10 Best Sleeping Pad for Backpacking
You like to go on a backpacking trip but don’t have a quality sleeping pad then you might be missing out on something great.
A sleeping pad surely stands as an essential backpacking gear. You won’t feel like continuing your backpacking trips if you don’t get good sleep.
At that time, the value of the sleeping pad becomes more important.
I have gone backpacking many times and trust me it won’t feel great if you don’t get to sleep on the good quality sleeping bag.
So here to make you easy, I have provided details about the 10 best sleeping pad for backpacking. I hope you find it useful.
Why do You Need Best Sleeping Pad for Backpacking?
A sleeping pad is a really important part of backpacking. It gives comfortable and good sleep at night.
Imagine you sleep without a sleeping pad and wake up the next morning. What you get is body pain.
And with pain, you will not be able to continue your journey.
At that moment, you feel like getting a good quality sleeping pad.
The sleeping pad doesn’t take much space either. It easily packs in the bag. So, it will be great for your backpacking trip if you use it.
Highlights of Best Sleeping Pad for Backpacking
Product Name | Product Image | Highlights | Check on Amazon |
---|---|---|---|
Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad | • V-chamber design • Push valve • Lightweight • Dynamic side rails • Rugged material • Deep Weld Patterning | ||
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad | • Soft touch fabrics • Tapered design • ReflectiveThermaCapture technology • Triangular Core Matrix • Low bulk materials • Stuff sack | ||
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress | • ThermaCapture surface • Compact folding design • Indestructible closed cell foam • Durable • Lightweight and comfortable | ||
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Mattress | • Thick and soft touch fabrics • Conventional insulating materials • Tapered design • ReflectiveThermaCapture technology • Triangular Core Matrix | ||
Big Agnes Q-Core SL Insulated Mummy Pad | • I-Beam construction • Large outsider air chambers • Synthetic insulation • Anti-odor and antimicrobial • Heat reflective polyurethane coating • Light material | ||
Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad | • High-end light fabric • V-Chamber design • Rugged material • Anti-microbial laminate • Twist-pull valve • Side rails | ||
Sea to Summit Ultralight Mat | • Air sprung cells • Multi-function valve • Extruded TPU lamination • Nylon stuff sack • Point welds | ||
Therm-a-Rest ProLite Mattress | • Diagonal cut foam • Tapered shape • Expanding foam • Quality brand • Super light | ||
Fox Outfitters Ultralight Series Self Inflating Camp Pad | • Unique Ripstop fabric • Abrasion resistant • Open cell foam • Diamond pattern • Durable • Lightweight | ||
Outdoorsman Lab Ultralight Sleeping Pad | • Ultralight • 20D nylon fabric • Extruded TPU lamination • Durable • Weatherproof • Waterproof • Tear resistant • Large air valve • R-Value of 1.3 |
Review of Best Sleeping Pad for Backpacking
Getting a good rest after long day backpacking journey certainly, keeps your body healthy. Here I have reviewed the 10 best sleeping pad for backpacking. I hope it helps you choose the best one.
1. Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad Review
If you want to have comfortable sleep all night then you should buy Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad. It is affordable lightweight camping which has a V-chamber design. That limits air movement.
The V-chamber design also prevents heat loss. That provides better support and makes very comfortable while sleeping.
This sleeping pad is also easy to use since it has a push valve. It allows fast inflation and deflation. You just need to inflate it for around 10 to 15 breaths and the sleeping pad will be ready.
You will also like this sleeping pad because it is extremely light. In fact, it just weighs around 18.6 ounces.
It also packs small. So, there will not be any issue carrying and taking it from one place to another.
The sleeping pad is made of good quality material. In fact, it has used rugged material and is made of 75D Polyester material. It prevents the pad from tearing and getting punctured.
Similarly, it is abrasion-resistant as well. That makes it very comfortable while sleeping on the ground looking at stars.
You will not get any back pain either if you sleep on this sleeping pad.
There is one thing that might bother you while sleeping on this pad. If you are tall, then your feet might reach off the edge.
However, that seems quite normal with other sleeping pad as well.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Quickly inflate and deflate
- Limit air movement
- Prevents heat loss
- Easy to use
- Packs small
- Durable
2. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad Review
Therm-a-Rest NeoAirXLite Sleeping Pad is one of the light 3 season backpacking sleeping pads. It is made of advanced fabric and has a tapered design.
The sleeping pad also has a baffled internal structure which makes it very stable and provides unrivaled support. It provides more comfort level than other 3 season air mattresses.
