Sleeping Pads

If you're car camping rather than backpacking, weight doesn't matter, so you might as well pick the largest, thickest sleeping pad that will fit in your tent. (Some tents are designed to hold tapered pads to go under mummy sleeping bags, so be sure to check your tent if you already have one.) At the other extreme, for a summer backpacking trip on wooded trails where you can sleep on soft forest duff, you may not need a sleeping pad at all. The lightest sleeping pads for backpacking are torso length, relying on a stuff sack or other pillow to pad your head and on the backpack for your legs.

Most backpackers use at least a three-quarter-length sleeping pad of about 20 x 42 inches in size, which cushions from head down to the hips. For winter hiking, reviews recommend using a full-length sleeping pad to provide insulation from the cold ground. Closed-cell foam pads are generally recommended for cold weather. This type of foam is waterproof (so long as it's not damaged). It’s harder and more rigid than an inflatable sleeping pad, but it keeps you warmer.

For warmer weather, most campers like using air mattresses. These are softer and more comfortable for most people, but they are too cold for winter unless the air tubes have insulation inside. For sub-freezing temperatures, reviews often recommend layering two sleeping pads, either two closed-cell foam pads, or an inflatable pad (for more cushioning) plus a closed-cell pad for warmth.

Lightweight three-season inflatable sleeping pads

We looked at the reviews of dozens of sleeping pads, finding that most of the recommendations are for self-inflating pads. This type of sleeping pad has soft foam bonded to the inside of a fabric cover, which is then inflated for extra loft. These sleeping pads have one or two valves at the foot end, and when the valves are open, the pads start to self-inflate. You can blow a little more air into them too, to adjust the support to your preference. Again, the Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest brand gets the most recommendations in reviews. Backpacker Magazine gave the entire series its Editor's Choice Gold Award in 2003. Users love them too, usually saying they're far more comfortable than closed-cell camping mats that rely on foam only, rather than on a combination of air and foam. Some users find it tricky to learn how to deflate air-and-foam sleeping pads for packing, but once they figure it out, they're easy to use. The fabric isn't puncture-proof, but we found very few reports of leaks.

The Therm-a-Rest Ultralite is a longstanding favorite, now replaced by the Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 (*est. $80) . Backpacking Magazine's 2006 Gear Guide issue recommends it as sturdy and comfortable, and like the older UltraLite, the ProLite 3 strikes a good balance between comfort and weight. It's an inch thick when inflated, but packs much more compactly than a closed-cell sleeping pad, to an 11 x 3.5-inch roll. The regular 20 x 72-inch size tapers a little bit at the foot, so it weighs just 20 ounces. The 20 x 47-inch ProLite 3 Short (*est. $70) , designed to cushion from head to hips, weighs just 13 ounces. Both have a slightly textured surface, an improvement over the UltraLite sleeping pad. Tests of the ProLite 3 at BackpackingLight.com show that although it stays in place "better than any self-inflating mattress tested," the Prolite 3 could inflate faster and be a little warmer.

The Therm-a-Rest ProLite 4 (*est. $90) is similar, but inflates to 1.5 inches thick for more cushioning. The regular size weighs 24 ounces, while the 47-inch ProLite 4 Small (*est. $80) weighs 18 ounces. This model also comes in a large 25 x 77-inch size -- the ProLite 4 Large (*est. $100) , which weighs 33 ounces. You can see that choosing a sleeping pad is all about balancing maximum cushioning comfort with the discomfort of carrying its weight all day. For three-season backpacking, the ProLite 4 Small puts more cushioning at the shoulders and hips, where users say they need it most, for two ounces less weight than the ProLite 3 Regular. Both sleeping pads also come in women's models (see the section on women's sleeping pads below).

Pacific Outdoor Equipment also makes some well-recommended sleeping pads under the Insul Mat brand. Backpacking Magazine's 2006 Gear Guide recommends the new Insul Mat Max Thermo-Lite (*est. $65) as a best buy. To save weight, it tapers in a mummy shape. The regular length weighs just 19 ounces, packing to a 6 x 11-inch roll. The tubes at the sides are larger in diameter than the one-inch center of the sleeping pad, and field testers confirm that the tubes not only help you stay centered on the pad, but also offer welcome cushioning to the elbows and forearms. These side tubes also have some synthetic fill inside for extra warmth.

