Topic: The Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2022 (Read 38 times)
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Why It Made the Cut
The Switchback is a co*fortable and forgiving foam sleeping pad with a nice weight to R value ratio. It packs down small and traps body heat thanks to its unique hexagonal nodes pattern.
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I have used the short version of this pad for eight months now, so I was excited to see how it measured up to its co*petitors. The hexagonal node pattern is part of what makes this pad the most co*fortable in all sleeping positions. Instead of a traditional egg carton pattern, the nodes are more spread out, taking away the pokey feeling other pads have. This unique design is also what makes the Switchback pack down co*pactly and stay so warm. I recently slept like a baby in the low 40s using this pad alone. I supplement it with a backpacking pil*ow and add an inflatable pad for winter excursions. However, if you’re guilty of thrashing your gear (like I am), then this pad could be quick to show signs of wear. While the dual-density foam offers a cushy top layer and supportive bottom layer for improved co*fort, that supple top layer can be easily shredded by branches and rocks. Unlike the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite, however, the insulated coating is protected by the accordion fold. This pad is meant to be slept on silver side down, because the orange foam layer acts as a heat trap, catching the warmth of your body that’s being reflected back to you via the low-emissivity film. -Ashley Thess
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Why It Made the Cut
Experienced backpackers looking to shave off a few ounces from their kit (at the expense of durability) will appreciate the co*fort and features of the Tensor.
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Backpackers who like the baffling of the Sea to Summit Ether Light but are tempted by the low weight of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite will find some middle ground with the Tensor Ultralight series. I also like that the Tensor co*es with a lightweight optional pump sack, so that backpackers can choose, trip to trip, between a couple of ounces of weight savings and the convenience of rapid inflation when they reach camp.
For another couple of extra ounces, there is also the option to increase the R value of the non-insulated pad (appropriate for lower elevation summer treks only) to an R value that will get you out to the shoulder seasons and up to alpine terrain. This amount of customization makes the Tensor stand out from the other best backpacking sleeping pad, and it’s something that backpackers who oscillate between casual weekend trips and big-mile days and week-long treks will appreciate.
The thinness of the fabric means that you’ll need to take special care to ensure the Tensor doesn’t develop a leak. New backpackers should go with the Best Overall or Best Budget pick for their higher durability.
Why It Made the Cut
The Z Lite Sol is lightweight with a respectable R value. This foam sleeping pad will work for most backpackers no matter their motive for buying closed-cell foam.
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Therm-a-Rest advises Z Lite sleepers to keep the shiny silver side of the mat up to reflect body heat. However, this means that the insulation is exposed when the pad is folded. Any closed-cell foam sleeping pad is at risk of being thrashed a bit while bushwhacking or dropping your pack because they are strapped to the outside of your backpack. I would rather the insulation fold inward so that it isn’t being co*promised by abrasive sticks and rocks. The reflective coating still gives the SOL an edge on the FlexMats. What makes this pad great is the weight and R value, but the inefficient accordion fold makes this pad pack down rather large for its .75 inch thickness. While not as co*fortable as the FlexMat Plus or the Switchback, it is more co*fortable than the FlexMat. This middle-of-the-road pad is best for layering but can effectively be used on its own. -Ashley Thess
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Why It Made the Cut
The NeoAir XLite strips away the convenience and features of other pads, while retaining a high R value and staying co*fortable, to make it one of the lightest pads available.
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I’ve successfully used the NeoAir XLite for hundreds of miles on multiple thru-hikes. It’s the perfect co*bination of light weight and co*fort, with an R rating that will see you through alpine adventures and shoulder-season excursions alike.
Despite the relatively thin material, the only mishap I’ve experienced with the NeoAir XLite was when I inadvertently slept on top of an especially pointy rock (the 4-inch stack height ensured I didn’t even notice it was there), which resulted in a deflated mattress by morning. Fortunately, I was able to patch the pad with the repair kit the next day.
The newest model of the NeoAir XLite incorporates a different air valve design than previous years, so if you’re buying a replacement pad this is something to watch out for. The idea behind the new valve design is that it prevents air from escaping the mattress while you are inflating it. I found this valve less intuitive to use than previous iterations—it’s worth practicing at home before taking it out on a multi-night trek.
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Why It Made the Cut
This is a quality air mattress at an affordable price that works great for shoulder season backpacking. The classic rectangular design makes it feel larger than it actually is.
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After you’ve shelled out major dollars for a backpack, a tent, and a sleeping bag, there isn’t always a lot leftover for a sleeping pad. But the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra is an affordable option that is warm enough to take you up into the alpine and into the shoulder seasons and co*fortable enough to ensure you’re actually glad to be out there.
The Air Core Ultra uses vertical baffles that are substantially wider than others on the market—for the 20 inches x 72 inches size, the Big Agnes had six baffles, while th