Likewise, it doesn’t need much effort to inflate the pad. Besides that, it is also great because it provides enough hip and shoulder protection if you side sleeper.
However, you might find an issue with its width. You can have a problem if you constantly change your position while sleeping.
Likewise, there is nothing under elbows when you sleep on your back. It makes very uncomfortable while sleeping on the back.
This sleeping pad also works great in cold places. It prevents your body from getting cold if you have to sleep on the cold ground.
You will also like this pad because it rolls up tiny. That makes very easy for backpacking.
There is one thing that prevents you from buying this pad. That is it makes noise when you turn your body around. However, that should not be a big issue.
It will still give you good and comfortable sleep. You should definitely try this once for your backpacking trip.
Pros
- Light
- Shoulder and hip protection
- Minimizes heat loss
- Better insulation
- Easy inflation and deflation
- No sliding of mattress
3. Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress Review
If you are searching for a compact design sleeping pad, then Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress will surely make you fully satisfied. You will not find any difficulty in packing this sleeping pad for your backpacking trip.
The sleeping pad is also very durable. In fact, it is made of virtually indestructible closed-cell foam. That makes it long-lasting and provides economic comfort.
The sleeping pad can be used for many purposes. You can set it on while hanging around. Likewise, you can use it as a windscreen while making dinner.
You can also use it as a helmet while hailing on the trail. Similarly, you can have fun with friends while playing friendly enemy battle since it is a lightsaber.
It is also useful because it has compact. The pad also has heat-trapping dimples. In the same way, it has a reflective ThermaCapture coating which helps to capture radiant heat. That increases overall warmness to nearly 20%.
There is proprietary foam on top which provides an extra comfort level. Likewise, there is denser on the bottom which makes it extra durable.
The pad doesn’t take much time to pack as well since it is extremely light. What you need to do is just slowly roll it and push air out of it.
All things are great with this product but the short length might make you think twice to buy it.
It is perfect to sit on but not very comfortable to sleep if you are tall. Likewise, it is a little bit narrow as well.
Nevertheless, the pad still can be used for backpacking. It will certainly meet up to your expectation.
Pros
- Compact design
- Easy to pack
- Durable
- Saves space
- Light
- Capture radiant heat
Cons
- Too narrow
- Short
4. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Mattress Review
If you are looking for a sleeping pad that provides extra stability and support, then Therm-a-Rest NeoAirXTherm Mattress is the best one. It provides an excellent comfort level and it is thick as well.
The pad is made of soft touch fabric. You will also like the pad because of its ultra-lightweight.
It is made of advanced material and has a tapered design which reduces weight. However, it has not made any compromise regarding its warmness.
The sleeping pad is also great to use for backpacking because it reduces convective heat loss. You will surely get a good sleep if you take this sleeping pad with you.
If you are traveling in an extremely cold place, then this sleeping pad can be a great help. You don’t need to look at any other sleeping pad.
The pad also has great insulating factors. Its comfortable rectangular shape provides more leeway which helps you to keep your bag off ground easily.
It also folds easily. So you can easily fold and pack into your bag.
It is of good size. So anyone who is heading toward your backpacking trip can have a good sleep on it. It provides enough space for your full body from head to foot.
If I have to mention a few of its drawbacks then I have to say the pad doesn’t remain inflated for a long time. It will completely deflate when you wake up the next morning.
Likewise, you will not get any bag and repair kit along with this sleeping pad. You might get disappointed if you are expecting such a thing.
Pros
- Excellent comfort level
- Free of bulky
- Ultralight
- Reduces heat loss
- Not too noisy
- Easy to use
- Packs small
Cons
- Doesn’t inflate for a long time
- It doesn’t come with bag and repair kit
5. Big Agnes Q-Core SL Insulated Mummy Pad Review
Big Agnes Q-Core SL Insulated Mummy Pad is the super-light sleeping mattress for backpacking. It has an I-Beam construction which reduces welded seams.
The pad also minimizes cold spots. So, you can have a warm and good sleep.
The sleeping is also great for backpacking because of its quick inflation and deflation. It provides consistent airflow.
You don’t need to worry if air goes out or not since it remains very stable for whole night or day.
Likewise, there is a large outside air chamber which holds gently in the middle part. You will also get a stuff sack with this pad where you can put some of your essential gears.
It also comes with a repair kit. So, you don’t have to spend extra money on a repair kit.
The pad is very thick which ultimately keeps you very warm for a whole night. So, you will definitely get a comfortable sleep.
Similarly, it is very light. You will not have any difficulty in taking it on your backpacking journey. In fact, it takes very little space.
