Karimat is designed to increase comfort and protect against cold during sleep. This is rather important because in order to perform combat tasks, a soldier needs to have a good rest and be energetic.
To provide comfortable and pleasant sleep, the karimat must be thick enough. In this case, the unevenness of the surface will not be felt under it, and the person will not freeze due to the cold from the ground.
Self-inflating mattresses are the most effective and convenient in this regard. When inflated, they reach 3-3.5 centimeters in height, which makes them wonderfully comfortable, and a special chamber system inside prevents the fighter’s body from cooling due to air circulation inside. These karimats do not require a pump to inflate and are much more compact than ordinary mattresses.
The self-inflating mattress’s disadvantage is its weight and dimensions. When a soldier needs to change position frequently or walk long distances, this can become a serious challenge. In addition, there is also a risk of puncturing the mattress.
Karimats made of foamed materials are a little less comfortable, but much more compact and lightweight. There are many types of such mattresses, so when choosing, you need to rely on a number of simple specifications: thickness, thermal insulation, weight, and dimensions when the mat is folded. The best at the moment are “accordion” models, such as the Basecamp Legion XPE, for example. The “accordion” system not only allows you to fold and unfold the karimat promptly and compactly but also makes it possible to fold it in the shape of a chair for sitting if desired. The porous structure retains body heat in special air pockets, and the waviness of the material actually doubles the functional thickness of the karimat, so it is much more comfortable to sleep on it than on ordinary foam mattresses.
Examples of suitable models are: