Why You Should Trust Us

From weekend warriors to fast and light thru-hikers, the GearJunkie team is made up of avid backpackers. We’ve spent hundreds of hours blowing air into sleeping pad nozzles, and we’ve repeatedly experienced the sadness of a mysterious midnight deflation. We tested the pads on this list while backpacking in the Desolation Wilderness, the Appalachian hills, and the Rocky Mountains. Simply put, we’ve logged our fair share of nights on glorified balloons.

Chris Carter, one of the authors of this guide, has significant experience sleeping atop various inflatables, having thru-hiked the Triple Crown of long trails in America: the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Appalachian Trail. He knows the importance of a good night’s sleep on trail, and is meticulously choosy about the portable beds he picks for the wild. A solid pad can truly make or break a backcountry adventure, and is key to having enough energy to keep pushing day after day.

Our primary considerations while testing are packed size, comfort, warmth, and ease of use. When backpacking, the ratio between weight and comfort is all-important, so we paid extra attention when examining these two specs. Secondarily, we looked at durability and value. These pads were carefully inspected and repeatedly slept on inside tents and directly under the stars.

Buyer’s Guide: The Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads

A restful night’s sleep sets you up for success on a full day of backpacking adventures. In the past, people rightfully assumed sleeping on a pad on the ground could simply never match the comfort of a real bed.

However, in recent years, sleeping pads have improved significantly. Now, with advancements in cell design and baffling, many high-quality sleeping pads offer exceptional warmth and comfort.

While comfort standards have increased, packed size and weight have also dropped, and the resulting pads are light, easy to use, and wonderful to sleep on.

Because there are so many great pads on the market, it can be difficult to make a selection. In this guide, we break down some of the most important considerations for purchasing the perfect sleeping pad.

From weight and thickness to durability and price, we hope to answer all of your sleeping pad-related questions in this buyer’s guide.

Types of Sleeping Pads: Foam, Self-Inflating, and Air Pads

There are three types of backpacking sleeping pads: air pads, foam pads, and self-inflating pads. Each category has its own list of pros and cons, and it’s important to understand the differences between them.

Air Pads

Air pads are the lightest and most compact type of sleeping pad. When not in use, these pads are deflated and able to pack down into a small stuff sack about the size of a water bottle. Because most of their insulation comes trapped in air, they can become quite thick without excess weight or bulk.

Compared to other categories, air pads are the most vulnerable to punctures and air valve issues. Usually, punctures are fixable with the proper supplies, but some people stay away from air pads due to the puncture risk.

Most pads come with their own repair kits for punctures or tears, but our testers have had good luck with trusty Tenacious Tape in a pinch, or even super glue for fixing issues around the valve.

Self-Inflating Pads

Self-Inflating pads have been around for many decades. Most pads in this category combine inflation with open-cell foam to decrease puncture risk and increase durability.

However, self-inflating pads do not pack down as small as air pads, and they tend to be a bit heavier. If these pads do puncture or deflate, you’ll still have some padding between you and the ground, but it won’t be a super comfortable night’s sleep.

Foam Pads

Closed-cell foam pads are the original backpacking sleep system technology. Although these tend to be the least comfortable pad style, they are extremely reliable and can last for decades if treated with care.

On a foam pad, you can sleep soundly without worrying about punctures. Usually, foam pads fold or roll to pack away, but they take up far more space in your pack than other types of pads and often have to be strapped to the outside.

Weight

For backpacking, the goal is always to minimize the total weight of your pack, particularly when hiking with ultralight backpacks. These days, thick and comfortable pads that are also lightweight offer an ideal solution for backpackers.

Some single-person pads are as light as half a pound, while heftier options may weigh 2 full pounds. For a good balance between weight and durability, consider a pad that weighs around 14-18 ounces.

Thickness

On uneven or rocky ground, a thin pad will feel only slightly better than lying on the bare earth. As a general rule, thicker pads are more comfortable. However, thickness does add weight and bulk, so we suggest you aim to find a happy medium.

If you are a back sleeper, your weight will be a bit more evenly distributed and you may be able to get by with a thinner pad. Side sleepers tend to prefer thicker pads, such as the Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe.

Any inflatable pad over 3.5 inches thick will be on the more plush side, whereas most foam pads are less than 1 inch thick.

Comfort

Generally, pads made for backpacking will be less plush than pads made for car-based camping. Because backpackers aim to minimize weight, pure comfort is not the priority.

Still, many modern pads offer a generous combination of insulation, padding, and sleeping area all in a lightweight package. For some backpackers, a bit of extra weight is a small price to pay for added comfort.

R-Value Explained

The R-value of a pad describes the amount of insulation between the user and the ground. Insulation prevents your body heat from escaping into the earth below. Without a well-insulated pad, sleeping on the ground is very chilly, even when the air temperature is reasonably warm.

In warmer conditions, a sleeping pad with an R-value of less than 3 should be sufficient. However, if you plan to backpack in the shoulder seasons, you’ll be better off with a higher rating (between 3 and 5). For winter camping or mountaineering, an R-value of at least 5, (like the Xped Ultra 7R) is the way to go.

