Its vertical baffling was especially popular with side-sleepers. If you dont have a kit on hand, a urethane-based glue, such as Gear Aid or Aquaseal, should do the trick. We compared this pad side by side with a $12 Stansport Pack-Lite closed-cell foam mat (aka a blue pad) that we bought at Walmart, and it was no contest: The Z Lite Sol was far more comfortable. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, 77 inches long, and 25 or 30 inches wide, respectively, Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat, A comfortable double-pad option for couples and families, A cheap, warm, close-to-indestructible pad, Our pick for car camping: Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap, Our pick for backpacking: Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat, Nemo Tensor Insulated Insulated Sleeping Pad, Teton Sports ComfortLite Self Inflating Pad, Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra Sleeping Pad, Stansport Pack-Lite Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad, REI Co-op Camp Dreamer XL Self-Inflating Deluxe Bed, and author of National Geographics The Ultimate Hikers Gear Guide, and founder of hunting gear and apparel company Kuiu, co-director of the Institute for Environmental Research at Kansas State University, long-distance hiker, instructor/guide with Andrew Skurka, author of PMags.com, host of the Trail Show podcast, and contributing author to the Colorado Trail guidebook. And the classic Therm-a-Rest air valve (which youll find on other Therm-a-Rest products) is prone to collecting sand and dirt over time as you open and close it. And even when the bed is packed down as small as possible, it still barely fits into its carry sack. You can also layer it under other pads to increase comfort and warmth, especially in the winter. After using 34 sleeping bags in the Western wild, we think the REI Co-op Siesta 25 is the best for basic campingand we have backpacking and couples picks too.
Plus, the pad takes longer to fill with your breath, compared with the Ether. Although less insulating from the cold ground than the LuxuryMap, the Ether Light XT (with a 3.2 R-value) should also serve three-season backpackers well in terms of warmth. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. The surface is extremely firm, but the sophisticated pattern of heat-trapping dimples felt cushier than its width led us to expect. It weighs 7 ounces, which may make it a too-heavy add-on for weight-conscious backpackers. If you suspect a puncture and are near a bathtub, fill the tub with soapy water, inflate the pad, and then submerge it in the tub (the soap bubbles make any air leakage more obvious). The regular pad is 72 inches long; if you need one thats longer or shorter, you can order it in small (66 inches) or large (78 inches). Our testers particularly appreciated that it provided a comfortable night of sleep, regardless of sleep position. But if youre looking to buy a sleeping surface specifically for camping, our dozens of hours of research and testing have led us to this conclusion: Your best bet is a camping-specific pad that rises just a couple of inches off the ground. But if you desire actual firmness, youll want to use an air pump. And though it isnt particularly compact, you dont have to worry about damaging it simply by bungeeing it to the outside of a pack. For a warmer and cozier sleep experience while backpacking or car camping: Try the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX. By contrast, the Ether Light XTs smaller air pockets created a more evenly balanced environment.) It also inflates quickly, like our top pick for backpackers, and is easy to pack down. The pad has an ultra-toasty R-value of 6, the second highest of all the pads we considered. Most people find self-inflating pads to be the most comfortable of the three types. Stock issues abound, but we have a new backpacking pick, the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT, for sleepers seeking optimal support. The zigzagging V-shaped baffle designwhich supposedly contours to the bodywas polarizing in our tests. The Z Lite Sol comes in a 20-by-51-inch small size and a 20-by-72-inch medium size. Enter your phone number and we'll send you a download link. yeti You can also grab a few extra inches by purchasing a large size, which runs 78 by 25 inches. We independently review everything we recommend.
After five years of testing sleeping pads, were fed up with stuff sacks that are a struggle to stuff. It packs down to the size of a 1-liter Nalgene bottle, and its R-value of 4.2 means you cant find a lighter-weight pad thats as warm. Then we took the pads camping, on a total of six trips with a total of 23 overnight testers.
We concluded that the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap Sleeping Pad is the best choice for car campers and the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat is the most supportive pad for backpackers. On a cold or rainy morning, the quicker and neater this process is, the happier the camper. The self-inflating Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap Sleeping Pad has long been a favorite with our testers, and it has stood the test of timefive years of car-camping trips, to be more specific. Side-sleepers, back-sleepers, and stomach-sleepers alike found this pad to be comfortable and supportive. Jenni spends much of her time in the Central Oregon mountains with her toddler son, husband, and dog. Side-sleepers may especially appreciate the extra width for stretching out. Seven backpacking friends helped us evaluate pads after strenuous high-mileage days on the trail. Big Agnes SLX Tent Floor Pad: With room for two people (50 by 78 inches), this tapered air-construction pad is meant for couples who backpack or for backpackers who want to spread out. Yet if youre making a choice based on insulation and have the budget to pay slightly more, the MondoKing is worth considering. The MegaMat Duo offers the warmest, most-insulated sleeping environment of any pad we tested for this guide.
