If you’ve been searching for a guide to the best sleeping pads for camping and backpacking, the only thing that actually helps you decide which one is right for your set up is to know that the people recommending them to you have actually tested them in detail.
On real hikes, on real camps, for plenty of time.
As you read through, you’ll see our personal experiences with each pad to get a true feel for how they fare outdoors. Our testing team for this guide is made up of regular hikers and the quality of the gear we use matters as much to each of us as it does to you. We’re all different ages, builds and have different gripes that affect our comfort levels too.
The pads we’ve included have been tested in a diverse range of environments around the world including the Sierra’s in California, the high desert mountains of Southern California, New Mexico, the Norwegian Fjords and the Lake District in the UK.
They’ve been out on real hikes where we can’t guarantee all the circumstances, which is gold when it comes to putting gear through its paces, seeing what works well and where its weaknesses might be. Every sleeping pad has earned its place here!
Our Quick Picks
Short on time? These are the sleeping pads that have stood out most during our years of testing:
- Best overall: Nemo Tensor All Season
- Best foam sleeping pad: Nemo Switchback
- Best ultralight: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT
- Best for winter: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm
- Best for summer: Rab Stratosphere 4
- Best for back issues: Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated
Best Sleeping Pads
There’s quite a lot to consider when it comes to choosing the best sleeping pads for your needs and how you plan to use your camping mat. There are so many different options on the market at a whole range of price points that promise different features that making the right choice isn’t always obvious.
From tests, putting sleeping pads through their paces in a whole range of locations and environments around the world whilst out camping and backpacking, we’ve learned a thing or two about what you need to consider.
Our buying advice underneath the main round up goes into more detail about what you should consider and our how to choose the right sleeping pad article goes through how you can use your personal needs to make the right decision. Ultimately, though it’s about getting the right balance between price, weight, packed size, comfort, R-Value (more on this later) and thinking about which of these elements are your most determining factors.
The Best Closed Cell Foam Sleeping Pads
If you’re trying to decide whether a closed cell foam sleeping pad is right for you, they do have their advantages. The set-up time (being mere seconds) is something we always love as is the extra layer of insulation they offer under an inflatable pad in really cold conditions.
If this appeals, and you don’t need the highest R-Value or a huge amount of support, then a foam camping pad can be a great option. For colder conditions, a cell foam sleeping pad can also be added under an inflatable sleeping pad for added insulation and comfort.
Some of the disadvantages are that they can be quite bulky. Due to their shape and form (usually an acordian style fold up), they don’t pack down to the same size as most inflatable sleeping pads. We’ve never found a situation where a closed foam sleeping pad can be stowed in a backpack and instead always need to be lashed to the front.
They also don’t offer too much by way of padding or comfort whilst you’re sleeping. We’ve found that they’re best if you don’t have any joint or muscle concerns. Here are the best foam camping mat options we found based on our tests.
Nemo Switchback
Specifically tested by: Matt Doyle
My take:
- Well priced option
- Nemo offer the Switchback with a lifetime warranty
- This pad is pretty bulky when you pack it down and lash it to your pack
- It doesn’t have a high R-Value so is more suited as an additional layer or in warmer conditions
Good to know: This sleeping pad is unisex
Best for: General, all round dependable sleeping pad
When it comes to closed cell foam sleeping pads, this was one of the best camping mat options I tested. I loved that the Nemo Switchback offers a lot when it comes to simplicity. You’re good to go really quickly and on our higher altitude, summer camps, we found this a real bonus at the end of the day.
This pad does have a low R-Value of 2, which is relatively low in relation to some of the other camping sleeping pad options in our guide. However, where I felt through my tests that the Nemo Switchback really came into its own was when it was layered with an inflatable sleeping pad for added warmth at really low temperatures.
This sleeping pad doesn’t pack up particularly small: measuring in at 51x13x14cm/20x5x5.5in. This wasn’t possible to fit in any of my backpacking packs and so needs to be lashed to your pack. However, if that isn’t an issue for you, this makes it really easy to deploy once you get to camp so you can get set up in super quick time.
Your need level for comfort and your want for ease will help you decide whether the Nemo Switchback is right for you or not. I loved it, when used in the right circumstances! Read my full review of the Nemo Switchback sleeping pad.
