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Being comfortable outdoors requires the right supplies, and lightweight is better when it comes to backpacking gear. However, comfort shouldn't be ignored. Our backcountry experts put these sleeping pads through their paces, hauling them around the world and putting them to the test while guiding, hiking, and exploring. We've carried them on bikes and boats and with our own two feet. Whether you seek the warmest, coziest, or most packable option out there, we've got you covered.
The Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated balances comfort, weight, and warmth better than any other sleeping pad on the market. This pad is practically as comfortable as your bed at home, yet it weighs less than a pound and is warm enough for most conditions. It has an R-value of 5.4, which is higher than most — though not as high as the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT below. It's warm enough for shoulder season conditions and will definitely feel cozy on summer backpacking trips. It has an easy-to-use inflation valve, and Nemo's pump sack is one of the best we've tested. This redesigned sleeping pad features 40D material on the bottom for added durability. Previous versions of the Tensor used thinner 20D bottom material, so this is a welcome change to a stellar sleeping pad.
With top honors also comes top dollar, and the Tensor All-Season has a high price tag. There are less expensive options we tested that are about as comfortable and not much heavier that would be ideal for summer backpacking at lower elevations. And while this pad is super light and packable, stuffing it into the included stuff sack is challenging. Nevertheless, this pad checks all the boxes for what makes a great all-around sleeping pad, so we think it's worth the price. If you want an even lighter option and are willing to pay slightly more, check out the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT we tested.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is an absolute beast of a sleeping pad. It has a remarkable 7.3 R-value while still weighing only a pound and packing down to a very small size. We can't find a single comparable pad on the market that provides this much warmth and comfort in such a lightweight package. We also love the updated valve system. The XTherm is a clear top choice if you plan to sleep in extremely cold conditions or are simply a cold sleeper.
While XTherm NXT wins our highest honors, that doesn't mean some of the more budget-friendly options aren't also great. This pad is downright expensive and probably too warm for above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Fairweather campers shopping for a more wallet-friendly option can save big with the inexpensive Klymit Static V2 or even the Sleepingo Large. However, the XTherm NXT is well-built and should last a long time, so we still think it's worth the investment. If the narrow, 20-inch profile of the regular-sized XTherm won't do for you, check out the Regular Wide or Large sizes, though they'll put an even bigger dent in your wallet.
The market is full of inexpensive sleeping pads. However, the Klymit Static V2 is one we highly recommend for your next summer backpacking trip. It's light, comfortable, and packs down small. Surprisingly, the Static V2 is 3 inches wider than the standard 20-inch-width of most pads we tested, making the low weight and price that much more impressive. When deflated, the Static V2 practically disappears in a pack, but it's still 2.5 inches thick, so it doesn't sacrifice comfort for packability.
The bargain-basement price comes with a major downside. The Static V2 has one of the lowest R-values of any pad we tested, making it unsuitable for cold temperatures unless you have a burly cold weather sleeping bag or a closed-cell foam pad to boost the insulation. Those planning on backpacking in colder weather should consider other award winners like the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT. Though pricey, it offers significantly less weight and a higher R-value for cold-weather camping. Still, for three-season use, it's hard to ignore the price, comfort, and durability of the Static V2.
Many people with some exposure to the outdoors will be familiar with closed-cell foam pads. While they can't offer the high level of comfort most air pads do, this style has some redeeming features that shouldn't be ignored. The Nemo Switchback is an excellent choice for those wanting to add a bit of versatility to their arsenal of camping equipment. For ages, the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL was our go-to closed-cell foam pad, but the Z Lite recently surpassed the Switchback in price, and we find the Switchback to be the more comfortable of the two.
The disadvantage with these types of pads is they're less packable and less comfortable overall. For a more comfortable and packable air pad, we like the Klymit Static V2, which also comes at an affordable price, or the mid-range Sea to Summit Ultralight Air. Due to the bulky nature of closed-cell foam pads, most folks like to strap them to the outside of their packs. And there's no two ways about it — an air pad is just more comfortable on hard surfaces. The closed-cell foam definitely won't deflate on you in the night, but it takes up a lot of space for how little comfort it actually provides. With that in mind, if you're seeking high value, outstanding durability, and reliability on the trail, this is a great option.
