Sleeping Pad

Types of Sleeping Pads

February 3, 2020 by Ricky Leave a Comment

There are three types of sleeping pads. They are; Air sleeping pads, Open-Cell (Self Inflating) Sleeping pads and Closed Cell sleeping pads.

After explaining the main sleeping pad types we will also cover what to look for when purchasing a sleeping pad.

Don’t forget to visit our related articles about:

Types of Sleeping Pads

FEATURES	AIR SLEEPING PADS	OPEN CELL (SELF INFLATING) SLEEPING PADS	CLOSED CELL SLEEPING PADS
Pictures
Weight	0.5 to 2 lbs	2 to 8 lbs	0.5 to 1 lb
Warmth	Depending on the R-value of the model, they can be used 4 seasons	Depending on the R-value of the model, they can be used 4 seasons	Not Suitable For Cold Weathers
Pack Size	Highly Compressible (around Ø 4″ x 8″)	Not as Compressible as Air Sleeping Pads	Most of Them can be Folded around 20" x 5 " x 5.5"
Durability	Not as Durable as Other Types of Sleeping Pads	Durable	Durable
Best For	Backpacking	Car Camping	Summer Thru Hiking

Air Sleeping Pads

Exped Synmat Hyperlite is an air sleeping pad that is ultralight and highly small when packed, thus, the best option for backpacking.

For air sleeping pads your cushion is the air, they can be inflated by breath or a small pump sack. Since they don’t use foam for cushioning, they are ultralight, and highly small when packed, therefore, they are the best option for backpacking.

Although it depends on the brand and model, an air sleeping pad weighs less than 1 pound and can pack down to Ø 4″ x 8″. In general, they are not as warm as self-inflating sleeping pads, but there are some models that can keep you warm down to -35 F.

Air pads are not as durable as other types of sleeping pads. Even though most of them come with a repair kit they are useless when they’re damaged badly. Therefore, you need to be careful with them.

They are also much cheaper than self-inflating sleeping pads, their prices vary between 30 to 150 dollars.

In conclusion, If you are looking for a sleeping pad for backpacking or if you are low on the budget, air sleeping pads are ideal for you.

Open Cell (Self-Inflating) Foam Sleeping Pads

Exped Megamat 10 is a self-inflating pad that is heavier and has larger pack size, thus, a good option for car camping trips.

Open Cell Foam sleeping pads are also known as Self-Inflating sleeping pads. Their cushion is the combination of foam and air.

When you roll them down they release the air inside to pack down smaller. When they are unrolled they suck the air back and inflate themselves (in most cases you still have to blow the valve a little bit to get the pad a bit thicker).

They are much warmer compared to other types of sleeping pads. Some of them can keep you warm down to – 55 F. They are also the best type of sleeping pad for comfort.

Self Inflating pads have a few downsides as well. They are heavier, bulkier and more expensive than other types of sleeping pads. But If you are doing car camping, weight and pack size shouldn’t be your first priority. Therefore, they are the best option for car camping trips.

If you have enough budget, don’t hesitate to spend on the sleeping pad. If you have a quality sleeping pad you can use it for at least 10 years.

Closed Cell Foam Sleeping Pads

Thermarest Z Lite Sol is a closed cell foam sleeping pad which is only 1" thick and 15 oz weight. This kind of sleeping pad is the cheapest among three.

Closed Cell Foam Sleeping Pads generally weigh around 15 oz, which makes them the lightest type of sleeping pad. They are very easy to set up; just throw them on the ground and they are done.

They are also the cheapest type of sleeping pad, they cost between 20 to 50 dollars. But they have lots of downsides.

In general, Closed-Cell sleeping pads are 1″ thick which is very thin, especially for side sleepers. If you are a side sleeper definitely go for a sleeping pad at least 3″ of thick. Since they can’t be compressed they are bulky, their folded dimensions are generally around 20″ x 5″ x 5.5″. Their last downside is they are not suitable for cold-weather camping.

In conclusion, If you are doing a thru-hike in summer, Closed Cell Foam can be your best option, but in every other case, we recommend air pads or self-inflating pads.

What to Look For When Buying a Sleeping Pad

There are several things to be taken into consideration when buying a sleeping pad. They are:

Insulation (R-Value)
Thickness
Shape

Insulation (R-Value)

The R-Value is a measure to understand the warmth of a sleeping pad. The higher the R-Value, the higher the insulation. If you are planning a cold-weather camping trip, high R-Value should be your first priority.

Thickness

If you are a side sleeper, you should be extra careful before choosing a sleeping pad. Since the pressure increases when you lay on your side you start to feel the ground and get uncomfortable. If you are a side sleeper choose a sleeping pad at least 3 inches thick.

If you have a bad back take a look at our article about Best Sleeping Pads for Bad Backs.

Shape

There are two types of sleeping bags when it comes to shape; Rectangular and Mummy Sleeping Pads. Unlike rectangular sleeping pads, mummy sleeping pads have a tapered form (wider on shoulder, more narrow on the feet area) to save from weight and pack size.

