9 Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking in 2023 – Bearfoot Theory

Sleeping on a leaky halfway-deflated sleeping pad on a backpacking journey might go away you by no means desirous to go backpacking once more. That’s why a high quality sleeping pad is an important piece of substances that may really make or break your journey. 

There are plenty of elements that go into discovering one of the best backpacking sleeping pad together with value, insulation, weight, dimension, and even private sleeping habits.

Here at Bearfoot Theory, we’ve tried and examined plenty of totally different sleeping pads – some higher than others – and on this weblog submit, we enable you to slender it down by sharing our favorites.

No matter what your funds is or your priorities, this listing highlights the preferred sleeping pads for each out of doors enthunsisast from tremendous light-weight choices to heat four-season ones and extra.

At the tip of this submit, we additionally break down the essential elements when selecting a sleeping pad so you may get the appropriate one to your adventures.

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads at a Glance

Backpacking Sleeping Pad Comparison Table

See the comparability desk beneath for a fast abstract of every of the highest sleeping pads for backpacking. You can click on on the columns to kind by what’s most essential to you.

1. Therm-a-Rest ProfessionalLite Plus

Bearfoot Theory Team Favorite

• Great for: 3-season backpacking, again sleepers

• What we like: Great worth for value, sturdy material, straightforward to inflate

• What we don’t like: Heavier and bulkier than different sleeping pads, not nice for aspect sleepers

The Therm-a-Rest ProfessionalLite Plus is designed with consolation in thoughts, and it’s my private sleeping pad of selection.

While 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 can’t really feel the bottom or little rocks that you simply might need set your tent up on high of. However, it’s not so thick that in the event you roll round at evening, you are feeling such as you may fall off.

It’s additionally insulated sufficient to camp in chilly temperatures, however in the event you camp within the winter, you may wish to add a foam pad beneath. There is a girls’s model out there of the Plus which is a bit shorter and 1 ounce lighter than the boys’s Regular dimension.

Compared to the opposite light-weight sleeping pads on this listing, the Thermarest ProfessionalLite Plus is a bit on the cumbersome aspect when within the stuff sack, but it surely nonetheless packs down properly sufficient to return alongside for the trip.

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 ProfessionalLite common model.

2. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT

Best Lightweight Sleeping Pad for Backpacking

• Great for: Ultralight backpacking, 3-season backpacking

• What we like: Most light-weight sleeping pad on the listing, tremendous compact

• What we don’t like: Runs slender, noisy if you roll over

Overall, Therm-a-Rest appears to have the market cornered with regards to heat and lightness, making them among the best manufacturers of sleeping pads for backpacking.

Their Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT will hold you heat and cozy within the backcountry, and it’s the lightest inflatable sleeping pad that we stand behind.

This can also be the backpacking sleeping pad of selection of BFT workforce member Linda who has used this sleeping pad on over a dozen backpacking journeys.

The NeoAir XLite NXT does are likely to run slender, so in the event you toss and switch, we suggest getting the huge model.

It may also be noisy if you roll over so in case you are a lightweight sleeper hold that in thoughts, however we predict for the burden and heat, this sleeping pad is value it.

3. Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad

Best Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers

• Great for: Side sleepers, light-weight backpacking, 3-season backpacking

• What we like: Lightweight and compact, one of many thickest pads on our listing, is available in a large model, not noisy if you roll over

• What we don’t like: A bit heavy

If you’re a aspect sleeper, the Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad is a good possibility.

It’s light-weight and has insulated layers to fend off chilly and with a thickness of three.5 inches, your hips and shoulders will likely be completely satisfied all evening mild.

The Big Agnes Rapide packs down small and the high-volume valve makes it fast to inflate and deflate. Alternatively, you should utilize the inflation sack to inflate the pad if you’re at excessive altitudes and the air is skinny.

I additionally love that this pad is available in a spread of sizes from petite to huge to accommodate all physique sizes.

4. Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad

Easiest Sleeping Pad to Inflate

• Great for: again or abdomen sleepers, 3-season backpacking

• What we like: Durable valve, best to inflate, compresses down tremendous small

• What we don’t like: not nice for aspect sleepers

The Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad is likely one of the greatest and most well-reviewed sleeping pads. It’s a light-weight and sturdy pad that’s straightforward to move out and in of the carry bag.

One of one of the best options of this sleeping pad is that you should utilize the stuff sack to explode the pad. You hook the stuff sack as much as the valve, you then 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 replenish, and all your pals will likely be jealous as they huff and puff to blow their pads up. Using the stuff sack additionally reduces the quantity of condensation build-up contained in the pad.

The valve on this sleeping pad can also be one of the vital sturdy valves in the marketplace which is fairly large contemplating valves are the place widespread leakage occurs.

As a bonus, the Sea to Summit Ultralight has an anti-microbial coating that retains any nastiness from build up over time.

This sleeping pad additionally is available in a girls’s model too. If you need a bit extra padding, theSea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated Sleeping Pad (pictured beneath) is a good possibility.

