Sleeping on a leaky midway deflated sleeping pad on a backpacking journey might go away you by no means eager to go backpacking once more. That’s why a top quality sleeping pad is an important piece of substances that may actually make or break your journey. There are a number of elements that go into discovering the most effective sleeping pad for backpacking – value, insulation, weight, dimension, and extra.
On this weblog submit, we show you how to slim it down by sharing an inventory of the preferred sleeping pads which are light-weight, heat, and sturdy sufficient to face as much as a multiday trek. On the finish of this submit, we additionally break down the essential elements when selecting a sleeping pad based mostly in your private wants.
Able to get on the market? Listed here are the most effective sleeping pads for backpacking.
Finest Sleeping Pads for Backpacking at a Look
Therm-a-Relaxation ProLite Plus
Key Options:
- Weight: 1 lb, 7 oz
- R-Worth: 3.2
- Thickness: 1.5 inches
- Packed Dimension: 6.8 x 11in
- Accessible sizes: common, brief, lengthy
- MSRP: $119.95 (common)
Test Worth: REI | Backcountry | Moosejaw
Nice for: 3-season backpacking, again sleepers
Execs: nice worth for value, sturdy, simple to inflate
Cons: heavier and bulkier than different sleeping pads, not nice for facet sleepers
The Therm-a-Relaxation ProLite Plus is designed with consolation in thoughts, and it’s my private sleeping pad of selection. Whereas it’s not the lightest sleeping pad out there, I like that it’s one flat piece of padding with out baffles. At 1.5″ thick, it’s sufficient padding you could’t really feel the bottom or little rocks that you just might need set your tent up on prime of. Nevertheless, it’s not so thick that if you happen to roll round at night time, you’re feeling such as you would possibly fall off. It’s insulated sufficient to camp in chilly temperatures, however if you happen to camp within the winter, you would possibly wish to add a foam pad beneath. There’s a girls’s model out there of the Plus which is just a little shorter and 1 ounce lighter than the boys’s Common dimension.
In comparison with the opposite light-weight sleeping pads on this record, the Thermarest ProLite Plus is just a little on the cumbersome facet when within the stuff sack, but it surely nonetheless packs down effectively sufficient to return alongside for the journey. One different benefit is that it partially self-inflates. You simply twist open the valve, and the pad slowly begins to inflate by itself. You do have to complete inflating it with your individual breath.
If you wish to shave off an additional 5oz, try the ProLite common model.
Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad
Key Options:
- Weight: 12 oz
- R-Worth: 4.2
- Thickness: 2.5 inches
- Packed Dimension: 4 x 9 inches
- Accessible sizes: small, common, common huge, giant
- MSRP: $199.95 (common)
Test Worth: Backcountry | REI | Moosejaw
Nice for: ultralight backpacking, 3-season backpacking
Execs: most light-weight sleeping pad on the record, tremendous compact
Cons: runs slim, noisy once you roll over
General, Therm-a-Relaxation appears to have the market cornered in terms of heat and lightness, making them among the finest manufacturers of sleeping pads for backpacking. Their Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite will maintain you heat and cozy within the backcountry, and it’s the lightest inflatable sleeping pad that we stand behind. That is additionally the backpacking sleeping pad of selection of BFT crew member Linda who has used this sleeping pad on over a dozen backpacking journeys.
This sleeping pad does are inclined to run slim, so if you happen to toss and switch, we suggest getting the huge model. It may be noisy once you roll over so if you’re a light-weight sleeper maintain that in thoughts, however we expect for the burden and heat, this sleeping pad is value it.
NEMO Tensor Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad
Key Options:
- Weight: 15 oz
- R-Worth: 3.5
- Thickness: 3 inches
- Packed Dimension: 3 x 8 inches
- Accessible sizes: common, common huge, lengthy huge
- MSRP: $189.95 (common)
Test Worth: REI | Backcountry
Nice for: facet sleepers, light-weight backpacking, 3-season backpacking
Execs: light-weight and compact, one of many thickest pads on our record, is available in a large model, not noisy once you roll over
Cons: fragile – simple to puncture a gap or trigger a leak
A private favourite of mine, the NEMO Tensor Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad, is a light-weight, insulated sleeping pad that’s simple to retailer and pack whilst you’re backpacking. It’s bought insulated layers to fend off chilly but it surely’ll do you effectively to carry alongside additional padding if you happen to’re tenting in the course of the winter.
It packs down very small and the valve makes it fast to inflate and deflate. It additionally is available in a large model and with a thickness of three inches, I discover this sleeping pad extremely snug. I like you could modify the firmness by letting just a little air out. You do must be just a little cautious with this one as the fabric is comparatively skinny. If you wish to use it instantly on the bottom be certain that there isn’t something sharp beneath it.
Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad
Key Options:
- Weight: 1 lb, 0.9 oz
- R-Worth: 3.1
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Packed Dimension: 4 x 9 inches
- MSRP: $139.95
Test Worth: Backcountry | REI | Moosejaw
Nice for: summer season backpacking, light-weight backpacking
Execs: sturdy valve, best to inflate, compresses down tremendous small
Cons: solely snug for heat climate journeys, not nice for facet sleepers
The Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad is among the finest and most well-reviewed sleeping pads for 2022. It’s a light-weight and sturdy pad that’s simple to move out and in of the carry bag. Top-of-the-line options of this sleeping pad is that you should use the stuff sack to explode the pad. You hook the stuff sack as much as the valve, then you definately scoop up some air into the stuff sack, roll down the highest, and it forces air into the sleeping pad. It takes lower than a minute to refill, and all your folks shall be jealous as they huff and puff to blow their pads up. The valve on this sleeping pad can be some of the sturdy valves in the marketplace which is fairly big contemplating valves are the place frequent leakage occurs.
As a bonus, the pad has an anti-microbial coating that retains any nastiness from increase over time. This sleeping pad is available in a girls’s model too. In order for you just a little extra padding, the Sea to Summit Consolation Mild Insulated Sleeping Pad is a superb possibility.
Klymit Double V Sleeping Pad
Key Options:
- Weight: 2lb 8.5oz
- R-Worth: 1.6
- Thickness: 3 inches
- Packed Dimension: 5 x 9 inches
- Accessible sizes: double
- MSRP: $129.95 (double)
Test Worth: Backcountry
Nice for: {couples}, backpacking together with your canine, brief backpacking journeys, summer season backpacking
Execs: facet rails forestall you from rolling off, can roll over with out airflow disrupting your associate, simple to inflate
Cons: heavy and hulking for lengthy backpacking journeys, solely good for summer season
Are you on the lookout for a strategy to cuddle together with your associate on backpacking journeys? Look no additional than the Klymit Double V Sleeping Pad. This sleeping pad suits completely in two-person backpacking tents and is a superb possibility for these seeking to keep away from uncomfortably pushing collectively 2 one-person pads.
You’d suppose that inflating a double sleeping pad could be tougher than a single, however this sleeping pad is fast to inflate and deflate utilizing an analogous stuff sack mechanism because the Sea to Summit sleeping pad talked about above. The draw back of this sleeping pad is its bulkiness and weight, however if you happen to might cut up the burden in 2, it’d be the identical weight and dimension as a number of the different sleeping pads we suggest on this record of the most effective sleeping pads for backpacking.
When you don’t thoughts caring the additional weight, there’s an insulated model out there that may help you use this sleeping pad for 3-season journeys. And be sure you try our information to the finest double sleeping baggage to pair together with your 2-person sleeping pad!
Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Xtherm Sleeping Pad
Key Options:
- Weight: 15 oz
- R-Worth: 6.9
- Thickness: 2.5 inches
- Packed Dimension: 4 x 9 inches
- Accessible sizes: common, giant
- MSRP: $229.95 (common)
Test Worth: Backcountry | REI
Nice for: winter backpacking, 4-season backpacking, light-weight backpacking
Execs: warmest sleeping pad on our record, extraordinarily light-weight for a way heat it’s
Cons: costliest sleeping pad on our record, noisy once you roll over, simple to slip off the slippery materials if you happen to transfer round lots
This is among the priciest sleeping pads on this record, however the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Xtherm Sleeping Pad can be the warmest by far and one of many lightest. It’s made for mountaineering, winter tenting, and backpacking so if that’s the type of factor you’ll be doing, then investing in an ultra-warm, snug, light-weight sleeping pad like this shall be value it in the long term.
When you camp in winter, it’s a must to carry a number of additional gear, so it’s good to have a sleeping pad that’s light-weight and doesn’t take up an excessive amount of room in your pack. The downsides of this sleeping pad are it’s an costly funding, and the slippery materials is noisy and straightforward to slip off of if you happen to transfer round in your sleep.
This sleeping pad will also be just a little delicate – a number of reviewers skilled leaks or valve points with this pad, however Therm-a-rest affords a restricted lifetime guarantee and their customer support is nice if you happen to do have a difficulty.
