Gear
Sit mat
A thin slab of foam that insulates your backside from cold ground — foam, closed-cell or inflatable, and why it also works as a mini sleeping mat in an emergency.
A sit mat is a flat piece of foam, 30×40 cm, that you sit on during a break. Its function: to stop your warmth from seeping down into cold, damp ground. It is one of the cheapest, lightest and most practical pieces of kit to bring — and one of the most overlooked in summer.
Materials
Closed-cell foam (typically EVA or crosslinked polyethylene) is the most common. Light (~50–100 g), packs flat or rolled, insulates well against damp and cold, and does not rust. Price: 80–250 kr.
An inflatable sit mat (a mini version of an inflatable sleeping mat) is more comfortable and packs smaller, but costs more (300–600 kr) and can be punctured.
Reindeer hide is the traditional Norwegian choice — warm, stands up to rough use, lasts 20+ years. Heavier and bulkier to pack, but it gives a wholly different level of comfort. Price: 600–1 500 kr.
For ordinary tur use, closed-cell foam is the standard choice — cheap, light, it works.
Size
The standard is 30×40 cm — it fits your backside and your back against a tree or rock. Larger models (40×50 cm) are more comfortable but take more space. Smaller models are for the lightweight elite.
Use in an emergency
The sit mat can also serve as insulation under an injured person while you wait for help — better than nothing when a full sleeping mat is not available. So pack it where it is easy to reach.
Packing
Standard placement: strapped to the outside of the pack, or in a side mesh pocket. It should be retrievable in one movement during a break.
Maintenance
Practically none. Foam mats withstand almost anything — over the years the sun can break down the surface, but this takes decades. Dry it after wet trips.
Sleeping mat → · Reindeer hide →
Text: Snuitide (2026).