Having a decent sleeping pad is critical for enjoying a good night’s sleep outdoors. The best sleeping pads — combined with a cozy sleeping bag and camping pillow — can even be as comfortable as your bed at home. To help you get the best possible sleep while camping, whether you spent the whole day hiking or just lounging in a camp chair, we talked to several camp experts to get the lowdown on the best sleeping pads on the market.
“There are two routes you can take: closed-cell foam or inflatable,” says Cris Hazzard, a professional hiking guide and creator of HikingGuy. “Closed-cell foam is more durable but much bulkier [however] I’ve found that the reliability of inflatable pads in the last few years has improved tremendously, and I only use inflatables now.”
Wesley Trimble, communications and creative director at the American Hiking Society, added that while closed-cell pads tend to be less comfortable than thicker inflatable pads, especially for side and stomach sleepers, those with closed-cell foam pads don’t have to worry as much about holes and punctures that may arise from incidents like getting caught on a branch or pierced by another one of your belongings in transit. If budgeting is top of mind, Allison Boyle, CEO and founder of She Dreams of Alpine and its Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass coaching program, says a foam pad is “one of those pieces of gear in camping and backpacking that, in my opinion, you can go cheaper on when you are starting if you are tighter on money.”
While inflatable pads and mattresses for car camping tend to be thicker, bulkier and heavier, according to Trimble, you may want to prioritize comfort regardless of weight or size since you won’t have to tote it around. “I love inflatable sleeping pads,” Boyle says. “They get you off the ground a bit more and I find them pretty comfortable for roughing it. They also pack very small, which is a plus for packing your bag when backpacking.”
Bulk might not be a luxury if you’re carrying your belongings, however. For backpackers, Trimble says to factor in weight and packability. If you’re looking to cut weight, he says you may choose to use a three-quarter-length pad that supports the head and torso to just below the knees. Trimble warns that for backpacking, the most lightweight inflatable pads tend to be pricey, and the “thin and crinkly” materials might pose a disturbance for active sleepers and light sleepers. The way you sleep should play into your choice as well, according to Trimble. He says it’s wise to consider whether you sleep on your side, back or stomach, with side sleepers tending to prefer thicker pads of at least 3 inches.
On the other spectrum, if you’re constantly car camping with a partner or your family, you might consider a double sleeping pad, which has enough room for two people to sleep side by side.
The right sleeping pad for you largely depends on your normal use case and what features are most important to you, Trimble says. Ask yourself questions like, “Will you be using the sleeping pad for car camping or backpacking? Will you be using the pad in warm temps or will you be using the pad in cold climates at high elevations or in the colder months?” In that case, if you’ll be hiking, camping or climbing in colder temps, another crucial element to consider in a sleeping pad is the R-value, which Hazzard defines as how much insulation (and comfort) it provides. Trimble offers a general guideline for those looking to make use of this measurement: “For three-season camping, people should choose a pad with an R-value of 3 or more and an R-value of 4 or more for winter or cold-weather camping,” he says, adding that some campers pair an inflatable pad and a foam pad in colder temps to reach the equivalent of a higher R-value.
While Trimble says campers often focus on the temperature rating of their sleeping bag, the R-value of the pad is equally important. The reason? “When laying in a sleeping bag, a camper’s body weight compresses a lot of the insulation on the bottom side of the sleeping bag, which greatly reduces the bag’s insulative properties,” Trimble says. If you’re unsure where to start, take Hazzard’s lead by striking a balance between a high R-value and low weight.
Here are 19 expert-backed sleeping pads for some well-deserved rest at the end of your long day in the great outdoors.
“The Roamer is my favorite for car camping thanks to its next-level comfort and extra-wide size,” says Underscored contributor Heather Balogh Rochfort. “Morning snuggles in the tent with our daughter have never felt cozier. We slept on the Roamer for 90 days straight during a three-month road trip and had no complaints!”
Coming in two widths and designed with 4 inches of non-slip polyester fabric and foam, this cozy sleeping pad is the ideal place to rest your head after an active day in Mother Nature. With its R-value of 8.1 and horizontal air channels, it provides ample insulation without feeling heavy in your pack. Contributing to its ready-for-anything qualities are the included repair kit with adhesives and fabric patches, as well as the included mini pump for quick inflation.
If you're a camper who wants all the comforts of home, the Hest Foamy sleeping pad is the one for you. Made with temperature-resilient memory foam, the Foamy is seriously one of the most comfortable sleeping pads we've ever tested. "I was shocked by just how comfy Hest's sleeping mattress was," says Kai Burkhardt, outdoors editor at CNN Underscored. "They aren't very portable, but if you're car camping and have the room, this is definitely the pad I would choose. It's so comfy that I actually use it instead of an air mattress when I have guests stay over."