Even though Mummy sleeping pads are better for backpacking, if you tend to move during sleeping you might be more comfortable on a rectangular sleeping pad.

Watch a video review here:

Best Cold Weather Sleeping Pads of 2020

January 29, 2020 by Ricky Leave a Comment

It is crucial to choose the right sleeping pad for a fun winter camping. It might be frustrating to find the proper gear. Therefore, I have selected the Top 5 Best Cold Weather Sleeping Pads for you by doing extensive research and comparisons.

If you are in a hurry I can confidently say Exped Megamat 10 LXW is the Best Cold Weather Sleeping Pad in the list.

Do not forget that even if you had the most insulated sleeping pad in the world, it means nothing without the right sleeping bag. So, if you don’t have a proper sleeping bag, check out our article about Best Cold Weather Sleeping Bags.

If you don’t know how to choose a sleeping pad, skip the Top 5 and go straight to How to Choose the Best Cold Weather Sleeping Pad section.

Top 5 Best Cold Weather Sleeping Pads

name	R - VALUE	PACKED DIMENSION	WEIGHT	DIMENSIONS	THICKNESS
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite	3.2	Ø 4.1″ x 9″	12 oz	72″ x 20″	2.5″
Exped Megamat 10 LXW	9.5	Ø 9.8″ x 31.1″	99.7 oz	77.6″ x 30.3"	3.9"
Sea to Summit Ether Light XT	3.8	Ø 4.75″ x 11″	21.7 oz	78″ x 25″	4″
Exped Synmat HL	3.3	Ø 3.5″ x 7.5″	15.4 oz	72″ x 20″	2.8"
Nemo Tensor Alpine	4.8	Ø 3.5" x 9.5"	27 oz	76" x 25"	3"

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

Best For: Best Cold Weather Sleeping Pad for Ultralight Backpacking

Thermarest NeoAir Xlite is of the most well-known sleeping pads due to its lightweight and high warmth-to-weight ratio, thus the best cold weather sleeping pad for ultralight backpacking.

R-Value: 3.2
Weight: 12 oz
Packed Dimension: 4.1″ x 9″
Size: 72″ x 20″
Thickness: 2.5″

Therm-a-Rest is the leader in the sleeping pad industry. The main reason for that is, they offer the whole package; Durability, Low Weight, Warmth, Small Compact Size, and Comfort. One of their well-known models, Neoair Xlite has made it into the list due to its high Warmth to Weight Ratio (with the R-Value of 3.2 and weight of 12 oz).

If you are searching the best cold weather sleeping pad for backpacking, minimal pack size is remarkably important as well, NeoAir Xlite can be packed down to 4.1″ x 9″ (Pump sack included).

Neo Air xLite is made of 30D rip HT Nylon, it is not the most durable pad on the list, but considering its weight, 30D is pretty good for an ultralight sleeping pad.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir has a thickness of 2.5″. it is very high for an ultralight sleeping pad. 2.5″ of thickness is good for a regular sleeper, but if you are a side sleeper you might feel a little discomfort.

The one thing I did not like about the pad is, it is a little noisy due to its insulation material. But if you don’t mind the sound I can confidently say that NeoAir Xlite is the best cold weather sleeping pad for ultralight backpacking.

For air type sleeping pads I strongly recommend selecting one made from durable fabric. Though most of them come with the repair kit, they’re useless when they are damaged.

Check the Latest Price of Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite

Exped Megamat 10 LXW

Best For: Best Cold Weather Sleeping Pad Over All

Exped Megamat 10 LXW is a self-inflating sleeping pad that offers bed-like experience in cold weather trips, thus the best cold weather sleeping pad over all.

R-Value: 9.5
Weight: 99.7 oz
Packed Dimension: 9.8″ x 31.1″
Size: 77.6″ x 30.3″
Thickness: 3.9″

If you are looking for a bed-like comfort for cold weather camping Exped Megamat is the ideal pad for you. Besides being the most comfortable pad in the list, it also has an R-Value of 9.5 which can keep you warm until -54.4 °F.z

Exped Megamat is a self-inflating pad. When you arrive your campsite, open your pad’s valve and do other camping preparations like pitching your tent, in the meantime, Exped Megamat will be inflating itself (it generally takes 10 minutes to be inflated), when you are done with your tent, the pad will be ready as well (it also comes with a small pump so that you can inflate a little more to adjust it for your comfort).

The top of the pad is made of 50D nylon and the side of the pad is made of 75D polyester, therefore, it is one of the most durability cold weather sleeping pads in the market.

In general, most of the sleeping pads are 72″ Long and 20″ wide. Especially the big fellows out there might not feel so comfortable on a 72″ x 20″ size pad. Being 77.6″ Long and 30.3″ wide makes Exped Megamat suitable for both big guys and small fellows out there. The pad has two valves; one to ease the inflation & adjustment, and one for quick deflation.

Exped Megamat is not a backpacking sleeping pad due to its packed size, but it is without a doubt the best cold-weather car camping sleeping pad in the market.