See it in use:
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol
Specifically tested by: Gabaccia Moreno
My take:
- Excellent price point makes it accessible
- Low weight makes it a great addition of lightweight backpackers
- Low R-Value
- Comfort level not suitable for all hikers
Good to know: This sleeping pad is unisex
Best for: Dependable and affordable sleeping pad
The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol is a great option for lightweight backpackers. I found this 410g/14oz closed cell foam sleeping pad was barely noticeable in terms of weight on my pack when testing. Similar to the Nemo Switchback above, the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol has an R-Value of 2 making it suitable for mostly summer treks.
Whilst this is quite low compared to some of the other top sleeping pads in our guide, I found that the dimples did help to trap heat and lead to it feeling decently warm when used in the right (summer and very early fall/autumn) circumstances. In fact, in my warmer tests, it performed a treat. With this all in mind, it can make a great addition to your kit if you know you’ll be backpacking most of the time in fairer conditions.
As with all closed cell foam sleeping pads, they’re best if you don’t have too many aches and pains as whilst they do provide comfort, this is of course not as much as some of the burlier inflatable sleeping pads we’ve included later in this guide.
However, I also found the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol really came into its own when used in combination with an inflatable pad at colder temperatures for excellent insulation and a cozy night’s sleep. Read my full review of the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol sleeping pad.
See it in use:
The Best Air Filled Sleeping Pads
A blow up camping mattress is pretty much the holy grail when it comes to lightweight packability and additional comfort on the trail. With that in mind, there are pretty much endless options out there when it comes to a blow up sleeping pad.
Choosing the right inflatable sleeping pad for you will come down to where you plan to use it, how much you have to spend and what levels of comfort are most important for you. The comfort of each of these pads below can be determined by the R-Value (as we very much found through our tests that comfort also comes from warmth) as well as the cushioning provided.
Where possible, we’ve also tried to illustrate the comfort level, thickness and who each pad is perfect for in our linked reviews that go into more detail as thickness is usually a good indicator here!
Nemo Tensor All Season
Specifically tested by: Matt Doyle
My take:
- Very lightweight considering its R-Value and comfort rating
- High R-Value makes it versatile for warmer and colder camps
- Expensive
- Takes a while to inflate
Good to know: This sleeping pad is unisex
Best for: General, all round dependable sleeping pad, great for most situations.
Through my tests in a range of different environments: from sun baked camps through to higher altitude, colder climbs, I found the Nemo Tensor All Season came out on top as one of the best sleeping pads we’d tested. What made it fare so well?
Throughout my tests, I was constantly impressed with the Tensor’s small packed size (27×11.5cm/10.5×4.5in), the incredible warmth and insulation from cold ground conditions (an R-Value of 5.4) and the high comfort it offered. In fact, we had some debate about whether this or the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT (below) were more comfortable, but we decided on the Tensor in the end as it really did win out in a whole range of areas.
Nemo really do not disappoint and I’ve always been really impressed with their offerings. So, it’s no surprise to me that the Nemo Tensor All Season is one of the best camping sleeping pad options on the market right now that money can buy.
When you add to its already glowing performance in my variety of tests on actual camping trips, its weight is pretty next level, coming in at 664g/1lb 7oz including stuff sack and inflation tool for the Long Wide version that we tested. It also provided some of the best trail sleep I’ve ever had and makes very little noise: even if you toss and turn through the night.
The only points to consider with this pad is that it does take a while to inflate and pack down (my linked review contains real time set up and pack down). But these are some of the longest in our guide, taking 3 minutes 43 seconds to inflate and 3 minutes 26 seconds to deflate. However, the inflation sack makes this easy and the effort involved feels like a good pass off for such a comfortable sleeping pad.
Likewise, the price may be off putting too if you’re on a budget; this is one of the priciest sleeping pads in our round up. However, if you’re willing to invest in your backpacking gear and want ultimate comfort and lightweight packability, then the Nemo Tensor All Season should be at the top of your consideration list. Read my full review of the Nemo Tensor All Season sleeping pad.
See it in use:
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT
Specifically tested by: Barry Williams
My take:
- Easy inflation and quick to set up
- Very, very comfortable, especially if you have joint, muscle or back issues
- Expensive option
- Packed size could be made smaller with some adjustments in packaging design
Good to know: This sleeping pad is unisex
Best for: Comfort and ultralight camp set ups.
