Sleeping Pad Reviews

The Big Agnes AXL Air sleeping pad is a warm weather ultralight sleeping pad (mummy or full size) that beats the pants off the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite in terms of comfort and compressibility when packed. But it takes a lot of effort to inflate by mouth and you’ll definitely want …

The Therm-a-Rest Prolite is a self-inflating sleeping pad with an R-value of 2.4, good for use down to 20-30 degrees fahrenheit. While self-inflating sleeping pads are not nearly as popular as they were 20 years ago, they are more durable and resilient than inflatable sleeping pads, and much less expensive. …

When choosing a sleeping pad for backpacking and camping, it’s best to consider its weight, durability, size, thickness, insulation, comfort, and price before making a decision to buy it. Here are our picks for the best 10 sleeping pads available today, based on these dimensions. Many of these sleeping pads …

The MassDrop Klymit Ultralight V Sleeping Pad is a lightweight insulated sleeping pad that’s the result of a special design collaboration between MassDrop and sleeping pad maker Klymit. With an R-Value of 4.4, the Ultralight V is ideal for spring or autumn backpacking and camping when the ground temperature is …

The REI Flash Insulated Air Sleeping Pad has an R-value of 3.7 and weighs just 15 oz. It rolls up incredibly flat and requires just 10 breaths to inflate, while deflation takes just seconds through a separate deflation valve. Priced just under $100, it’s a great value for a three …

The NEMO Tensor Insulated Mummy Sleeping Pad is a short (48″) and ultralight inflatable sleeping pad, only weighing 10.1 ounces (286 grams) on the SectionHiker digital scale (0.6 oz over mfg’s published weight.) Insulated with Primaloft, NEMO rates its comfort zone from 15F to 25F /-9 to -4C. NEMO does …

The Therm-a-Rest Z-lite sleeping pad (long and short) is probably the best non-inflatable lightweight sleeping pad you can buy from a mainstream manufacturer. It folds up like an accordion and can be easily strapped to the outside of your pack. The egg shell pattern is fairly comfortable and will support your hips …

I’m not a minimalist and while I believe in the value of lightweight backpacking gear, there’s something to be said for bringing a few creature comforts along on my trips once in a while. There are times when you want to be like Andrew Skurka’s “ultimate hiker” and times when …