What to look for in a sleeping pad
Whether you're looking for a camping sleeping pad for backpacking or for car camping, there are a few key components to look for in which is worth your money:
Comfort: Just like with a mattress, what feels comfortable to you is highly personal. Some people prefer a softer surface, while others like a mattress or a camp pad that's firmer. Closed-cell foam mattresses tend to be the hardest to sleep on. Air mattresses can be adjusted to be as soft or firm as you like to sleep, and generally the thicker they are, the comfier they are. But foam and air mattresses are also ideal for a denser, comfortable support.
Size: Every pad is a different size, but most comfortably fit a person up to 6 feet tall. If you're tall, short, or wide, be sure to read a pad's specs to see if you need the long version, or could save weight and space with a short version. Also consider that restless sleepers often prefer a wider pad, and if you're always car camping, the weight doesn't much matter and longer and wider pads will be more cushy.
Warmth: Most pads have an R-Value, which measures the pad's ability to resist your body heat being pulled into the ground. The higher a pad's R-value, the better it will insulate you from the surface you're sleeping on. Sleeping pad R-values range from around 0.5 for a summer-focused pad to 5.5 or more for a pad that's insulative down to -40°F.
Insulation: Opting for insulated vs. non-insulated mainly comes down to desired weight and what seasons you'll be camping in. Non-insulated pad are lighter and cheaper, but you should only opt for this if you'll exclusively be camping in warm summer weather (or you have a second, insulated cold-weather pad).
Half of the purpose of a sleeping pad is to keep you from losing body heat to the ground and getting cold while you sleep. If you'll be camping in the fall or winter, or in high-alpine or desert terrain where it gets cold at night, even in the summer, an insulated pad will serve you better; they are just as good for summer.
Inflation method: Sleeping pads differ in how you inflate them, and which is best is mainly a matter of personal preference. Traditionally, pads have been mouth-inflated, which can make you lightheaded (especially at altitude) and take a while, but doesn't rely on other equipment you may forget. The downside is that moisture from your breath can sometimes cause mold inside the pad, which breaks down the pad over time.
Some are self-inflating, which usually require a puff or two through the valve to reach your desired pressure, but self-inflating can sometimes be more frustrating to deflate and pack down small. Some inflate with a stuff sack pump or foot pump over the course of a minute or two. These are typically easy to fill to the desired firmness, but have the potential frustration of the pump coming off while in use or you forgetting to bring the pump along.
Weight: Weight typically corresponds directly with comfort – the heavier, bigger, and more insulated a camping sleeping pad, the more cushy it'll be. If you're car camping, the weight of your pad doesn't matter and you can easily opt for max comfort. But if you're backpacking or bikepacking, you're trying to carry as little weight as possible.
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