Despite the fact that it has thin outer walls, it is pretty durable. It also provides heat retention and doesn’t need much time to blow it.
There are few weaknesses in this pad. Like, it is too narrow and doesn’t hold air well enough. The quality of the pad is not that good too.
Nevertheless, it’s great valve system will surely allure you to buy this pad.
Pros
- Superlight
- Reduce cold spots
- Quick inflation and deflation
- Consistent air flow
- Durable inflation valve
- Thick and warm
Cons
- No additional padding
- Too narrow
- Doesn’t hold air well
6. Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad Review
Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad is one of the lightest and friendly backpacking sleeping pads. In fact, it just weighs around 16.33 oz.
This pad is also great for backpacking because of its V-Chamber design. That limits air movement and reduces heat loss as well. It also provides a good comfort level and better support.
It is also one of the versatile sleeping pads. You can easily use it on the ground, cot, and hammock. In fact, it is perfect and an ideal sleeping pad for any adventure.
Similarly, it is really easy to pack down. That makes it very easy to carry and fit into the bag.
However, you might take some time to learn about how to use an air gauge properly. Likewise, you’ll slowly fall off the mat if you don’t sleep perfectly on the level ground.
You might slide around the bottom of the tent as well. It also gets leaks very quickly.
Nevertheless, this sleeping pad is great for a backpacking trip. If you sleep on this pad, it makes sure that you don’t have to wake up with sore shoulders the next morning.
It’s pretty light and comfortable. So you will have enjoyable backpacking trip if you take it on your journey.
Pros
- Extremely light
- Reduce heat loss
- Minimizes air movement
- Durable
- No sore shoulders
- Easy to inflate
- Packs down to compact size
Cons
- Gets leak
- Not good support
7. Sea to Summit Ultralight Mat Review
Sea to Summit Ultralight Mat is a very comfortable backpacking sleeping pad. It provides good support and unrivaled comfort level.
You will also like this pad because it is ultralight. In fact, it is designed using 181 air sprung cells.
This sleeping pad also has a multi-function valve. It makes pressure adjustment into a single low profile design.
Likewise, there is extruded TPU lamination including Antimicrobial treatment. That prevents internal bacterial growth and delamination.
If you buy this sleeping pad, you will also get a high-quality stuff sack made of nylon. Along with that, you will get a 3M repair kit.
In the same way, there is an air-sprung cell which is considered as the core technology of the sleeping mat range.
Similarly, there are point-welds that operate like a pocket sprung mattress. It absorbs pressure and makes you very comfortable to move your body.
That will not make any effect to adjacent cells at all. In fact, it provides support over other air mats.
If you are a back sleeper, then this sleeping pad works amazingly well. However, you might face a problem if you side sleepers because of divots.
The pad is really easy to blow up. It is extremely light as well.
The sleeping pad is a tad noisy. So, you might not like it. Nevertheless, this pad is great for backpacking. It will surely give you sound sleep if you take it on your journey.
Pros
- Ultra-light
- Quick inflation and deflation
- Prevents internal bacterial growth
- Easy to use
- Durable
- Eliminates delamination
Cons
- Bit noisy
- Not good for side sleeper
8. Therm-a-Rest ProLite Mattress Review
Therm-a-Rest ProLite Mattress is the light self-inflating mattress. It is compact as well. The tapered shape and diagonal cut foam provide efficient warmness to your body.
Its setup process is very easy. Likewise, the die cut foam of pad packs really small. That makes it very easy to pack it in a bag.
Besides backpacking, it also works amazingly well for the high-speed and high-mileage journey.
It is made of good quality material. The pad has no deflation issues at all. Once you inflated it you can have a comfortable and nice sleep.
However, the blow-up time is bit long compared to other sleeping pads. You might not like that.
Nevertheless, it works great on soft ground as well as in hammock tent. However, it is not a good idea to take it for indoor camping on linoleum or hardwood floors. The pad is a bit thin for that.
There is another issue that annoys you. After some time of inflation, the pad doesn’t hold air for a long time. It might disappoint you at that moment.
If you buy this sleeping bag, you will also get a stuff sack. You can put some of your important stuff in it.
So, you should definitely try this once if you are planning for backpacking. It will not disappoint you at all.
Pros
- Light
- Compact
- Highly packable
- Self-inflating
- Easy fitting
- Great thermal qualities
Cons
- Doesn’t hold air for a long time
- Takes time to blow up
- Little thin
9. Fox Outfitters Ultralight Series Self Inflating Camp Pad Review
If you are looking for a comfortable sleeping pad that quickly inflates and deflate, then Fox Outfitters Ultralight Series Inflating Camp Pad is the best one. It is made of unique ripstop fabric and abrasion resistant fabric. So, it is very comfortable to use in rugged outdoor terrain.
