you can choose between a lightweight trekking mat with DownWool® insulation and comfort-oriented camping mats with wool insulation.
DownWool Mat Trekking: when weight and pack size matter
The DownWool Mat Trekking is the lightest mat in the Grüezi bag® sleeping mat series and is designed for tours where the equipment is carried by the user.
Its mummy shape saves material and pack volume. The insulation combines a firmly integrated DownWool® fleece made of 70% down and 30% wool with a heat-reflective foil and the two air layers.
- R-value: 3,9
- Weight approx. 750 g + stuff sack
- Packing volume: about 4,6 l
- Height: 8 cm
- Form: Mummy shape
- Ideal for: Trekking, bikepacking, mountain tours and travel
View Wool Mat Camping Comfort →
What is special about the Grüezi bag® sleeping mats?
Many inflatable sleeping mats consist of a single layer of air. Grüezi bag® mats take a different approach: two separate layers of air, each with its own valve.
Two air positions instead of one
The lower and upper layers can be inflated independently of each other.
This allows the lower layer to be adjusted to be firmer, while the upper layer can remain softer. This allows the shoulders and hips to sink into the upper layer, while the lower layer provides a more stable base.
Additional reserve in case of air loss
The two air layers are kept separate. Should one layer be damaged and lose air en route, the second layer remains usable.
Especially on multi-day trekking or camping tours, this can be a decisive advantage over a design with only one air chamber.
V-chamber construction for a more stable lying position
Anyone who has ever slept on a very firmly inflated air mattress knows the feeling of rolling to the side at night.
Grüezi bag® sleeping mats therefore combine a V-shaped chamber structure with raised side chambers . Together with the softer, adjustable upper air layer, this design helps to position the body more stably on the mat.
8 cm height, also suitable for side sleepers
Side sleepers put particular pressure on a sleeping mat at specific points, such as the shoulders and hips.
The 8 cm high Grüezi bag® mats, together with the separately adjustable top layer, provide space for these body areas to sink in, while the underlying air layer continues to create distance from the ground.
Why does a good sleeping bag need a suitable sleeping mat?
A sleeping bag primarily insulates through air trapped within its filling. However, under your body, this filling is compressed and therefore provides significantly less insulation.
The insulating layer against the cold ground is primarily provided by the sleeping mat.
Therefore, sleeping bag and sleeping mat should always be considered as a combined sleeping system.
A warm sleeping bag cannot simply compensate for a sleeping surface that is unsuitable for the conditions.
→ Learn more about sleeping bag temperature and the right sleep system
What does the R-value of a sleeping mat mean?
The R-value describes the thermal resistance of a sleeping mat . Simply put: the higher the R-value, the more the mat reduces the heat flow between your body and the cold ground.
The R-value is therefore an important comparison parameter when choosing a sleeping mat.
Is a higher R-value always better?
Not automatically suitable for every use. A mat should primarily be suited to your tour.
Weight and pack size can be particularly important when bikepacking in the summer. When camping on cooler nights, however, additional insulation can be more crucial.
Therefore, always consider the following together:
- R-value of the sleeping mat,
- expected ground and air temperature,
- Temperature range of the sleeping bag,
- personal perception of cold,
- Ground conditions and weather conditions.
The following temperature values are guidelines and not standardized temperature limits. The R-value describes the thermal resistance of the mat; its actual suitability depends on factors such as the overall sleep system, the sleeping surface, the individual, and the weather conditions.
| R-value | Temperature orientation | Approximate operating temperature as a guideline |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | up to approx. + 10 ° C | midsummer |
| R2 | up to approx. +2 to +5 °C | Summer |
| R3 | up to approx. −5 ° C | spring to autumn |
| R4 | up to approx. −10 ° C | 3-season / slightly below freezing |
| R5 | up to approx. -15 to -18 °C | Winter |
| R6 | up to approx. -20 to -25 °C | Winter |
| R7 | up to approx. −30 ° C | very cold winter conditions |
| R8 | up to approx. −40 ° C | extreme cold |
Wool insulation or DownWool® – which sleeping mat is right for my needs?
Grüezi bag® uses two different insulation concepts in its sleeping mats.
Sleeping mat with wool insulation
The Wool Mat Camping models use permanently integrated layers of wool fleece within the mat construction.
These models are specifically designed for camping and high sleeping comfort . Depending on whether you want to remain as compact as possible or have maximum freedom of movement, you can choose between mummy and rectangular shapes.
Sleeping mat with DownWool®
The DownWool Mat Trekking uses a permanently integrated DownWool® fleece made of 70% down and 30% wool together with a heat-reflective foil.
The design is more geared towards trekking, bikepacking and other tours where weight and packing volume play a greater role.
Camping sleeping mat or trekking sleeping mat?
For camping, roof tents and vans
If you don't have to carry your equipment for miles, it's often worth prioritizing sleeping comfort.
