This pad has the same lightweight internal baffling design of the brand’s popular XLite (listed below) but adds a silver lining (literally) with ThermaCapture technology. What we don’t: Pricey and overkill for most conditions.įor those that head out in all four seasons or experience sub-freezing temps on their backpacking trips, Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir XTherm is worth a serious look. What we like: High R-value for 4-season backpacking. You do save a little weight and get a bit more insulation with the Therm-a-Rest, but many will find the Tensor’s extra cushion worth those tradeoffs (ourselves included), which is why we rank the Nemo at the top of our list.īest Sleeping Pad for Cold Weather 2. Additionally, despite a slightly thinner 20-denier fabric (the XLite’s is 30D), the Tensor has proven to be similarly durable in our experience while coming in at $30 less. For starters, the Therm-a-Rest’s included pump sack can’t match the speed or convenience of the Tensor’s bag, and the XLite’s internal baffling means it’s louder and crinklier (although this issue hasn’t been a deal-breaker for us). It’s worth noting that we had the aforementioned XLite in this top spot until recently, but the Tensor has overtaken it for a few key reasons. All in all, the Tensor’s blend of comfort, build quality, and ease of use make it a standout on the market. We also love Nemo’s intuitive Vortex pump sack that requires very little effort: simply snap it onto the flat, micro-adjustable valve, blow lightly into the opening, and roll the collar down to force air into the mat. For reference, this is a notable half-inch increase over the popular Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm and XLite, which is particularly beneficial for side sleepers. The Tensor air pad is case in point, combining a lightweight and packable build with a comfortable sleeping platform and generous 3 inches of cushion that nicely isolate you from the ground below. Nemo is perhaps best known for their backpacking tents, but they’ve assembled a solid lineup of quality sleeping pads. What we don’t: Thinner fabric and less insulative than the XLite below. What we like: Light but a generous 3 inches thick best pump sack design on the market. With any pad you choose, make sure to take proper care to avoid holes.īest Overall Sleeping Pad for Backpacking 1. Below we break down the top sleeping pads for backpacking of 2021, including leading air, self-inflating, and foam models. Comfort is better than ever with advanced baffling and cell designs, weight and packed size continue to drop, and you can get all the insulation and warmth you need for cold weather. Extra Durable: Virtually indestructible closed-cell foam provides lasting, economical comfort.A good night’s sleep on a backpacking trip used to be a rarity, but today’s sleeping pads are much improved over their predecessors.Compact Design: Folding design is compact and easy to pack.Advanced Warmth:ThermaCapture ™surface reflects radiant heat back to your body, amplifying the warmth of the heat-trapping dimples by 20% (Z Lite SOL ™ only for best results, use reflective side-up.).Wherever you're headed, a Z Lite mattress is the right choice for ultralight warmth, durability and comfort. The proprietary foams are softer on top for extra comfort and denser on the bottom for extra durability. The Z Lite SOL adds our reflective ThermaCapture ™ coating that helps capture radiant heat, increasing overall warmth by nearly 20%. Both the Z Lite SOL and the original Z Lite feature a compact accordion-style shape and heat-trapping dimples. Still a favorite of the ultralight elite, the Z Lite mattresses are our lightest, most compact closed-cell mattresses. Lightest, most compact closed-cell mattress.