The Best Foam Sleeping Pads for Backpacking, Trail Tested

Best Overall

Nemo Switchback

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Warmest

Exped Flexmat Plus

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Best Supplemental

Gossamer Gear Thinlight Pad

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The perfect foam sleeping pads for backpacking are made from closed-cell foam, that means they’re light-weight, waterproof, and better of all, can’t puncture. If inflatable pads have left you sleeping floor too many instances, you’re attempting to chop down ounces, otherwise you simply want a extra secure, agency, and silent sleep system, foam sleeping pads are the reply. I slept on the very best foam sleeping pads within the backcountry to search out the very best choices in the marketplace. 

Finest Foam Sleeping Pads: Evaluations & Suggestions

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Professionals

• Snug
• Light-weight
• Insulated coating
• Packs down to five inches

The Nemo Switchback is the whole lot I’m searching for in a backpacking sleeping pad: snug, light-weight, and packs down simply. It’s the smallest packed dimension on this checklist (in addition to the ⅛-inch Thinlight), which at all times matches on prime of my pack, irrespective of how full it’s. If a packraft steals its typical spot, I also can efficiently stuff it right into a aspect pouch of my ULA Ohm backpacking backpack.

I carry the quick model on each journey and I sit or lay on it throughout breaks or whereas making dinner. It’s snug to sleep on with an insulated backside that places your R-value at a 2. Within the summertime that is all you want, however pair it with an inflatable in colder circumstances.

My solely fault on this pad is it isn’t probably the most sturdy, after a couple of seasons of bushwhacking the nodes begin to compress and fray, although that doesn’t imply you must retire it. I feel it’s nonetheless snug to put on.

Finest Easy: Big Agnes TwisterCane

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Professionals

• Textured and clean sides
• Fabricated from 60% sugarcane resin

Cons

• Barely decrease R-value
• Should roll to retailer
• Cumbersome

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Key Options

• 
  Weight:

  
  14 ounces

• 
  R-Worth:

  
  1.7

• 
  Thickness:

  
  0.5 inch

• 
  Size:

  
  72 inches

• 
  Packed Dimension:

  
  20 x 7 inches

If the egg carton sample of the opposite foam sleeping pads on this checklist sounds over stimulating to sleep on, the TwisterCane has the choice to sleep on a clean gym-mat-style floor. I slept comfortably, however when it got here time to roll it up and preserve it rolled whereas I strap it to the highest of my bag I used to be just a little aggravated. Rolling is just not as environment friendly as a fast fold. It has a barely much less R-value than the opposite choices of comparable thickness.

Warmest: Exped Flexmat Plus

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Cons

• Not very snug
• Cumbersome

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Key Options

• 
  Weight:

  
  16.9 ounces (medium), 22.8 ounces (lengthy large)

• 
  R-Worth:

  
  2.2

• 
  Thickness:

  
  1.5 inches

• 
  Size:

  
  72 inches (medium), 77.6 inches (lengthy large)

• 
  Packed Dimension:

  
  20.5 x 6 x 7 inches (medium) or 25.6 x 6.3 x 7 inches (lengthy large)

Inching out an additional 0.2 R-value, the Plus is the thickest foam sleeping pad in my check. The thickness didn’t instantly translate to consolation although; the aggressively tall nodules really feel extra like a therapeutic massage chair than a mattress.

Finest Supplemental: Gossamer Gear Thinlight Pad

buy at garage grown gear

Professionals

• Ultralight
• Small packed dimension

Cons

• Need to roll to retailer
• Too skinny to sleep on

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Key Options

• 
  Weight:

  
  2.7 ounces (rolled), 4.1 ounces (rolled large)

• 
  R-Worth:

  
  0.5

• 
  Thickness:

  
  0.125 inch

• 
  Size:

  
  58.7 inches

• 
  Packed Dimension:

  
  19 inches (rolled) or 25 inches (rolled large) by roughly 3 inches relying on how tightly you roll it

The Thinlight isn’t telling any lies with its title. It’s thinner than a yoga mat, and in my view, not appropriate for sleeping until you really do need to lay on the bottom. However in order for you a spot to stretch, unfold out your lunch, or take a siesta, it’s superb. This mat additionally protects your inflatable pad from harm for those who by accident arrange camp on a rock. 

For those who love the concept of a foam sleeping pad for backpacking, however don’t truly need to sleep on one, I’d advocate the Thinlight. You do must roll it up each time, however as a result of it’s so small you don’t must be notably environment friendly at it. 

Ultralight: Gossamer Gear Torso Foam Pad

buy at gossamer gear

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Key Options

• 
  Weight:

  
  2.8 ounces

• 
  R-Worth:

  
  None

• 
  Thickness:

  
  0.375 inch

• 
  Size:

  
  30 inches

• 
  Packed Dimension:

  
  18 x 10 x 1.25 inches

For those who’re critical about reducing ounces, that is the sleep system for you. This quick, fitted pad is simply sufficiently big on your torso. It isn’t including any R-value and it isn’t as snug as my prime suggestions, but it surely beats sleeping on the bottom, so long as you don’t transfer quite a bit in your sleep.

