{"id":24595,"date":"2026-03-19T10:48:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T00:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=24595"},"modified":"2026-05-21T14:42:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T05:12:16","slug":"r-value-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/r-value-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"R-Value & ASTM Standard for Sleeping Mats Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What does R-value on my sleeping mat mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To put it simply, R-value is a measurement of the thermal resistance of a material, or how well it resists the transfer of heat. The higher the R-value, the more insulation it will provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More about R-value<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

R-value isn’t just for sleeping mats, it’s also commonly used in the construction industry. In particular, for those pink insulation batts in the ceiling of your house, they all have an R-value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

R-value isn’t something you need to be overly concerned with in summer when the ground doesn’t get very cold. Using a high R-value mat in warm weather won’t make you hot, it’s only going to put a thermal barrier between you and the ground. However, when the temperatures drop and you find yourself setting up camp on wet or icy ground – R value becomes a very important consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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R-value is a factor you should consider when choosing a sleeping mat. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new ASTM F3340-18 standard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Back in 2016, a group of leading <\/span>outdoor <\/span>companies <\/span>started developing a standard of testing R-Value in order to create consistency across the industry. <\/span>Th<\/span>is<\/span> new <\/span>standard <\/span>is known as <\/span>\u202fASTM<\/span> F3340-18 <\/span>and <\/span>has been introduced across several ranges as of this year including Therm-a-Rest, Sea to Summit, Exped, Black Wolf and more.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of this methodology being implemented, some R-values on sleeping mats have\/will change. This does not mean that the mat will be warmer or colder than before, the value is now just represented on a universal scale for an apples-to-apples comparison to other mats. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some brands may not test their products to the ASTM standard, or will choose to only implement this testing at a future date. There will be a transition period with the new testing as we cycle through our inventory. So, in the meantime, check the product details tab online for each model and size, or the product itself in-store to confirm it’s been tested to the ASTM standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For more details on the nitty-gritty of ASTM, head here <\/a>>>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

How is R-value tested?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The method for testing R-Value is extremely similar to how it was previously tested, it has just been updated to be consistent across different manufacturers. It involves a hot plate on one side of a mat and a cold plate on the other, then electronic sensors determine the energy required to keep the hot plate at a consistent body heat to measure the R-Value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We cover off on more detail in our interview with Sea To Summit here >><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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