10 Greatest Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2023

Therm-a-Relaxation’s new NeoAir XLite NXT is the very best all-around 3-season sleeping pad available on the market, arms down. It has a uncommon mixture of consolation, heat, and weight that make it very robust to beat for backpacking.

The brand new NXT model of the XLite is 3 inches thick, so it’s a bit cushier than earlier than, and it has a barely greater R-value too. One among our favourite options of the XLite is simply how light-weight it’s whereas nonetheless sustaining glorious insulation and sturdiness. Conserving pack weight down on backcountry journeys is vital, and the XLite is a stand-out on this area.

The principle knock on earlier XLite fashions has been the crinkly sound they make when shifting round. We’re joyful to report that the brand new NXT model is far quieter. We’d say the XLite NXT is nearly as quiet as most air pads, however few can compete with its different specs.

The NeoAir XLite is a very distinctive sleeping pad that we’ve put by way of the wringer over hundreds of miles on the path. It’s an all-time nice backpacking sleeping pad, and we expect you’ll agree.

Take a look at our full evaluate of the XLite NXT right here.

The Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XTherm NXT is a hotter and extra sturdy model of the XLite pad listed above. So why does it deserve a particular spot on this record? It’s simply that good.

Insulation (R-value) is a extremely underrated attribute in sleeping pads. For those who’re a chilly sleeper otherwise you backpack in sub-freezing temps, we advocate bumping as much as the XTherm. The newest NXT mannequin is hotter, thicker, and even a contact lighter than earlier than. With such a preposterous warmth-to-weight ratio, the XTherm is undoubtedly top-of-the-line backpacking sleeping pads on the market.

The XTherm additionally has a sturdy layer of 70-denier cloth on the underside – which we love – to fight put on and stop punctures. This pad does make a slight crinkle sound if you shift round on it, however its appreciable strengths far outweigh this minor draw back.

With a weight that’s decrease than the standard 3-season pad, however an R-value prepared for severe winter adventures, it’s no surprise why the NeoAir XTherm has been a fan favourite for a few years.

Take a look at our full evaluate of the XTherm NXT right here.

The Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir UberLite is commonly the sleeping pad you’ll discover in our packs on summer season backpacking journeys. It’s very comfy, has a tiny packed measurement, and better of all – it’s ridiculously light-weight. This helps us preserve our pack weight to an absolute minimal on burly, high-mileage adventures.

Like most ultralight gear, the UberLite is made with skinny supplies, so that you’ll need to watch out with it to keep away from punctures. We clear sharp rocks and pokey sticks from beneath our tents, and we at all times carry restore tape simply in case. Utilizing this small quantity of care, we’ve had nice outcomes maintaining the UberLite absolutely inflated and tremendous comfortable.

Although it requires slightly extra diligence, the UberLite is a very distinctive ultralight backpacking sleeping pad for these trying to preserve pack weight to a minimal.

Take a look at our full evaluate of the UberLite right here.

Bored with worrying about your air pad staying inflated? Look no additional than the inexpensive and hassle-free NEMO Switchback. This closed-cell foam pad is straightforward on the pockets and it’s additionally one of many lightest sleeping pads on our record.

Foam pads are good since you’ll by no means need to spend time inflating/deflating them, and also you’ll by no means have to fret about waking up on the chilly floor since they will’t spring a leak.

The draw back with foam pads just like the Switchback is that they are typically much less comfy than air pads, until you like sleeping on agency surfaces. For that reason, we have a tendency to decide on air pads for many of our backcountry journeys – we attempt to watch out with them, and we at all times carry restore tape simply in case.

Nonetheless, there’s rather a lot to like in regards to the comfort, affordability, and sturdiness of the Switchback. So should you want a agency sleeping floor, simplicity, and worry-free consolation, the NEMO Switchback is likely to be precisely what you’re in search of.

Take a look at our full evaluate of the Switchback right here.

Massive Agnes is named the mom of consolation, and so they’re undoubtedly incomes that title with the Zoom UL. Added consolation can typically imply added bulk and weight in the case of backpacking gear, however the Zoom UL delivers an exceptionally soft night time’s sleep in a small, light-weight bundle.

Pads with comparable weight, R-value (heat), and packability will usually run you $200 or extra, however the Zoom UL is available in at a friendlier worth level. At 3.25 inches thick within the middle (and three.5 inches on the aspect rails to assist preserve you within the center), that is additionally one of many thicker pads on our record. It is a actual benefit for side-sleepers and those that like a squishy pad, because you’ll have extra room to regulate the firmness with out bottoming out.

So with all that stated, why isn’t this pad on the very high of our record? It actually boils all the way down to comfort. The valve is a bit slower and extra finicky to deflate, and the pump sack is our least favourite out of all those we examined. These aren’t the largest gripes on the earth, however in the case of the very best of the very best we needed to be choosy.