Outside Magazine's "Gear Guy" column recommends the slightly older and heavier Insul Mat Max-Lite 1.0 (*est. $60) , as does a comparative review at Backpacker Magazine. This sleeping pad is also on the list of required gear at BackCountryFound.com, for backpacking trips into Yosemite led by guides. The mummy shape and details like a titanium air valve bring the weight down to 21 ounces. The 48-inch (*est. $50) weighs just 15 ounces. The Max-Lite 1.5 (*est. $70) is similar, but it’s 1.5 inches thick and weighs more (29 ounces).

If budget is more of a concern than backpacking weight, Outside Magazine recommends the Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite (*est. $50) as a "killer value." Like the ProLite 4, it is 1.5 inches thick and comes in all three sizes, but they're all heavier to carry. The regular-size Trail Lite weighs 32 ounces, a full half-pound heavier than the ProLite 4, which costs $40 more.

Pacific Outdoor Equipment makes another unusual sleeping pad, the 14-ounce Max-Tropic (*est. $50). This pad is specially designed for hot summer nights -- camping on a beach, for example. A molded mesh top lets air circulate under the body, and the bottom fabric is designed to repel sand. The pad is only .75-inch thick, which is thin for a self-inflating sleeping pad, but a sleeve allows you to insert another mummy-shaped sleeping bad underneath for more cushioning. We found a report on this sleeping pad at BackpackingLight.com, based on exhibits at the 2006 Outdoor Retailer Market, but we haven't found any reviews yet that are based on actual field tests.

We did find reviews of several self-inflating sleeping pads that you might want to cross off your list. An in-depth review of the MEC (Mountain Equipment Company) Apogee, now labeled the Kelvin (*est. $50), says it's comfortable but doesn't pack as compactly as a Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad. Backpacking Magazine's 2006 gear guide issue says the Slumberjack Fusion Core (*est. $60) is tough, but it’s heavy (34 ounces) for its 1.25-inch thickness. Also, two self-inflating sleeping pads sold at Target -- their own brand, Greatland (*est. $20) , and the (*est. $40) -- get lower ratings from users reviewing them at Amazon.com.

If weight is your prime concern, consider a torso-length sleeping pad, which is made to pad from your hips to your head. Bozeman Mountain Works makes the TorsoLite (*est. $70), formerly the ComfortLite. Backpacking Light.com puts this sleeping pad on its list of gear for three-season ultralight trips -- even though it's an inch thick, it weighs only 10.4 ounces. The TorsoLite cushions only from shoulders to hips, and the 32-inch length tapers to save weight. (At the upper thigh it's only 12 inches wide.) Tests at BackpackingLight.com show that it's tough and durable, and even women testing it there say it's comfortable down to 15 degrees. It packs to an 8 x 4-inch roll.

The self-inflating Uber-Mtn (*est. $55), made by Pacific Outdoor Equipment, is another torso-length pad. It measures 1.5 inches thick, and at 37 inches, it’s slightly longer than others. However, despite its hour-glass shape, it weighs 13 ounces -- still quite light for a self-inflating sleeping pad, but more than the TorsoLite. If you need the extra cushioning at your shoulders and hips, though, the extra weight could be worth carrying.

Some sleeping pads use just air without foam and need manual inflation. Reviews say these camping air mattresses lack insulating power, though you can use a closed-cell sleeping pad on top to stay warmer. A 2004 comparison review at Backpacker Magazine says the Insul Mat X-Lite Compact (*est. $35) is cheap and light, but it’s hard to inflate and not warm enough for nights that go below 40 degrees. The Big Agnes REM Air Core Regular (*est. $55) is similar, and the review says it's so slick that sleepers tend to slip off it. Also, one of the test pads blew a seam and even the repair kit couldn't fix it. (We found quite a few user reviews complaining that Big Agnes sleeping pads tend to leak.)