As is true of the walls in your home, when it comes to a sleeping pad, you cant tell just by looking at it whats inside and how warm it will keep you. During our tests, our favorite valves were one-way, preventing air loss when we took a gasp of breath. This pad is bulkier and heavier than the NeoAir XLite, and it is comparable to our top pick. This pad has a comfy mummy shape and a quilted air-cell design that keeps you from bottoming out, whether you prefer to sleep on your side, back, or stomach. (We noticed that the LuxuryMap didnt pick up lint and dirt the way some competitor mattresses did, likely due to these material choices.) At just 14 ounces, the Z Lite Sol is light enough for most backpackers. Backpackers looking for a supportive, sturdy sleeping pad thats wider at the hips should be delighted by the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat. Counterintuitively, these types of pads are often more comfortable, warmer, and likely more durable than full-size air mattresses. At 3 inches thick, the LuxuryMap provides enough support to avoid bottoming out, even for side-sleepers. She is the instructor of Backpacker Magazines online Thru-Hiking 101 class. Therm-a-Rest has been making self-inflating pads since the early 1970s, and it has an excellent track record of manufacturing durable products that last for years, if not decades.
Some pads use valves and inflation techniques that are particularly intuitive or have smart protections against clogging with dirt or breaking. (Most of the other air beds we tested had horizontal air tubes, which we found created a less stable surface.
So choose your method based on your preferences. A higher R-value means a warmer pad.
This badge confirms that this seller has high ratings based on customer satisfaction and on-time delivery. Even though it wasnt the lightest pad we tried, our testers found the Ether Light XT offered the best balance of comfort and a light-enough carrying weight for an overnight backpacking trip. When setting up camp, avoid rough spots whenever possible, and clear your camping area of spiky plants, pine cones, and rocks; these could puncture or abrade your sleeping pad (if you use your pad as a sitting area for breaks during the day, follow the same precautions).
With nothing to puncture, a pad of this type can last for decades, especially if you use it infrequently. But as long as youre parked close to your campsite, this shouldnt bother you. Though some people might consider this sound to be a minor annoyance at worst, for others its a dealbreaker; after spending a weekend camping with a noisy pad, you may find yourself shopping for more than a new set of earplugs.
Kalee Thompson is the senior editor heading up the team responsible for health, fitness, sleep, and baby/kid coverage. In general, we found the self-inflating pads to be more comfortable for car camping (and feel more like a real mattress) than cheaper solid-foam pads or pricier air-construction pads popular for backpacking, mostly because of their combination of foam and air. The mummy shape meant that multiple testers of different sizes were less likely to roll off the pad in the night (compared with a rectangular pad, which tended to be more uniformly narrow). (We have yet to test this add-on.). The pad was also easier to inflate than the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite; surprisingly, the included pump bag actually inflated the pad to max capacity fairly quickly. These pads are filled with a couch-cushion-like foam that decompresses when you unroll the pad and open up the air valve; our top pick for car camping and our double pad pick are both in this category. Kalee Thompson, a senior editor at Wirecutter, is a longtime hiker and camper who made the transition from backpacking to car camping when her first son was born. These days, her camping trips are mostly of the car-oriented variety (kids change things!). The only downside: This pad is heavy. But theres another option: Invest in a lightweight air pump.
Sea to Summit uses a slightly less durable face fabric (30 and 40 deniers, compared with the 50 and 75 deniers of the LuxuryMap, our car-camping pick). Theyre far more compact and easy to transport than a futon or cot, and theyre more cushy and comfortable than most exercise mats. The inflation process is fairly straightforward, and the bed stays firmly inflated for several days. The Exped Widget Pump isnt directly compatible with non-Exped bedsits seal works best with Exped pads. Stansport Pack-Lite Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad: Sleeping on this thin, firm strip of foam is better than sleeping directly on the ground. Keep in mind, too, that your sleeping system is about more than just cushiness. Its not easy to inflate. Store it inside your pack, said National Outdoor Leadership School guide and instructor Ryan Linn.
The pad is made with foam and has additional air pouches throughout, and the face fabric is soft and durable. If youre focused on weight, look to our Other good sleeping pads section for a better solution. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Two pads may appear identical, yet one may use synthetic or down insulation and/or baffled structures to create additional insulation. Most people clearly prefer sleeping on a comfortable, forgiving surface. And since it really cant be damaged, you cant go wrong loaning this pad to friends.
Nemo Tensor Insulated Insulated Sleeping Pad: During the first round of testing, our backpacking testers found this 15-ounce pad to be comfortable, and they loved its two one-way valves (one valve that only lets air in, plus a larger valve that only lets air out). But if youre exhausted after a long day on the trail, youre an adult who isnt picky about sleeping surfaces, or youre a kid who doesnt know any better, the Z Lite Sol could very well be the pad for you.
Shes also a life-long hiker and camper whos logged hundreds of miles on Pacific Northwest trails.
Still, the pad has an R-value of 2.6, which is impressively warm for how thin it is. And its easier to inflate, deflate, roll, and store than any other car-camping pad.