This pad is part of REI Co-op's Trailmade Backpacking Bundle, and even though we think it's a bit too heavy for optimal backpacking conditions, it makes for a great well-priced car camping pad. "For $85, I don't think I've tried a better sleeping pad," Burkhardt says. "It isn't the lightest or the most comfortable, but for people who don't want to spend a fortune on a sleeping pad — whether you're car camping or backpacking — I would point them to the Trailmade pad."
With 3 inches of padding, this self-inflating Sea to Summit pad is perfect for your first trip out. It's decently lightweight and packable; it has an R-value of 4.3, which is perfect for three-season camping; and it has a system that locks a Sea to Summit camping pillow to the pad so it doesn't slide around all night.
This cloud-like sleeping pad for two will have you snoozing like a baby with its generous R-value of 8.4, 4 inches of foam padding ideal for side sleepers, waterproof-treated soft fabric to keep you dry and reinforced abrasion-resistant underside. It comes with its own carrying sack for compact storing and toting, and a quick tap of the valve allows you to adjust your desired firmness.
For a camping experience that errs on the side of glamping, look no further than this Ferrari of a sleeping pad. It’s made with memory foam used in popular home mattresses, allowing you to create a true home away from home. It measures 3.9 inches thick for sleepers of all styles, features a removable and washable cover to maintain its pristine condition and comes with a side pocket to keep your phone within arm’s reach. Weighing 24 pounds for the long version, it’s ideal for stationary stays at the campground, but it folds in half for easy storage when not in use.
Weighing just 1 pound, 13 ounces, this impressively lightweight pad can still comfortably sleep two. Perfect for three-season camping in the backcountry, the Exped has a thickness of 3 inches and a 2.9 R-value.
“There are a ton of great brands out there to choose from, but my go-to brand is Therm-a-Rest,” Boyle says. “My favorite sleeping pad is something that I splurged on for mountaineering trips. It's called the Therm-a-Rest XTherm and I love it because of the insulation benefits it has.”
The NeoAir XLite NXT is one of Therm-a-Rest's bestselling pads, and for good reason. The regular size only weighs 13 ounces, it packs down to the size of a water bottle and it offers a plush 3 inches of cushion. The only drawback is it doesn't come with a pump bag, so you'll have to huff and puff until it's inflated.
“I picked up a Nemo Quasar 3D pad last year, and it's been the best of the pack so far in all but the coldest environments,” Hazzard says. “It packs small and is relatively light, but more importantly, it allows me to comfortably roll onto my side at night. It's one of the most comfortable backpacking pads I've ever slept on.”
“I’m the kind of gal who’s popped a lot of sleeping pads, and it’s nice to know that REI Co-op has come up with a fairly well-priced sleeping pad with an excellent R-value,” says Underscored contributor Emily Pennington. “They used to have one called the Flash that was discontinued, but this new Helix is the jam.”
With its cushiony egg-shaped nodes and light weight of just 1 pound, this Amazon’s Choice closed-cell foam sleeping pad makes for a convenient addition to your next adventure. Its aluminum film helps trap heat for extra insulation and it packs up accordion-style into a 5-inch brick for easy storing atop your pack.
With more than 33,000 Amazon reviews, it’s safe to say this bestselling inflatable sleeping pad has gotten many a hiker through the night. While it only weighs less than 1 pound and packs down to the size of a water bottle, according to the brand, its waterproof ripstop nylon material will keep you warm in temps as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit (keep in mind that with its 2.1 R-value, it’s more of a suitable sleeping and lounging option for summer months when you’re looking to avoid getting overheated while you sleep). In as little as 10 breaths to inflate it, you’ll be drifting off anywhere, any time.
Weighing less than 1 pound for both the short and regular sizing options and offering a moderate R-value of 2, this simple sleeping pad made of closed-cell foam is a great way to add extra warmth to an inflatable pad in cooler temperatures. It features a heat-reflective film further contributing to its warmth, and its tall and wide nodes offer next-level plushness that won’t compress under the weight of your sleeping bag.
This insulated sleeping pad has an R-value of 4.8, making it the perfect choice for shoulder season. Plus, Big Agnes designed the baffles on this pad to help keep your weight centered, so you don't slide off in the middle of the night.
“I’ve slept like a baby on this sleeping pad in many different conditions, including on a rocky riverbank in the backcountry of Arkansas and in 30-degree weather in the middle of Wisconsin,” says Underscored contributor Erica Zazo. “It’s super packable but also extremely warm and cushioned — and I always sleep comfortably on it.”
Nemo's ever-popular Tensor sleeping pad also comes in an all-season variation for hardcore backpackers and campers looking to camp in the winter. It's got an R-value of 5.4 while weighing about 1 pound.
An R-value of 7 makes this $119 REI sleeping pad quite the steal for any winter campers. The downside is its weight. At 3 pounds, 8 ounces for the regular size, it isn't exactly the lightest on the market. But for car campers, this pad is definitely packable enough and the perfect pick for your first time sleeping in the snow.