Sleeping Pad Dimensions

Sleeping pads typically come in various sizes, and users can choose the option that best suits their body and preferences. Common sizes include regular, which is usually around 6 feet long, and large, which tends to be closer to 80 inches. Pad width also varies, but anywhere between 18 and 26 inches is fairly standard.

Most backpacking pads are semi-rectangular in shape, and some taper down and become more narrow toward the feet. Two-person sleeping pads are also available, but they’re quite cumbersome and generally not ideal for backpacking. Make sure whatever pad you chose fits comfortably inside your backpacking tent.

Packed Size

A pad’s packed size depends on construction, materials, and the amount of insulation. Air pads with minimal additional built-in insulation tend to pack down smaller than all other types of pads. Most air pads fit easily into a backpacking pack — some are no larger than a football.

Packed size can be an issue for foam and self-inflating pads. Once fully rolled, these pads can be quite cumbersome, and they often have to be carried on the outside of your backpacking backpack.

Inflation and Deflation

While foam pads do not require inflation to use, all other pad types are built with an integrated air valve. Historically, valves have been the weak point of sleeping pads, and they can be difficult to replace once broken.

But now, high-quality backpacking pads come with reliable valves that are airtight and offer quick and easy inflation and deflation.

Most air pads have flat valves, which include an internal flap that prevents air from escaping in between inflation breaths. These valves are simple and durable, and most pads with flat valves can be inflated with somewhere between 10 and 25 breaths.

Self-inflating pads are designed to fill up on their own once the valve is open, but they usually need some regular inflation breaths to fully pump up and become firm.

Durability and Care

With proper maintenance, a good backpacking pad can last for many years with regular use. Foam pads can take lots of abuse and last forever, but inflatable pads are fragile and must be handled with care.

Punctures are the main threat to air pads. As with all outdoor gear, abrasion resistance, and fabric thickness are measured with a denier rating. Thick fabric is more resistant to punctures. Air pad denier ratings vary widely, from around 15-denier to 80-denier.

As a rule, always clear away any potentially sharp objects from underneath your sleeping surface before setting up your tent. When sleeping on your pad, the use of a tent footprint creates an extra barrier between your pad and the ground. It’s also wise to keep your pad away from fires that may spit sparks and bits of hot ash.

As the standard has moved toward lightweight backpacking pads, many companies are using thin and potentially vulnerable materials. As with all ultralight gear, durability is not the priority. The lifespan of a lightweight pad will depend on how well it is cared for.

Best practices for storing a pad depend on the type of pad you own. Self-inflating pads should be stored unrolled with the valve open to maintain the loft of the insulation. Air pads can be stored rolled up, but always keep them in a stuff sack and make sure they are fully deflated.

For foam pad storage, avoid leaving heavy items on top of the pad. Also, if you store a foam pad rolled up, it will be difficult to get it to lay flat in the future, though the z-pad design prevents this.

Pump Sacks: Do They Work?

Some air pads come with pump sacks that allow you to pump up your pad without breathing into a valve. Pump sacks decrease inflation time and prevent breath moisture from getting inside your pad (which can lead to a variety of problems). It also helps you avoid getting crazy light-headed by having to blow it up with your mouth after a long hot day in the sun. Also, many pump sacks double as stuff sacks, and they shouldn’t add much weight to your setup. Some of our testers like to fill them with spare clothes and use them as makeshift pillows.

However, many backpackers feel pump sacks have solved a problem that didn’t exist in the first place. While some people swear by them, they are not a necessary item in most instances. You can prolong the life of your pad by using a pump sack though, particularly with pads like the Exped Ultra 7R, which has a down filling that could be damaged by excessive moisture buildup.

Women’s-Specific Sleeping Pads

Some sleeping pads have a women’s version or are designed specifically for women. They often look quite similar to their unisex cousins, but there are some differences that many female adventurers may appreciate.

For starters, they will sometimes be wider and more cushioned at the hips, and will often have a greater R-value overall than the unisex version. Many are also made a little shorter. While these are minor changes, they could provide a significant comfort boost for certain people.

Price

The price of a good sleeping pad varies from less than $50 to well over $200. Foam pads are the cheapest, and lightweight air pads are usually the most expensive.

As you determine your sleeping pad budget, remember your pad is an important piece of gear that will affect your quality of rest after a long day on the trail.

FAQ

Different backpackers have different comfort preferences. The most comfortable pad is the one that allows you to sleep soundly after a full day of hiking. Before you purchase a pad, make sure that it meets your criteria for size, thickness, materials, price, and above all else, comfort.

On the low end, lightweight air pads can be as little as 8 ounces. Heavy foam pads may weigh well over a pound. A four-season pad will contain more material and insulation, and a total weight between 12 and 18 ounces is normal.

Side sleepers will want a thicker pad than back sleepers. If you consistently sleep on your side, consider purchasing an air pad that is at least 3 inches thick. The Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe scored high marks from our side sleepers.