5. Exped Ultra 3R Duo Sleeping Pad

Best 2-Person Backpacking Sleeping Pad

• Great for: Couples, backpacking along with your canine, quick backpacking journeys, summer season backpacking

• What we like: Each aspect fills individually, bigger outer chambers assist stop you from rolling off, straightforward to inflate

• What we don’t like: Not as insulated as different 3-season pads

Are you searching for a approach to cuddle along with your associate on backpacking journeys? Look no additional than the Exped Ultra 3R Duo Sleeping Pad.

This sleeping pad suits completely in two-person backpacking tents and is a good possibility for these seeking to keep away from uncomfortably pushing collectively 2 one-person pads.

You’d suppose that inflating a double sleeping pad can be harder than a single, however this sleeping pad is fast to inflate and deflate utilizing the same 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 in the event you might cut up the burden into 2, it could be the identical weight and dimension as a number of the different sleeping pads we suggest on this listing of one of the best sleeping pads for backpacking.

If you need a lighter-weight possibility with a decrease R-value for summer season tenting, the Exped additionally is available in a 1R model.

6. Exped Ultra 7R Sleeping Pad

Best 4-Season Sleeping Pad

• Great for: Winter tenting, 4-season backpacking, aspect sleepers

• What we like: Warmest sleeping pad on our listing, very light-weight for a way heat it’s

• What we don’t like: Most costly sleeping pad on our listing, noisy if you roll over, straightforward to slip off the slippery materials in the event you transfer round rather a lot

This is likely one of the priciest sleeping pads on this listing, however the Exped Ultra 7R Sleeping Pad can also be the warmest by far with an R-value of seven.1.

It’s made for mountaineering, winter tenting, and backpacking so if that’s the form of factor you’ll be doing, then investing in an ultra-warm, comfy, light-weight sleeping pad like this will likely be value it in the long term.

This pad is insulated with a layer of 700-fill right down to hold you good and heat even because the temperatures drop outdoors your tent. While we don’t love the usage of down feathers right here at Bearfoot Theory, we do respect Exped’s adherence to the Resonsible Down Standard.

The downsides of this sleeping pad are it’s an costly funding and the slippery materials is noisy and straightforward to slip off of in the event you transfer round in your sleep.

7. Sea To Summit Ether Lite XT Women’s

Thickest Backpacking Sleeping Pad

• Great for: People who toss & flip at evening, aspect sleepers, 3-season backpacking

• What we like: Thickest sleeping pad on our listing, extraordinarily comfy, good width for not rolling off

• What we don’t like: Doesn’t pack down very small, takes longer to inflate with the stuff sack, is a bit noisy if you transfer round

The Sea to Summit Ether Lite XT Insulated Sleeping Pad is the best sleeping pad for anybody in search of most consolation and who doesn’t thoughts carrying a bit additional weight and bulk. The additional thick (XT) development gives deep cushioning, excellent for aspect sleepers.

Becky, our behind-the-scenes assistant, makes use of this pad for her bikepacking adventures as a result of it’s extraordinarily comfy and whereas it doesn’t pack down fairly as small as different pads on this listing, it’s nonetheless actually light-weight at simply over a pound. She’s a aspect sleeper and doesn’t really feel the bottom in any respect whereas shifting back and forth on this 4″ pad. The girls’s model additionally has a barely hotter R-value at 3.5.

The Ether Lite XT comes with an Airstream Pump stuff sack, which lets you inflate the pad with out blowing into it. The sack is totally built-in into the sleeping pad bag, making it very easy to make use of (and unattainable to overlook or go away behind). The valve is sturdy and permits for simple inflation, fast deflation, and a button for fine-tuning the firmness when your pad is blown up with out dropping air.

This pad additionally comes with 4 “Pillow Lock” patches which safe any Sea to Summit backpacking pillow to the pad so it doesn’t slide off throughout the evening — a standard downside with most backpacking pillows. We personally love the Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow.

While this sleeping pad isn’t the quietest in the marketplace, it’s actually not the loudest. It doesn’t have that “chip bag” sound that’s widespread with ultralight sleeping pads, but it surely does make a uninteresting noise if you roll over. This isn’t an enormous difficulty for us – we’ll take the additional consolation over a bit noise any day – and it wouldn’t wake tent neighbors.

If you’re a aspect sleeper, have a tendency to maneuver round rather a lot, or are somebody who desires to make sure a extremely good evening’s sleep within the backcountry, this sleeping pad is unquestionably well worth the cash.

8. NEMO Switchback Foam Sleeping Pad

Best Foam Sleeping Pad

• Great for: Summer backpacking, light-weight backpacking, utilizing as a sleeping house to your canine

• What we like: Doesn’t require inflation, most sturdy sleeping pad possibility, budget-friendly

• What we don’t like: Thinner than inflatable sleeping pads, doesn’t present heat in chilly climate, cumbersome to hold

If you don’t like inflatable sleeping pads and like one thing easy that requires no setup time after a protracted day of mountaineering, 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 listing, however in the event you’re on a funds and need one thing easy, this can be 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 also can 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 surface of your pack because it doesn’t compress like an inflatable pad does.