Compared to other pads it is a bit expensive but given that, a sturdy sleeping pad is a lifetime product, don’t mind spending a little more on the pad.

Check the Latest Price of Exped Megamat 10 LXW

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT

Best For: Best Backpacking Cold Weather Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT is the best backpacking cold weather sleeping pad for side sleepers because of its 4" thickness.

R-Value: 3.8
Weight: 21.7 oz
Packed Dimension: 4.75″ x 11″
Size: 78″ x 25″
Thickness: 4″

The thickness of the sleeping pad is extremely important for side sleepers. There are not a lot of thick backpacking sleeping pads in the market. Being 4″ thick and having an R-value of 3.8 makes Sea to Summit Ether Light XT” the Best Backpacking Cold Weather Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers.

For most of the specs, it looks a lot like NeoAir Xlite. It weighs 21.7 oz (a little more than NeoAir Xlite) and packs down to 4.75″ x 11″ (a little bit bigger than NeoAir Xlite). But it is much more comfortable since it is 78″ long, 25″ wide and 4″ thick (1.5 times thicker than NeoAir Xlite). It is much quieter compared to NeoAir Xlite.

In conclusion, if you don’t mind sacrificing just a little on the pack size and weight for more comfort, Sea to Summit Ether Light XT is ideal for you.

Note: Sea to Summit also has a more innovative valve and a pump sack to ease the inflation and deflation process.

Check the Latest Price of Sea to Summit Ether Light XT

Exped Synmat HL

Best For: The Most Compressible Sleeping Pad for Cold Weathers

Exped Synmat HL is the most compressible sleeping pad for cold weathers because it has a pack size of 3.5" x 7.5" despite of its 2.8" thickness.

R-Value: 3.3
Weight: 12.9 oz
Packed Dimension: 3.5″ x 7.5″ (Pump Sack Included)
Size: 72″ x 20.5″
Thickness: 2.8″

A gear’s pack size and weight are the two most important features for backpacking. If you don’t want to sacrifice from both of them and still want a convenient cold weather sleeping pad Exped Synmat HL is perfect for you.

What makes it the most convenient backpacking sleeping pad for cold weather is: it weighs 12.9 oz, packs down to 3.5 x 7.5 and yet it’s highly warm and thick (2.8″).

Exped Synmat HL has a tapered design, it is wider around the shoulder area and more narrow around the foot area. The main reason for the tapered design is to save from packed dimensions and weight. If you are a person who moves a lot during sleeping, I don’t recommend it. But if you are a steady sleeper it really isn’t a big deal.

In the stuff sack (which is only 3.5″ x 7.5″) there is also a pump sack to ease the inflation process as well. It only takes 20 seconds to fully inflate the pad with the pump sack.

If the pack size is your top priority, Exped Synmat HL is the perfect cold-weather sleeping pad for you.

Check the Latest Price of Exped Synmat HL

Nemo Tensor Alpine

Best For: The Most Comfortable Cold Weather Sleeping Pad for Backpacking

Nemo Tensor Alpine is a quiet sleeping pad that has 3" thickness, thus, the most comfortable cold weather sleeping pad for backpacking.

R-Value: 4.8
Weight: 27 oz
Packed Dimension: 3.5″ x 9.5″
Size: 76″ x 25″
Thickness: 3.0″

Some people need a really quiet and comfortable environment to sleep. For those, Nemo Tensor Alpine is ideal. Besides being a quiet sleeping pad, having 3 inches of thickness while packing down small is the main reason why many backpackers choose Nemo Tensor Alpine.

Nemo Tensor Alpine has an innovative valve and a pump sack to ease inflation and deflation.

With the R-Value of 4.8 (which will keep you from cold until -20 F), it is the warmest backpacking sleeping pad on the list.

Check the Latest Price of Nemo Tensor Alpine

How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Cold Weathers

A sleeping pad’s warmth is measured by R-Value. It basically shows the sleeping pad’s resistance to heat transfer between you and the ground. Therefore, R-Value is the most important factor when choosing the best cold weather sleeping pad.

The higher the R-Value, the higher the insulation.

A good night’s sleep is remarkably important for camping. In order to have a relaxing night, you also need to take other features into consideration. Those features are:

Packed Dimensions
Weight
Comfort

Packed Dimensions of a Cold Weather Sleeping Pad

Depending on what type of camping (a car-camping or backpacking) you are planning, your priorities might change. But if you are planning a backpacking trip, packed size is one of the most important priorities.

Generally, the packed size of a backpacking sleeping pad is around 4″ x 9″. Warm sleeping pads tend to be thicker (therefore bigger when packed) compared to regular sleeping pads. For the backpackers out there, we have also chosen cold weather sleeping pads that pack down below 4″ x 9″.

What is The Optimum Weight of a Cold Weather Sleeping Pad

A sleeping pad’s weight varies from 1 to 5 lbs. If you are planning a car camping trip then the weight is not a priority. But for backpackers, weight is crucial.

Since the cold weather sleeping pads also have insulation material in them, they are heavier than regular pads. But don’t worry there are also extremely light sleeping pads made of quality insulation material. For the backpackers out there, we have chosen pads that have the highest the Weight to Warmth Ratio. Every Backpacking sleeping pad in the list weighs less than 2 lbs.

