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The Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking

November 7, 2022 By Travelsauro 1 Comment

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. There are other affiliate links too. This disclosure pertains to all product links.

If you are looking for the Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking and Camping, you have come to the right place!

We have reviewed other hiking gear, like sleeping bags, hiking pillows and tents for camping, but having the best sleeping bag is not such a great help if you don’t use a high-quality sleeping pad beneath it.

If you are a serious hiker or backpacker, you probably know how important it is to bring a high-quality sleeping pad on your adventures to keep you warm and guarantee a proper, comfortable sleep.

Follow this buyer’s guide and find the one that best fits your needs and budget!

best sleeping pads for backpacking

The Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads

Top-End Sleeping Pads for Hiking


THERM-A-REST NEOAIR XTHERM

Type: Air Pad

R-Value: 5.7

Thickness: 2.5 in

Weight: 15 oz

Pros: Excellent comfort, Lightweight, Packs very small, Warm

Cons: Expensive

“Top-end pad for serious hikers”

Check price at: REI · Amazon

This is, in my opinion, the best sleeping pad on the list. It combines comfort, weight, warmth, size and durability. You can bring this mattress to almost any adventure, from long backpacking trips to winter hikes.

 

SEA TO SUMMIT COMFORT PLUS INS

Type: Air Pad

R-Value: 5.0

Thickness: 2.5 in

Weight: 25.5 oz

Pros: Comfortable, Packs very small, Durable, Warm

Cons: Expensive, Heavier

“4-season backpacking matress”

Check price at: REI · Amazon

This model features a dual-layer construction. The two independent cell layers provide excellent support, distributing body weight over more cells. The two layers can be inflated independently, providing a great system for fine-tuning the level of comfort.


NEMO TENSOR

Type: Air Pad

R-Value: Temperatures from 10 to 20 F

Thickness: 3 in

Weight: 1 lb 5 oz

Pros: Comfortable, Packs very small, Ultralight

Cons: Not that durable

“Comfortable like a bed”

Check price at: REI · Amazon

This model features NEMO’s lightest-weight fabrics and cutting-edge insulation. The NEMO Tensor features a metalized film layer that provides a great insulation system. It’s a pretty good value for the money.

 

THERM-A-REST-NEOAIR XLITE

Type: Air Pad

R-Value: 3.2

Thickness: 2.5 in

Weight: 12 oz

Pros: Ultralight, Packs very small, Comfy

Cons: A bit noisy

“Light and compact”

Check price at: REI · Amazon

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite features new, softer fabrics that offer more comfort and durability without adding weight. This model packs smaller than a one-liter bottle. It’s the perfect sleeping pad for through-hikers and adventurers.


SEA TO SUMMIT COMFORT LIGHT INS

Type: Air Pad

R-Value: 3.7

Thickness: 2.5 in

Weight: 1.66 lb

Pros: Good insulation, Quick inflation system

Cons: Heavier

“Warm and comfy”

Check price at: REI · Amazon

This model features hybrid-layer Air Sprung Cell technology. It’s built with a double layer of high-resolution cells in the torso for better insulation and a single layer in the head and legs for reduced weight.

 

NEMO ASTRO AIR 25

 Type: Air Pad

R-Value: N/A

Thickness: 2.5 in

Weight: 23.7 oz

Pros: Super comfortable, Good for winter trips

Cons: Heavy

“Nice pillow”

Check price at: REI · Amazon 

This is a great option for those looking for a very comfortable sleeping pad. It features a raised baffle at the head to supplement your pillow. It’s not he lightest on the list but it has a very good price.


BIG AGNES Q-CORE SLX

Type: Air Pad

R-Value: 3.2

Thickness: 4.25 in

Weight: 16 oz

Pros: Comfortable, Lightweight, Warm

Cons: Takes a long time to inflate

“Lightweight pad for cold hikes”

Check price at: REI · Amazon

The Q-Core SLX provides resistant construction, synthetic insulation and lightweight fabrics for comfortable sleeping. This is the thickest model on the list.

 

Mid-Range

THERM-A-REST NEOAIR TREKKER

Type: Air Pad

R-Value: 3.2

Thickness: 2.5 in

Weight: 17 oz

Pros: Ultralight, Comfortable, Durable

Cons: Too cold for winter hikes

“Best value for the money”

Check price on Amazon

The Therm-a-Rest Trekker is a great option for long-term travelers and hikers. It’s lightweight, warm and durable.


KLYMIT INSULATED STATIC V LITE

Type: Air Pad

R-Value: 4.4

Thickness: 2.5 in

Weight: 19.6 oz

Pros: Comfortable, Warm, Affordable, Compact

Cons: Slightly heavier, but not a big deal

“Great performance at a good price”

Check price on Amazon

The Klymit Static uses V-chamber body mapping and ultralight insulation to offer you the best rest. It’s a very comfy and warm pad, and definitely a very good value for the money.

 

Budget

BIG AGNES AIR CORE ULTRA

Type: Air Pad

R-Value: 1.4 – 4.5 

Thickness: 3.5 in

Weight: 20 oz

Pros: Compact, Durable

Cons: Slightly heavier

“Comfortable Budget Pad”

Check price at: REI · Amazon

The Big Agnes Air provides larger outside tubes and a high-volume valve for quick inflation. This model packs very small and is surprisingly durable.


THERM-A-REST Z LITE SOL

Type: Foam Pad

R-Value: 2.6

Thickness: 0.75 in

Weight: 14 oz

Pros: Lightweight, Durable

Cons: Bulky, Not that comfortable

“Classic, super affordable pad”

Check price at: REI · Amazon

This is definitely not the warmest or the most comfortable pad on the list. However, it’s cheap, durable and really ultralight. A great option for backpackers on a budget.

 

A few things to consider:

AIR PADS OR FOAM PADS?

Air pads are usually the most comfortable option. You can inflate them manually and they provide good insulation and comfort. The downside is that they can puncture on the ground, so you should bring along some repair patches, just in case.

Foam pads are the traditional pads you have probably seen many times. They don’t inflate, but they are more affordable and lighter. They can be quite comfortable too, but they tend to be bulkier to pack.

 

WARMTH

When we mesure how well a sleeping pad keeps you warm and insulates you from the ground, we talk about the R-value. The higer the R-value, the warmer you will feel at night.

R-value of 1-3: For 3-season backpacking trips

R-value of 3-5: For temperatures around 32°F/0°C

R-value + 5: For very cold winter expeditions

LENGTH

Keep your height in mind  before ordering a sleeping pad! Your hips and shoulders are definitely the most important parts of the body to fit on the pad. Some people choose shorter and lighter pads, leaving their legs off the mat, but I personally like long sleeping pads that can accommodate my feet, even though they will be a bit heavier.

BUDGET

A good sleeping pad is a piece of hiking gear that won’t break your bank. You can get a good pad from as low as $25.

Check out other HIKING GEAR Buyer’s Guides

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best sleeping pads for backpacking and camping


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Rei article about How to choose the right sleeping pad


Did you enjoy the Top 11 Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking? Please, leave a comment!
Travelsauro
Travelsauro

Hi, I’m Miguel; Adventure traveler, scuba diver and hiking lover. I have been traveling the world for the last 12 years and I hope my experiences, photos and hiking routes inspire you to travel the world too.

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Comments

  1. Michelle Henry says

    March 16, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    Wow! You really did your homework here. There’s no reason not to sleep comfortably even when you are out and about in the outdoors. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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