The 15-ounce Insul Max Thermo 3/4 (*est. $55) needs manual inflation, but the stuff sack doubles as a pump so it doesn't take much effort or time. This six-tube air mattress is 48 inches long, but it's warm because the tubes also have synthetic fill, a mixture of Polarguard and Holofill. It's also available in a regular length and a 78-inch long size that weigh 22 and 24 ounces respectively. All of these are 2.5 inches thick when inflated, so they offer more cushioning for the weight than the self-inflating sleeping pads.

Lightweight foam sleeping pads

Closed-cell foam sleeping pads offer the most insulating value for their weight and are the least expensive choice. These camping mats don't roll up very compactly, though, and they’re usually fairly thin, so they offer the least amount of cushioning. Young, somewhat stoic hikers favor them, and they're so inexpensive and useful that it's a good idea to try one first. If you find you don't sleep well on a closed-cell camping mat, or you wake up with aching or numb hips or shoulders, then you can always use the pad later for extra insulation when camping in winter. You can easily cut up a camping mat to make warm seat cushions, too.

Reviews recommend against buying a cheap closed-cell sleeping pad from a discount or "big box" retailer, saying these mats tend to get brittle in cold weather, absorb water and not last as long as sleeping pads from major brands. The company most often recommended is Cascade Designs, which makes two closed-cell sleeping pads under the Therm-a-Rest brand. The RidgeRest (*est. $25) is 5/8 inches thick and weighs just 14 ounces in the regular 72-inch length. The ridges give it a non-slip texture. BackpackingLight recommends layering two of these sleeping pads for winter camping -- each has an R-value of 2.6. (R-values are a standardized measure of how much a material impedes the flow of heat.) The RidgeRest also makes good framing or padding inside a backpack, as its 20-inch width fits most packs.

You can get a 42-inch-long Therm-a-Rest Small RidgeRest (*est. $20) that weighs only 9 ounces, even better for three-season hiking. At the other extreme, the Large RidgeRest (*est. $30) is 25 inches wide and 77 inches long, but still weighs only 19 ounces.

For 3/4-inch cushioning but less insulation, a long-standing favorite is the Therm-a-Rest Z-Rest sleeping pad, now the Z-Lite (*est. $35) . Instead of ridges, the foam uses an egg-crate design, and instead of rolling up for travel, it folds accordion-style to a 20 x 5.5-inch size. In the regular 72-inch length, this still only weighs 15 ounces, and the 42-inch Small Z-Lite (*est. $30) only weighs 11 ounces. The Z-Lite doesn't come in a large size, but a similar Ridge Rest Deluxe (*est. 40) , measures 25 x 77 inches and weighs 26 ounces -- another good option for winter camping. All the Z-Lite pads have a rated R-value of 2.0.

BackpackingLight also recommends a much lighter torso-length sleeping pad for three-season hikes. The 3.7-ounce Gossamer Gear Nightlight Torso (*est. $16) is only 18 inches wide instead of 20, and the 29-inch length is designed to cushion from shoulders through hips. Like the Z-Lite, it uses closed-cell foam in an egg-crate design, but it compresses less for a total thickness of 0.75 inches. The Nightlight Torso folds neatly into thirds, and the folded pad, only 10 x 18 x 2 inches, can be used as part of the frame in ultralight packs like the ultralight Gossamer Gear Mariposa and Mariposa Plus. You can also use it to add extra torso cushioning to other pads, with minimal extra weight. Its rated R-value is 2.27, twenty per cent higher than that of the Z-Lite, but less than the 2.6 R-value of the RidgeRest.

Field tests of the Nightlight Torso show that it's a little short for very tall hikers, but for hikers up to six feet two inches, Backpacking Light says it's the best choice. (A larger 7.5-ounce NightLight sleeping pad (*est. $30) measures 19.5 x 59 inches.) The Gossamer Gear sleeping pads are lighter, warmer, more resilient and even more durable than the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite. This makes the 3.7-ounce Nightlight Torso a good choice for an ultralight sleeping pad for three-season use. The full-length Z-lite and RidgeRest pads are better for winter. None of these closed-cell pads, however, are as comfortable as a self-inflating sleeping pad.

