The Vango Arcadia 7.5 Grande Self-inflating Mat delivers proper comfort for camping trips where a good night's sleep matters. At 7.5cm thick, this mat provides substantial cushioning that keeps you off the ground and insulated from cold surfaces underneath your tent or awning. The self-inflating design means you open the valve and the foam core expands to do most of the work, though you'll want to add a few breaths at the end to get it fully firm. The Grande sizing offers extra width compared to standard camping mats, giving you more room to move about during the night without rolling off the edges.
Vango built this mat with their diamond-embossed fabric that resists punctures better than smooth materials, which comes in handy when you're sleeping on rough ground or inside older tents with worn groundsheets. The 7.5cm thickness hits a sweet spot between packability and comfort - thin enough to roll down to a manageable size for transport but thick enough that most people won't feel stones or tree roots poking through. It works well for car camping, caravan awning use, or motorhome trips where you're setting up an extra sleeping area.
The mat comes with compression straps to keep it rolled tight during storage and a repair kit for those inevitable mishaps with sharp objects. You'll need to allow about 10-15 minutes for it to fully self-inflate the first few times you use it, and it does take a bit of practice to roll it up properly so all the air escapes through the valve. The Grande width makes it brilliant for restless sleepers or anyone who finds standard camping mats too narrow, though it won't fit inside the sleeping compartments of smaller backpacking tents where space is tight.
Vango Arcadia 7.5 Grande Self-inflating Mat Features
- 7.5cm thickness: Provides excellent cushioning and insulation from cold ground for a comfortable night’s sleep.
- Self-inflating design: Foam core automatically expands when the valve is opened, making setup quick and easy.
- Grande width: Offers extra space for comfort, ideal for restless sleepers or those who find standard mats too narrow.
- Durable diamond-embossed fabric: Resists punctures and wear, perfect for use on rough or uneven camping surfaces.
- Compression straps and repair kit: Ensures compact storage and includes tools for quick fixes if punctured.
Specifications- Weight : 3 kg
- Length : 200 cm
- Width : 76 cm
- Height : 7 cm
- TOG Rating : 13
- EAN : 5059474014599
- Colourway : Deep Blue
Frequently Asked Questions
The mat takes approximately 10-15 minutes to self-inflate when you first unroll it and open the valve. The foam core expands automatically to about 90% capacity, then you'll need to add a few extra breaths through the valve to get it fully firm. After the first few uses, the inflation time typically reduces as the foam becomes more responsive.
The Grande version offers wider dimensions than standard camping mats, providing extra sleeping space for people who need more room or tend to move around during sleep. The 7.5cm thickness refers to the mat's depth when fully inflated, which provides substantial cushioning and insulation from the ground beneath your tent or awning.
Yes, this mat works brilliantly in caravan awnings where you need extra sleeping space or want to create a comfortable seating area. The self-inflating design means you don't need to carry a separate pump, and the 7.5cm thickness provides enough insulation from cold awning groundsheets. It's particularly useful for accommodating guests or children in your awning annexe.
Open the valve fully and start rolling from the opposite end to the valve, which forces all the air out as you roll. Press down firmly as you go to squeeze out as much air as possible. Once rolled tight, close the valve to prevent the foam expanding during storage, then secure with the compression straps. Storing it loosely rolled or flat with the valve open when at home helps maintain the foam's ability to expand over time.
The 7.5cm foam thickness provides good insulation from cold ground temperatures, making it suitable for three-season camping. The foam core traps air which acts as a thermal barrier between you and the cold surface below. For winter camping in freezing conditions, you might want to add an additional closed-cell foam mat underneath for extra insulation, but for spring, summer and autumn camping, the Arcadia offers sufficient protection from ground chill.
The mat comes with compression straps to keep it rolled tight during transport and storage, plus a repair kit for fixing any punctures or tears that might occur during use. The repair kit typically includes patches and adhesive suitable for the mat's fabric. You don't need to purchase any additional inflation equipment as the self-inflating mechanism does the work.
The Grande width makes this mat wider than standard camping mats, which means it fits comfortably in most family-sized tents and larger two-person tents. In smaller backpacking tents with narrow sleeping compartments, the width might be too much and you'd be better with a standard-width mat. It's ideal for tunnel tents, dome tents with spacious sleeping areas, andbell tents where floor space isn't restricted.
First locate the puncture by inflating the mat and listening for escaping air, or submerging sections in water to spot bubbles. Clean and dry the damaged area thoroughly, then cut a patch from the repair kit that's larger than the hole. Apply the adhesive evenly, press the patch firmly onto the puncture, and leave it to cure for at least 12 hours before inflating the mat again. The repair kit included with the Vango Arcadia contains everything needed for basic puncture repairs.