Sleeping pads are an essential part of a backpacker and camper’s kit. You only need to try sleeping on the cold, hard, uneven ground once to know that. Even in the best sleeping bag, without a sleeping pad’s essential layer of comfort and insulation, you could be in for a very long, unpleasant night.
Which type of sleeping pad you should buy will depend on how you plan to use it. They come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Generally, the thicker and larger they are, the more comfortable they are but the heavier they are to carry. There are also three main types of mat to consider: air, self-inflating and foam. Air mats pack up smallest, rolling down to the size of a bottle and can offer good insulation when inflated. They are recommended for lightweight backpackers where weight is the most important consideration. Self-inflating pads are bulkier but more durable and comfortable. They have open-cell construction and semi-inflate when you open the valve. You can then inflate them to your desired firmness with extra breaths. They are the choice of many campers and backpackers. Foam pads are the oldest type of mat and although they aren’t very compact, many hikers like them as a back-up for cold-weather camping and because they can’t be punctured. Here are the ones we’d recommend.
Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad
Light and compact
An innovative v-chamber design keeps the air in this lightweight mattress from moving around and so retains more heat. It’s comfortable too with a v-shaped design offering support in whichever position you sleep in. Suitable for four-season backcountry camping, it weighs 25oz, packs up to 5 x 8" and inflates to 72" x 32" x 2.5" with 10-15 breaths.
POWERLIX Sleeping Pad
Supportive and innovative
The hexagon air cells in this mat support all your pressure points to keep you comfy and insulated all night. It rolls up compactly and is blown up by an inflating bag with a no-leak air valve. Available in a two-color design with three combination choices, it’s made of durable 75D nylon. It comes with a carry bag, two repair kits and an inflating bag that can also be used as a pillow or laundry bag.
Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad
Comfy but compact
This two-inch thick sleep mat weighs only 14.5oz and packs down to the size of a water bottle so you should always be able to find room for it in your backpack. Blown up it’s an impressive 75” x 23” and made from waterproof ripstop nylon fabric that is designed to withstand extreme conditions for years.
QOMOTOP Ultra Thick Self-Inflating Camping Mattress
Heavy but the most comfortable
At four inches thick when inflated, this mattress provides bed-like levels of comfort for car camping or when you have guests staying over. The mattress is inflated with the storage bag that comes with it and has a patented two-way valve which makes it easier to roll up. Designed for four-season comfort, it will keep you warm as well as comfortable. So comfortable you might not want to go back to your usual bed.
Bottom line
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The best sleeping pads provide a platform to sleep on that’s comfortable and warm after a day in the outdoors or even if you have to sleep on a friend’s floor. They are an essential part of your camping gear, right up there with a sleeping bag in our opinion. The sleeping mat we would recommend is the Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad. It’s a dependable but innovative design that backpackers love and offers a great balance of comfort to compactness for the average backpacker.
For ultimate comfort when car camping, the QOMOTOP Ultra Thick Self-Inflating Camping Mattress is hard to beat. It offers cloud-like comfort for aching backs and will smooth out the rockiest campsite floor.