This pad has a single valve thats simple and intuitive to use. For larger holes, use the self-adhesive fabric patch that comes in your kit (for most pads), and apply a little glue beforehand, just to make sure it sticks. We found that some sleeping-pad surfaces were more slippery than others. There is a downside to the Ether Light XTs comfort, though: Its slightly heavier than its backpacking competitors (the large weighs 1 pound 6 ounces, and the regular weighs about 17 ounces). But that weight cut comes at a cost: The NeoAir XLite receives consistent complaints for being narrow, crinkly-sounding, and less supportive for side-sleepers. It can be tough to get pads fully firm, and having to wait for your bed to inflate at the end of the day can be annoying. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (This is the main argument against the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite.) Teton Sports ComfortLite Self Inflating Pad: The ComfortLite is another big, cushy self-inflating pad that clearly trailed our favorite, the LuxuryMap, in overall comfort. The MegaMat Duo inflates with a self-inflate valve. And its not easy to carry around. Yet the air flow is so powerful that we found it still works on other pads even without a direct seal, speeding up the inflation process tenfold. Still, for those who are not concerned about bulk, we recommend paying a little more for the large, 25-by-77-inch pad. Take a Sharpie marker or an oil crayon and circle the area, and then dry the pad thoroughly. If you prefer sleeping on a firmer surface: Consider the Exped SynMat HL. These are simple, low-tech design decisions that make for a drastically improved overall user experience. We also initially tried some car-camping pads that didnt self-inflate. The Ether Light XTs larger size also makes it slightly more annoying to pack down than some of the other pads we tested. Our long and narrow testers found the baffles comfortable and said the design prevented them from slipping off the pad during the night. You can buy this pad in the Womens Ultralight versionif youre a shorter person with wider hips. Lined up against much more expensive self-inflating pads and air-construction mattresses, the Z Lite Sol, at just inch thick, is clearly less comfortable. If you do, and your current sleeping setup leaves you feeling cold or uncomfortable, this guide is for you. But its the most comfortable pad in the game. Do you occasionally like to sleep outside, in a tent or under the stars? You do need to charge the pump before a backpacking trip by using a USB. One of our testers dubbed it the Cadillac of backpacking pads.. A good sleeping pad can transform hours of tossing and turning in the wild into a decent nights sleep. Limited time offer, ends 07/31 By NAIPO Official Store. Do you need a sleeping pad at all?
They are the most expensive of the bunch, too, starting at about $95. This pump charges with a USB and comes with two sizes of adaptors (which we found we didnt need to use, given the strong stream of air). *At the time of publishing, the price was $44. Like most pads, the Z Lite Sol will wear down with heavy use, which can decrease its insulating properties. Enter: an air pump. Todays camping-specific sleeping pads are generally one of three types: closed-cell foam pads, self-inflating open-cell foam pads, or fully inflatable air-construction mattresses. We found that topping it off with an air pump provided the ultimate firmness. Eventually, if the pad does have a leak, bubbles will form. You can strap this kind of pad to the outside of a backpack, use it as a seat near the campfire, try to float on it in a river or lake, and otherwise treat it badly without fear of retribution. This 3-inch-thick pad has extra foam, with an air pocket on top (placed exactly where the body exerts more pressure; this increases comfort and helps prevent the pad from bottoming out overnight, a common problem).
However, we soon became convinced that we preferred the greater comfort and easy setup of a self-inflating pad, and we made self-inflation one of our criteria for choosing a car-camping pad. If youre an ultralight backpacker: Consider the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite. During our first testing round for this guide, in 2016, we spent a dozen hours sifting through the hundreds of items in this category to determine our testing lineup of 15 backpacking pads and car-camping pads. The MegaMat Duo is 3.9 inches thick and weighs about 7 pounds (the LW+ model is almost 10 pounds), and it has an R-value of 8.1, making it the largest and warmest option we tested. Over the course of two years and dozens of camping trips with a small child, our testers never observed damage to the MegaMat Duo. And its carry bag was refreshingly easy to stuff and tote around (not often the case with larger sleeping pads). Give your glue plenty of time to dry out without touching other surfaces; depending on the material, this can take three to 24 hours. The more layers between your sleeping pad and the ground, the better. So we werent able to test the Exped SynMat HL, the REI Co-op Camp Dreamer XL Self-Inflating Deluxe Bed, the Nemo Roamer Sleeping Pad, the Big Agnes Q-Core Deluxe Sleeping Pad, or the ALPS Mountaineering Outback Mat. Luckily, most inflatable air-construction-design mattresses come with repair kits, as do some self-inflating car-camping pads. The Exped MegaMat Duo 10 M is a beast in sleeping-pad land: The medium-wide model, which we tested, is 72 by 41 inches and weighs 7 pounds; the large-wide is 10 pounds. A closed-cell foam pad is a smart choice for kids because a tear or puncture is no big deal (unlike with inflatable pads). Fully inflatable air-construction mattresses get almost all of their loft from your own lungs or from an electric pump. This pad can last for decades, especially if it sees infrequent use. The lightest pads can have tops as low as 20 denier, or 20 D (very thin threads), which leads to an increased risk of abrasion. With an R-value of 3.2, this pad is comparable to our backpacking picks but not as warm as our car-camping picks, and the bed is tough to inflate. We screen and compare our supply chain over and over again, and design our products to satisfy our customers in every detail. Such models are also faster and easier to inflate than pads you have to blow up manually. Nemo has since redesigned this sleeping pad in an ultralight setup; well add it to our list of options to test in the future. Learn more. This lightweight (14 ounces) pad is warm, durable, and inexpensive.
