Free shipping from CHF 100
Quality for over 20 years
Personal consultation
Self-inflating mats from Snugpak (UK military), Scandinavian premium from Nordisk (R-value up to 10), colourful camping mats from Grand Canyon and NATO-certified Sleep-Lite from BCB. Shipped from our Swiss warehouse, with personal advice from a Swiss outdoor shop.
From summer hike to winter bivouac – standardised to ASTM F3340-18
Snugpak, Nordisk, Grand Canyon and BCB International in stock
Both constructions available – based on use and comfort needs
Direct Swiss outdoor shop – no customs fees
A good sleeping pad determines your sleep quality outdoors – and in winter even your body temperature. A good sleeping bag alone is not enough: if the ground draws heat, no down comfort range will help. At Swiss-Sale.ch you’ll find a carefully curated selection of sleeping pads and mats – from a 100-gram emergency lightweight to a winter mat with R-value 10.
Our range includes models from Snugpak (United Kingdom, military-tested), Nordisk (Scandinavian premium), Grand Canyon (colourful camping mats at fair prices) and BCB International (NATO-certified survival mats). The selection is rounded out with matching sleeping bags, bivouac sacks and hammock accessories from the sleep range.
The right sleeping pad depends on three questions: how cold will it get? How much comfort do you need? How much space and weight is available? Here are the main construction types from our range:
Closed-cell foam insulates reliably even in frost, cannot be punctured and does not absorb water. The downside: larger pack size. In return, the material is virtually indestructible and can be cut to size if needed. Recommendations: Snugpak Antarctic Mat (closed-cell foam, 400 g, with hook-and-loop edges for combinable pads) and BCB heat-reflective insulating mat (176x60 cm, only 100 g, with reflective film).
These pads have a foam core with air chambers: open the valve, the pad inflates itself, top up the residual pressure with a few breaths. The combination delivers R-values from 2.5 to 5.0 with moderate pack size and good lying comfort. Top models: Snugpak Travelite 122x51 and 183x51 (CHF 99/119), Nordisk Vanna 2.5 (400 g, 183x51x2 cm, mummy-shaped) and Nordisk Vanna 3.8.
Pure air pads have the smallest pack size and often weigh under 500 g – ideal for ambitious mountain tours. They have to be inflated fully (with pump or breath), but in return often offer 7–10 cm of lying height. Recommendation: Snugpak Air Mat Olive with pump (CHF 84.90) and the premium series Nordisk Alden 5.0 L through Alden 10.0 XL (R-value 10) for winter tours.
If you need a compact pack size without sacrificing the ruggedness of foam, the foldable variant is the answer: the BCB Sleep-Lite (CHF 39.90) is certified by the British armed forces (NSN 7210-99-328-5071), folds into multiple segments and can also be used as a seat or back cushion.
Kid-friendly mats are shorter (130x50 cm), colourfully designed and packaged with beginners in mind. From our range: Grand Canyon Hattan 3.8 Kids in Meadowbrook and American Beauty designs (CHF 39.95).
The R-value (resistance value) measures thermal insulation against ground cold. The higher the value, the better the insulation. Unlike sleeping bag temperature ratings (which vary between manufacturers), the R-value is standardised – under ASTM F3340-18 – and therefore comparable across brands.
| R-value | Use case | Ground temperature (approx.) | Example model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0–2.0 | Summer, warm nights | > +10 °C | Basic foam pads |
| 2.5–3.0 | 3-season, mild to cool | 0 to +10 °C | Nordisk Vanna 2.5 |
| 3.5–5.0 | Full 3-season & light winter | −10 to 0 °C | Nordisk Vanna 3.8 / Alden 5.0 |
| 5.5–7.0 | Winter, snow | −20 to −10 °C | Grand Canyon Hancock 7.5 XW |
| 7.5+ | Extreme winter, high alpine, expedition | < −20 °C | Nordisk Alden 10.0 XL |
We focus on four brands, each with a clear strength:
| Brand | Origin | Strength | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snugpak | United Kingdom | Military-tested, indestructible Antarctic Mat, Travelite comfort | CHF 30–120 |
| Nordisk | Scandinavia | Premium construction, R-value up to 10, lightweight mummy shape | CHF 90–249 |
| Grand Canyon | Germany (brand) | Colourful designs, good price-to-value, kids’ mats | CHF 39–150 |
| BCB International | United Kingdom | NATO-certified, heat-reflective film, foldable Sleep-Lite | CHF 13–40 |
The lifespan of a sleeping pad depends on three things: outer material, valve quality and proper storage. High-quality pads use rip-stop polyester (often 20D or 30D) with bonded TPU coating against micro-leaks. Push/pull valves (as on the Nordisk Vanna) are faster and more leak-proof than classic screw valves. Closed-cell foam (Snugpak Antarctic) on the other hand barely ages, but can develop pressure points.
