Sleeping Pad Reviews

The Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad is an ultralight and ultra-thin closed-cell foam pad which can be used to completely eliminate sleeping pad slip on silnylon and Dyneema DCF tent floors. A true multi-purpose item, this 1/8″ foam pad can also be used as a dog bed, a windbreak for …

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pad, weighing 8.8 oz is currently the lightest weight full-sized inflatable sleeping pad available today. With an R-value of 2.0, it’s suitable for use by ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers in warm weather, above 40-50 degree F, although you can extend its temperature range by stacking …

The Therm-a-Rest XTherm Sleeping Pad is an insulated air mattress designed for cold weather camping with an R-value of 5.7. Weighing just 15 oz, it’s also exceptionally lightweight, durable, and packs up small, which explains its popularity with winter campers and backpackers. Many people underestimate the importance of their sleeping pad …

The NEMO Switchback is a accordion-style closed-cell foam sleeping pad that can be used as an ultralight pad by itself or to augment the warmth of a second sleeping pad, when sleeping outdoors in colder weather. It’s quite similar to the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol sleeping pad, but made with …

The Paria Recharge UL Sleeping Pad is an inflatable insulated sleeping pad suitable for backpacking and camping. Weighing 20 ounces, it’s on the heavy side compared to popular three-season sleeping pads, but it is inexpensive, making it a good option for cost-minded backpackers. Specs at a Glance Weight: 20 oz …

If you want to save gear weight, but you’re not willing to give up the luxury and comfort of using an inflatable sleeping pad, try a torso-length one like the 47″ size “Short” Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite. Weighing 8 oz*, it weighs 4 oz less than the 12 oz, 72″ size …

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. …

Sleeping Pad Insulation A sleeping pad’s R-Value measures its ability to insulate you from cold ground and keep you warm. The higher the R value, the more effective it is. R-Value Recommendations For winter backpacking and camping, an R-value of 5, or higher, is recommended. For three-season backpacking and camping, …

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 …