Comfort

There are three types of Sleeping Pads: Air, Open-Cell (Self-inflated), Closed-Cell. Air and Open-Cell sleeping pads are much comfortable, and heat resistant compared to Closed-Cell pads. Therefore every sleeping pad that made it into the list is Air or Open-Cell sleeping pad.

The comfort also depends on the thickness of the pad. Although it depends on how you sleep, you might feel the ground while sleeping on a thin sleeping pad. Especially for the side sleepers out there, I would strongly recommend a sleeping pad that is at least 3″ thick.

Watch the videos here:

Smallest Sleeping Pad When Packed of 2020: Top 5 Picks

January 19, 2020 by Ricky Leave a Comment

Nemo Tensor Ultralight is the pick for the best overall smallest sleeping pad when packed. It has packed dimensions of Ø 3" x 8" and excellent features that is perfect for backpacking trips.

Packing the smallest yet the most convenient gear is extremely important, especially if you are backpacking, therefore, we have written this comprehensive buying guide for the “smallest sleeping pad when packed“.

Quick Top 5 Picks: Smallest Sleeping Pad When Packed

What to Look For When choosing a Sleeping Pad Rather Than Small Packed Size

It is important to find the smallest sleeping pad when packed but there are other features to be taken into consideration.

Before jumping into buying the smallest one we suggest you take a look at these features:

Weight
Comfort
Insulation

There are 3 types of sleeping pads; Air, Open Cell, Closed Cell.

Air sleeping pads are the best when looking for the smallest sleeping pad when packed. They are extremely compressible and light, therefore, every recommendation in this guide is an air sleeping pad.

If you have a bad back take a look at our article about best sleeping pads for bad backs.

Weight

Weight is as important as size when backpacking. Generally, a sleeping pad weighs betweem 0.5 to 5 pounds. If you need a sleeping pad for backpacking, we recommend not to purchase one heavier than 1 pound. Therefore most of the sleeping pads selected in this article weigh less than 1 pound.

Comfort

You might be wondering how to determine if a sleeping pad is comfortable or not. Type of the sleeping pad is the first thing you need to look for when it comes to understanding if a sleeping pad is comfortable or not.

Air sleeping pads and Open-Cell sleeping pads are much comfortable compared to closed cell sleeping pads. Another thing that you need to look for is the thickness of the sleeping pad. If you get a thin sleeping pad you might feel the ground when moving during sleeping. We recommend getting a thick sleeping pad especially if you move a lot when you sleep or if you are a side sleeper.

Insulation

Insulation of a sleeping pad is measured by R-Value. The higher the R-Value, the higher the insulation.

In general, highly compressible sleeping pads have low R-value. But in this article, for those who are into cold weather camping, we have also chosen sleeping pads that are both extremely compressible (small when packed) and have high R-value.

Smallest Sleeping Pad When Packed: Top 5

name	packed dimension	r-value	weight	dimensions	thickness
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlight	Ø 3.5" x 6.5"	2.0	8.8 oz	72" x 20"	2.5"
Big Agnes Uninsulated Air Core Ultra	Ø 4" x 7"	For warm conditions	20 oz	72" x 20"	3.5"
OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight	Ø 3" x 8"	2.2	16 oz	73" x 21.6"	2.2"
Exped Synmat HL	Ø 3.5″ x 7.5″	3.3	15.4 oz	72″ x 20″ Shoulder Width x 13.8″ Foot Width	2.8"
Nemo Tensor Ultralight	Ø 3" x 8"	3.5	15 oz	72" x 20"	3"

Therm-a-Rest Uberlite

Best For: Smallest Sleeping Pad When Packed for Those Whose First Priority is Weight

Thermarest NeoAir Uberlite is the smallest sleeping pad to those weight is the top priority. It only has a weight of 8.8 oz when packed.

PACKED DIMENSIONS: Ø 3.5″ x 6.5″
WEIGHT: 8.8 oz
R-VALUE: 2.0
DIMENSIONS: 72″ x 20″ x 2.5″

If you are not only searching for the smallest sleeping pad when packed, also looking for the lightest sleeping pad, then Therm-a-Rest Uberlite is ideal for you. It weighs just 8.8 lbs, and packs down to Ø 6 “x 3.5.”

If a pad has a high R-Value it generally is heavy, but that is not the case with Therm-a-Rest Uberlite. Even though it has an R-Value of 2.0, it only weighs 8.8 oz (2.0 R-Value is not very high but it can be used down to 35 °F).

Most air sleeping pads with high R-Value are noisy due to the insulation material, but Therm-a-Rest Uberlite is extremely quiet compared to other sleeping pads. It may not seem like a big deal, but believe me, it’s really, especially if you’re a light sleeper.

Therm-a-Rest Uberlite’s downsides are that it is not made of very durable material and is not suitable for side sleepers since the thickness is 2.5″.

pros	cons
Ultralight	Not Made of Durable Material
Great Warmth / Weight Ratio	Cell
Not Noisy	Cell

Big Agnes Uninsulated Air Core Ultra

Best For: Smallest Sleeping Pad When Packed For Side Sleepers

Big Agnes Air Core Ultra is the smallest sleeping pad that is perfect for side sleepers. It has a thickness of 3.5".

PACKED DIMENSIONS: Ø 4″ x 7″
WEIGHT: 20 oz
DIMENSIONS: 72″ x 20″ x 3.5″

If a sleeping pad is extremely small when packed, it is generally thought to be thin. Big Agnes developed a great design that made the sleeping pad extremely compressible and highly thick. Although this sleeping bag can pack down to Ø 4″ x 7″ it has a thickness of 3.5″, therefore, this pad is great for side sleepers looking for the smallest sleeping pad when packed.

Big Agnes has two valves to ease the process of inflation and deflation (the first is for inflation and the second is for rapid deflation), the first valve has a stopper to prevent air from coming back out. You might think it’s not a critical feature, but it saves a lot of effort. Also, the first valve has a plug on it to deflate the pad a little, if you think the pad is too inflated.

This sleeping pad has a vertical baffle design. The baffles on the sides are bigger than the baffles inside, so you wouldn’t slide off the pad.

There are both insulated and uninsulated types of Big Agnes Air Core Sleeping Pad. Insulated type can protect you down to 32 °F but its packed size is a little bit bigger than uninsulated type (Ø 4″ x 8″).

Although it is made of double ripstop nylon (which is extremely durable material) it weighs only 20 oz.

pros	cons
Suitable For Side Sleepers	Small Stuff Sack
Great Baffle Design To Prevent Sliding Off The Pad	Cell
Two Valves To Ease İnflation And Deflation Process	Cell
Durable Material	Cell

OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight

Best For: Smallest Sleeping Pad When Packed for Those Who Are On a Budget

Outdoorsmanlab Ultralight is the smallest sleeping pad for those who have limited budget.

PACKED DIMENSIONS: Ø 3″ x 8″
WEIGHT: 16 oz
R-VALUE: 2.2
DIMENSIONS: 73″ x 21.6″ x 2.2″

There are plenty of sleeping pads that are extremely small when packed. But unlike others, OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight brought an innovative cellular design to the industry to increase the comfort.

It weighs 16 oz, can pack down to Ø 3″ x 8″ and has an R-Value of 2.2. It might not seem like a big number but it can protect you from the cold until 30 °F.

OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight is a budget-friendly sleeping pad and it is made of durable, ultralight ripstop 20D Nylon.

You might think that the smallest sleeping pad when packed, might be small when inflated, but that is not the case, it is 21″ wide and 6ft long.

This sleeping pad is 2.2″ thick. Although it is more than enough for a regular sleeper, it is thin for a side sleeper. When you sleep on your side, pressure on the sleeping pad increases, therefore you would feel the ground more.

pros	cons
Ultralight	Low Depth
Extremely Small when Packed	Cell
Inexpensive	Cell

Exped Synmat HL

Best For: Smallest Sleeping Pad When Packed for Cold Weather Camping

Exped Synmat Hyperlite is the smallest sleeping pad for cold weather camping. It has R-Value of 3.3 despite its thickness of 2.8".

PACKED DIMENSIONS: Ø 3.5″ x 7.5″
WEIGHT: 15.4 oz
R-VALUE: 3.3
DIMENSIONS: 72″ x 20″ Shoulder Width x 13.8″ Foot Width x 2.8″

If you are into cold weather camping and looking for a sleeping pad that has a small packed size, Exped Synmat HL is perfect for you. Exped Synmat HL has an R-Value of 3.3 (which protects the user down to 5 °F), weighs 15.4 oz and can be packed down to Ø 3.5″ x 7.5″.

It is a mummy shaped sleeping pad. Its sizes are 72″ Length x 20″ Shoulder Width / 13.8″ Foot Width x 2.8″ Thickness. If you are a steady sleeper you wouldn’t get uncomfortable on a mummy-shaped pad but If you are fellow who moves a lot during sleeping we recommend regular-shaped pads.

Since it has a thickness of 2.8″ it can be used by side sleepers as well. The material of the sleeping pad is extremely durable (20D polyester) and on top, there is a TPU polyether laminate to make it waterproof.

Another great thing about the pad is, it comes with a pump sack.

If you are into cold weather camping and looking for a durable, small packed sized, lightweight sleeping pad, we strongly recommend Exped Synmat HL.

Some campers think packing a pump sack is unnecessary since it only takes 2-3 minutes to inflate a sleeping pad. But while we inflate with the mouth, we also blow saliva in the pad, and in time, moisture causes mold, thereby reducing a sleeping pad life. So pump sack is not a crucial gear but it is one of the “good to have” items.

pros	cons
High Warmth to Weight Ratio	Not Suitable For Those Who Move A Lot While Sleeping
Suitable For Side Sleepers	Cell
Durable Material , Waterproof Laminate & anti-slip Gripskin on top	Cell
Comes with a pump sack	Cell
Not Noisy	Cell

Nemo Tensor Ultralight

Best For: Smallest Sleeping Pad When Packed / Best Overall

Nemo Tensor Ultralight is the best smallest sleeping pad in the list. It has "the whole package" of high R-Value, low weight, right thickness, and excellent material.