Gossamer Gear’s secret weapon to make this sleep system bearable is the GVP Donut. This round piece of froth is designed to alleviate stress in your lumbar or hips whereas sleeping together with your decrease half on the bottom. The Torso Foam pad doesn’t pack down very small, but it surely’s designed to suit towards the again of your pack and double as a sit pack.

Therm-a-rest Ridge Rest

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Professionals

• Snug
• Is available in an extended dimension

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Key Options

• 
  Weight:

  
  14 ounces (common), 1 pound, 3 ounces (massive)

• 
  R-Worth:

  
  2

• 
  Thickness:

  
  0.63 inch

• 
  Size:

  
  72 inches (common), 77 inches (massive)

• 
  Packed Dimension:

  
  20 x 8 inches (common) or 8.5 inches (massive)

The Ridge Relaxation is a snug mat to sleep on with the least aggressive patterning of the froth sleeping pads on this check. If the egg-carton nodules or tire tread sample of the opposite choices look too stimulating, this pad provides extra relaxed ridges. 

For those who’re tall or need extra room for a canine to twist up at your toes, the massive dimension is 77 inches lengthy. When rolled up, the common is 8 inches in diameter, so it’s normally too huge to suit properly strapped excessive of my pack. In case your pack has a pair of longer straps beneath, it’ll doubtless be extra suited to retailer this roll. 

Foregoing the short and simple accordion fold, this pad doesn’t simply fall into its packed dimension. Rolling it up after each cease is annoying, however I’m positive you solely get sooner the extra you utilize it.

Therm-a-rest Z Lite Sol

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buy at backcountry

buy at rei

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Key Options

• 
  Weight:

  
  10 ounces (small), 14 ounces (common)

• 
  R-Worth:

  
  2

• 
  Thickness:

  
  0.75 inch

• 
  Size:

  
  51 inches (small), 72 inches (common)

• 
  Packed Dimension:

  
  20 x 5.5 x 4 inches (small) or 5 inches (common)

The Z Lite Sol has a reflective layer identical to the Switchback, however not like the Switchback you’re alleged to sleep on prime of it so it displays your physique warmth again in direction of you. Sadly, this pad folds with the silver floor dealing with outwards. This half will get the brunt of any sticks or rocks whilst you’re climbing. 

I didn’t thoughts sleeping on the Z Lite Sol, although it wasn’t probably the most snug. It’s extra sturdy than the Switchback, but it surely does fold up barely bigger. 

Exped Flexmat

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Cons

• Uncomfortable
• Massive packed dimension

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Key Options

• 
  Weight:

  
  12.3 ounces (medium), 16.8 ounces (lengthy large)

• 
  R-Worth:

  
  1.5

• 
  Thickness:

  
  0.7 inches

• 
  Size:

  
  72 inches (medium), 77.6 inches (lengthy large)

• 
  Packed Dimension:

  
  20.5 x 5 x 6 inches (medium) or 25.6 x 5.5 x 4 inches (lengthy large)

Its packed dimension is bigger than the Nemo Switchback, and a bit stiffer and thinner leading to a firmer pad. If all you’re searching for is an additional layer for beneath your inflatable, this one is $10 cheaper than the Switchback. However whereas Exped makes probably the most snug air mattresses for camping, the Z Lite is among the least snug stand alone foam pads on this checklist.

How I Examined the Finest Foam Sleeping Pads for Backpacking

I used these sleeping pads to relaxation, loosen up, and up the R-value of my sleep system. Whereas I’ve used backpacking quilts with a closed-cell foam pad tenting in very popular circumstances, I normally sleep contained in the overstuffed Therm-a-Rest Parsec sleeping bag which definitely provides no less than some consolation and heat beneath. 

I like a agency sleep spot and I don’t belief inflatable sleeping pads so far as I can throw them, so I used to be excited to experiment with these closed-cell foam pads and discover their finest use instances.

Issues to Contemplate Earlier than Shopping for the Finest Foam Sleeping Pad

R-Worth

R-value is how nicely your sleeping pad resists the chilly of the bottom, and it’s essential to remain heat at evening. Two is the low finish of the spectrum that means for those who’re solely sleeping on top-of-the-line foam sleeping pads for backpacking, it’s solely applicable for heat circumstances. 

Learn Subsequent: What Is R-Value? It’s Why Your Sleeping Bag Doesn’t Keep You Warm

Although closed-cell foam pads are additionally good for winter as an additional layer beneath your inflatable pad. In case your air-filled pad has an R-value of 4, including an additional 2 beneath gives you an edge within the shoulder season.

Weight

Most of those sleeping pads weigh no less than a couple of ounces lower than your typical inflatable pad; the Gossamer Gear fashions coming in considerably lighter. 

Consolation

I received’t declare that closed-cell foam pads are as snug as infltable sleeping pads, however they received’t fail, they don’t crinkle with each flip, and I’ve gotten loads of good evening’s sleep on them. They’re tremendous versatile and after a full day of climbing, I stay up for crashing on a dependable foam sleeping pad.

Last Ideas

My favourite foam sleeping pad for backpacking is undoubtedly the Nemo Switchback. It packs down small, feels snug, and the quick model is barely 10.5 ounces. If you would like the perks of a spot to stretch, eat lunch, and defend an inflatable pad, the Gossamer Gear Thinlight is simply 2.7 ounces. By no means fear a couple of punctured sleeping pad once more with one in all these suggestions.