When the Wirecutter outdoor team goes car campingas opposed to backpacking and carrying gear into the wildernessthis is the gear they bring. The interior of the mattress is composed of PU foam and a certain gap, and weighs 13.6 pounds, so it is not suitable for backpacking or short-distance light travel. One downside: Though its less than half the weight of our car-camping pick, the Ether Light XT is about 5 ounces heavier than some of the other backpacking pads we tested, and its slightly harder to pack down. In our tests, the LuxuryMaps face fabric seemed to reject lint and dirt better than fabric on rival pads. Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad: This slightly heavier (and cheaper) version of the Klymit pad we tested for backpacking inflated quickly and easily. (The company also sells an extra-large version, which is the same length as a large but wider.) If so, this guide is for you too. As our team pursues -- bring high quality products to our customers,add more joy to the family life of consumers. We also tested double pads for car camping, landing on the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 as the ideal option for families and couples. Liz Thomas has hiked more than 15,000 miles and once held the womens unassisted speed record on the Appalachian Trail (over 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine). This simple pad will keep you much warmer than most AeroBed-style air mattresses. It may be obvious, but dont store your [inflatable] sleeping pad on the outside of your pack during the day. But if you can find it, we think its a great option for those who prefer a firmer surface. But it is absolutely the most comfortable double sleeping pad you can buyso comfortable, in fact, that many of our testers found themselves using this pad for guests in their home, instead of a typical air mattress. But the MondoKing has an extra inch of thickness, which makes it heavier (the XXL is over 2 pounds heavier than the LuxuryMap!). Or you can, of course, buy a self-inflating pad. If youre willing to be slightly inconvenienced by the size of this bed and its deflation process, we think youll reap some serious benefits from sleeping cozily under the stars. To reduce the chance of problems, look for a pad made with thicker, higher-denier fabrics (lower-denier fabrics offer the thinnest, lightest, and softest threads; fabrics with higher-denier counts, like the LuxuryMap, offer a beefy protection against the elements). Of the nine pads we tested for car camping, fourincluding the LuxuryMapwere self-inflating. During a later round of testing, we carried 10 additional pads around the Upper Peninsula and we tried them out in the mountains of Central Oregon, too. If youre looking for more insulation during a car-camping trip: The Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D is comparable to the LuxuryMap, our car-camping pick. Nothing ruins a backpacking or camping trip like a hole in a sleeping pad. The process is similar to what you would do at home in a bathtub.
When Linn repairs pads in the field, he uses barge cement, which is similar to Shoe Goo but multipurpose. Jenni Gritters has been reviewing outdoor, travel, and childrens gear for more than five years and has worked in journalism for nearly a decade.
The type of pad you want depends on where youre headed, so we have picks for car campers (anyone who wont be lugging their pad far and so are more concerned with comfort than with heft and weight) and backpackers (anyone who intends to carry all of their gear on their back for miles and so is best served by a compact, lightweight pad). Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Investing in some high-quality basics can get kids excited about camping outand help you avoid a mid-trip detour to the nearest big-box store. If youre looking for a very light pad, you may prefer the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite. Our budget pick will work for people who are just getting into camping or backpacking and want a solid model before they invest in a higher-quality pad. In addition to drawing on personal experience, we talked to experts including Ryan Linn, former backpacking instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School; long-trail hiker Andrew Skurka, author of National Geographics The Ultimate Hikers Gear Guide; Junaid Dawud, guide for Adventure Travel West and pioneer of the Colorado 14ers Thru-Hike; and Paul Magnanti, guide and author of the outdoor blog PMags.com. Some pads also come with air sacks, which let you capture air and then press it into the sleeping pad. If youre looking for an inexpensive but dependable pad that will keep you warm for three-season camping, its hard to go wrong with a Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol. Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp Sleeping Pad: This popular, moderately priced option in Therm-a-Rests line is comfortablebut not as comfortable as our top car-camping pick, the LuxuryMap. If you have these items around your houseand you find them comfortable and warm enough, and you have room to stuff them in your carany of them could become your camping bed. A measurement known as an R-value indicates the insulating power of a sleeping pad or, more precisely, the ability of the material to resist heat transfer. We plan to test them in spring and summer 2022.
Side-sleepers, back-sleepers, and stomach-sleepers all found this pad to be supportive and warm through the night. And the pad moved out of place in tests at home on a hardwood floor, as well as in the field in a tent. R-VALUE is 9.5, Excellent temperature isolation ability keeps your body at a comfortable temperature during sleep, free from hot or cold weather, This camping pad is made of TPU material which is non-toxic and it doesn't have any bad smell, The sleeping pad can be inflated by using the packaging bag (Arrives with pad), without the need for an air pump or mouth, Ideal for car camping or motor camping but not for backpacking trip. But, of course, where you place your pad, the type of camping youre doing, and the weather patterns will also factor into how warmly you sleep at night. Some of the pads use higher-denier fabrics on the bottom for extra protection. Many sleeping pads are on back order because of industry-wide stock issues. We preferred valves that are easy to manipulate with hands that are frozen numb or swollen due to hyponatremia (when the amount of sodium in the blood is too low) or to a too-tight backpack. *At the time of publishing, the price was $120. And some online reviewers mentioned a squelching noise, similar to that of a balloon, every time they turned in the night; our testers didnt notice this. We even inflated the pads in our living rooms, allowing kids and dogs to trample them in service of durability testing. This is known as conductive heat lossand youre the one who loses. We were able to inflate a single airbed in about 30 seconds, and this pump added just 7 ounces to our pack weight.