The Wool Mat Camping offers a good balance between comfort and pack size. Those who need even more space or want to connect multiple mats should opt for the Wool Mat Camping Comfort.
For trekking and hiking
When trekking, every gram in your backpack counts. At the same time, your sleeping mat should provide sufficient insulation and be comfortable enough to allow you to recover after a long day of hiking.
Weighing approximately 750 g and with a pack volume of about 4,6 liters, the DownWool Mat Trekking is the variant within the Grüezi bag® mat series that focuses on lower weight and pack size.
For bikepacking
When bikepacking, storage space is often even more limited than in a trekking backpack. A compact pack size is therefore particularly important.
Here too, the DownWool Mat Trekking is the obvious choice within the series due to its mummy shape and smaller pack volume.
For side sleepers
Side sleepers should not focus solely on the R-value. The shoulder and hip must be able to sink in sufficiently without pressing all the way to the floor.
All Grüezi bag® sleeping mats allow you to adjust the top air layer to be slightly softer. This lets you customize the sleeping experience.
When maximum freedom of movement is important, the rectangular Wool Mat Camping Comfort offers additional space.
Which Grüezi bag® sleeping mat should I choose?
|
your commitment |
our recommendation |
|
Trekking & hiking |
|
|
bikepacking |
|
|
Camping with plenty of freedom of movement |
|
|
Van & Motorhome |
|
|
Couples & Families |
|
|
Low weight within the series |
|
|
|
|
Inflate your sleeping mat correctly – soft is often more comfortable
An inflatable mat doesn't need to be as hard as possible.
The two-layer system of the Grüezi bag® mats allows the two layers to be adjusted differently:
- lower layer: slightly firmer as a stable base
- upper layer: Slightly softer for comfortable sinking in
You can then fine-tune the air pressure to suit your personal comfort level.
Why use the pump pack sack?
The mats should be inflated using the included pump stuff sack or a suitable pump. This reduces the amount of moisture from your breath that gets inside the mat.
The included Twister pump sack also serves as a pack sack.
What happens if the sleeping mat gets a hole while you're out and about?
No inflatable sleeping mat is completely protected from damage caused by sharp or pointed objects.
Therefore, two things are part of the concept for the Grüezi bag® mats:
Two separate air positions
If one of the two separate layers loses air, the other remains usable. This provides an additional reserve while traveling.
Repair kit included
Current models include a repair kit for minor damage.
A suitable base and a sleeping area previously cleared of stones, thorns and other sharp objects will also help to avoid damage.
Frequently asked questions about sleeping mats
What is more important: a sleeping bag or a sleeping mat?
Both serve different purposes and belong together. The sleeping bag reduces heat loss to the environment, while the sleeping mat primarily insulates against the cold ground. Therefore, for cold nights, you need a coordinated sleep system.
What does the R-value mean for a sleeping mat?
The R-value describes the thermal resistance of the mat. The higher the R-value, the more the mat reduces heat flow to the cold floor.
Which sleeping mat is suitable for side sleepers?
For side sleepers, in addition to insulation, height and an adjustable feel are particularly important. The Grüezi bag® mats are 8 cm high and have two separately adjustable air layers. This allows the upper layer to be set softer, so that the shoulders and hips sink in more comfortably.
Which sleeping mat is suitable for trekking?
For trekking, low weight, small pack size, sufficient insulation, and reliable sleeping comfort are important. Within the Grüezi bag® series, the DownWool Mat Trekking is designed to meet these requirements.
Can two sleeping mats be connected together?
The Wool Mat Camping Comfort features side zippers that allow multiple compatible mats to be connected together. This is especially practical for couples and families.
Why do Grüezi bag® sleeping mats have two air layers?
The two air layers can be adjusted independently. This allows the lower layer to be inflated more stably and the upper layer more softly. Furthermore, if one layer loses air, the second remains usable.
Should I inflate my sleeping mat by mouth?
Grüezi bag® recommends inflating the mats using the included pump stuff sack or a suitable pump. This reduces the amount of moisture from your breath entering the mat structure.
The perfect sleeping mat for your night outdoors
The best sleeping mat isn't necessarily the lightest or the thickest. It should suit your sleeping style, intended use, your luggage, and the expected conditions.
If you're transporting your mat in a backpack or on a bicycle, weight and packed size are important considerations. However, when camping, in a rooftop tent, or in a van, freedom of movement and individually adjustable sleeping comfort can be more crucial.
That's precisely why Grüezi bag® sleeping mats are available in different versions – with the same basic idea: stable on the bottom, pleasantly soft on top, and two separate air layers as an additional reserve on the go.
Discover DownWool Mat Trekking →
Discover Wool Mat Camping Comfort →
Go to the sleeping bag guide →
Learn more about the right sleep system →