It was a pretty hard call when it came to deciding which was the overall best sleeping mat because this pad from Therm-a-Rest came up astonishingly when testing this pad out on a lot of camps at higher altitudes in California.
In fact, I think the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT is one of the best sleeping pads I’ve ever used, if not the best. That’s saying something considering the amount of miles I’ve put down through both my job and personal time enjoying the outdoors.
This sleeping mat is one of the most comfortable options in our guide if you have back or joint problems and even if you don’t you can be assured a sound night’s sleep. Added to this is the brand’s claim of a 6x noise reduction over other models. I wasn’t sure if this was just marketing spiel, but my camp tests revealed this to be well and truly the truth. I found this camping mat made considerably less noise than other people’s pads in camp.
A feature that I loved with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT was the wing lock valve that allows for really easy adjustments to the firmness of the pad once it’s blown up. This allows you to get comfort that feels just right for you. The packed size also helps keep your pack in line too: coming in at 10.4 x 22.86cm/4.1 x 9 inches for the regular, which I tested.
The only gripe I have with this pad is its price. This is a serious, high end piece of kit, and there’s no doubting that this is one of the best camping mat options out there. It will last you a really long time, however the price will just not be attainable for some hikers. However, if you’re in a position to invest in your kit, then I can’t recommend this pad highly enough. Read my full review of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT sleeping pad.
See it in use:
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm
Specifically tested by: Nicole Snell
My take:
- Really well insulated and provides excellent warmth (one of the highest R-Values in our reviews at 7.3)
- Lightweight and small to pack down
- Sound could be reduced
- Expensive
Good to know: This sleeping pad is unisex
Best for: Winter set ups.
This is by far one of the best sleeping pads I’ve ever tested. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT gets the balance right between weight (regular 453g/1lb), packed size (regular 11.3 x 22.86cm/4.5 x 9 inches), comfort and warmth (a staggering 7.3 R Value), even at some of the higher altitude, colder camps I tested it out and put it through its paces in.
From my tests, I loved how this camping sleeping pad provides a really versatile option. It’s light enough and cushioned enough to be just as suitable for warmer, summer treks as it is at higher altitudes. Even though this pad is on the pricey side (but is inline with the other high end sleeping pads in our guide) you will likely not need any other pad if you decide to buy this offering from Therm-a-Rest.
I did find a little bit of pressure on my hips when sleeping sideways on this sleeping pad, and it could do with some noise reductions in future designs, but it also fits easily into a sleeping bag too so you can make the perfect cocoon of comfort and warmth. This really is an exceptional sleeping pad! Read my full review of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT sleeping pad.
Rab Stratosphere 4
Specifically tested by: Matt Doyle
My take:
- Well priced option
- Excellent build quality and textured pad make for an easier sleep
- Not the highest R-Value
- Not the lightest
Good to know: This sleeping pad is unisex
Best for: Lightweight summer set ups.
The Rab Stratosphere 4 really impressed me when I put it through its paces outdoors. Whilst it isn’t the lightest, it is a great mid range option and considering the comfort and packability it provides, it offers a great option if you’re on a budget.
It’s always a hard point to get right when it comes to the best camping mat in terms of price and features, but I think the Rab Stratosphere 4 does well here. If you know you’re not going to need a camping sleeping pad for really cold temperatures and don’t want to break the bank, then I think you’ll be very happy if you choose this pad.
One thing I really loved in my tests was that this camping mat has a slightly textured surface which I found helps to stop your sleeping bag slipping around in the night: more so than some of the other top sleeping pads I’ve tested. I found this made for a more comfortable sleep all round.
It’s also very quick to set up, taking just under 3 minutes to inflate and just over 2 minutes to deflate when making use of the very cute inflation sack which is designed to look like an elephant. Bonus points there, Rab!
At a weight of 695g/24.5oz it’s not the lightest in our guide, but very far from the heaviest and I really don’t think you can go wrong with this pad! Read my full review of the Rab Stratosphere 4 sleeping pad.
See it in use:
Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated
Specifically tested by: Fay Doyle
My take:
- Offers a strong level of comfort, especially if you have muscle or joint concerns
- Dual chamber design is the only one like it in our guide and makes personal adjustments easy
- A much heavier pad
- Its packed size may offput some hikers
Good to know: This sleeping pad is unisex
Best for: Side sleepers and people with back problems.
The Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated sleeping pad puts comfort at its forefront. When testing, I found the dual chamber design made an incredible difference. It creates a pad that felt like it hugs your body and gives you a great night’s sleep, even if you suffer from back our joint problems. In fact it’s one of the top sleeping pads for this area.
Speaking of the dual chamber, it is the only sleeping pad like it in our guide. Basically, this pad has two inflation areas: one on the front and one on the back. When inflated, each one allows adjustments for comfort and hardness. It’s also fantastic in terms of durability as it stops you from blowing out both sides if you have a puncture, so you’ll still have a surface to sleep well (not that I found this would likely be an issue).
The dual chamber design also helps with insulation, and on top of the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus’ R-Value of 4, makes light work of cold conditions, even if you ‘sleep cold’. It’s easy to set up, and whilst you’d expect it to take longer to inflate, is actually on par with most of the other high end sleeping pads in our guide.
If you know you need the extra comfort you’ll get from this pad, you’ll find you’ll make concessions for its packed size and weight (which I found myself rapidly doing). Though these aren’t to be dismissed. I reviewed the large version and it comes in at 1045g/36.9 oz (845g/29.8oz for the regular) and is a burly 12x26cm/5×10 inches when packed away.
That said, if you know you need something for serious seasonal camping with a well-known, well awarded comfort first design, you will love this sleeping pad just as much as I did. It’s also fantastic for side sleepers. Read my full review of the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated.
See it in use:
Sleepingo Sleeping Pad
Specifically tested by: Fay Doyle
My take:
- Very low price
- Color options are good!
- Doesn’t have a recognized R-Value
- No inflation tool or sack is provided with this pad
Good to know: This sleeping pad is unisex
Best for: Hikers on a budget.
A basic option of a sleeping pad here, but the Sleepingo gets a good balance of features considering its price point and from testing, I actually really liked this pad. It offers a great option for hikers on a budget or if you know you won’t be using a pad more than a few times a year. It doesn’t always need to be complicated!
This camping sleeping pad doesn’t have an R-Value, so I aired on the side of caution with my tests, and while it wasn’t as warm or comfortable as some of the (vastly) more expensive options in our guide, it did really well on balmy summer nights at lower altitudes where temperature wasn’t really an issue.
I think that as well as for hiking and backpacking, this is a great option for festivals too as it has the versatility to suit this really well. It’s also low weight which I loved, coming in at 408g/14.4oz. Its packed size worked well at 27x8cm/10.5x3in making it easy to transport. What’s more, it only takes just over 2 minutes to inflate (as referenced in the real time set up video in my individual linked review for the Sleepingo). Read my full review of the Sleepingo sleeping pad.
See it in use:
Other Notable Sleeping Pads We’ve Tested
Over the years we’ve tested a lot of sleeping pads. The pads below are ones we’ve loved and reviewed in detail but have been retired from our current gear rotation. They’re all still solid picks that we recommend highly:
- Tame Lands Sleeping Pad
- Exped Ultra 7R
- Klymit Static V
- Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe Sleeping Pad
- Nemo Quasar 3D
- Big Agnes Divide Insulated
- Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated
If you’d also like to learn more about how we tested the sleeping pads we’ve recommended in this guide, we’ve got some other articles linked below that explain this in more detail:
If you’re looking to set up your kit for camping and backpacking, we’ve got a selection of guides that’ll get you underway with the things you’ll need. Our guide to the best small 2 person backpacking tents is a great place to start. You can also explore our other gear guides, including backpacking packs, freeze dried meals, hiking boots, hiking shoes.
Why Trust Our Recommendations
We know how important it is to be able to trust reviews before you buy a product. We also know how frustrating it is to just see generic information or the same stuff you could just find on a product listing.
That’s one of the main things that forms our ethos and everything we do with This Expansive Adventure. We’re human beings. This site sits as an extension of us in many ways and is living and breathing too. What this means in reality is that as we develop and grow in our hikes, adventures and general time outdoors, so do our reviews. They don’t stay static.
We’re real hikers and all of the products we recommend to you have gone through real hikes and camping trips, for as long as possible in order to make our cut. Some of the sleeping pads we’ve included have been tested for over 3+ years at this point. That’s the level of experience we bring to our guides, and we don’t take your trust for granted!