After testing the newest iteration of the legendary Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, it became our top recommendation for when weight savings is the highest priority. The most current version of this pad gained some extra warmth and shaved off a few ounces. Plus, it's now considerably quieter than previous versions — light sleepers who couldn't handle the crinkling sound from this pad can now sleep soundly.
It's critical to retain decent insulative properties in order to be versatile enough for high-elevation backpacking and other shoulder season missions. The 4.5 R-value of the XLite NXT makes it incredibly cozy for cold summer nights in the mountains. This pad is comfortable for fall days in the desert when you wake up with a bit of frost on your bivy, and we've weathered quite a few snowstorms with it keeping us warm, too. The width of this pad is a bit tight for larger individuals (20 inches), and it's also pretty expensive. If you can dish out a bit more, consider checking out the Regular Wide or Large size options if you're wider, taller, or both. If you value comfort above all else in the backcountry, check out the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated.
The Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated is a supremely comfortable sleeping pad. Though more expensive than the most budget-minded options like the Nemo Switchback, this pad is still a great value for anyone looking for an all-around option for camping and backpacking. It inflates incredibly easily with the included pump sack, which was the best of any pump sack we tested. In addition, it's built from durable materials, and the 3.5 inches of cushion will keep you dreaming peacefully beneath the stars all night.
The Quasar is affordable, comfortable, and inflates quickly, but it is also one of the heavier pads we reviewed. If you bring this backpacking, you won't regret it when you have it set up in less than a minute. And yet, you may think twice about it when you're leaving the trailhead and your pack feels downright heavy. We think it's better suited for car camping in front country sites or short backpacking trips. For those adventures, this pad is a terrific choice. For longer journeys, a pad like the Sea to Summit Ultralight Air is half the weight and still maintains decent comfort and a mid-range price tag.
The Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated is the only pad in our review to utilize two separate air chambers, allowing different pressures and densities to fine-tune your sleep surface. Even thicker sleeping pads just don't have the same adjustability and ultra-high level of comfort you can achieve with this pad. On top of that, two air chambers mean that if one pops, you won't be rendered to sleeping on the hard ground. That's the kind of insurance we like.
The Air Sprung Cell Technology, coupled with variable density chambers and a high R-value, makes for one heck of a sleeping pad. The only real drawback with the Comfort Plus is its weight relative to the warmest sleeping pads we tested. If you're counting every gram, this isn't the pad we'd recommend. Instead, if you value weight savings and comfort, you may find the 13.6-ounce Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT more attractive. However, if you don't mind carrying this nearly 29-ounce pad, the Comfort Plus will provide you with lavish comfort while out on the trail.
The Sleepingo Large is one of the most affordable air-construction sleeping pads in our fleet. It is certainly not the most comfortable out of the bunch, but it offers enough, particularly for the price. Compared to closed-cell foam pads like the Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol, which are often similar in price, the Sleepingo offers far superior comfort. While this pad might not be our first choice for side sleepers, given its relatively thin padding, it does perform well when sleeping on your belly or back.
Though the Sleepingo is very affordable and performs decently, we should mention some important considerations. First, this pad provides the least amount of padding compared to the rest of the air-construction pads in our lineup. Second, it lacks an ASTM-tested R-rating, which makes the stated value a little less valuable than it would be otherwise. For these reasons, we feel it's best to use this pad in fair weather only. When the temperatures drop, the warmth and comfort of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is a better pick.
The Sleepingo packs up into a tidy little package - small enough to be packed into a Nalgene bottle!
Credit: Brian Martin
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The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is incredibly warm, considering how light it is.
Credit: Sam Schild
How We Test Sleeping Pads
For this review, we analyzed what makes a great sleeping pad based on our years of experience sleeping in the backcountry. Then, we devised a plan to compare the best pads in side-by-side comparison tests. The pads in this review went on guided backpacking trips in Colorado and New Mexico, and we brought them along on trips in the Eastern Sierra and Utah. All the while, we paid attention to how well they performed in key areas crucial to a sleeping pad's function, like comfort, ease of inflation, packed size, and weight.