9. REI Co-op Trailmade Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

Best Budget Sleeping Pad

• Great for: Short backpacking journeys, funds hikers, 3-season backpacking

• What we like: Inexpensive for an inflatable pad, budget-friendly

• What we don’t like: Heaviest and bulkiest sleeping pad on our listing, exhausting to inflate/deflate

If you might be searching for a high-quality, budget-friendly sleeping pad, look no additional than the REI Co-op Trailmade Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad. With an R-Value of 5.5, this can be 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 automobile tenting sleeping pad, but it surely may also be used for brief backpacking journeys or in case your backpacking sleeping bag and/or tent is small.

How to Choose the Best 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 authentic funding, sleeping pads have come a good distance. Now they’re lighter, extra comfy, and rather more compact than ever earlier than.

In my seek for one of the best backpacking sleeping pad, I turned overwhelmed with the variety of choices. There was rather a lot to think about like value, R-Value, weight, and dimension. So I did a bunch of analysis on how to decide on one of the best sleeping pad for backpacking and needed to share with you what I discovered

So, how do you select one of the best sleeping pad for backpacking? Here are the elements to think about when making your buy:

Foam Sleeping Pads vs Inflatable Sleeping Pads

There are two primary varieties of sleeping pads. The first is a closed-cell foam pad. These are the most cost effective and most sturdy pads out there, however they are usually much less comfy.

Their stiff form additionally means you don’t have the power to pack them down, and most of the people find yourself carrying them on the surface of their pack. 

The different 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 liable to puncture. This means it’s a must to be very cautious when utilizing an inflatable sleeping pad immediately on the bottom with the intention to keep away from leaks.

Inflatable sleeping pads are considerably extra comfy than foam pads, and in lots of instances the distinction in weight is negligible.

Insulation: The R-Value

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 supposed for backpacking have R-values round 2.0-5.0.

The very first thing you’ll wish to take into consideration is the sort of local weather you’ll be utilizing your sleeping pad in. If you’re a fair-weather backpacker and will likely be spending most nights in heat summer season temperatures, then you may get away with a decrease R-value.

On the opposite hand, in case you are doing winter or snow tenting, then you will have one thing with an R-value nearer to five. Pads with R-values increased than 5 are heavier and usually supposed for automobile tenting.

Weight

Weight is a crucial issue to think about for all your gear and sleeping pads are not any exception.

Closed-cell foam pads are the lightest and usually weigh in at lower than a pound.

The lightest inflatable sleeping pads are comparatively comparable in weight to the froth pads. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite is likely one of the lightest choices out there at 12.5 ounces.

Depending on how plush you wish to go, an affordable weight vary for an inflatable air pad is 10 ounces as much as 2 kilos. And whereas not at all times the case, there tends to be a tradeoff between weight and sturdiness with inflatable sleeping pads.

If you select one of many ultralight inflatable choices, you’ll want to deal with it with warning and keep away from utilizing it immediately on the bottom.

Thickness

Inflatable sleeping pads range wherever from one to 4 inches thick and a thicker pad goes to supply extra consolation in case you are a aspect 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 evening, you then is perhaps pleased with a thinner pad.

Closed-cell foam pads are usually thinner, normally operating at lower than 1 inch thick. 

Length and Width

In order to chop down on weight, sleeping pads are getting smaller and smaller. In truth, some sleeping pads now are available in 3/4 size that means the underside of your legs and toes will likely 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.

While 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.

If you progress round rather a lot when you sleep, you might wish to purchase a large sleeping pad.

Women’s Backpacking Sleeping Pads

Some backpacking sleeping pads are available in a girls’s particular model. These are usually shorter and are generally a bit wider to accommodate numerous physique shapes and bigger hips.

Women’s sleeping pads are additionally made to be hotter, with the next R-value since girls usually sleep colder than males.

Packed Size

This is one space the place sleeping pads have made some severe developments. Some sleeping pads as of late are smaller than a Nalgene bottle when packed down, that means they take up means much less house in your bag than they used to.

For backpacking, you’ll need one thing that packs right down to about 4-5.5 inches by 8-11 inches.

Of course, you should utilize one thing bigger, however we’d solely suggest that for shorter journeys or in the event you’re splitting up gear between your associate or campmate.

Other Features

One-way valves: Many of the most recent sleeping pads, just like the Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated Sleeping Pad, have one-way valves. That means when you find yourself blowing them up, the air can’t come again out of the valve, making it simpler to explode. Then if you wish to deflate it, there’s a separate valve that you simply open the place the air escapes from.

Self-inflating: There are just a few pads in the marketplace which might be self-inflating. My Therm-a-Rest ProfessionalLite Plus is considered one of them. If you select to purchase a self-inflating pad, you have to be ready that after some use, the pad won’t self-inflate prefer it used to. At that time, you’ll find yourself blowing it up along with your mouth identical to the remaining, however the self-inflation is a pleasant characteristic whereas it lasts.

Integrated pump: Many newer sleeping pads include a pump built-in into the stuff sack. You principally fill the pump 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 problem.

What is one of the best sleeping pad for backpacking that you simply’ve discovered? Do you’ve got a favourite? Leave a remark beneath and tell us!

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