This means youre less likely to roll off of it overnight and end up cold and aching come morning. Closed-cell foam pads are relatively simple and indestructible strips of solid foam, sometimes with sophisticated textures designed to help cushion your body and trap heat. This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan. Anyone seeking a crossover pad thats light enough for casual backpacking but that rivals car-camping pads in comfort would do well to consider this pad. inflating Thorns that puncture the top of the pad can sometimes poke through to the bottom. The MondoKing 3D has an R-value of 7, one of the warmest of any pad we tested. Because of its mummy shape and unique air-pocket design, this three-season sleeping pad provides top-notch back and hip support. R VALUE is 9.5, Excellent temperature isolation ability keeps your body at a comfortable temperature during sleep, free from hot or cold weather, This camping pad is made of TPU material which is non toxic and it doesn't have any bad smell. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Weve seen people sleep on all sorts of things while camping, including cotton futons, foot-high AeroBeds, foam pads, yoga and pilates mats, canvas cots, pool floats, life jackets, and folded blankets. And though the LuxuryMap might not be the fastest to inflate or deflate, its easy enough to use in a dark tent, even after a long drive or an exhausting all-day hike. The mattress size is 80"28", providing enough space for 1 person. To keep pads with holes from ending up in the landfill (and to save you from dropping more cash on a new pad), most of the companies that make our picks will repair damaged pads for a fee, generally starting at around $15 (plus shipping), depending on the severity of the damage. In all ways but price, however, its far inferior to any of the other pads we tested.
Plus, the pad takes longer to fill with your breath, compared with the Ether. Although less insulating from the cold ground than the LuxuryMap, the Ether Light XT (with a 3.2 R-value) should also serve three-season backpackers well in terms of warmth. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. The surface is extremely firm, but the sophisticated pattern of heat-trapping dimples felt cushier than its width led us to expect. It weighs 7 ounces, which may make it a too-heavy add-on for weight-conscious backpackers. If you suspect a puncture and are near a bathtub, fill the tub with soapy water, inflate the pad, and then submerge it in the tub (the soap bubbles make any air leakage more obvious). The regular pad is 72 inches long; if you need one thats longer or shorter, you can order it in small (66 inches) or large (78 inches). Our testers particularly appreciated that it provided a comfortable night of sleep, regardless of sleep position. But if youre looking to buy a sleeping surface specifically for camping, our dozens of hours of research and testing have led us to this conclusion: Your best bet is a camping-specific pad that rises just a couple of inches off the ground. But if you desire actual firmness, youll want to use an air pump. And though it isnt particularly compact, you dont have to worry about damaging it simply by bungeeing it to the outside of a pack. For a warmer and cozier sleep experience while backpacking or car camping: Try the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX. By contrast, the Ether Light XTs smaller air pockets created a more evenly balanced environment.) It also inflates quickly, like our top pick for backpackers, and is easy to pack down. The pad has an ultra-toasty R-value of 6, the second highest of all the pads we considered. Most people find self-inflating pads to be the most comfortable of the three types. Stock issues abound, but we have a new backpacking pick, the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT, for sleepers seeking optimal support. The zigzagging V-shaped baffle designwhich supposedly contours to the bodywas polarizing in our tests. The Z Lite Sol comes in a 20-by-51-inch small size and a 20-by-72-inch medium size. Enter your phone number and we'll send you a download link. yeti You can also grab a few extra inches by purchasing a large size, which runs 78 by 25 inches. We independently review everything we recommend.
After five years of testing sleeping pads, were fed up with stuff sacks that are a struggle to stuff. It packs down to the size of a 1-liter Nalgene bottle, and its R-value of 4.2 means you cant find a lighter-weight pad thats as warm. Then we took the pads camping, on a total of six trips with a total of 23 overnight testers.
We concluded that the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap Sleeping Pad is the best choice for car campers and the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat is the most supportive pad for backpackers. On a cold or rainy morning, the quicker and neater this process is, the happier the camper. The self-inflating Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap Sleeping Pad has long been a favorite with our testers, and it has stood the test of timefive years of car-camping trips, to be more specific. Side-sleepers, back-sleepers, and stomach-sleepers alike found this pad to be comfortable and supportive. Jenni spends much of her time in the Central Oregon mountains with her toddler son, husband, and dog. Side-sleepers may especially appreciate the extra width for stretching out. Seven backpacking friends helped us evaluate pads after strenuous high-mileage days on the trail. Big Agnes SLX Tent Floor Pad: With room for two people (50 by 78 inches), this tapered air-construction pad is meant for couples who backpack or for backpackers who want to spread out. Yet if youre making a choice based on insulation and have the budget to pay slightly more, the MondoKing is worth considering. The MegaMat Duo offers the warmest, most-insulated sleeping environment of any pad we tested for this guide.
As is true of the walls in your home, when it comes to a sleeping pad, you cant tell just by looking at it whats inside and how warm it will keep you. During our tests, our favorite valves were one-way, preventing air loss when we took a gasp of breath. This pad is bulkier and heavier than the NeoAir XLite, and it is comparable to our top pick. This pad has a comfy mummy shape and a quilted air-cell design that keeps you from bottoming out, whether you prefer to sleep on your side, back, or stomach. (We noticed that the LuxuryMap didnt pick up lint and dirt the way some competitor mattresses did, likely due to these material choices.) At just 14 ounces, the Z Lite Sol is light enough for most backpackers. Backpackers looking for a supportive, sturdy sleeping pad thats wider at the hips should be delighted by the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat. Counterintuitively, these types of pads are often more comfortable, warmer, and likely more durable than full-size air mattresses. At 3 inches thick, the LuxuryMap provides enough support to avoid bottoming out, even for side-sleepers. She is the instructor of Backpacker Magazines online Thru-Hiking 101 class. Therm-a-Rest has been making self-inflating pads since the early 1970s, and it has an excellent track record of manufacturing durable products that last for years, if not decades.
Some pads use valves and inflation techniques that are particularly intuitive or have smart protections against clogging with dirt or breaking. (Most of the other air beds we tested had horizontal air tubes, which we found created a less stable surface.
