For a good night’s sleep outside, the right sleeping pad is second in importance only to the right sleeping bag. But it’s so often overlooked that we included it in our 10 Tips for sleeping warm outside. In this guide, we describe the 3 types of sleeping pads, the various features of sleeping pads, and the best sleeping pad to choose for camping, backpacking, ultralight backpacking, and winter camping. For a more in depth look at our favorite sleeping pads, check out Best Sleeping Pads 2021
Types of Sleeping Pad
Air Pads
Air pads are made of very thin, lightweight material and filled with air (either from your breath or from a hand pump)–they pack down very small, are lightweight, and are pretty comfortable, due to usually 2-4 inches of cushioning. They’re also expensive, puncture prone, and can make a loud crinkling sound if you move around a lot (possibly waking you or your tent-mate up). Finally, they offer varying levels of insulation.
Check out: Pinnacles National Park Guide
Closed cell foam pads
Closed cell foam pads are the classic, thin sleeping pads made of dense foam with tiny closed air pockets. They don’t have to be blown up, they’re super lightweight, and they can’t be punctured. They’re also inexpensive and offer good insulation. However, they’re bulky and not as comfortable as inflatable pads.
Self-inflating pads
Self-inflating pads combine an air pad with open cell foam (like a sponge). These open cells automatically fill with air when your open the air valve (you can blow in a few breaths for extra firmness). They’re very comfortable, more puncture resistant than air pads, and offer excellent insulation. They are the heaviest type of pad, bulkier than an air pad (but less than closed cell foam) and fall in between the other two types in terms of price .
Read More: How to Choose a Tent
Sleeping Pad Characteristics
Insulation and R-Value
The ground is a major source of heat loss, so a well-insulated pad is critical for staying warm when sleeping on the ground. Similar to sleeping bags, sleeping pads come with a temperature rating called “R-value,” which denotes the pad’s ability to “resist” heat loss. R-values range from 1 (minimal insulation) to 9.5 (very insulated). Air pads and self-inflating pads usually come with either a thin layer of synthetic insulation or a space blanket material inside that traps heat, while closed cell foam pads are inherently resistant to heat loss.
What R-value should I get?
For most 3-season backpacking or camping, a pad with an R-value of 2 to 4 will be sufficient. If you know you’re a cold sleeper, increase this to 5 or 6. For any type of cold weather camping, make sure to have an R-value greater than 5. You can also combine pads (usually by adding a closed cell foam pad to an air pad or self-inflating pad) to get an increased R-value.
Read more: How to choose a backpack
Weight and Pack Size
Different types of pads vary significantly in weight and pack size. Air pads are lightweight and pack down small. Closed cell foam pads are lightweight but bulky. Self-inflating pads are generally the heaviest, but pack down between closed cell and air pads in terms of size. Generally, lighter and smaller sleeping pads are more expensive. For those on a budget, nothing beats closed cell foam. If weight and size are your priority, air pads are the way to go. Self-inflating fall somewhere in between in terms of price and pack size. Their unique selling points are comfort and resistance to puncture.
Check out: How to Fit a Pack
Length and Width
Sleeping pads generally come in a standard size of 20-inches wide and 72-inches long, but it’s easy to find longer or shorter pads. Make sure your pad is long and wide enough to fit you, because you generally don’t want your feet hanging off it. (Pro tip: Some ultralight backpackers use a ¾ length pad to save weight and use their backpack under their feet for insulation.) Likewise, many pads come in a wide version (generally 25-inches wide). If you have broad shoulders or hips, or move around a lot while you sleep, a wider pad can make a big difference. Some sleeping bags now come with an integrated sleeping pad sleeve on the bottom, ensuring you stay on top of your pad. Just double-check the pad you’re buying fits inside the sleeve before you purchase!
SUMMARY CHART
| Type | Air Pad | Closed Cell Foam | Self Inflating |
| Weight | Light (0.5-1.5lbs) | Light (0.75-1.5lbs) | Heavy (2-5lbs) |
| Pack Size | Compact | Bulky | Variable |
| Price | Most Expensive | Least Expensive | Expensive |
| Comfort | Comfortable | Least Comfortable | Most comfortable |
| Puncture Resistant | No | n/a | Mostly |
| Insulation | Variable | Very good | Good |
Check out: How to choose a sleeping bag
Other features
Side Rails
Some sleeping pads come with higher side rails to stop you from rolling off of your pad. Great for wide or active sleepers, specifically if you don’t have a sleeping bag with an integrated pad sleeve.
Hand pumps
Blowing up an air pad can take a while and leave you out of breath. Some pads come with an integrated hand pump that helps with the blowing up process–imagine giving chest compressions to a CPR dummy, and you’ll get a sense for how they work. Other pads come with a storage sack that also works as a pump–just attach the bag to the sleeping pad’s air nozzle, fill the bag with air, and then push the air into the pad.
Patch kit
A leaking pad can quickly ruin a trip. If you’re using an air pad or self-inflating pad, bring a sleeping pad patch kit in case of leaks. There are instant field repair kits and permanent home repair kits, both of which are lightweight and easy to use. Learn how to repair gear on your own or find a gear repair shop near you.
Intended Use Chart
See the chart below for our favorite pad in each category (including budget options). For more information about why we like these sleeping pads, check out Best Sleeping Pads 2021.
| Intended Use | Best Pad | Price | Compare Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car Camping | Exped MegaMat 10 | $230 | REI Moosejaw Backcountry |
| Car Camping (budget) | Thermarest Luxury Map | $110 | REI Moosejaw Backcountry |
| 3-Season Backpacking | Sea to Summit Comfort Plus | $200 | REI Moosejaw Backcountry |
| 3-Season Backpacking (budget) | Thermarest Ridgerest SOlite | $20 | REI Moosejaw Backcountry |
| Ultralight Backpacking | Thermarest NeoAir X-Lite | $130 | REI Moosejaw Backcountry |
| Ultralight Backpacking (budget) | Thermarest Z-Lite SOL | $35 | REI Moosejaw Backcountry |
| Winter Backpacking | Thermarest NeoAir XTherm | $200 | REI Moosejaw Backcountry |
| Winter Backpacking (budget) | Thermarest ProLite + Ridgerest SOlite | $60+$20 | ProLite: REI Moosejaw Backcountry Ridgerest: REI Moosejaw Backcountry |
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