Choosing the right pad depends on intended use, season, your personal cold sensitivity and weight. Rule of thumb: when in doubt, choose one R-value step higher rather than too low – you can’t insulate down a pad that’s too warm, but a pad that’s too cold forces a freezing night. For different scenarios, here are the main recommendations:
| Use case | Construction | R-value | Recommendation from our range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Festival, summer camping | Foam or self-inflating | 2.0–2.5 | BCB Sleep-Lite, Snugpak Travelite 122 |
| 3-season trekking | Self-inflating (mummy) | 2.5–3.8 | Nordisk Vanna 2.5 / Vanna 3.8 |
| Camping CH / Alps | Self-inflating | 3.5–5.0 | Snugpak Travelite 183, Grand Canyon Hattan 3.8 |
| Bushcraft, rugged | Closed-cell foam | 2.5–3.0 | Snugpak Antarctic Mat |
| Winter camping | Premium air pad | 5.0–7.5 | Nordisk Alden 5.0 L, Grand Canyon Hancock 7.5 |
| Expedition / high alpine | Premium air pad XL | 10 | Nordisk Alden 10.0 XL |
| 2 persons / family | Air pad double | 5.0 | Grand Canyon Hancock 5.0 Double |
| Kids | Self-inflating short | 3.8 | Grand Canyon Hattan 3.8 Kids |
As a Swiss outdoor shop we know the local conditions: from damp autumn nights in the Mittelland to icy winter bivouacs in the Alps. We curate our range deliberately – four brands that each do something special, instead of twenty interchangeable models. Shipping from our warehouse in Menzingen across Switzerland and Liechtenstein, free over CHF 100.
The terms are largely used synonymously. Pad tends to emphasise insulation, mat rather the comfort while sleeping. Technically there is no clear distinction – a good pad/mat fulfils both roles.
For camping on the Swiss plateau from May to September, an R-value of 2.0–3.0 is sufficient. For overnight stays above 1500 m elevation (Alps, foothills) you should choose at least R 3.0, since the ground in the mountains cools significantly at night even in summer. The Nordisk Vanna 2.5 or Snugpak Travelite series cover this range well.
Lay flat with valve open, wait 5–15 minutes for the pad to inflate itself. Top up the residual pressure with 5–10 breaths, then close the valve. Important: on first use, repeat the inflation cycle 2–3 times (open valve, smooth out, re-inflate) – this «trains» the foam core.
A sleeping pad under the tent floor is not really its intended use – that’s what dedicated footprints/groundsheets are for. However, the Snugpak Antarctic Mat made of closed-cell foam works well in this dual role: it protects the tent floor from stones and branches and can be used as a sleeping pad in the morning.
For self-inflating and air pads: find the hole (submerge in water, look for bubbles), dry the spot, seal with the included repair kit (patch + glue). After 24 hours of drying, the pad is fully usable again. Foam pads cannot be repaired but are practically indestructible.
Rule of thumb: the R-value of the pad should at least match the comfort temperature range of the sleeping bag. A winter sleeping bag rated to −15 °C loses its effectiveness if the pad is only R 1.5 – the ground then draws more heat than the bag can retain. When in doubt, choose the pad one step higher.
For 1–2 camping weekends in summer, models from CHF 40–80 are perfectly sufficient (BCB Sleep-Lite, Grand Canyon Hattan). For regular trekking tours or winter use, the premium pads from Snugpak and Nordisk pay off: better materials, higher R-values, more durable valves, smaller pack size. A Nordisk Alden lasts 10+ years with proper care.
In a hammock you need a pad against convectional cold (wind under the hammock pulls heat away). The Snugpak Antarctic Mat with its 51 cm width fits a standard hammock well. Alternatively, a Snugpak Quilt (hammock insulation blanket) can be used as an underquilt – the more efficient solution for cold nights.
Close the valve, rinse with lukewarm water and mild soap (no detergent with brighteners!), clean with a soft sponge. Then let it dry completely while unrolled – for at least 24 hours. Never wash in a washing machine or dry in a tumble dryer: both destroy the bonds between the film and the foam core.
The BCB Sleep-Lite is registered under NATO Stock Number 7210-99-328-5071 as the official sleeping mat of the British armed forces. It meets military standard UK/SC/3767 issue 6 – covering specific requirements for fire resistance, break strength, pressure resistance and storability. For civilians that means: extremely rugged and built for years of hard use.
Yes. All sleeping pads and mats in our shop are available from our warehouse in Menzingen (ZG) – no waiting time, no customs fees. Free shipping within Switzerland and Liechtenstein on orders over CHF 100. Personal advice in our showroom or by phone on +41 41 755 34 33. If you’re not satisfied, our 30-day voluntary return right applies.
Filter by construction, R-value, brand and use case – or get personal advice on +41 41 755 34 33 or info@swiss-sale.ch.
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