Insulated camping air mattresses for winter

As noted earlier, reviews often recommend layering two closed-cell foam pads for winter insulation, or using one closed-cell sleeping pad in combination with a self-inflating or inflatable pad. (The closed-cell pad usually goes underneath a self-inflating pad, but on top of a sleeping pad that just cushions with air.) Some relatively light sleeping pads have extra insulation built in, however, making the closed-cell pad unnecessary.

The Big Agnes Insulated Air Core (*est. $70) uses air for 2.5-inch cushioning, insulated with PrimaLoft, a synthetic fiber that's nearly as light as goose down, but much more moisture-resistant. This sleeping pad, a Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice in 2004, needs manual inflation. It comes in three lengths, in both rectangular and mummy shapes. The rectangular pad also comes in an extra-wide 25 x 78 (*est. $100) size, but it weighs 36 ounces (see the car camping section below). The regular mummy (*est. $70) weighs 21 ounces -- heavy compared with most three-season sleeping pads. However, given that a full-length closed-cell pad weighs 14 to 15 ounces, adding a closed-cell pad to a full-length self-inflating pad like the 20-ounce ProLite 3 for winter hiking will add up to about the same weight.

The new self-inflating Big Agnes Dual Core sleeping pads (*est. $100) use a combination of air, foam and Primaloft insulation for an even lower rating of 0 degrees F. This sleeping pad wins the 2006 Editor's Choice award at Camping Life, which praises the innovative combination. The eight tubes are connected to allow air flow and even inflation to 2.5 inches. The regular mummy size weighs 31 ounces, though, so the extra warmth comes at quite a cost in carrying weight.

Users reviewing the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core camping mattresses say they're wonderfully comfortable, but we found quite a few complaints of leaks. Backpacker Magazine's 2006 Gear Guide also mentions that the repair kit is occasionally required. We haven't seen long term reviews of the Dual Core sleeping pads yet, but they do use 70-denier fabric for the cover, heavier than the 50-denier cover on the other Air Core pads. Big Agnes does offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and users say they replace leaky pads cheerfully, but that's not much comfort it you can't repair a leaky pad in the middle of a backpacking trip.

We didn't find any complaints about leaks in the Exped Down Mat 7 (*est. $140) . This Swiss company says it tests every sleeping pad for 48 hours before it leaves the factory. The Down Mat 7 won the 2003 European Outdoor Award for its innovative use of 700-fill goose down. This insulates the air cushioning for a rating down to 1 degree F. The Down Mat 7 inflates to 2.8 inches, so it's actually a little more cushioned than the Big Agnes pads, but its rectangular shape brings its weight to 28 ounces, more than the 21-ounce Big Agnes in a mummy shape. (Even the rectangular Big Agnes weighs just 24 ounces.) The Down Mat 7 is the standard 20 inches wide, but it’s a bit short at only 70 inches -- too short for some people. Taller hikers need the Down Mat 9 DLX (*est. $170) or the Down Mat 9 (*est. $150) , discussed below in the section on sleeping pads for car camping. (They weigh 44 and 33 ounces, respectively.)

Backpacking Magazine's 2006 Gear Guide calls the Exped Down Mat 7 Short (*est. $130) a best buy, and it weighs just 20 ounces, but its 47-inch length isn't really long enough for winter camping. Exped makes a similar 28-ounce sleeping pad using synthetic Texpedloft Microfiber fill for insulation, rated to 12 degrees F. This pad wins the 2006 Editor's Choice award at Germany's Outdoor Magazine, but unfortunately it isn't yet available in the United States. Unless you want to take a chance on the Big Agnes insulated air pads, the Exped Down Mat 7 offers the same comfort with less risk of leaks, according to the reviews we read.

Note that a new heated sleeping pad by Pacific Outdoor Equipment has just been announced -- see The Buzz section below.