Rolling up the NeoAir XTherm after another solid night of testing.
Credit: Sam Schild
We tested these backpacking sleeping pads across five rating metrics:
Comfort (30% of total score weighting)
Weight (30% weighting)
Warmth (20% weighting)
Packed Size (10% weighting)
Quality of Construction (10% weighting)
For more information on our testing process, see our How We Test article.
Testing the Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated tested in Colorado.
Credit: Sam Schild
Why Trust GearLab
Our wide and varied sleeping pad review team is led by Sam Schild, a backpacker, trail runner, and mountain biker based in Colorado. He has backpacked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Arizona Trail, and Colorado Trail three times, along with countless shorter backpacking trips. Sam is joined by Matt Bento and Brian Martin. These two come to the campsite with heavy climbing backgrounds — a pursuit where you learn to appreciate a restorative night's sleep outdoors. Matt and Brian are both alumni of Yosemite Search and Rescue, where versatile, reliable, and durable equipment is a necessary part of everyday life.
This pad inflates easily with 12-14 big breaths.
Your pad's insulation level is just as important for staying warm as your sleeping bag.
The Nemo Tensor All-Season is thick, comfortable, and packs down to a small size.
We've tested sleeping pads in a variety of real-world scenarios on adventures across the world.
Analysis and Test Results
Our sleeping pad review has something for everyone. We sent out folks of all different sizes equipped with each pad to do a deep dive into critical features such as comfort, weight, packed size, warmth, ease of use, and construction quality. Using these metrics as an anchor point for assessment, we rated each product based on performance. While there are many high performers, many have specific niches that shouldn't be missed.
What's the Best Value?
Value can mean many different things to different people. In our case, we aren't just looking at the price of a sleeping pad — we look at how well it performs across a range of metrics and if this performance justifies the price. If you want the creme de la creme, be ready to shell out a few extra bucks. In general, the lower the price, the less warm you can expect your pad to be.
Yes, the Nemo Tensor is expensive, but it's one of the lightest, warmest, and most comfortable pads we tested, so we still consider it a great value.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT are incredibly expensive but are still a good value as they offer durable construction, extra warmth, and excellent all-around performance.
If you're anything like our testers, your first sleeping pad may well be a closed-cell foam pad, and rightfully so. These pads are an excellent choice for those getting into backpacking because they are lightweight and super affordable. But when you upgrade to an inflatable pad, you don't have to chuck that old closed-cell foam friend. Instead, save it for an extra layer of warmth during winter camping. Now that's value.
The Klymit Static V2 offers excellent comfort at a lower price. But with an R-value of just 1.3, this pad is only warm enough for summer backpacking. The Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated is more expensive, but a good value for a comfortable and reliable pad that's easy to use. Other low-priced (and high-value) options are the Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol and Nemo Switchback. While these closed-cell foam pads score low in the comfort metric, they're one of the most reliable pad options since they're not in danger of springing a leak.
Finding a balance between price, durability, warmth, comfort, and weight can certainly be a tricky process. Our goal in this review is to take an in-depth look at the pros/cons of what is available on the market today.
Credit: Brian Martin
Both the Z Lite Sol and Switchback offer a versatile layer of insulation that you could use for winter warmth, rip in half for an uber-light solution for fastpacking, or bring a few sections along to use as a sit pad on your next backpacking trip. If you want us to split hairs (which we expect is why you're here), the Switchback has a better feel on the ground, taller dimples, and seems to offer slightly more comfort.
A strong competitor for a heat reflective foam pad, the Switchback just barely edges out the competition for a touch of extra comfort.
Credit: Brian Martin
Comfort
Many of our testers have noticed their priorities shifting over the years. We've gone from ultralight and minimalist to more comfort-oriented. It's undeniable — as you get older, you want more comfort. A plush air pad offers significantly better sleep than the shoulder-crushing closed-cell pads from decades past. Fortunately, many inflatable sleeping pads are even lighter than closed-cell foam pads while also being more comfortable.