Nonetheless, the Zoom UL is an superior worth pad that may have you ever sleeping like a child within the backcountry. So should you prioritize saving cash over having just a few further conveniences, you gained’t be disenchanted by the Zoom UL. Be taught extra in our full evaluate of the Zoom UL right here.

The Klymit Static V is without doubt one of the finest finances air pads available on the market. It’s constructed with thicker supplies than most light-weight backpacking sleeping pads and is barely wider than the usual pad measurement as properly.

The V-shaped air tubes on the Static V are fairly comfy, however the giant areas between air chambers imply it’s possible you’ll backside out whereas shifting round. The 2 greatest downsides of this pad are its low R-value – this pad is finest for summer season journeys – and its primary valve. Klymit does provide an insulated model of the Static V, however it weighs fairly a bit extra, and its true R-value (ASTM) is simply elevated to 1.9.

Drawbacks apart, the Klymit Static V continues to be a fantastic selection for budget-conscious backpackers. It’s sturdy, comfy, and it’ll get the job achieved at a fraction of the worth.

The NEMO Tensor Insulated sleeping pad is thick, comfy, and quieter than virtually any air pad we’ve examined. So should you’re trying to keep away from the crinkle sound some pads have, the Tensor is a wonderful choice.

One other factor that units the Tensor aside is the wide range of form and measurement choices, together with mummy, rectangular, and the elusive common/large mannequin. The oblong fashions are in style, as they permit your toes to relaxation wider aside when again sleeping. This, together with 3 in. of thickness, makes the Tensor an actual stand-out in the case of consolation.

The Tensor additionally comes with top-of-the-line pump sacks available on the market, making inflation quick and simple. On high of that, the zero-profile valve permits for fast deflation and easy micro-adjustments.

We’ve been massive followers of the NEMO Tensor for the reason that first mannequin hit the cabinets, and we nonetheless rock it for journeys the place further consolation is a high precedence.

REI’s Helix Insulated Air options the best R-value of any pad in its worth vary, so it’s a superb worth for chilly sleepers on a good finances.

At 3 inches thick, the Helix may be very soft and cozy. However side-sleepers and people who shift round rather a lot may expertise some bottoming out on account of its dimpled design. Hikers who lie on their again most likely gained’t have a problem with this, although, and can probably discover the air cells to be completely plush.

The largest draw back of the Helix is that it’s one of many heaviest sleeping pads on our record, however it’s additionally one of many warmest. We at all times advocate maintaining pack weight to a minimal to extend general consolation on path, however the Helix has a particularly reasonable price ticket and is insulated sufficient for chilly sleepers to remain comfy.

Sea to Summit makes among the most comfy sleeping pads available on the market, and the Ether Mild XT Insulated (view girls’s right here) is one in all their lightest and cushiest sleeping pads but. The distinctive “air sprung cells” mimic the assist of the mattresses we use at house, and so they cradle the physique in a means commonplace air pad baffles can’t.

The Both Mild can also be 4 inches thick, which can assist you to dial in your most well-liked firmness and make sure you by no means backside out. As well as, the marginally wider aspect rails on the Both Mild assist to maintain you targeted on the pad all through the night time. The “Pillowlock system” on this pad can also be a pleasant contact. It’s designed to maintain your S2S Aeros pillow in place all through the night time.

With an R-value of three.2 and a sturdy construct, the Sea to Summit Ether Mild is a superb match for 3-season backpackers in search of top-tier consolation.

Take a look at our full evaluate of the Ether Mild right here.

Very similar to the Ether Lite XT listed above, Sea to Summit’s Ultralight Insulated pad (view girls’s right here) is without doubt one of the most comfy backpacking pads we’ve examined. Its “air sprung cells” present soft consolation that feels surprisingly like your mattress at house.

The profit the Ultralight has over the Ether Lite largely is available in its extra inexpensive price ticket. The Ultralight can also be nearly as heat and cozy because the Ether Lite, however it’s barely much less cumbersome. At 2 inches thick, some customers may backside out when shifting round on this pad, and the Ultralight won’t be the very best match for aspect sleepers. That stated, the Ultralight nonetheless offers a really comfy night time’s relaxation.

The Ultralight has an excellent valve system and is extra sturdy than the typical air pad as properly. So should you’re available in the market for a snug, light-weight, and sturdy backpacking sleeping pad that prices lower than most of its opponents, the Sea to Summit Ultralight is a superb selection.

The Massive Agnes Rapide SL Insulated is a brilliant soft, sturdy, and heat sleeping pad for 3-season adventures. The place the Rapide differentiates itself from different pads is its giant aspect rails that assist to maintain you targeted on the pad all through the night time.

The Rapide can also be 3.5 inches thick, making it one of many thickest backpacking pads available on the market. This may will let you dial within the good firmness degree to fit your sleeping type. At 19 ounces, the Rapide is among the many heavier sleeping pads on our record, however its distinctive consolation and inexpensive worth level nonetheless make it a fantastic selection for a lot of backpackers.

For many who prioritize consolation over all else, the Massive Agnes Rapide SL is a high contender.