A sleeping pad can make or break your trip. Spending a warm, comfortable night sleeping under the stars sounds amazing—but moving around restlessly through an entire night isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. Don’t underestimate the importance of finding the best sleeping pads! They’re so critical—and so often overlooked—that we included them in our 10 Tips for staying warm while sleeping outside.
Below is a list of the best sleeping pads of 2019. We sorted them into the main use categories: car camping, 3-season backpacking, ultralight backpacking, and winter backpacking, and included both our top picks, plus budget options for each category.
For more info about these categories and how to choose the best sleeping pads for your specific needs, check out our guide to choosing a sleeping pad.
Note: The dimensions and weight are of the regular size pad. Most pads also come in wide and extra-long versions.
Best Sleeping Pads for Car Camping
Top Pick
Exped MegaMat 10
Price: $230
Type: Self-inflating
Shape: Rectangular
Dimensions (inches): 77.6 x 30.3 x 3.9
R-Value: 9.5
Weight: 5lbs 9oz
What we like:
- Wide, long, warm, and with a nice plush thickness for ultimate comfort.
- Self-inflating, but includes a hand pump for easy top off.
- Includes self-repair kit with adhesive and fabric patches.
Compare Prices: REI Ι Moosejaw Ι Backcountry Ι Amazon
Read More: How to Fit a Backpack
Budget Option
Thermarest Luxury Map
Price: $110
Type: Self-inflating
Shape: Rectangular
Dimensions (inches): 72 x 20 x 3
R-Value: 6
Weight: 3lbs 4oz
What we like:
- Inexpensive pad that doesn’t cut corners in comfort and warmth.
- Comes in a long (77 x 25 x 3) and wide (77 x 30 x 3) version.
- Includes stuff sack with easy-carry handle.
Compare Prices: REI Ι Moosejaw Ι Backcountry Ι Amazon
Check out: Gift Ideas for the Outdoorsy Mom
Best Sleeping Pads for 3-season Backpacking
Top Pick
Sea to Summit Comfort Plus
Price: $200
Type: Air pad
Shape: Mummy
Dimensions (inches): 72 x 21.5 x 2.5
R-Value: 5
Weight: 1lb 9.5oz
What we like:
- Winner of Backpacker magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award.
- Great balance of warmth, comfort, and weight—ideal for backpacking.
- Dual-layer design creates redundancy; even if one side gets punctured, the other remains fully functional.
Check out: How to Choose a Tent
Budget Option
Thermarest Ridgerest SOlite
Price: $30
Type: Closed cell foam
Shape: Rectangular
Dimensions (inches): 72 x 20 x 0.62
R-Value: 2.8
Weight: 14 oz
What we like:
- Very inexpensive.
- Closed cell foam means there’s no risk of puncture.
- Comes in a long (77 x 25) and short (48 x 20) version.
Compare Prices: REI Ι Moosejaw Ι Backcountry Ι Amazon
Check out: Guide to the Best Headlamps for Every Type of Adventure
Best Sleeping Pads for Ultralight backpacking
Top Pick
Thermarest NeoAir X-Lite
Price: $170
Type: Air pad
Shape: Mummy
Dimensions (inches): 72 x 20 x 2.5 (regular)
R-Value: 3.2
Weight: 12 oz
What we like:
- Super lightweight while packing down super small.
- Internal heat-reflecting layer adds warmth without weight or bulk.
- New, softer fabric feels nice on your skin while adding durability.
Compare Prices: REI Ι Moosejaw Ι Backcountry Ι Amazon
Check out: The Best Daypacks for Every Adventure
Budget Option
Thermarest Z-Lite SOL
Price: $45
Type: Closed cell foam
Shape: Rectangular
Dimensions (inches): 72 x 20 x 0.75
R-Value: 2.6
Weight: 14 oz
What we like:
- Super lightweight at a reasonable price.
- Egg carton pattern makes it more comfortable than the classic Ridgerest SOlite.
- Accordion fold system packs down easily.
Compare Prices: REI Ι Moosejaw Ι Backcountry Ι Amazon
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Best Sleeping Pads for Winter backpacking
Top Pick
Thermarest NeoAir XTherm
Price: $200
Type: Air pad
Shape: Mummy
Dimensions (inches): 72 x 20 x 2.5
R-Value: 5.7
Weight: 15 oz
What we like:
- The warmest lightweight air pad on the market.
- At under 1lb and a super small pack size, this pad is still super warm and comfortable.
- Stuff sack and repair kit included.
Compare Prices: REI Ι Moosejaw Ι Backcountry Ι Amazon
Looking for more? Check out Climbing Festivals Across America in 2021
Budget Option
Thermarest ProLite + Thermarest Ridgerest SOlite
Price: $120 ($90 + $30)
Type: Air pad + closed cell foam
Shape: Mummy + rectangular
Dimensions: 72 x 20 x 1 (regular) + 72 x 20 x 0.62 (regular)
R-Value: 2.4 + 2.8 (5.2 combined)
Weight: 16oz + 14oz (1lb 14oz combined)
What we like:
- An inexpensive option that allows for custom comfort. Bring one or both depending on the trip.
- Adding the ProLite to the closed cell foam Ridgerest adds lots of comfort with minimal weight.
- If the ProLite is punctured, you don’t lose all R-value since you still have the closed cell foam Ridgerest.
ProLite- Compare Prices: REI Ι Moosejaw Ι Backcountry Ι Amazon
SOLite- Compare Prices: REI Ι Moosejaw Ι Backcountry Ι Amazon
Summary chart
| Intended Use | Our Favorite | Compare Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Car Camping | Exped MegaMat 10 | REI Moosejaw Backcountry Amazon |
| Car Camping (budget option) | Thermarest Luxury Map | REI Moosejaw Backcountry Amazon |
| 3-season Backpacking | Sea to Summit Comfort Plus | REI Amazon |
| 3-season Backpacking (budget option) | Thermarest Ridgerest SOlite | REI Moosejaw Backcountry Amazon |
| Ultralight Backpacking | Thermarest NeoAir X-lite | REI Moosejaw Backcountry Amazon |
| Ultralight Backpacking (budget option) | Thermarest Z-lite SOL | REI Moosejaw Backcountry Amazon |
| Winter Backpacking | Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm | REI Moosejaw Backcountry Amazon |
| Winter Backpacking (budget option) | Thermarest ProLite + Thermarest Ridgerest SOlite | ProLite: REI Moosejaw Backcountry Amazon Ridgerest: REI Moosejaw Backcountry Amazon |
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