Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad – Expert Review

The Exped MegaMat 10 is the absolute daddy when it comes to warmth, and is therefore our pick for the best winter sleeping pad.

It’s 6.5ft long, 2.57kg in weight and 10cm thick with a brushed soft fleece surface. You get a lot for your money with the MegaMat and while it will certainly keep you warm with an R-value of 9.5, its only downfall is the issue of practicality and weight.

It is likely that if you’re in need of a pad like the MegaMat, you’re doing some serious outdoor winter adventuring. Nobody fancies carrying 2.57kg on their back for a sleeping pad, but, if you are planning a serious winter excursion and afford the additional weight, then this is a great pad.

If you are looking for a great budget option, then the Klymit Static V offers great value for money.

The Static V is lightweight (514g) and relatively comfortable due to its thickness of 6.5cm when inflated. It is also pretty durable as it is built with a thicker fabric than most lightweight pads.

It Achilles heel though is its low R-value (1.3). If you are planning to camp outdoors in the Summer or Spring, the Klymit will perform just fine, but in colder temperatures, you will be sorely disappointed.

We would only recommend buying this sleeping pad if you are not heading into any form of harsh or extreme environment. It is perfect for casual use or frequent use on a relatively flat terrain.

The Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite SOL is the lightest pad we tested (410g). It is also the most durable! For this reason we scored the Z-Lite as our pick for the best lightweight and durable seeping pad.

Therm-a-Rest have used a closed foam weather-proof material in the Z-Lite, which makes it amazingly robust. The pad is literally indestructible. It is also packs up into a tiny bundle that can be easily stored inside a daypack or attached to the outside of the backpack.

And despite a relatively low R-value (2.6), it certainly feels warmer than the figure suggests. Still, we wouldn’t recommend you take this pad to a location with a cold, harsh climate, as it won’t keep you nice and snug in low temperatures.

The only downside is that it is very thin (2cm), which means comfort is not great! This sleeping pad is definitely best for the summer and spring months, and for adventurers who are a little hardier than most.

With a 7.6cm thickness, the Nemo Tensor is thick and puts you at just the right distance from the ground.

Although there is no official R-value for the Nemo Tensor, the thickness of the pad is enough to guarantee its warmth, as is the extra film layer built in to the pad in order to reflect heat.

In terms of value for money, the Nemo Tensor will comes in at just under $150, so is well placed as a middle-range sleeping pad.

Combined with the fact that the pad is built with some of the thinnest fabrics used on sleeping pads, you’re getting good value for money with this product.

Be aware, though, that due to the thin fabrics used in the design of the pad, it is more susceptible to punctures and rips than other pads we tested.

Like the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite SOL, the Alps Mountaineering Flexcore Air Pad is also a good budget option. But unlike the Z-Lite, this sleeping pad is pretty heavy, weighing in at 1kg. Its durability, though, saves the day.

The rip-stop fabric used in this pad is thick and sturdy, and consists of material with Jet Stream foam. You could attach the Alps Mountaineering Air Pad to the back of your rucksack and not worry about it getting destroyed, which is great considering the price.

It rises to 3.8cm and while this seems a meagre amount, it will keep you warm on a mild night and comfortable on most surfaces.