Looking to find the best sleeping pad for your next adventure? From the best sleeping bags for backpackers to car campers, read on for some of the best sleeping pads on the market, plus how to pick the right pad for your adventures!

Why this blog? My name is Maddy and I’ve been working as a sea kayaking guide since 2018! I’ve paddled and camped for 70 days straight off the British Columbia Coast, backpacked throughout the United States (and even in Armenia once!) and today still guide and lead overnight women’s trips in addition to working as a writer in the outdoor industry! I’ve got hands on experience with gear in a variety of conditions and over long periods of time, and I’m stoked to help match you to the right gear for your adventure needs!

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Best Sleeping Pads:

From the best sleeping pads for backpackers looking to keep their packs feather-light to the coziest set ups for car camping, check out the best sleeping pads on the market:

• Nemo Tensor: Best all around sleeping pad ($200)
• Nemo Switchback: Best closed-cell foam sleeping pad ($55)
• Exped Megamat: Best luxury car camping sleeping pad / double sleeping pad ($400+)
• Exped Dura Sleeping Pad: Best durable/cold weather sleeping pad ($190)
• Sea to Summit Ultralight Air: Best lightweight backpacking sleeping pad ($140)
• Klymit Static V: Best budget sleeping pad ($70)
• Coleman Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad: Best budget self-inflating ($70)
• Stansport Lightweight Foam Sleeping Pad: Ultimate budget lightweight foam pad ($32)
• Thermarest Trail ProLite Sleeping Pad: Best self-inflating ($135)

1) Nemo Tensor: Best all around sleeping pad ($200)

If you’re looking for the best all around sleeping pad, look no further than the Nemo Tensor. I scored my Tensor through the REI resale section after my Big Agnes AirCore completely delaminated. The Aircore saw about two hard summers of use kayak guiding before kicking the bucketed, and I’d read good things about the Tensor and decided to give it a whirl.

That was in 2023. To this day, the tensor is still my go-to sleeping pad. It’s survived another three summers of guiding, a handful of backpacking trips, a brief stint living out of my car (see below, left), and is still going strong.

A few things I like about the Tensor: It’s both lightweight and extremely packable, making it ideal for paddling overnights and backpacking both. At the same time, it’s extremely comfortable. I’ve had it out in temperatures down to the low 40s overnight without issue.

READ: Best Camping Stoves

2) Nemo Switchback: Best closed-cell foam sleeping pad ($55)

When it comes to backpacking sleeping pads, closed-cell foam sleeping pads like the Nemo Switchback are a popular choice for backpackers looking for a lightweight, budget option. Personally, I find these to be pretty uncomfortable unless I’m camping in sand or on extremely soft surfaces in warm temperatures. Closed cell foam pads offer a little insulation, and virtually no padding for comfort.

I’ll only use a pad like this if I’m backpacking and know I’ll be sleeping somewhere comfortable. Alternately, they make for a great double-layer sleeping pad system by pairing a closed-cell foam pad like the switchback with an inflatable pad layered on top. This is pretty comfortable and a lot of people swear by this method. One thing to keep in mind that a closed-cell foam pad takes up a lot of space, and isn’t ideal for a lot of paddling trips (think: hard to pack in a sea kayak).

3) Exped Megamat: Best luxury car camping sleeping pad / double sleeping pad ($400+)

If you’re looking to car camp on something more comfortable than the average mattress, check out the Exped Megamat. This thing inflated is several inches thick, fits in the bed of a truck easily (or in my Subaru with all the seats down but you really need to pad out the car or build a platform so it isn’t lumpy). This was my go-to sleeping pad for the two summers I lived out of a tent while working as a kayak guide.

The Exped Megamat also makes for a good winter sleeping pad, with an R-value of 8.1.

What is R-Value in Sleeping Pads?

R-Value refers to the sleeping pad’s thermal resistance, or put simply, how much insulation it offers you, the sleeper, from the cold ground or air below. R-Value is used to measure all kinds of insulation, not just sleeping pads! You’ll want an R-Value greater than four for most cold weather camping, and for true winter camping in the snow an R-value of greater than five. I recommend stacking a closed-cell foam pad beneath an inflatable for colder weather conditions.

READ: Ultimate Guide to Car Camping

4) Exped Dura Sleeping Pad: Best durable/cold weather sleeping pad ($190)

The Exped Dura is a great cold-weather sleeping pad with an R-value of 4.8. It’s tangibly thicker and more durable than ultralight options but keep in mind that that means it’s heavier and takes up more space.

I used this pad for a ski trip weekend in a dry cabin and it was a really good fit for cabin out on the floor of a wood-heated cabin in the woods.

5) Sea to Summit Ultralight Air: Best lightweight backpacking sleeping pad ($140)

The Sea to Summit Ultralight Air is one of the best ultralight sleeping pads out there weighing just 12.2 ounces in it’s smallest size with an R-value of 1. This pad is great for summer camping trips to add a little bit of comfort overnight.

Between the Sea to Summit Ultralight Air and the Nemo Tensor, where the Tensor is 13 ounces with an R-value of 2.8, the Sea to Summit Ultralight Air is only slightly lighter than the Nemo Tensor, with less padding. In my opinion, if you have the budget for the Tensor go for the Tensor.

READ: Backpacking Checklist for Beginners

6) Klymit Static V: Best budget sleeping pad ($70)

The Klymit Static V is the best budget inflatable sleeping pad on the market weighing just under 1.2 pounds with an R-Value of 1.3. The Klymit Static V is a good fit for beginner backpackers looking to get on the trail for their first couple trips without breaking the bank.

7) Coleman Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad: Best budget self-inflating cold weather pad ($70)

The Coleman Silver Springs Self-Inflating Camping Pad is a great budget-friendly self-inflating sleeping pad with an R-value of 5. This pad also weighs five pounds, so keep that in mind if you’re planning on carrying the weight!

READ: Camping Packing List

8) Stansport Lightweight Foam Sleeping Pad: Ultimate budget lightweight foam pad ($32)

If you’re looking for the cheapest possible sleeping pad, just grab a basic closed-cell foam pad like the Stansport Lightweight Foam Sleeping Pad.

One benefit of the closed-cell foam budget pad is that you can use them a lot of ways beyond just a sleeping pad. I like to bring them on day hikes as a spot to sit for lunch, layer them beneath an inflatable pad for extra warmth and comfort, or keep it in my car tailgate for a spot to sit or something to stand on if I need to change.

9)Thermarest Trail ProLite Sleeping Pad: Best self-inflating ($135)

The Therm-A-rest Trail ProLite Sleeping Pad in it’s smallest model is 1 pound, 8 ounces with an R-value of 3.8, making it a good warmer mid-weight sleeping pad for casual backpackers, paddlers and car campers.

This pad is self-inflating, which is a good fit for anyone who doesn’t like inflating a sleeping pad using the wind/inflation sack which can take some time.

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