So choose your method based on your preferences. A higher R-value means a warmer pad.
This badge confirms that this seller has high ratings based on customer satisfaction and on-time delivery. Even though it wasnt the lightest pad we tried, our testers found the Ether Light XT offered the best balance of comfort and a light-enough carrying weight for an overnight backpacking trip. When setting up camp, avoid rough spots whenever possible, and clear your camping area of spiky plants, pine cones, and rocks; these could puncture or abrade your sleeping pad (if you use your pad as a sitting area for breaks during the day, follow the same precautions). With nothing to puncture, a pad of this type can last for decades, especially if you use it infrequently. But as long as youre parked close to your campsite, this shouldnt bother you. Though some people might consider this sound to be a minor annoyance at worst, for others its a dealbreaker; after spending a weekend camping with a noisy pad, you may find yourself shopping for more than a new set of earplugs.
Kalee Thompson is the senior editor heading up the team responsible for health, fitness, sleep, and baby/kid coverage. In general, we found the self-inflating pads to be more comfortable for car camping (and feel more like a real mattress) than cheaper solid-foam pads or pricier air-construction pads popular for backpacking, mostly because of their combination of foam and air. The mummy shape meant that multiple testers of different sizes were less likely to roll off the pad in the night (compared with a rectangular pad, which tended to be more uniformly narrow). (We have yet to test this add-on.). The pad was also easier to inflate than the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite; surprisingly, the included pump bag actually inflated the pad to max capacity fairly quickly. These pads are filled with a couch-cushion-like foam that decompresses when you unroll the pad and open up the air valve; our top pick for car camping and our double pad pick are both in this category. Kalee Thompson, a senior editor at Wirecutter, is a longtime hiker and camper who made the transition from backpacking to car camping when her first son was born. These days, her camping trips are mostly of the car-oriented variety (kids change things!). The only downside: This pad is heavy. But theres another option: Invest in a lightweight air pump.
Sea to Summit uses a slightly less durable face fabric (30 and 40 deniers, compared with the 50 and 75 deniers of the LuxuryMap, our car-camping pick). Theyre far more compact and easy to transport than a futon or cot, and theyre more cushy and comfortable than most exercise mats. The inflation process is fairly straightforward, and the bed stays firmly inflated for several days. The Exped Widget Pump isnt directly compatible with non-Exped bedsits seal works best with Exped pads. Stansport Pack-Lite Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad: Sleeping on this thin, firm strip of foam is better than sleeping directly on the ground. Keep in mind, too, that your sleeping system is about more than just cushiness. Its not easy to inflate. Store it inside your pack, said National Outdoor Leadership School guide and instructor Ryan Linn.
The pad is made with foam and has additional air pouches throughout, and the face fabric is soft and durable. If youre focused on weight, look to our Other good sleeping pads section for a better solution. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Two pads may appear identical, yet one may use synthetic or down insulation and/or baffled structures to create additional insulation. Most people clearly prefer sleeping on a comfortable, forgiving surface. And since it really cant be damaged, you cant go wrong loaning this pad to friends.
Nemo Tensor Insulated Insulated Sleeping Pad: During the first round of testing, our backpacking testers found this 15-ounce pad to be comfortable, and they loved its two one-way valves (one valve that only lets air in, plus a larger valve that only lets air out). But if youre exhausted after a long day on the trail, youre an adult who isnt picky about sleeping surfaces, or youre a kid who doesnt know any better, the Z Lite Sol could very well be the pad for you.
Shes also a life-long hiker and camper whos logged hundreds of miles on Pacific Northwest trails.
Still, the pad has an R-value of 2.6, which is impressively warm for how thin it is. And its easier to inflate, deflate, roll, and store than any other car-camping pad.
This pad has a single valve thats simple and intuitive to use. For larger holes, use the self-adhesive fabric patch that comes in your kit (for most pads), and apply a little glue beforehand, just to make sure it sticks. We found that some sleeping-pad surfaces were more slippery than others. There is a downside to the Ether Light XTs comfort, though: Its slightly heavier than its backpacking competitors (the large weighs 1 pound 6 ounces, and the regular weighs about 17 ounces). But that weight cut comes at a cost: The NeoAir XLite receives consistent complaints for being narrow, crinkly-sounding, and less supportive for side-sleepers. It can be tough to get pads fully firm, and having to wait for your bed to inflate at the end of the day can be annoying. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (This is the main argument against the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite.) Teton Sports ComfortLite Self Inflating Pad: The ComfortLite is another big, cushy self-inflating pad that clearly trailed our favorite, the LuxuryMap, in overall comfort. The MegaMat Duo inflates with a self-inflate valve. And its not easy to carry around. Yet the air flow is so powerful that we found it still works on other pads even without a direct seal, speeding up the inflation process tenfold. Still, for those who are not concerned about bulk, we recommend paying a little more for the large, 25-by-77-inch pad. Take a Sharpie marker or an oil crayon and circle the area, and then dry the pad thoroughly. If you prefer sleeping on a firmer surface: Consider the Exped SynMat HL. These are simple, low-tech design decisions that make for a drastically improved overall user experience. We also initially tried some car-camping pads that didnt self-inflate. The Ether Light XTs larger size also makes it slightly more annoying to pack down than some of the other pads we tested. Our long and narrow testers found the baffles comfortable and said the design prevented them from slipping off the pad during the night. You can buy this pad in the Womens Ultralight versionif youre a shorter person with wider hips. Lined up against much more expensive self-inflating pads and air-construction mattresses, the Z Lite Sol, at just inch thick, is clearly less comfortable. If you do, and your current sleeping setup leaves you feeling cold or uncomfortable, this guide is for you. But its the most comfortable pad in the game. Do you occasionally like to sleep outside, in a tent or under the stars? You do need to charge the pump before a backpacking trip by using a USB. One of our testers dubbed it the Cadillac of backpacking pads.. A good sleeping pad can transform hours of tossing and turning in the wild into a decent nights sleep. Limited time offer, ends 07/31 By NAIPO Official Store. Do you need a sleeping pad at all?
