What are the best self-inflating sleeping pads, and how do they work? Do I really need a sleeping pad designed for camping? Does it really matter what they are made of? If those are your questions – the answers are simple. Simply an open-cell foam pad enclosed in a plastic case with an air valve. Like a sponge in a plastic bag. Sized to accommodate cots and sleeping bags, with an outer fabric covering to protect the plastic case. Squeeze the sponge to get the air out, seal the bag, and it’s compressed. Open the bag and the sponge sucks in air and expands. That’s the concept of self-inflating sleeping pads. • THERM-A-REST Self-inflating Sleeping Pads ★★★★★ Top Pick for Tent Camping Therm-a-rest was the originator of self-inflating sleeping pads, and is still one of the top brands for quality and performance, but they made the top-pick because this is the sleeping pad I have used for the last 5 camping seasons, (on the ground tent camping), and it still inflates as quickly as it did when new.
Plus the fact that these old bones appreciate the 2″ cushion. Rating: Best Buy in the $49.99 to $109.99 price range Note: This item, as well as almost all camping items on Amazon qualifies for Free shipping on orders over $35 • Kelty Self-inflating Sleeping Pads ★★★★★ Top Pick for Camping Kelty, another leading brand in camping equipment, is recognized by campers everywhere as a manufacturer of top quality camping gear, and their self-inflating sleeping pads are no exception.Available with thick 2.5 inch foam support, suede top fabric for comfort, and attached lash-straps compress the pad to a mere 33 oz. Rating: Best Buy in the $66 to $85.85 price range • Alps Self-inflating Sleeping Pads Strong brands in camping gear are strong for a reason. These Alps series sleeping pads are an example why. JetStream foam for super fast inflation and deflation Anti-slip “PVC Dot” bottom Fabric Stuff sack and repair kit are included
Rating: Best Buy in the $41.09 to $229.00 price range Here are a few other camping equipment items and resources that may prove helpful: ★ How to pick the best sleeping bags • Camping Tent Lights For their convenience, and peace of mind, a portable tent light will make tent camping life easier for everyone. These new LED tent lights make batteries seem to last forever. And many of them also have a night-light setting for younger campers that are used to having them at home. • Folding Camp Cots Sleep in comfort with your new sleeping pad on one of these light-weight folding camp cots. From basic to Cadillac, pup tents to family tents, amazon has a camp cot for your needs. Winter and cold weather camping gear and clothes. From hats to boots, base layer to outer layer, plus recommended top-picks.See what to wear, and why cotton is your cold weather enemy.How to Dress for Winter Camping Tip: With young kids in camp, a portable camp toilet will make your life a lot easier.
No interruptions for a long trip to the campsite bathrooms, and no “scary” after dark trips to the latrine in the woods.You will be surprised how convenient and inexpensive portable camp toilets are. Here are some cheap portable camp toilets on Amazon. ★ How to pick the best sleeping bags for kids ★ See why you should use a sleeping bag linerSleeping pads can make or break your night of sleep. Get a crappy one and you’ll wake up even more tired than you were before going to sleep. Get a good one and you will feel like you slept on your on bed at home. But, how do you know what’s the best sleeping pad for you? That’s why we’re here. One of our goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to make your life easier when it comes to choosing outdoor gear. As you know, we like keeping things simple. So think about what type of hiking trip you plan to use the pad for and your budget. Then check out the models that fit those needs. Thermarest NeoAir XthermAir Pad0.93 lbs5.7$$$4.7
Thermarest NeoAir XLiteAir Pad0.75 lbs3.2$$$4.5 REI Air Rail 1.5Self-Inflating1.62 lbs4.2$$4.5 Big Agnes Q-Core SLAir Pad1.21 lbs4.5$$4.1 Sea to Summit Comfort Light InsulatedAir Pad1.28 lbs4.2$$$4.8 Thermarest NeoAir All SeasonAir Pad1.31 lbs4.9$$$4.5 Thermarest Z Lite SOLClosed-cell Foam0.87 lbs2.6$4.5 Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Pad0.78 lbs0.7$$4.8 Klymit Insulated Static V LiteAir Pad1.22 lbs4.4$$4.7 Thermarest NeoAir VentureAir Pad1.31 lbs1.8$4.4 Depending on how you plan to use the mat and the weather conditions you’ll face, there are 3 options to choose from. An air pad is manually inflated and uses air for cushioning. Some of the best models use insulation materials to increase warmth. These mats are the most comfortable ones for backpacking. However they are heavier and not very durable, they can be punctured or ripped easily. A self-inflating pad uses a combination of open-cell foam insulation and air for cushioning.
All you have to do is open the valve and the air fills automatically. They are comfy and pack small but they are the most expensive option. A closed cell foam pad is the cheapest, lightest and most durable option. The downside is they’re not as comfy as the other types and tend to be bulky. The R value measures the sleeping pad’s ability to resist heat flow. So, the higher the R value the better it will insulate you from the cold ground. You need to consider what climate you’ll be camping in most of the time. For cold weather camping, look for a pad with an R value over 5. In the summer months, you can get away with a pad with a lower R value. For very cold weather, put a closed foam pad under your sleeping mat for extra insulation. Like it happens with any piece of outdoor gear you put on your backpack, you need to consider weight. If you’re planning an ultra-light hiking trip, foam pads are the lightest but they take a lot of room. Some of the best air pad models have reduced their weight a lot, making them the best choice for these kinds of adventures.
Manufacturers make pads in a few different sizes, which determines its weight and price tag. At a minimum, your shoulders and hips need to fit on a pad. Shorter people can save weight by carrying a short sized pad. Some tall people prefer to carry a short pad and then use clothes to cushion the legs. If you have a small tent, be sure to take the dimensions into consideration when choosing a pad. How much room your pad will take up in your pack is worth considering. Generally, warmer pads are thicker and take up more space. This isn’t always the case, there are plenty of mats that pack small, but tend to be more expensive than their bulkier counterparts. These are a great option if you’re looking for the best backpacking sleeping pad on the market. Some sleeping pads come in a women’s version. These pads typically are a bit shorter and offer more insulation in the hips and feet. Check out the latest price on: BEST FOR: General hiking and ultralight adventures
FEATURES: Air construction, baffled insulation, 2.5 inches thick. PROS: Packs down small. Very warm and comfortable. FEATURES: Self-inflating, foam insulation, 1.5 inches thick. PROS: Wide and comfortable. Side rails keep you in. CONS: Heavy, bulky and thin. FEATURES: Air construction, synthetic insulation, 3.5 inches thick. PROS: Compact, comfortable and relatively light. FEATURES: Air construction, AirSprung cells, synthetic, 2 inches thick. PROS: Warm, very stable and packs down small.Not as comfy as other pads. PROS: Compact, durable, warm and comfortable. CONS: A bit noisy. Edges collapse under load. FEATURES: Closed cell foam, 0.75 inches thick. PROS: Lightweight and warm. FEATURES: Air construction, AirSprung cells, 2 inches thick.Packs down very small. CONS: Not very warm. PROS: Warm, cheap and relatively lightweight. CONS: Noisy and not very durable. FEATURES: Air construction, baffled insulation, 2.25 inches thick.