Sleeping Pads Buying Guide
In order to make our recommendations for the best sleeping pads, our small team of reviewers put them to the test in a whole range of different circumstances. In order to make sure that there is an offering in our guide for all points on the scale, we tested at a number of altitudes, temperatures, weights, backpacking pack sizes, joint and pain mobility and many more factors.
Our reviews above and the linked full reviews give you more information on each of the sleeping mats we have put through their paces, however there are various areas to consider when making your decision. If you’re not sure of what’s important when it comes to making a decision for the best camping mat for your needs, then read on. Our how to choose the right sleeping pad for camping goes into even further detail on this.
Type and Shape
There are a number of different types and shapes available when it comes to sleeping pads. Which is best will depend on your individual circumstances.
Firstly, closed cell foam sleeping pads are the thinnest type of pad on the market, and they’re great for getting set up at camp as quickly as possible as they involve no inflation time as they are one piece of sturdy material. Their downside is that they also usually offer the least cushioning.
You have no inflation and therefore very little between you and the ground with this type of pad. This also usually correlates with a lower R-Value. If you know you don’t need that much cushioning and want an easy set up then this type of pad can be good for you.
You will likely not be able to fit this kind of pad into your backpack either and it will need to be lashed onto your pack. Closed cell foam sleeping pads can also make extra excellent insulation when paired with an inflatable sleeping pad.
Moving on to inflatable sleeping pads, if you know you need that extra comfort, warmth and also be able to pack down to a smaller size, you really want to be looking at an inflatable sleeping pad. These do usually come at a price premium, especially if you want a highly spec’d product, but for that you are essentially getting a mattress which is going to give you the best possible sleep out on the trail.
The only real downside, aside from the price, is that they do take longer to set up – usually taking between 1 and 5 minutes to fully inflate. Though many are supplied with an inflation sack which makes much more light work of getting your sleeping pad ready.
Subbed within this are self inflating sleeping pads which can take out the energy from inflating entirely, or part self inflating. These can often be much heavier than the manually inflating versions.
In terms of shape, you have two main options here – a mummy style shape, which is generally (but not always) able to fit inside your mummy style sleeping bag for added comfort. The other is rectangular. We haven’t really found that many design or usage improvements between the two, so we wouldn’t advise this to be a deciding factor unless you want to have your pad inside your sleeping bag with you.
Mummy shaped pads can be lighter too as they generally use less material in their construction. However, this can be quite a minimal saving. For example, the Nemo Tensor All Season is offered in a rectangular and mummy version. The weight difference between them is 50g/1.8oz. So, as you can see, very minimal, but for some hikers this can make all the difference.
Double pads are also available if you want to just have one sleeping pad between two people. As you can imagine, these are usually about the same in terms of weight and cost savings as buying two sleeping pads. The main downside is that you will have one of you carrying a bigger pad rather than dividing the weight and size between two packs.
Comfort
The best sleeping pad for camping for you may be different to the next person because comfort is such a personal thing. It is amongst us and what one of us really likes, the other doesn’t really find quite as big a deal.
Comfort is about working out what is important to you. If you have back problems or joint problems, then a sleeping pad that makes use of a thicker inflation, dual chambers and more cushioned materials may be best for you.
If you sleep cold, then look for a higher R-Value pad that is suitable for colder temperatures to ensure you sleep well at any time of year. Likewise, you should think about the way you sleep. If you’re a back or front sleeper, then most sleeping pads will be great for you. However, if you’re a side sleeper, then a thicker pad will be better for your hips and joints and provide more overall comfort.
There are also other areas that can impact comfort – many of the sleeping pads (especially the higher end designs) make use of a baffled design which does help to keep you stable on the pad. Some sleeping pads even feature a slightly more tapered design to help prevent rolling off. Some claim to loft your sleeping bag into you, but these really are a matter of preference.
Warmth
Sleeping pads generally come with an R-Value. In fact the best sleeping pads on the market make a real point of making sure that the R-Value is very well documented to help you make your decision.
Basically, the higher the R-Value, the warmer your pad will feel. The lower it is, the colder you’ll feel. In terms of the trail, this translates to a higher R-Value sleeping pad being suitable for colder camps, whereas a lower R-Value is suitable for less seasons. Most manufacturers will say how many seasons their pad is suited to, and we’ve made a point of this too.
