Sleeping Pads: Reviews

Backpacker Magazine: Editors of Backpacker magazine give the Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads an Editors' Choice Gold award for their long-term contribution to camping comfort.

GearReview.com: Despite its age, this comparison review is valuable since it rates 12 sleeping pads.

Backcountry.com: Staff at this hiking gear retailer rate the Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 sleeping pad a "best buy," and over 40 owners mostly agree.

REI.com: The Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 is one of the top-rated sleeping pads here, reviewed by about two dozen owners.

Silver Orange Stuff: This detailed review of the Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 sleeping pad compares it with the MEC Apogee Long (now the MEC Kelvin) reviewed here in 2004.

Trailspace.com: About a half dozen owners give the ProLite 3 sleeping pad top ratings here, finding it durable and surprisingly comfortable for its thickness.

BackpackGearTest.org: Several experienced backpackers review various ProLite sleeping pads in great detail, including the women's version.

BackpackingLight.com: This detailed review covers both the pros and cons of the Gossamer Gear NightLight Torso sleeping pad, noting that it provides better comfort for the weight than most.

Trailspace.com: The review here praises the comfort of this sleeping pad, noting that you can also buy the longer NightLight pad, cut it into four pieces and attach them with Velcro for packing.

BrettOnStuff.com: This backpacking enthusiast starts out with the longer NightLight pad but finds it too bulky, opting for the torso length instead, plus a piece of Gossamer Gear ThinLight insulation.

Backpacker.com: This roundup review compares six sleeping pads based on extensive field tests in varying and usually rugged conditions, finding that the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core sometimes leaks, but the Exped DownMat 7 doesn't.

BackpackGearTest.org: The owner-written reviews here are far more detailed and structured than at most sites.

LightBackpacking.com: Most sites devoted to ultralight backpacking wouldn't consider a sleeping pad this heavy, but Bruce Lewis finds that the pad's extra insulation makes it possible to carry a lighter sleeping bag.

Backcountry.com: More than a dozen owners give the DownMat sleeping pad rave reviews here, confirming that it's durable and ultra-comfortable, but that you have to learn how to inflate it.

Trailspace.com: Half a dozen or so hikers give the Exped DownMat 7 glowing praise.

REI.com: A half-dozen hikers review the DownMat 7 sleeping pad here, with tips on how to inflate it.

Backpacker Magazine: Based on extensive field tests, editors of Backpacker magazine give their Editors' Choice award to the Therm-a-Rest DreamTime XL sleeping pad.

REI.com: About half a dozen campers review the Therm-a-Rest DreamTime XL sleeping pad here, giving it mostly positive reviews.

Backcountry.com: More than a dozen owners review the Therm-a-Rest DreamTime XL sleeping pad here, with high praise for its comfort.

Moosejaw.com: About a dozen owners give the Therm-a-Rest DreamTime sleeping pad perfect ratings here, noting that it's heavy and bulky but extremely comfortable, and that the non-slip cover really works.

Amazon.com: Half a dozen owners give the Therm-a-Rest DreamTime XL sleeping pad top marks here, both for camping and as an extra mattress for guests.

Trailspace.com: Though this site is aimed at hikers, this review recommends the Therm-a-Rest DreamTime for any trip except backpacking, saying it makes any sofa or spare bed comfortable, and the XL size gives plenty of elbow room for reading in bed.

REI.com: More than three dozen owners give the REI Camp Bed 3.5 rave reviews, including several with back problems who find this sleeping pad extremely comfortable.

WestFly.com: This comparison review of seven sleeping pads is based mostly on features, and it concludes that the REI Camp Bed 3.5 offers the most comfort for the money.

GroundSpeak.com: This forum discusses the REI Camp Bed 3.5, comparing it with several other sleeping pads.