PACKED DIMENSIONS: Ø 3″ x 8″
WEIGHT: 15 oz
R-VALUE: 3.5
DIMENSIONS: 72″ x 20″ x 3″

Another sleeping pad that made into the top 5 list of the smallest sleeping pad when packed is Nemo Tensor Ultralight. If you are looking for a durable, convenient, four-season sleeping pad Nemo Tensor Ultralight is the whole package.

There are both insulated and uninsulated types of Nemo Tensor Ultralight. The insulated type has a high Warmth/Weight Ratio since it has an R-value of 3.5 and weighs only 15 oz.

By “the whole package”, we don’t mean just a high R-value and low weight, it also has excellent specs: 3″ of thickness (suitable for side sleepers), Ø 3″ x 8″ packed size and 20D polyester material makes it the best overall.

Another great thing about the pad is, it comes with a pump sack.

prosc	cons
High R-Value	Small Repair Kit
Comes with a pump sack	Cell
Durable Material	Cell
Not Noisy	Cell

Sleeping Pad vs Air Mattress

December 29, 2019 by Ricky Leave a Comment

Sleeping is extremely important if you want a fun, relaxing camping trip. In order to sleep well and comfortable, you need to choose the proper gear. If you want to know the differences between “Sleeping Pad vs Air Mattress” and if you wonder which one is the best? You should know that when it comes to camping, proper gear depends on your condition.

We will explain everything about a sleeping pad and an air mattress, for you to make a choice. At the end of the article, you will be able to choose the perfect gear for your condition.

Here is a quick simple comparison table of Sleeping Pad vs Air Mattress

Sleeping Pad vs Air Mattress Comparison Table

Header	sleeping pad	air mattress
Picture
Weight	Light (varies between 1 lb to 5 lbs)	Heavy (varies between 5 lbs to 20 lbs)
Stuffed Size	Small and compressible	Bulky
Comfort	Less Comfortable	More Comfortable
Size	Although most of them are small and solo type, there are also quite enough types of queen sized sleeping pads	Generally big and queen-sized
Best For	Backpacking	Car Camping

Features to Consider on Sleeping Pad vs Air Mattress

Weight

When going to backpacking trips, sleeping pad is a better choice than Air Mattress because it has less weight and can be packed in smaller size.

When it comes to comparison between Seeping Pad vs Air Mattress weight is one of the biggest elements to consider.

Air Mattresses are much heavier than sleeping pads. In general, the weight of an Air Mattress varies between 5 lbs to 20 lbs, on the other hand, the weight of a sleeping pad varies between 1 lb to 5 lbs.

If you are planning a backpacking trip you should go with a sleeping pad. But if you are planning a car camping trip, then the weight is not the first priority. You can consider other features such as comfort, warmth, etc.

Stuffed Size

Sleeping pads are much smaller than air mattresses when packed. Although it depends on the brand and the type, solo sleeping pads can be compressed down to Ø 5″ x 8″ while the air mattresses twice/ thrice bigger when compressed.

If you are planning a backpacking trip you should consider purchasing a sleeping pad. If not, stuffed size doesn’t have to be the first priority.

Comfort

Air Mattress has higher thickness than sleeping pad, thus providing more comfort.

Air mattresses are much more comfortable than sleeping pads, they are much thicker.

While a person sleeping on an air mattress is completely off the ground, a person sleeping on a sleeping pad can feel the ground (especially when moving during sleeping).

Compared to sleeping pads, air mattresses are better for your back. But if you are going for a backpacking trip and if you have a bad back there are also sleeping pads for bad backs as well.

Size

Although both sleeping pads and air mattresses can be found in every size, sleeping pads tend to be smaller than air mattresses.

If you are planning a trip with your partner, you should also know that; most of the sleeping pads are made for solo-sleeping. But that is not the case with the air mattresses, most of them are queen-sized.

Conclusion

If you are planning a trip where weight and bulkiness are important issues (such as a backpacking trip) you should definitely go with a sleeping pad.

Sleeping pads are more feasible since they can be both used in backpacking and car camping trips.

But if you are a fellow who doesn’t compromise on comfort and if you are going for a car camping trip, you should consider purchasing an air mattress.

Watch the video on Sleeping pad here:

Watch the video on Air mattress here:

Best Sleeping Pads for Bad Backs

December 23, 2019 by Ricky Leave a Comment

Klymit Static V2 is a sleeping pad that has a patented unique V-celled design which is great for your back.

If you have a bad back the most important gear for you is the sleeping pad. We have gathered the best sleeping pads for bad backs so you can have a great camping experience without thinking about your back.

Camping is a lot of fun, but without the right equipment, it can also be a disaster, especially if you have a bad back. You should be more careful than others when it comes to choosing the right gear.