They are the most expensive of the bunch, too, starting at about $95. This pump charges with a USB and comes with two sizes of adaptors (which we found we didnt need to use, given the strong stream of air). *At the time of publishing, the price was $44. Like most pads, the Z Lite Sol will wear down with heavy use, which can decrease its insulating properties. Enter: an air pump. Todays camping-specific sleeping pads are generally one of three types: closed-cell foam pads, self-inflating open-cell foam pads, or fully inflatable air-construction mattresses. We found that topping it off with an air pump provided the ultimate firmness. Eventually, if the pad does have a leak, bubbles will form. You can strap this kind of pad to the outside of a backpack, use it as a seat near the campfire, try to float on it in a river or lake, and otherwise treat it badly without fear of retribution. This 3-inch-thick pad has extra foam, with an air pocket on top (placed exactly where the body exerts more pressure; this increases comfort and helps prevent the pad from bottoming out overnight, a common problem).
However, we soon became convinced that we preferred the greater comfort and easy setup of a self-inflating pad, and we made self-inflation one of our criteria for choosing a car-camping pad. If youre an ultralight backpacker: Consider the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite. During our first testing round for this guide, in 2016, we spent a dozen hours sifting through the hundreds of items in this category to determine our testing lineup of 15 backpacking pads and car-camping pads. The MegaMat Duo is 3.9 inches thick and weighs about 7 pounds (the LW+ model is almost 10 pounds), and it has an R-value of 8.1, making it the largest and warmest option we tested. Over the course of two years and dozens of camping trips with a small child, our testers never observed damage to the MegaMat Duo. And its carry bag was refreshingly easy to stuff and tote around (not often the case with larger sleeping pads). Give your glue plenty of time to dry out without touching other surfaces; depending on the material, this can take three to 24 hours. The more layers between your sleeping pad and the ground, the better. So we werent able to test the Exped SynMat HL, the REI Co-op Camp Dreamer XL Self-Inflating Deluxe Bed, the Nemo Roamer Sleeping Pad, the Big Agnes Q-Core Deluxe Sleeping Pad, or the ALPS Mountaineering Outback Mat. Luckily, most inflatable air-construction-design mattresses come with repair kits, as do some self-inflating car-camping pads. The Exped MegaMat Duo 10 M is a beast in sleeping-pad land: The medium-wide model, which we tested, is 72 by 41 inches and weighs 7 pounds; the large-wide is 10 pounds. A closed-cell foam pad is a smart choice for kids because a tear or puncture is no big deal (unlike with inflatable pads). Fully inflatable air-construction mattresses get almost all of their loft from your own lungs or from an electric pump. This pad can last for decades, especially if it sees infrequent use. The lightest pads can have tops as low as 20 denier, or 20 D (very thin threads), which leads to an increased risk of abrasion. With an R-value of 3.2, this pad is comparable to our backpacking picks but not as warm as our car-camping picks, and the bed is tough to inflate. We screen and compare our supply chain over and over again, and design our products to satisfy our customers in every detail. Such models are also faster and easier to inflate than pads you have to blow up manually. Nemo has since redesigned this sleeping pad in an ultralight setup; well add it to our list of options to test in the future. Learn more. This lightweight (14 ounces) pad is warm, durable, and inexpensive.
When the Wirecutter outdoor team goes car campingas opposed to backpacking and carrying gear into the wildernessthis is the gear they bring. The interior of the mattress is composed of PU foam and a certain gap, and weighs 13.6 pounds, so it is not suitable for backpacking or short-distance light travel. One downside: Though its less than half the weight of our car-camping pick, the Ether Light XT is about 5 ounces heavier than some of the other backpacking pads we tested, and its slightly harder to pack down. In our tests, the LuxuryMaps face fabric seemed to reject lint and dirt better than fabric on rival pads. Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad: This slightly heavier (and cheaper) version of the Klymit pad we tested for backpacking inflated quickly and easily. (The company also sells an extra-large version, which is the same length as a large but wider.) If so, this guide is for you too. As our team pursues -- bring high quality products to our customers,add more joy to the family life of consumers. We also tested double pads for car camping, landing on the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 as the ideal option for families and couples. Liz Thomas has hiked more than 15,000 miles and once held the womens unassisted speed record on the Appalachian Trail (over 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine). This simple pad will keep you much warmer than most AeroBed-style air mattresses. It may be obvious, but dont store your [inflatable] sleeping pad on the outside of your pack during the day. But if you can find it, we think its a great option for those who prefer a firmer surface. But it is absolutely the most comfortable double sleeping pad you can buyso comfortable, in fact, that many of our testers found themselves using this pad for guests in their home, instead of a typical air mattress. But the MondoKing has an extra inch of thickness, which makes it heavier (the XXL is over 2 pounds heavier than the LuxuryMap!). Or you can, of course, buy a self-inflating pad. If youre willing to be slightly inconvenienced by the size of this bed and its deflation process, we think youll reap some serious benefits from sleeping cozily under the stars. To reduce the chance of problems, look for a pad made with thicker, higher-denier fabrics (lower-denier fabrics offer the thinnest, lightest, and softest threads; fabrics with higher-denier counts, like the LuxuryMap, offer a beefy protection against the elements). Of the nine pads we tested for car camping, fourincluding the LuxuryMapwere self-inflating. During a later round of testing, we carried 10 additional pads around the Upper Peninsula and we tried them out in the mountains of Central Oregon, too. If youre looking for more insulation during a car-camping trip: The Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D is comparable to the LuxuryMap, our car-camping pick. Nothing ruins a backpacking or camping trip like a hole in a sleeping pad. The process is similar to what you would do at home in a bathtub.