Hands down, the most comfortable pads we snoozed on are the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated,
Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme, and the Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated. These pads offer a nice variability in firmness while keeping you well-cushioned from uneven ground and rocky surfaces below.
The most comfortable pad will depend on your preferences. Our comfort scores come from a host of reviewers who each used one. Some testers were first-time campers on guided trips (they typically gave a lower comfort score), and many were seasoned backpackers (they tended to rank the pads higher). Side sleepers preferred a wider pad with minimal collapse around the edges, while back sleepers could sleep better on a narrow pad. Keep in mind that our ratings are relative. A score of 9/10 means that the pad was among the most comfortable competitors, not that it's going to offer the same level of comfort as your Tempur-Pedic.
The Comfort Plus is quite special, as the dual inflation zones can be inflated to different pressures. This gives you a nice pillow top with a firm under construction. While this increases the pad's overall weight, the ability to have dual densities creates a uniquely comfortable pad. The Ether Light XT Extreme provided an impressive level of comfort as well. With a whopping four inches of thickness, you won't feel any lumps underneath you. The Quasar 3D Insulated is also an extremely comfortable pad overall, with 3.5-inch thick air baffles and a softer face fabric than most other sleeping pads.
The dual air chambers of the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus allow you to dial in the feel of the pad to your preference, perfect for side sleepers.
Credit: Brian Martin
The Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated is also remarkably comfortable, especially considering how comfortable it is to carry on your back. The Tensor provides the most comfort in a lightweight package, and its 3.5-inch thick baffles and soft face fabric cradle you while lying in any position.
The Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated is the most comfortable ultralight sleeping pad.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite and NeoAir XTherm offer excellent comfort at a fraction of the weight. They aren't quite as cozy as the most comfortable and heavy offerings on the market, and they're ever-so-slightly less comfortable than the Tensor but they still have all the necessary features to get a good night's sleep. Your back won't be as tired at the end of the day if you're carrying one of these pads, either.
The XLite NXT is an excellent sleeping pad that makes shoulder season backpacking gear decisions easy.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated provides an impressive level of comfort as well, thanks to some large side rails. It is undeniable how much overall comfort is boosted when you don't feel like you're going to slip off to one side of your sleeping pad. The Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe Insulated is another remarkably comfortable pad. It has a unique two-way baffle design that feels firm underneath you and gives enough cushion in any position. It also has side rails and is 2.75 inches thick in the middle and 3 inches on the side rails. This is notably not as thick as advertised (and we double and triple-checked), but either way, it'll still provide an extremely comfortable night's sleep.
The Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe Insulated has 2.75-inch thick baffles with 3-inch rails to keep you centered on the pad all night.
Credit: Sam Schild
A few of the sleeping pads we tested come in a double size: the Exped Ultra 3R, Sea to Summit Comfort Plus, and Nemo Quasar 3D all come in this bigger size that will fill your entire tent floor. These double-wide options are incredibly comfortable and can provide some of the best backcountry sleep you'll have.
The Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated has plush cushioning that makes sleeping on lumpy ground a non-issue.
Credit: Sam Schild
Weight
Weight is an omnipresent factor when selecting and using outdoor equipment. If all other considerations are equal, and one item weighs less than another, you should select the lighter item. Unfortunately, there are always tradeoffs when using ultralight equipment. With sleeping pads, you may have to make sacrifices regarding durability, warmth, or the size of the pad's footprint. It's most important to buy a sleeping pad that fits your needs, but lightweight gear is often needed for outdoor pursuits.
Many pads are available in multiple sizes, which will affect the weight. Some backpackers minimize weight by taking short, torso-length pads and using a backpack, boots, or other gear under their legs. Some backpackers get large or wider-sized pads to increase comfort, but this will also increase the weight.
Check the warmth score of a lightweight pad before purchasing it to make sure it will meet your needs. Generally, the higher the R-value, the heavier a pad will be.