Before going into the best sleeping pads for bad backs you can also check out our article about best ultralight sleeping bags. Choosing the lightest gear is also extremely important if you don’t want to end up having a sore back.

If you are in a hurry, here are the Quick Top 5 Best Sleeping Pads for bad backs:

Quick Top 5 Best Sleeping Pads for Bad Backs

Exped Megamat – Best Car Camping Sleeping Pad for Bad Backs
Paria Recharge XL – Best Backpacking Air Sleeping Pad for Bad Backs
OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight – Best Budget Backpacking Sleeping Pad for Back Backs
Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap – Best Four Season Sleeping Pad for Bad Backs
Klymit Static V2 – The Most Convenient Sleeping Pad for Bad Backs

What to look for when buying a sleeping pad if you have a bad back

Weight
Comfort
Insulation

Weight

Lightness is extremely important when choosing a sleeping pad, especially if you are backpacking.

The weight of sleeping pads generally varies from 15 oz to 100 oz. If you are looking for a sleeping pad for car camping then weight should not be your first priority. But If you are looking one for backpacking then we recommend you to go for a sleeping pad under 50 oz.

Note: Air Sleeping Pads weigh much lesser than other types of sleeping pads, therefore if you are thinking about backpacking, we strongly recommend you to go for an air sleeping pad.

Comfort

Comfort is the first priority when you have a bad back, therefore every recommended sleeping pad in this article is chosen especially by taking comfort into consideration.

Construction of a sleeping pad directly affects comfort. There are three types of sleeping pads for construction;

Air Sleeping Pads: These types of sleeping pads are extremely comfortable and much lighter than foam pads and they have the smallest packed size. They are the best type of sleeping pad for backpacking when having a bad back.
Open-Cell Foam Pads: They are also called self-inflating sleeping pads. Due to their innovative design, they inflate when you open them. Open-Cell Foam Pads are they are incredibly comfortable, but they are heavier and bulkier, so think of buying them if you are planning to car camp.
Closed-Cell Foam Pads: They are the most basic sleeping pads. Although they are budget-friendly, they are uncomfortable and bulky. So they are not the best option for someone who has a bad back.

Insulation

Insulation might not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you are looking for the best sleeping pad for a bad back. But believe you me, when you are freezing at night hoping to sleep just a little bit, you won’t be thinking about your back. Therefore we should consider insulation before jumping into buying the most comfortable sleeping pad.

If you are planning to go camping below 50°F you should take insulation into consideration. To understand the sleeping pad’s heat resistance there is a term called R-Value. The greater the R-Value the more heat resistance you will get.

Best Sleeping Pads for Bad Backs

sleeping pad	type	r-value	weight	stuffed size	size
Exped Megamat	Self-Inflated	9.5	91.9 oz	Ø 9.8" x 31.1"	77.6" x 30.3" x 3.9"
Paria Recharge XL	Air	4.7	26 oz	Ø 5" x 8"	76" x 23" x 4"
OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight	Air	2.2	16 oz	Ø 3" x 8"	73" x 21.6" x 2.2"
Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap	Self-Inflated	6.8	52 oz	Ø 6.2" x 21"	72" x 20" x 3"
Klymit Static V2	Air	1.3	16.6 oz	Ø 3" x 8"	72" x 23" x 2.5"

Exped Megamat

Best For: Best Car Camping Sleeping Pad for Bad Backs

Exped Megamat 10 is the best car camping sleeping pad for bad backs. It has a high R-Value of 9.5 and a thickness of 3.9" that is perfect for cold weather.

If you are into cold weather camping and have a bad back, this sleeping pad is perfect for you. Although Exped Megamat is a self-inflating sleeping pad, it comes with a small pump to inflate the sleeping pad at its maximum level. This pad has a thickness of 3.9″ which is extremely high for a sleeping pad.

Don’t forget that you will feel the lesser ground as the thickness increases, therefore the thickness of a sleeping pad is one of the most important features for bad backs.

There is no doubt for its comfort so let’s get into the other specs. Exped Megamat has an R-Value of 9.5 therefore it is one of the best sleeping pads for sub-zero camping.

Important Note: For sleeping bags, it is not the greatest idea to go for the warmest one, you need to pick a sleeping bag by thinking about the seasonality. For instance, if you go with a cold-weather sleeping bag, sleeping at a slightly hotter night can be a big pain. But that is not the case for the sleeping pads, they don’t provide warmth, they only reduce the heat loss through the floor. Therefore a high R-Valued sleeping pad can be used in both winter and summer.

Although Exped Megamat is one of the best sleeping pads for bad backs it is not suitable for backpacking, it weighs 91.1 oz and its stuffed size is Ø 9.8″ x 31.1″. If you are going to car camp, we can confidently say Exped Megamat is one of the best sleeping pads for bad backs.

pros	cons
Extremely Comfortable	Heavy and Bulky
Highest R-Value	Expensive
Self-Inflated	Cell
Extremely Thick	Cell
Durable	Cell

Paria Recharge XL

Best For: Best Backpacking Air Sleeping Pad for Bad Backs

Paria Recharge XL is the best backpacking air sleeping pad for bad backs. It has a thickness of 4" despite its light weight of 26 oz and small packed size of 5" x 8".