When Linn repairs pads in the field, he uses barge cement, which is similar to Shoe Goo but multipurpose. Jenni Gritters has been reviewing outdoor, travel, and childrens gear for more than five years and has worked in journalism for nearly a decade.
The type of pad you want depends on where youre headed, so we have picks for car campers (anyone who wont be lugging their pad far and so are more concerned with comfort than with heft and weight) and backpackers (anyone who intends to carry all of their gear on their back for miles and so is best served by a compact, lightweight pad). Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Investing in some high-quality basics can get kids excited about camping outand help you avoid a mid-trip detour to the nearest big-box store. If youre looking for a very light pad, you may prefer the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite. Our budget pick will work for people who are just getting into camping or backpacking and want a solid model before they invest in a higher-quality pad. In addition to drawing on personal experience, we talked to experts including Ryan Linn, former backpacking instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School; long-trail hiker Andrew Skurka, author of National Geographics The Ultimate Hikers Gear Guide; Junaid Dawud, guide for Adventure Travel West and pioneer of the Colorado 14ers Thru-Hike; and Paul Magnanti, guide and author of the outdoor blog PMags.com. Some pads also come with air sacks, which let you capture air and then press it into the sleeping pad. If youre looking for an inexpensive but dependable pad that will keep you warm for three-season camping, its hard to go wrong with a Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol. Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp Sleeping Pad: This popular, moderately priced option in Therm-a-Rests line is comfortablebut not as comfortable as our top car-camping pick, the LuxuryMap. If you have these items around your houseand you find them comfortable and warm enough, and you have room to stuff them in your carany of them could become your camping bed. A measurement known as an R-value indicates the insulating power of a sleeping pad or, more precisely, the ability of the material to resist heat transfer. We plan to test them in spring and summer 2022.
Side-sleepers, back-sleepers, and stomach-sleepers all found this pad to be supportive and warm through the night. And the pad moved out of place in tests at home on a hardwood floor, as well as in the field in a tent. R-VALUE is 9.5, Excellent temperature isolation ability keeps your body at a comfortable temperature during sleep, free from hot or cold weather, This camping pad is made of TPU material which is non-toxic and it doesn't have any bad smell, The sleeping pad can be inflated by using the packaging bag (Arrives with pad), without the need for an air pump or mouth, Ideal for car camping or motor camping but not for backpacking trip. But, of course, where you place your pad, the type of camping youre doing, and the weather patterns will also factor into how warmly you sleep at night. Some of the pads use higher-denier fabrics on the bottom for extra protection. Many sleeping pads are on back order because of industry-wide stock issues. We preferred valves that are easy to manipulate with hands that are frozen numb or swollen due to hyponatremia (when the amount of sodium in the blood is too low) or to a too-tight backpack. *At the time of publishing, the price was $120. And some online reviewers mentioned a squelching noise, similar to that of a balloon, every time they turned in the night; our testers didnt notice this. We even inflated the pads in our living rooms, allowing kids and dogs to trample them in service of durability testing. This is known as conductive heat lossand youre the one who loses. We were able to inflate a single airbed in about 30 seconds, and this pump added just 7 ounces to our pack weight.
This means youre less likely to roll off of it overnight and end up cold and aching come morning. Closed-cell foam pads are relatively simple and indestructible strips of solid foam, sometimes with sophisticated textures designed to help cushion your body and trap heat. This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan. Anyone seeking a crossover pad thats light enough for casual backpacking but that rivals car-camping pads in comfort would do well to consider this pad. inflating Thorns that puncture the top of the pad can sometimes poke through to the bottom. The MondoKing 3D has an R-value of 7, one of the warmest of any pad we tested. Because of its mummy shape and unique air-pocket design, this three-season sleeping pad provides top-notch back and hip support. R VALUE is 9.5, Excellent temperature isolation ability keeps your body at a comfortable temperature during sleep, free from hot or cold weather, This camping pad is made of TPU material which is non toxic and it doesn't have any bad smell. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Weve seen people sleep on all sorts of things while camping, including cotton futons, foot-high AeroBeds, foam pads, yoga and pilates mats, canvas cots, pool floats, life jackets, and folded blankets. And though the LuxuryMap might not be the fastest to inflate or deflate, its easy enough to use in a dark tent, even after a long drive or an exhausting all-day hike. The mattress size is 80"28", providing enough space for 1 person. To keep pads with holes from ending up in the landfill (and to save you from dropping more cash on a new pad), most of the companies that make our picks will repair damaged pads for a fee, generally starting at around $15 (plus shipping), depending on the severity of the damage. In all ways but price, however, its far inferior to any of the other pads we tested.