The Sea to Summit UltraLight Air is impressively light without sacrificing too much comfort. That said, it has the lowest R-value of any pad in our lineup, so you'll need to relegate it to your summer gear kit.
Our favorite pad for ultralight backpacking is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT. It weighs 13.6 ounces and has an impressive R-value for the weight. It packs down to about the size of a 1-liter bottle and has an impressive amount of plush comfort.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is one of lightest pads we tested and has a great warmth-to-weight ratio.
Credit: Sam Schild
At, 15.4 ounces, the Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated is nearly as light as the NeoAir XLite NXT and has a slightly higher R-value. The Tensor is also slightly more comfortable than the Xlite, with 3.5-inch-thick baffles compared to the XLite's 3-inch thickness. We tested the “regular” shaped Tensor as well, which is rectangular. The mummy-shaped version of this pad is even lighter, rivaling the XLite in weight.
The Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated weighs only 15.4 ounces and provides well-insulated comfort as well.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Klymit Static V2 is not the absolute lightest, but it's one of the lightest wider pads. Most of the options under 17 ounces are about 20 inches wide, while the Static is 23 inches. A wider pad may be worth a few extra ounces if you tend to toss and turn. However, keep in mind that this pad also lacks insulation and is best used for summer excursions.
The Klymit Static V2 isn't the lightest, but it's also wider than most standard pads.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Warmth
If you're like us, you go backpacking and camping to enjoy nature, not to shiver through the night, only to run back to your car for the heat in the morning. Anyone who has suffered through a bone-chilling night out knows the value of a solid insulation layer between you and the frozen ground you're sleeping on. We spent nights with our teeth chattering, so hopefully you won't have to. Thanks to the new ASTM R-value standardization, we can now pretty reliably know how well a sleeping pad will insulate if it has a published R-value.
Thermal conductivity in pads is a complicated issue with many variables, but let's discuss the basics. First, cold is nothing more than the absence of heat, and heat moves energy from warmer objects to colder ones. Second, we lose heat via three mechanisms: conduction, convection, and radiation. If you sleep on the ground without a sleeping mat, the ground can conduct heat away from you up to 160 times faster than the air around you. The products in this review are designed to lift you off the ground, preventing heat from being lost through conduction.
Warmth isn't nearly as important for summer hikers as it is for winter wanderers. Unless you are a cold sleeper, most of the pads in this review will be warm if you only like recreating in temperate climates. And, if you camp in the heat, you probably don't want a warm pad at all. But if you get cold when camping, we recommend upgrading the R-value of your sleeping pad, though this often comes at the expense of added weight and bulk.
For warm-weather backpacking, an R-value of 1-3 will be sufficient. If you're going to be camping in colder conditions, then look for an R-value closer to 4 or 5. If you're going winter camping, you'll want a pad with an R-value higher than 6.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT supplies an unmatched level of warmth for its weight and packed size. While it isn't as light as some pads, the 7.3 R-value is outstanding. And this pad isn't heavy either. It barely weighs a pound and packs down to a 2.4-liter package that's slightly larger than a Nalgene.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is shockingly-warm and is competitively light, too.
Credit: Sam Schild
For most backpackers, the warmth provided by the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXTZ or Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated is more than adequate. We've used the NeoAir XLite, which has a 4.5 R-value, with a down quilt in temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and it's kept us warm enough. The Tensor has a slightly higher R-value of 5.4 and is also comfortable down into the low teens — about 10-15 degrees depending on how warm or cold you sleep.
The Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated is warm enough for cold shoulder season backpacking but not too warm for summer trips.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme is another of the warmest pads we tested. With an R-value of 6.2, this model is warm enough for 4-season use, but the thick insulation inside the air chambers means it doesn't pack down very small. It's also one of the heavier pads we tested.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme is a true 4-season pad that's ready for winter camping.
Credit: Sam Schild
If having some customization with your kit is crucial, consider using an inflatable pad with an added closed-cell foam pad during frigid days out. This will add a significant amount of insulation to your sleeping setup. The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol and the slightly more comfortable Nemo Switchback will both bump the R-value of your sleep system up by 2 if used underneath an inflatable pad. Either way, adding one of these pads to your system will give you the versatility to take them alone or in combination with an inflatable for colder conditions.