As we mentioned above, If the lightness is your first priority you should go with an air sleeping pad. Air sleeping pads are not the first thing that pops into mind for warmth but that is not the case with the Paria Recharge Sleeping Pad. It has 4.7 R-value, so it is not only extremely light but highly cold-proof as well.

Paria Recharge XL has a valve to prevent air from coming back out. It is an important feature especially if you don’t have a pump (we do not recommend carrying a pump if you are backpacking, most of the sleeping pads can be inflated in 2 minutes top, therefore, there is no point carrying a pump especially if you have a bad back).

Paria Recharge XL has a thickness of 4″ which is more than enough for being completely off the ground (not feeling the ground when you lie down to the sleeping pad is one of the most important things to look for when buying a sleeping pad for a bad back). It weighs only 26 oz and can be packed down to 5″ x 8″. If you are looking for a backpacking air pad for your bad back, we strongly recommend Paria Recharge XL Sleeping Pad.

pros	cons
High R-Value for an Air Sleeping Pad	Relatively Heavy for an Air Pad
Comfortable	Cell
Durable	Cell
Thick	Cell

OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight

Best For: Best Budget Backpacking Sleeping Pad for Back Backs

Outdoorsmanlab Ultralight is the best budget backpacking sleeping pad for bad backs. It provides comfort through its innovative air cell design despite its cheap price.

OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight is a budget-friendly backpacking sleeping pad. It has an innovative air cell design that provides great comfort for sleeping.

OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight is extremely comfortable, weighs only 15 oz and can be compressed down to Ø 3″ x 8″. Therefore, it is one of the best sleeping pads for those who are on a budget and have a bad back.

It has an Automatic Shutoff system in the blowing spot, so when you stop blowing up, air doesn’t come back out. This system decreases the time and effort of inflating the pad. It might seem like a small feature but, believe you me, it will save you from a great burden.

The material of the sleeping pad is 20 denier nylon fabric which is an extremely durable material for its price. The thickness of the sleeping pad is 2.2″ which is more than enough for a steady sleeper. But if you move a lot when you sleep you might feel the ground and it is not good for your back.

The R-Value of this sleeping pad is 1.3, which is enough for camping at 35-40 °F. But if you are planning an outdoor activity below 35 °F we would recommend you to chip in a little bit more and get Paria Recharge XL. When you are freezing on a cold night, you won’t be thinking about the 20$ you saved, you will be wishing the night to be over (been there done that). So don’t mind spending a little bit more on the sleeping pad and the sleeping bag if you are planning a cold-weather camping trip.

Overall, if you are on a budget and thinking about camping over 35 F, OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight is one of the best sleeping pads for bad backs.

pros	cons
Ultralight	Low Depth
Extremely Small when Packed	Cell
Inexpensive	Cell

Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap

Best For: Best Four Season Sleeping Pad for Bad Backs

Thermarest LuxuryMap is the best four season sleeping pad for bad backs. It has pressure mapping design on which the foam density is specifically distributed in the sleeping pad to provide comfort.

Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap brought an innovative design into the market. In this design which is called pressure mapping, foam density is not equal in every area of the sleeping pad. Higher and lower dens foams are specifically distributed in the sleeping pad to provide perfect comfort. And it has a thickness of 3″ which is great for a bad back.

It is a self-inflating pad with an R-Value of 6.3. Therefore it can be used both at cold-weather and summer camping. Although it is slightly heavy and bulky for backpacking, Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap is great for four-season car camping.

pros	cons
Innovative Design Provides Great Comfort	Heavy and Bulky
Self-Inflated	Slightly Expensive
High R-Value	Cell
Quality Material	Cell

Klymit Static V2

Best For: The Most Convenient Sleeping Pad for Bad Backs

Klymit Static V2 is the most convenient sleeping pad for bad backs. It has a unique V-shaped design that provides comfort for the back, eases the inflation process, and prevents sliding from the pad.

For those who want to carry the smallest yet the handiest gear, Klymit Static V2 is the perfection. Its stuffed size is only Ø 3″ x 8″, also it only weighs 16.6 oz.

Klymit Static V2 has a patented V-celled design which is great for your back and also eases the inflation process. A person with a healthy lung can inflate the pad between 10-15 breaths.

Its V-shaped design also prevents sliding from the pad. If you’ve ever camped with a cheap air pad you can completely understand what we are talking about. It might not seem like an important feature but it really is.

Material is extremely important for air pads. Because air pads are not like self-inflated sleeping pads, when they are damaged they are useless. Klymit Static V2’s bottom layer material is 75D Polyester. If you are not familiar with the density of fabrics 75D counts as extremely durable.

Although this sleeping pad provides great features, it is not the best in cold conditions, its R-Value is 1.3. But if you are not planning cold-weather camping, we can confidently say that Klymit Static V2 is the most convenient sleeping pad for bad backs.