Women's sleeping pads

Women's sleeping pads offer more cushioning and sometimes insulation in the hip and foot areas, as well. Major retailer REI offers nine different sleeping pads designed specifically for women, in the Therm-a-Rest and Insul Mat brands. The Insul Mat Women's Max-Lite (*est. $60) is the women's version of the sleeping pad discussed above, recommended by three reviews. Compared with the men's (or unisex) version, the women's pad offers extra support under the hips and extra insulation under the feet. It also comes in a shorter length to save weight -- the Insul Mat Women's Max-Lite Petite (*est. $55) is 66 inches long and weighs 23 ounces instead of 25. Dandelion Magazine gave its 2004 award for Most Innovative Women's Product to the Insul Mat Women's Max-Mtn (*est. $70) , which has 1.5 inches of cushioning, though it does weigh 31 ounces.

The Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 comes in a Women's Regular (*est. $80) , but it only comes in one 66-inch length, equivalent to the Petite size in the Insul Mat women's sleeping pads. The ProLite 3 women's version is less tapered than the Max-Lite, but it still weighs less: 20 ounces compared with 23 ounces for the Max-Lite 1.0 Petite. The Therma-Rest ProLite 4 Women's Regular (*est. $90) is 1.5 inches thick when fully inflated, and it weighs 24 ounces. The ProLite 4 comes in a large (*est. $100) , which is 72 inches long but still only 20 inches wide. In addition to the extra cushioning, the ProLite 4 is warmer, with a stated R-value of 4.1, compared with 3.0 for the ProLite 3. So women who "sleep cold" will prefer the ProLite 4. (The unisex sleeping pads have lower R-values.)

Luxury air mattresses for car camping

The two brands most often recommended for heavier, thicker sleeping pads are Exped and Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest. The four-season Exped Down 9 sleeping pad (*est. $150) is similar to the award-winning Exped Down 7 discussed above, but the Down 9 inflates to 3.5 inches for superb cushioning. With 700-fill goose-down insulation, the Down 9 is rated to -40 degrees F. As with the Down Mat 7, the stuff sack doubles as a pump. The Exped Down 9 DLX (*est. $170) is longer and wider for even more comfort: 26 inches by 76 inches.

Some backpackers find even the 44-ounce Down 9 DLX light enough to carry for winter trips, given its warmth and comfort. At Trailspace.com, two backpackers give it perfect 5-star ratings and say the pad is well worth carrying. The Down 9 is just as warm, as well as lighter at 33 ounces. The version with synthetic fill isn't available yet in the United States.

The most luxurious Therm-a-Rest self-inflating foam sleeping pad is the DreamTime XL (*est. $200) , offering 30 x 77 inches of comfort and inflating to a full three-inch thickness with an R-value of 8.0 -- about three and a half times the insulating value of the ProLite 3 in the unisex version. It's bulky when rolled up (32 x 10 inches), and it weighs a whopping eight pounds -- but if you're car camping, weight may not matter much. The six-pound regular DreamTime (*est. $175) keeps the extra 77-inch length but it’s only 25 inches wide -- still five inches wider than backpacking sleeping pads. If the DreamTime XL will fit in your tent, you might as well spend the extra $25 for the more comfortable width.

Crazy Creek, known for its camping chairs, makes two sleeping pads that have chair supports built in. They're heavy for backpacking, but would work for car camping. They're not nearly as well padded, though, as the sleeping pads just discussed. Therm-a-Rest makes inexpensive sleeves that convert a sleeping pad into a chair -- see below for details.

Important Features: Sleeping Pads

Expert reviews say to look for the following in a sleeping pad:

• For campground use, get the biggest, thickest sleeping pad you can afford. If you're car camping, weight doesn't matter, and even wide, comfortable three-inch-thick self-inflating sleeping pads deflate and roll up to a compact size for travel. You might as well be really comfortable so you enjoy the trip.

• For backpacking, consider weight vs. comfort. This varies a lot from one person to another. You can always start with the minimum, like a closed-cell sleeping pad, then add another layer or get a thicker sleeping pad if you wake up sore. (Extra closed-cell sleeping pads can be cut up to use for seating, too.)