On some cheaper sleeping pads (and we’ve seen this through our tests) it can be either hard to find the R-Value, its questionable or very low. Which means that generally if you’re going for the much more budget end that you should assume it’s only really suitable for mild to warm temperatures and summer camping.
In summer, you can get away with an R-Value of around 3 or less, but for anything other than this, we would recommend something over 5. For even colder temperatures, you should ideally be looking at 7. To increase your resistance to the cold, you can also look at bringing a closed cell foam camping pad with you to help here.
What actually is R-Value though? This is a standard measure that is used through the industry that tells you how well the pad will stop you from losing heat into the ground and beyond. The higher the value, the higher the insulation. It’s of course important to keep in mind that the R-Value of your pad won’t keep you warm alone, so you should always combine with a sleeping bag and clothing that is appropriate for the temperature rating of where you’ll be camping for the most comfortable sleep.
We would recommend thinking about where you plan to camp and what your goals are for backpacking and camping over the next few years in order to make a decision on what R-Value is right for you. On the whole, from testing, we would recommend going with the highest R-Value to weight ratio pad you can to get the most out of it.
Ease of Use
When it comes to what makes something the best sleeping pad or not, ease of use is something that is a high ranking factor in all of our tests. A sleeping pad can be amazing on paper, but if you struggle to get it up when you set up camp, then it isn’t the best!
Of course, closed cell foam sleeping pads and self inflating sleeping pads offer the easiest user experiences. Especially closed cell foam which can be set up in seconds. However, inflatable sleeping pads can vary in terms of the ease of use they offer.
We have generally found through our tests that sleeping pads offered with an inflation sack are the easiest to inflate. They also allow you to get more air, more easily into the pad allowing you to inflate it to its optimal density. Whilst an inflation sack can add a little bit of extra weight to your pack, this is minimal and we think they’re well worth it for the comfort they offer you.
We found that none of sleeping pads we tested that don’t come with an inflation sack could be inflated to the same thickness as the ones that do. Most of the cheaper sleeping pads do not come with an inflation sack, and this means that you’ll need to inflate with your mouth alone, unless you can find an inflation sack separately that fits the inflation valve.
If you know you don’t have a great lung capacity, this is something you should seriously keep in mind. This is especially so at altitude, where breathing into a sleeping pad to inflate it will be much harder.
We’d also advise that you become familiar with inflating and deflating your sleeping pad before you take it out on the trail. Even if you’ve had experience with inflatable sleeping pads before, your new one may be slightly different. Practice using the inflation sack, the different valves or if needed, how well you can inflate your sleeping pad with your mouth.
Weight
We think that whether weight is a serious factor for you will likely depend on how far you’ll be backpacking and if you class yourself as ultralight or not. Either way, getting the balance between weight and comfort is what we’re always aiming for.
There are very few sleeping pads in our line up above that come in over 1kg – in fact the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated is the heaviest at 845g/29.8oz. But the lightest option is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is the lightest at 368g/13oz. As you can see, there’s quite a difference there, so it’s really about working out which specifications in terms of comfort and R-Value are most important to you depending on where you’ll be camping.
Dimensions
The dimensions of your sleeping pad are a key area to consider and this should be based on your size, the amount you move around in your sleep and simply if you just feel like you might want a little bit more room or not. Most manufacturers at the higher end offer a number of sizes for their sleeping pad, so you can decide what’s right for you by looking at the open sizes in relation to each other in our comparison table.
You should also consider the packed size when thinking about the dimensions of a sleeping pad. These can vary massively and if you don’t plan this out, can take up more of your backpacking space than you can really afford.
Features
Each sleeping pad is offered with its own feature set and manufacturers are always trying to market these in the best way possible. Some of these can come with arguable reasoning behind them or little way to tell if they actually make a difference or not.
However, some of them can make a really big difference. Some of the features we found the most valuable when testing was the balance the Nemo Tensor All Season got between R-Value, weight and comfort making it an excellent sleeping pad for all year round and versatile for all of the circumstances we tested. These were some of the main reasons we awarded it our best overall sleeping pad.
We also loved the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT’s 6x noise reduction, which we were pessimistic about at the start, but found in reality it was one of the quietest sleeping pads we reviewed. Likewise, the dual chamber design of the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated made for great comfort and amazing adjustments on the trail.
The feature set that is important to you should be decided upon based on your individual tastes, wants and needs. But you should keep in mind your intended camping too.