Huge Agnes Insulated Q-Core Deluxe Sleeping Pad
Key Options:
- Weight: 1 lb, 9 oz
- R-Worth: 4.3
- Thickness: 3.5 inches
- Packed Dimension: 5 x 8.5 inches
- Accessible sizes: common, common huge, lengthy huge
- MSRP: $169.95 (common)
Test Worth: REI | Backcountry | Moosejaw
Nice for: individuals who toss & flip at night time, facet sleepers, 3-season backpacking
Execs: thickest sleeping pad on our record, is available in a large model, extraordinarily snug
Cons: time-consuming to inflate, doesn’t pack down very small
The Huge Agnes Insulated Q-Core Deluxe Sleeping Pad is the best sleeping pad for anybody searching for most consolation and who doesn’t thoughts carrying just a little additional weight and bulk. For its weight, you get a excessive R-Worth of 4.3, which makes it a terrific selection for 3-season backpacking. One other cool function is that along with the three.5-inch thickness, it additionally has 4.25-inch outer chambers to be sure you’re good and cradled within the center, making this the proper sleeping pad for facet and lively sleepers.
One draw back of this sleeping pad is the inflation course of – the pad comes with an inflatable airbag, however many reviewers notice how tedious it’s to make use of (round 5 minutes to inflate) vs. a self-inflating sleeping pad. I’ve used an older mannequin of this sleeping pad up to now and though I discovered it to be tremendous snug, I skilled leaks so take warning inflating this sleeping pad.
NEMO Switchback Foam Sleeping Pad
Key Options:
- Weight: 14.5 oz
- R-Worth: 2.0
- Thickness: 0.9 inches
- Packed Dimension: 20 x 5.5 x 5 inches
- Accessible sizes: common, brief
- MSRP: $54.95 (common)
Nice for: summer season backpacking, light-weight backpacking, utilizing as a sleeping house on your canine
Execs: doesn’t require inflation, most sturdy sleeping pad possibility, budget-friendly
Cons: thinner than inflatable sleeping pads, doesn’t present heat in chilly climate, cumbersome to hold
When you don’t like inflatable sleeping pads and like one thing easy that requires no setup time after an extended day of mountain climbing, try the NEMO Switchback Foam Sleeping Pad. This foam sleeping pad is light-weight and extremely sturdy because you don’t have to fret about leaks or valve points. It’s fairly barebones and never fairly as heat and cozy as the opposite choices on this record, however if you happen to’re on a finances and wish one thing easy, it is a good possibility for you.
Many reviewers notice pairing this sleeping pad with an inflatable sleeping pad for additional padding and heat on backpacking journeys or utilizing this pad as a sleeping house for his or her canine. You may as well use this sleeping pad as a sit pad when it’s folded up. The draw back of a foam sleeping pad is you sometimes should carry it on the skin of your pack because it doesn’t compress like an inflatable pad does.
REI Co-op Trailbreak Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
Key Options:
- Weight: 2lbs 8oz
- R-Worth: 5.1
- Thickness: 1.75 inches
- Packed Dimension: 6.5 x 20 inches
- Accessible sizes: common, lengthy
- MSRP: $74.95 (common)
Test Worth: REI
Nice for: brief backpacking journeys, finances backpackers, 3-season backpacking
Execs: cheap for an inflatable pad, sturdy
Cons: heaviest and bulkiest sleeping pad on our record, laborious to inflate/deflate
If you’re on the lookout for a high-quality, budget-friendly sleeping pad, look no additional than the REI Co-op Trailbreak Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad. With an R-Worth of 5.1, it is a heat sleeping pad that’s nice for 3-season journeys.
The draw back of this sleeping pad is the burden and dimension – that is ideally a automotive tenting sleeping pad, but it surely will also be used for brief backpacking journeys or in case your backpacking sleeping bag and/or tent is small. There’s additionally a girls’s model out there, which is able to prevent just a few ounces.
The way to Select the Finest Sleeping Pad for Backpacking
I owned the identical outdated sleeping pad for a very long time since I began backpacking greater than a decade in the past, however just a few years again I made a decision it was time to improve. Since my unique funding, sleeping pads have come a good distance. Now they’re lighter, extra snug, and far more compact than ever earlier than.
In my seek for the most effective backpacking sleeping pad, I grew to become overwhelmed with the variety of choices. There was lots to contemplate like value, R-Worth, weight, and dimension. So I did a bunch of analysis on how to decide on the most effective sleeping pad for backpacking and needed to share with you what I realized
So, how do you select the most effective sleeping pad for backpacking? Listed here are the elements to contemplate when making your buy:
Foam Sleeping Pads vs Inflatable Sleeping Pads
There are two primary forms of sleeping pads. The primary is a closed-cell foam pad. These are the most affordable and most sturdy pads out there, however they are typically much less snug. Their stiff form additionally means you don’t have the flexibility to pack them down, and most of the people find yourself carrying them on the skin of their pack.
