The Best Sleeping Pads for Camping and Backpacking
(and they're also made in the USA)
There's no doubt that Therm-a-Rest is one of the best sleeping pad manufacturers in the world; I've thoroughly tested and reviewed them and strongly believe they are the best. To this day Therm-a-Rest mattresses are proudly made in Seattle, Washington, USA. I find one's sleeping system (sleeping pad and sleeping bag) is the most critical area to not skimp on quality if you value a good night's rest and an enjoyable backcountry trip.
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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLiteDo you want the lightest 3-season pad? Do you also value comfort and durability? The NeoAir Xlite is your pad (and my pad). It weighs 12 oz (reg size), packs to the size of a 1L nalgene bottle, and has thick 2.5" cushioning with a warm R-value of 3.2. I've personally used an Xlite and XTherm pad for the past three years and highly recommend them for a super comfy ultralight pad. One thing to note is the Xlite and XTherm pads produce a crinkly sound when you move around, it doesn't bother me but it might bother some sensitive sleepers.
Last observed price range: ~ $130-200 Click for Current Pricing from Amazon Click for Current Pricing from Backcountry.com Click for Current Pricing from Moosejaw.com Click for Current Pricing from REI.com |
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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XThermLooking for the lightest and comfiest 4-season pad, the most advanced blow up mattress available? You can lay this pad down in any condition including right in the snow. I love my XTherm pad and have comfortably used it down to -20F with a closed cell foam pad and a Feathered Friends -25F Ptarmigan Sleeping Bag while winter camping in Canada's Kootenay National Park. The XTherm pad has a high R-value of 5.7, weighs only 15 oz (reg size), while providing thick padding for rocky ground. My personal XTherm is pictured at the top of the page.
Last observed price range: ~ $200-240 Click for Current Pricing from Amazon Click for Current Pricing from Backcountry.com Click for Current Pricing from Moosejaw.com Click for Current Pricing from REI.com |
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Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap Sleeping PadIf you're car camping and simply want the comfiest pad possible then the LuxuryMap is your best choice. This self inflating pad has 3 inches of plush foam supported loft, a super warm R-value of 6.8, and soft skin friendly fabric to deliver a deep restful sleep like your home mattress. Check out any of the reviews and you'll find they rave about the comfort of this pad.
Last observed price range: ~ $110-170 Click for Current Pricing from Amazon Click for Current Pricing from Moosejaw.com Click for Current Pricing from REI.com |
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Therm-a-Rest Trail LiteThe Trail Lite is the classic 3-season self inflating sleeping pad that's comfortable, durable, and affordable. With 1.5 inches of loft and an R-value of 3.4 I find that I sleep really well on Trail Lite pads. At 1 lb 10 oz (reg size) its not too heavy for backpacking and packs a lot of comfort over a thin foam pad. If you're unsure about spending twice as much on a pad and you don't need the weight savings of the NeoAir pads then I highly recommend the Trail Lite.
Last observed price range: ~ $80-90 Click for Current Pricing from Amazon Click for Current Pricing from Backcountry.com Click for Current Pricing from Moosejaw.com Click for Current Pricing from REI.com |
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Therm-a-Rest EvoLite PlusThis thick backpacking pad is great for side sleepers. The EvoLite Plus has the best weight to thickness ratio of any self inflating pad with 2.5 inches of loft weighing in at 1 lb 4 oz. It has an R-value of 3.2 and like all self inflating pads needs only a few breaths to blow up.
Last observed price range: ~ $135-180 Click for Current Pricing from Amazon Click for Current Pricing from Moosejaw.com Click for Current Pricing from REI.com |
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Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol and SOLite Pad Sleeping PadsThese closed-cell foam pads provide the insulation necessary to keep you warm from cold ground. Many minimalist backpackers sleep well using only a Z Lite or SOLite pad, but they're not for the light sleepers. I used to sleep well using thin foam pads, the trick is finding smooth or duffy sleeping spots, I now use inflatable pads like my XLite which can comfortably bed over pointy rocks. The main difference between the Z-Lite and SOLite are the Z-Lite has an egg crate like design that folds up as a rectangle while the SOLite rolls up like a burrito. Some advantages of these foam camping mats is that you can use them as a seat, a windscreen for your stove, a sarong, padding for a backpack, a yoga mat, they're cheap, and you won't worry about getting holes (though I've found ThermaRest air mattresses to be plenty durable.)
Z Lite Last observed price range: ~ $35-45 Click for Current Pricing from Amazon Click for Current Pricing from Backcountry.com Click for Current Pricing from Moosejaw.com Click for Current Pricing from REI.com SOLite Last observed price range: ~ $20-40 Click for Current Pricing from Amazon Click for Current Pricing from Backcountry.com Click for Current Pricing from Moosejaw.com Click for Current Pricing from REI.com |
The photos below illustrate my Thermarest NeoAir Xlite and XTherm in action through the Winter, Summer, and Fall. Of course the XTherm is the one in the snow including at -20F in Kootenay National Park, Canada.