Materials
Like many products in the outdoors, most sleeping pad materials are rated with a denier (D). Like backpacking tents, one of the main components used on inflatable sleeping pads is nylon.
This is usually the case due to the hardy qualities this offers and the weight savings it introduces. When created as a ripstop it can be resistant to abrasions.
Many sleeping pads also come with a reflective film which can help with heat transfer and is sometimes offered on the more ‘insulated’ or higher R-Value sleeping pads. Closed cell foam sleeping pads are generally made from polyethylene foam backed with metalized foil.
Some manufacturers are also now starting to make use of fully recycled materials in their sleeping pad construction. One such pad is the Nemo Quasar 3D. Some make use of components and not a full recycled construction, like the Rab Stratosphere 4 – using recycled polyester for its insulation.
Durability
The durability of the best sleeping pads can really be tied to the materials used and as listed above; this is usually measured with a denier (D) rating. Most sleeping pads make use of a ripstop nylon to help protect the pad when in use. The more robust pads will also come with puncture repair patches which can help if you’re caught out in camp.
You can also improve the durability of your sleeping pad by looking after it well. Make sure if it gets wet that its fully dry before you pack it down. If you find any trail debris on it, make sure anything is removed before packing away. We’d also advise not to use your sleeping pad directly on sharp stones, thorns or anything with a very hard surface that is likely to pop your sleeping pad or cause weak points.
Sustainability
It’s great to see that the outdoors industry seems to be making more of an effort overall where products are concerned, and those seemingly big statements are being whispered into reality with some of the production practices being roll out. This is a great, positive step forward.
We were actually sad to see that sleeping pads still seem to be an area where there is quite a bit of work to be done in terms of using recycled materials and more sustainable practices. There were only two products in our lineup that make use of widely documented recycled materials (and that wasn’t just our selection).
Hopefully over time, we’ll be able to update this section with a better, more positive one. We’d love to see the outdoor brands that we all know and love going that bit further here to make the next generation of their sleeping pads more sustainably produced.
Conclusion
We hope our guide to the best sleeping pads out there has given you the inspiration you need for your next big trail purchase and investment in your kit. We thoroughly enjoyed putting together this review of our tried and tested picks as it meant we all got to spend countless hours sleeping and call it work.
That aside, we’ve spent hundreds of hours putting these sleeping pads through their paces to see what they’re made of. We’ve combined experiences from our testing team with a range of different body shapes, concerns around comfort and trail interests as well as different altitude and temperature camps to see what puts one pad ahead of another.
Whatever your budget and whatever your type of camping, comfort preferences and needs, there’s a sleeping pad for everyone in this review. We hope you get as many good night’s sleeps out on the trail as we have!
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A Little About our Reviewers for This Guide to the Best Sleeping Pads for Camping
Learn a little more about the people behind this guide and what our different areas of specialism are when it comes to hiking and backpacking. To learn more, you can also click on each author’s name to go through to our more detailed author bio’s.
Fay Doyle
As our editor in chief, Fay enjoys varied hiking and backpacking all around the world in different environments. Fay also has a health condition that creates joint pain and chronic pain so takes comfort and weight as two of the most important considerations. Likewise, Fay is passionate about ensuring that all of the camping sleeping mats we’ve recommended are good value and worth the investment, at whatever end of the scale you’re at.
Matt Doyle
Matt is geeky about gear. As a senior editor, he is always looking for ways to simplify kit and make for the lightest pack down possible. Matt’s specialisms are alpine and difficult environments. He has hiked and backpacked in various locations to test the sleeping pads we’ve recommended in this review and has spent countless hours sleeping to find the best (someone has to do it).
Barry Williams
Barry has put endless hours into his backpacking and specializes in high altitude environments and long-distance trails. Having had several major surgeries, comfort is extremely important to Barry with any sleeping mat, as is weight and packed size.
Nicole Snell
Nicole's main specialism is solo hiking and backpacking in high altitude, desert mountain environments. Nicole values excellent sleep on trail to be able to head out to summit whatever mountain she has her sights set on.
Gabaccia Moreno
Gabaccia is an outdoor access advocate and has been hiking, backpacking and connecting to the land for as long as she can remember. Making sure kit is accessible is one of Gabaccia’s main interests and is always keen to seek the environmental credentials of the products she tests.