Layering your pad over a closed-cell foam pad will add more insulation value.
Credit: Clayton Kimmi
Tent floor-sized double sleeping pads can also greatly increase how warm you sleep in a tent. Intrepid camping duos should consider the benefits of these larger double-width pads. The insulation of two-person sleeping pads covers the entire floor of your tent, resulting in a massive boost in warmth. The Exped Ultra 3R, Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated, and Sea to Summit Comfort Plus all come in this snuggle-inducing wider size for couples to stay warm.
While they are generally heavy, the warmth and comfort benefits of tent floor-sized sleeping pads can't be overlooked. We found warmth benefits beyond the stated R-values when compared to single person pads.
Credit: Brian Martin
Packed Size
If a sleeping pad doesn't fit in your pack along with the rest of your gear, it's not a good choice for backpacking. For this reason, we considered the size of a sleeping pad when fully deflated. We've quantified packed size in liters because we find this unit of measurement best, especially for visually understanding volume. It's easy to understand the size of one liter since most people have seen a Nalgene bottle. To calculate the total volume of a sleeping pad when packed, we measured the dimensions in inches, calculated the total cubic inches, and converted the cubic inches to liters.
Many of the sleeping pads that pack up the smallest are also some of the least warm, thinnest, or both. The exception to this are the Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT. Both of these models pack down into a two-liter stuff sack and have R-values of 5.4 and 4.5, respectively. The Tensor inflates to 3.5 inches and the XLite inflates to three inches thick. The XLite is slightly smaller when packed, but only by a tenth of a liter. These pads both hit the sweet spot in terms of packability while still remaining comfortable and warm enough for most conditions. They use thin, reflective material for insulation rather than the bulkier foam that some warmer pads use.
The Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated rolls down to a 2.1-liter size, which is smaller than most pads and much smaller than most other high R-value pads.
Credit: Sam Schild
If packed size is your top priority, you can do even better than the Tensor or XLite. The Sea to Summit UltraLight Air packs down to 0.8 liters and is two inches thick when inflated. The tradeoff is an R-value of only 1.1.
The Klymit Static V2 packs down to a small 0.9-liter size and is 2.5 inches thick, but don't count on its low 1.3 R-value to keep you well-insulated on chilly nights, either.
The Klymit Static V2 packs down into one of the smallest stuff sacks of any sleeping pad we tested.
Credit: Sam Schild
If you need to save all your pennies but still keep things compact, the Sleepingo Large is absolutely worth a look. This pad packs down to 1.2 liters, but like the Ultralight Air and Static V2, it doesn't do much to insulate you from the cold ground.
While it's one of the most comfortable pads we tested, the Sea To Summit Ether Light XT Extreme is very large when packed.
Credit: Sam Schild
There were a few pads that stood out for their extremely large packed size as well. The Nemo Switchback and Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol are both closed-cell foam pads, which means they don't deflate. You'll likely have to carry either of these pads strapped to the outside of your backpack if you go with one of these no-frills options. The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme, which has a layer of foam insulation that doesn't compress, rolls into a comically large size for an inflatable pad. This model's packed volume is eight liters, which is barely smaller than the closed cell foam Z lite and Switchback.
The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol doesn't pack down small enough to fit inside most backpacks.
Credit: Bennett Fisher
Quality of Construction
If your sleeping pad doesn't withstand the rigors of the trail, you can't rely on it for your next backcountry endeavor. We've used inflatable pads for 150-day thru-hikes without any durability issues. We're pretty impressed by how much wear and tear most of these pads can handle without puncturing or delaminating. Take care of your pad, and it will take care of you.
Modern materials make lightweight inflatable pads durable enough to keep you comfortable and warm for long stretches of time without failing. That said, we always recommend traveling with a mini repair kit. Most of the sleeping pads we tested here come with one.
The Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated repair kit weighs 0.1 ounces, which is well worth the weight for a good night's sleep after a mishap on trail.
