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HomeOutdoorThe Finest Backpacking Sleeping Pads: A Full Information

The Finest Backpacking Sleeping Pads: A Full Information


An insulating sleeping pad is a must-have for backpackers who sleep on the ground in tents and under tarp shelters to prevent body heat loss to the ground. The best backpacking sleeping pads are air mattresses or foam pads because they’re lightweight and compact. While they vary in composition and thickness, they are all designed to complement your sleep insulation, keeping you warm, so your body can recover after a day of hiking.

When choosing a sleeping pad it is important to also consider its weight, R-value, durability, size, thickness, comfort, and price. What are your priorities?

Here are our picks for the best 10 sleeping pads available today based on these dimensions. Many of these sleeping pads are available in different lengths, widths, and weights, making it easy to find a good choice to fit your needs.

1. NEMO Tensor All-Season UL Insulated

NEMO Tensor All-Season Sleeping Pad
The NEMO Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated Air Pad strikes an excellent balance between low weight and comfort. Three and a half inches thick, it provides plenty of clearance for the bony hips of side sleepers but rolls up flat and is amazingly small when deflated. While it contains internal reflective layers like Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir pads, it’s noticeably quieter and not crinkly sounding. Weighing just 14.1 ounces in a mummy size regular (72″ x 20″), the Tensor All-Season has an R-value of 5.4, making it suitable for 3+ season use.  An inflation sack is included. Read our NEMO Tensor All-season Ultralight Insulated Air Pad Review.

2. Exped Ultra 5R

Exped Ultra 5R

The Exped Ultra 5R Air Mattress is a lightweight inflatable sleeping pad that’s three inches thick and has an R-value of 4.8. It contains synthetic insulation instead of reflective films, which makes it very quiet to sleep on, and is covered with a durable 20d polyester non-slip fabric. The pad has a pair of flat stemless valves for inflation and deflation and vertical baffles designed to keep you from rolling off the pad at night. The Ultra 5R is available in three mummy and three rectangular sizes, including a regular width, a wide width, and a long and wide pad. All six sizes are priced identically, so you can pick the size you want without having to sweat a higher price point. The Ultra 5R is also bundled with a large 45L inflation sack/dry bag called a Schnozzel (a $50 value, also available separately), which can be used as a waterproof pack liner. Read the SectionHiker review. 

3. Sea-to-Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Pad

Sea-to-Summit Ether Light XT Insulated
The Sea To Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Sleeping Pad has extra thick 4″ air sprung cells that provide excellent comfort for side and back sleepers. ThermoLite synthetic insulation and a platinum liner reflect warmth back to you to minimize radiant heat loss. A flat valve makes it quick to inflate and deflate, and a combination stuff sack/air pump is included for ease of use. The Ether Light has an R-Value of 3.2, making it suitable for three-season use, while a size regular (72″ x 20″) weighs in at 15 oz. Multiple sizes are available. Read our Sea-to-Summit Ether Light XT Review.

4. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT

Thermarest NeoAir Xlite NXT
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is a 3″ thick insulated air mattress that packs up small and flat, taking up little room in a backpack while providing plenty of comfort for side sleepers and back sleepers. With an R-value of 4.5, it is also one of the warmest 3-season pads available. The XLite NXT is available in various widths and lengths, with the 72″ x 20″ regular size weighing in at just 12.5 oz. The XLite NXT also comes with an inflation sack that can be used as a stuff sack.

5. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT

Thermarest Xtherm NXT
The NeoAir XTherm NXT is nearly identical to the NeoAir XLite NXT but has more insulation and a tougher cover fabric for greater dependability in cold weather and winter. It also packs up small and flat, taking up little room in a backpack despite having more insulation. The R-Value of 7.3 will keep you warm down to 40 below zero F, while the inflatable 3″ inch-thick pad provides plenty of cushion for side sleepers or back sleepers alike. The NeoAir XTherm NXT is available in a variety of widths and lengths with the 72″ x 20″ regular mummy size weighing in at just 15.5 oz. The XTherm also comes with an inflation sack that can be used as a stuff sack.

6. Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated

Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad

The Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Air Pad is an insulated sleeping pad that is lightweight enough to be used for 3+ season use. With an R-value of 4.8, the Rapide SL is an incredible 4.25 inches thick and insulated with 2 layers of reflective film, much like Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir pads but far quieter. A low-profile flat valve provides rapid inflation, deflation, and micro-adjustments so you can fine-tune the inflation firmness. Weighing just 18 oz, the Rapide SL Insulated Air Pad includes an inflation sack for rapid deployment.

7. Sea-to-Summit Ether Light XT Extreme

Extreme ether light
The Sea-to-Summit Ether Light XT Extreme Sleeping Pad is an insulated inflatable sleeping pad that is 4″ thick and has an R-value of 6.2 making it suitable for cold weather backpacking and camping use. Weighing 25.6 oz, the sleeping surface of the Ether Light XT Extreme is made up of air-sprung cells, which mimic a pocket spring mattress so that the surface of the pad conforms to your body shape regardless of whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach. The Extreme is insulated with a reflective platinum coating and 2 layers of Thermolite synthetic insulation positioned inside the top and bottom sides of the pad. The pad’s 30/40d nylon covering offers a warm hand as well as added puncture and abrasion resistance. A pump sack is included. Read our Review

8. NEMO Quasar 3D Insulated Air

NEMO QUASAR 3D
The NEMO Quasar 3D Insulated Air Sleeping Pad is a 25 oz (R=3.3)  inflatable sleeping pad with body-mapped baffles that are designed to gently prevent you from rolling off the pad at night. When inflated, it provides three and a half inches of luxurious support, perfect for side sleepers when used with or without a pillow. When deflated, the Quasar 3D packs up incredibly flat and small, making it ideal for smaller-volume backpacks, where storage space is at a premium. Read our NEMO Quasar 3D Review.

9. Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Foam Pad

Z Lite Sol
The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol is an ultralight, inexpensive, and virtually indestructible foam sleeping pad, making it a favorite among ultralight backpacking fanatics and parents alike. Made with closed-cell foam, it folds up into accordion-like sections, making it easy to carry and attach to the outside of a backpack. One side has an aluminized reflective coating that radiates your body heat back at you.  With an R-value of 2.0, the Z Lite Sol is a good warm-weather sleeping pad. A size regular (72″ x 20″) weighs 14 oz, but it’s also available in multiple sizes. You can also trim a foam Z Lite Sol with scissors to shave off gear weight. Read our ZLite Sol Review.

10. NEMO Switchback Foam Pad

Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad
The NEMO Switchback is a folding accordion-shaped closed-cell foam pad with a reflective coating, like the Therm-a-rest Z Lite Sol. The only real difference between the two is that the Switchback folds up slightly smaller when folded up.  A size regular (72″ x 20″) weighs 14.5 oz and has an R-value of 2. Like the Z Lite Sol, you can cut a Switchback up to save gear weight or reshape it for a specific purpose. Price Range: $45-$55. Read our NEMO Switchback Review. 

Backpacking Sleeping Pad Guide

Choosing a sleeping pad requires prioritizing between multiple factors, some of which can be at odds with one another.

Sleeping Pad R-Values and Air Temperature in Degrees

What’s the correlation between air temperature and sleeping pad R-values? When do you need a pad with a higher R-value? This table is based on Exped’s recommendations in Fahrenheit and Celsius degrees.

Air Temperature (F): 50 30 25 10 0 -15 -25 -40
Minimum R-Value 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Air Temperature (C): 10 -1 -4 -12 -18 -26 -32 -40
Minimum R-Value 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

In addition:

  • R-values are additive, so you can combine two pads to increase your warmth level.
  • Women need higher R-values pads because they have lower body mass than men. An additional R-value of 1 is usually a good hedge for women and other cold sleepers

Sleeping Pad Thickness

Thicker sleeping pads are often more comfortable for side sleepers because they provide more cushioning under the hip bones. Depending on their length and width, it may take more breaths to inflate a very thick air pad, something to factor into your decision.

Sleeping Pad Dimensions

Most popular sleeping pads are available in a wide range of lengths and widths. While large pads are often more comfortable, they’re often heavier. Most pads are available in a standard 72″ x 20″ size. But many pads are also available in longer, shorter, and wider sizes, or mummy and rectangular shapes.

Sleeping Pad Weight

A sleeping pad is one of the most important items on your gear list in terms of comfort and sleep insulation. While the weight of all backpacking gear matters, don’t make the mistake of being miserable at night by choosing a pad that compromises the quality of your sleep, simply to reduce the weight of your gear list. For example, most sleeping bag and quilt temperature ratings assume that you’re sleeping on a pad with an R-value between 4.0 and 5.0. If you sleep with a pad that has a lower R-value, even in summer, you probably won’t be able to experience the full temperature rating of your sleep insulation. That’s a sobering thought.

Sleeping Pad Compactness

The size and compactness of a sleeping pad can be an important fact depending on your style of packing and the size of your backpack. Inflatable pads usually pack up the smallest, self-inflating pads are usually larger, and foam pads are the largest. Depending on how you pack,  foam sleeping pads may need to be attached to the outside of your backpack because they’re so large. While closed-cell foam pads don’t absorb water if they get wet, you’ll want to dry one off before you put a sleeping bag or quilt on top of it, after a wet day on the trail.

Sleeping Pad Types

There are three types of sleeping pads: air mattresses, self-inflating mattresses, and closed-cell foam pads. Air mattresses provide the greatest comfort and pack up the smallest when deflated. Most come with a lightweight stuff sack that can be used to inflate them. Self-inflating mattresses are usually the heaviest and will up partially with air when unrolled for use. You still have to blow them up a bit, but only a minor amount. Closed-cell foam pads are the least expensive but they are bulky have to be attached to the exterior of your pack. They are very reliable however because they’re made with foam so they can’t be punctured and they’re waterproof, so they won’t get heavier if it rains.

Sleeping Pad R-Values

The most reliable measure of insulation is R-value. Beginning in 2020, a new Sleeping Bag R-Value Standard was adopted by the outdoor industry and most of the major sleeping pad manufacturers including Therm-a-Rest, NEMO, Sea-to-Summit, REI, Big Agnes, and Klymiy have retested and re-rated their sleeping pads using it. Klymit, notably, has not. This new standard benefits consumers because it makes it possible, for the first time, to compare sleeping pads by their R-values because they all use the same testing methodology.

For three-season backpacking and camping, an R-value of 2, or higher, is recommended. For winter backpacking and camping, an R-value of 5, or higher, is recommended. R-values are additive, so you can stack two pads to increase your warmth level. Women need higher R-values pads because they have lower body mass than men. An additional R-value of 1 is usually a good hedge for women and other cold sleepers

Sleeping Pad Durability

Foam sleeping pads are the most durable, self-inflating pads are the next most durable, and inflatable air mattresses the least. Inflatable air mattresses tend to fail in two places: the valves and at the seams of fabric. Flat valves that are flush with the surface of the sleeping pad are more durable than stick valves because they have no moving parts and can’t catch on obstructions.

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