Likewise, the sleeping pad is made of rapid rise open cell foam which makes it extra comfortable. It also has a diamond pattern which reduces overall weight and makes it very light.
This sleeping pad is also durable since it is made of durable impact-resistant valves. That also helps it to quickly get inflate and deflate.
It is soft as well. So you will definitely have a good sleep on it.
This sleeping pad is easy to set up. What you need to do is just unroll it and open the valve. You don’t need to spend much effort to blow up.
If I have to talk about its weakness then I would say that it is a bit skinny. If you side sleeper then you might not feel very comfortable sleeping on it.
It is also bit flimsy. That might create a problem on your journey.
This sleeping pad has many great features. So you will definitely love it. You should definitely try it if you are ever making a plan to go on a backpacking trip.
Pros
- Light
- Durable
- Quick inflation and deflation
- Compressible
- Packs small
- Easy setup
Cons
- Bit flimsy
- Too big
10. Outdoorsman Lab Ultralight Sleeping Pad Review
Outdoorsman Lab Ultralight Sleeping Pad provides great sleep at night. It ensures that you will not get any sore on your back. Likewise, it doesn’t provide any discomfort even if there is little rock underneath.
This sleeping pad uses separate air cells that adjust according to your body shape. However, they are interconnected to each other. It makes very comfortable and gives optimal support and warmness while sleeping.
It is extremely light as well. In fact, it weighs around 14.5 oz. Likewise, the sleeping pad packs down into a tiny size. You can easily pack it in your bag.
The sleeping pad is made of extruded TPU lamination which makes it long-lasting. In the same way, it is waterproof and weatherproof. It is also tear and abrasion resistant.
You don’t have to make much effort to blow up the sleeping pad. It’s really easy to inflate as well as to deflate. In fact, it gets inflated with 10 to 15 breaths.
However, if you are intending to use on a cold weather backpacking trip then it’s not a good idea. It might not keep you very warm.
Nevertheless, it’s a really good mattress for a basic backpacking trip of temperature around 45-50 degrees.
If I have to mention few of its weaknesses then I would say it fails to hold air for a long time. It holds air for nearly half an hour. The pad is also bit long when it gets inflated.
Likewise, it goes flat very quickly. Although it has few drawbacks you can still give it a try and share your own review here.
Pros
- No body pain
- Ultra-light
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Weatherproof
- Tear and abrasion resistant
- Easily inflate and deflate
Cons
- Fails to hold air for a long time
- Turns flat quickly
- Becomes too long after inflation
Similar articles you may like:
Things to consider when buying the Best Sleeping Pad for Backpacking
It will be better if you keep several things in mind before picking up the best sleeping pad for backpacking. Here I have listed out several points which might help you to get the best one.
1. Weight
The weight of the sleeping pad becomes very important when you prepare yourself for backpacking. Less weight of sleeping pad requires less space in the bag. So, it makes you easy to carry. That ultimately makes your journey very comfortable. Hence, you should go for the light sleeping pad.
2. Warmth
You should also consider the warmness of the sleeping pad. If you are going for winter backpacking or on snow, it will be better to take the sleeping pad with 5+R value. Likewise, if you are going for 3 seasons backpacking then you should take the sleeping pad with R-values of 2 to 4. You will get warm sleep if the sleeping pad has R-value. So, it will be better to choose sleeping pad according to weather conditions.
3. Air or Foam pads
You can either select sleeping pad with air pads or foam pads. Both have certain benefits and drawbacks as well. Generally, backpackers choose air pads because they provide more comfort level than foam pads. However, it is expensive and has more possibility of getting a puncture in the field. Likewise, foam pads are less expensive and very easy to set up. Nevertheless, it is a little bulkier to pack.
4. Noise
It will be better if you buy the sleeping pad that makes less noise. You might get annoyed if the sleeping pad makes squeaky noise all the time when you turn side at night. That might break your good sleep as well. So, you should better choose the sleeping pad that makes less noise.
5. Repair Kit
Likewise, the repair kit will be a bonus factor if you get it along with the sleeping pad. Since there is more possibility of getting air pads punctured so, you can repair it in very little time if you have repair kit nearby place.
Expert’s Pick
After going through the 10 best sleeping pad for backpacking, I found the best one is Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad. It is light and very affordable. Similarly, it prevents heat loss and limits air movement. It also packs up small and quickly inflates. So, if you buy this sleeping pad you will definitely get a good sleep on your backpacking trip.