Credit: Sam Schild
Even the most durable pads can be punctured with a sharp thorn, a rock, or a shard of glass. It only takes a tiny hole to render a pad completely useless, and this can be a potentially dangerous scenario in colder temperatures. A small repair kit weighs a few ounces at most, and most repairs are pretty easy in the field. If you want to add even more durability to your pad, you can use Tyvek as an inexpensive ground cloth. Few other materials add as much protection for their weight.
Some of the most well-constructed and durable inflatable pads we tested are the Sea To Summit Comfort Plus Insulated, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm, Nemo Quasar 3D, Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme, Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe, and Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated. They all utilize thicker materials on the bottom of the pad that won't puncture as easily.
The Boundary Deluxe is well-constructed with a recycled nylon ripstop bottom.
Credit: Sam Schild
The most indestructible pads we tested are the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol and Nemo Switchback because they are made of foam and will not puncture like inflatable pads. Even if they rip or break down, they can still function as a barrier between you and the ground. For those who want to go ultralight and fast, give both of these pads some serious time and consideration. They can be cut down to shave off more weight and virtually never completely fall apart. An important note with closed-cell pads is that they do crush over time, losing valuable millimeters of loft.
Closed-cell foam pads like the Nemo Switchback will never deflate, so you can throw them down anywhere without worrying about punctures.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Another aspect of construction quality we examined was how easy a pad is to use and inflate. The difficulty of inflation is one of the main drawbacks of air construction mats, so manufacturers have developed an array of valve styles to help alleviate this issue.
Filling up a sleeping pad the old fashioned way can be pretty exhausting. While pump bags may seem gimmicky, they are incredibly useful both for keeping moisture out of your pad as well as speeding up the process.
Credit: Brian Martin
Some pump bags can be frustrating, but some work really well. We were especially impressed with how well the inflation sack worked on the Nemo Quasar 3D and Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated. The included sack works the best of any inflation system we tested, filling the pad with less than four inflation bags.
The Nemo Vortex pump sack, used with the Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated and Quasar 3D, works better than most inflation bags.
Credit: Sam Schild
The sleeping pad stuff sack on all Sea To Summit pads also doubles as an inflation bag. While this inflation bag doesn't work quite as well as the one from Nemo, it still gets the job done. And since the inflation bag is integrated into the stuff sack, you don't have to keep track of one more thing.
The Sea To Summit Ether Light's stuff sack doubles as a pump sack for inflation.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Exped Ultra 3R has perhaps the most unique inflation bag design of any we tested. This inflation sack has a gooseneck portion that pushes air into the pad at a higher pressure. We had this inflation bag pop off the first couple of times we were using it, so it's not perfect, but it definitely allows for higher-pressure inflation.
The Exped Ultra 3R has a uniquely-shaped inflation bag that funnels air into the pad to get higher pressure inflation.
Credit: Sam Schild
The newest design in the vast sea of valve/sack options is the Winglock valve on the Therm-a-Rest XLite NXT and XTherm NXT. The Winglock isn't perfect, but it is a massive upgrade to these pads, allowing air in and out exponentially faster and easier than before. These pads also come with an inflation sack that doubles as a stuff sack, though we didn't find it worked quite as well as the one from Nemo.
The XTherm NXT's Winglock valve and pump sack allow for easy inflation.
Credit: Sam Schild
Self-inflating pads have been on the market for decades and make inflating easier. However, the downside is that they are bulkier and heavier than air-construction pads. While these pads have their cult following, new sleeping pad technologies are certainly getting lighter, warmer, and even more comfortable, making these self-inflating pads a bit less attractive.
Testing the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT while backpacking in Arizona.
Credit: Sam Schild
Conclusion
Choosing the right sleeping pad can be a daunting task. This essential piece of backpacking gear can be very expensive, but we think spending more here is often worth it. Hopefully, this will help you narrow your choices in searching for the perfect sleeping pad for your needs. We'll continue to add the best and most promising products into this category to find the best sleeping pads available so everyone sleeps well in the backcountry.