• For sleeping comfort in different situations, consider layering pads. You don't have to have just one sleeping pad. A short backpacking pad can be layered on top of a full-length pad for extra cushioning in winter, and a closed-cell sleeping pad can add valuable insulation to another pad. You can layer two full-length backpacking pads together for extra padding when car camping, as well.

• Some sleeping pads do double duty as frames for ultralight backpacks or for campsite chairs. Many backpackers say the chair frames are worth carrying, for end-of-day comfort after a long day's hike. And when the sleeping pad serves as support and padding for an ultralight backpack, you can save quite a bit of weight.

• Women's sleeping pads add padding and insulation at feet and hips. Some women's pads add more padding in the entire core-body area too. Most women sleep colder than men, so the combination of a women's sleeping pad plus a women's sleeping bag can make for much more restful nights.

• Make sure the length fits you, your tent and your sleeping bag. This seems obvious, but it's easy to get carried away and forget about measurements. Most sleeping pads are a standard length, but some women's sleeping pads come in a petite length to save weight, and tall men can find longer pads to fit.

• Short sleeping pads are only for 3-season use. In relatively warm weather, you can pad your feet with your backpack or use an even shorter sleeping pad that relies on stuffing a sack with clothing to pad your head. Camping in cold weather requires a full-length sleeping pad, though, for insulation from the ground.

• Experts don't recommend plain air mattresses without any foam inside. As the air gets colder during the night, these mattresses often deflate until they're not providing enough padding. And they don't offer enough insulation to protect you from the cold ground.

• Look for non-slip pads. Some pads have a fabric with non-slip qualities built in or sprayed on. Others use patterned embossing or ridges and valleys to help you keep from sliding off. (If the sleeping pad you want lacks this feature, you can use a piece of non-slip shelf-covering mesh to do the job.)

• If you opt for an inflatable sleeping pad, make sure it comes with a repair kit. If not, reviews recommend buying such a kit and making sure to carry it with you.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
4	Therm-a-Rest self-inflating, various models (*est. $40 to $200)	details
3	Exped Downmat (*est. $140)	details
3	Big Agnes Insulated REM Air Core (*est. $70)	details
3	Pacific Outdoor Equipment InsulMat Max-Lite 1.0 (*est. $60)	-
3	Pacific Outdoor Equipment InsulMat Max-Thermo (*est. $55)	-
3	ThermaRest UltraLite (discontinued)	-
2	Therm-a-Rest Prolite 4 (*est. $90)	details
2	Therm-a-Rest Prolite 3 (*est. $70)	details
2	Therm-a-Rest LE (now BaseCamp) (*est. $60)	-
2	Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite (*est. $35)	details
2	Cascade Designs(Therm-a-Rest) Ridge Rest (*est. $25)	details
2	Therm-a-Rest GuideLite Long (discontinued)	-
1 each	Artiach Skin Mat, Big Agnes Dual Core , Big Agnes REM Hinman , Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite Inflatable Cabela's Ultra Double (disc.), Cascade Designs CampLite (disc.), Cascade Designs RidgeRest Deluxe , Cascade Designs LE Megarest (now Therm-a-Rest DreamTime XL ) , Cascade Designs Strata Rest 25 (disc.), Cascade Designs Z-Rest (now Z-Lite ), Exped Downmat 7 Short , Exped Foam Air Matress , Exped SynMat , Gossamer Gear Nightlight Torso, MEC Apogee Long (now MEC Kelvin), Mountain Hardwear Trailhead 77 (disc.), Pacific Outdoor Hot , Pacific Outdoor Insul Mat Max-Lite 1.0 - Women's Petite , TorsoLite, Slumberjack Fusion Core , Therm-a-Rest DreamTime , Therm-a-Rest Deluxe Camper , Therm-a-Rest Fusion (disc.), Therm-a-Rest TrailLite , Therm-a-Rest Trail Comfort

Three brands dominate the top ranks: Exped, Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest and Pacific Outdoor Equipment Insul Mat. Big Agnes also gets some good reviews, but we found many reports of leaks.

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