The opposite possibility is an inflatable sleeping pad. These can both be self-inflating or manually inflated by blowing air into them. These present extra cushion than a foam pad however are much less sturdy since they’re susceptible to puncture. This implies it’s a must to be very cautious when utilizing an inflatable sleeping pad instantly on the bottom with the intention to keep away from leaks. Inflatable sleeping pads are considerably extra snug than foam pads, and in lots of circumstances the distinction in weight is negligible.
Insulation: The R-Worth
The R-value is an indicator of insulation. R values vary from 1.0 on the low finish to 10 on the excessive finish, and the upper the R-value the extra warmth the pad goes to retain. Most sleeping pads meant for backpacking have R-values round 2.0-5.0.
The very first thing you’ll wish to take into consideration is the kind of local weather you’ll be utilizing your sleeping pad in. If you’re a good climate backpacker and shall be spending most nights in heat summer season temperatures, then you will get away with a decrease R-value. Then again, if you’re doing winter or snow tenting, then you will have one thing with an R-value nearer to five. Pads with R-values greater than 5 are heavier and customarily meant for automotive tenting.
Weight
Weight is a vital issue to contemplate for all your gear, and sleeping pads are not any exception. Closed-cell foam pads are the lightest and customarily weigh in at lower than a pound.
The lightest inflatable sleeping pads are comparable in weight to the froth pads. The Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite is just about the lightest possibility out there at 12 ounces. Relying on how plush you wish to go, an affordable weight vary for an inflatable pad is 10 ounces as much as 2 kilos. And whereas not all the time the case, there tends to be a tradeoff between weight and sturdiness with inflatable sleeping pads. When you select one of many ultralight inflatable choices, it is advisable deal with it with warning and keep away from utilizing it instantly on the bottom.
Thickness
Inflatable sleeping pads differ wherever from one to 4 inches thick, and a thicker pad goes to supply extra consolation if you’re a facet sleeper. The draw back of a thicker pad is that they take longer to inflate by mouth. If you’re a again sleeper and have a tendency to remain put all through the night time, then you definately may be happy with a thinner pad. Closed-cell foam pads are typically thinner, often operating at lower than 1 inch thick.
Size and Width
With the intention to minimize down on weight, sleeping pads are getting smaller and smaller. The truth is, some sleeping pads now are available in 3/4 size that means the underside of your legs and ft shall be hanging off. Many even have a tapered or mummy-shaped design the place the top and foot are narrower than the remainder of the pad.
Whereas it varies throughout manufacturers, a regular-sized sleeping pad is roughly 72 inches lengthy by 20 inches huge, and most manufacturers make their sleeping pads in a number of sizes to accommodate those that are shorter, taller, or have broad shoulders. When you transfer round lots whilst you sleep, it’s possible you’ll wan to purchase a large sleeping pad.
Ladies’s Backpacking Sleeping Pads
Some backpacking sleeping pads are available in a girls’s particular model. These are typically shorter and are typically just a little wider to accommodate numerous physique shapes and bigger hips. Ladies’s sleeping pads are additionally made to be hotter, with the next R-value since girls usually sleep colder than males.
Packed Dimension
That is one space the place sleeping pads have made some critical developments. Some sleeping pads today are smaller than a Nalgene bottle when packed down, that means they take up method much less house in your bag than they used to. For backpacking, you’ll need one thing that packs all the way down to about 4-5.5 inches by 8-11 inches. In fact, you should use one thing bigger, however we’d solely suggest that for shorter journeys or if you happen to’re splitting up gear between your associate or campmate.
Different Options
One-way valves: Most of the latest sleeping pads, just like the Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated Sleeping Pad, have one-way valves. Meaning when you find yourself blowing them up, the air can’t come again out of the valve, making it simpler to explode. Then once you wish to deflate it, there’s a separate valve that you just open the place the air escapes from.
Self-inflating: There are just a few pads in the marketplace which are self-inflating. My Therm-a-Relaxation ProLite Plus is one in every of them. When you select to purchase a self-inflating pad, try to be ready that after some use, the pad may not self-inflate prefer it used to. At that time, you’ll find yourself blowing it up together with your mouth similar to the remainder, however the self-inflation is a pleasant function whereas it lasts.
Built-in pump: Many more moderen sleeping pads include a pump built-in into the stuff sack. You principally fill the stuff sack with air and push or roll that air into the sleeping pad for simpler filling. This does add just a few ounces, however usually this isn’t an excessive amount of of a difficulty.
What’s the finest sleeping pad for backpacking that you just’ve discovered? Do you might have a favourite? Go away a remark under and tell us!
