#Deepsleep solo mat Patch

For most 3-season use, common R-values are in the 2.5 to 4 range.

Most manufacturers use an R-value rating to measure how well a sleeping pad insulates, and the scale goes from 0 (no insulation capabilities) to 9 (serious insulation for winter camping).

#Deepsleep solo mat Patch

But if you take good care of them (and bring a patch kit) air pads are well worth it for serious backpacking. The main knocks against air pads are durability and price-we’ve popped our fair share and it’s not a fun experience. Transitioning from a ¾-inch foam pad to a 3-inch air pad is night and day in terms of sleeping comfort, and in many cases you’ll save weight and gain some insulation in the process. When balancing weight and comfort, the air pad is the clear leader. Self-inflating pads, which have a foam core that expands when the valve is opened, are heavier but typically more durable and affordable than air pads. Classic closed-cell foam pads aren’t as comfortable and don’t pack down as small but are great for those on a budget or looking for a pad that won’t deflate. Air pads are the luxurious ultralight option with thicknesses reaching up to 4 inches. Sleeping Pad Types: Air, Foam, and Self-InflatingĪs sleeping pads go, there’s little to debate in terms of the lightest types: air and foam pads take up the top 30 spots on our chart. To pare down the list and put a proper emphasis on weight, we set a maximum of 1.5 pounds, but also restricted it to models we'd actually tolerate sleeping on-you won’t find any 1/3-inch strips of foam here.įull Length Sleeping Pads Sleeping Pad Model

You’ll notice that there isn’t a huge variety of companies selling sleeping pads-the market is dominated by Therm-a-Rest, Nemo, Big Agnes, and others-but they do offer a ton of variations in terms of R-Values, thicknesses, and price points. Air pads are the most popular way to go UL, with foam and self-inflating models trailing behind. The beauty of buying a lightweight pad is that you aren’t necessarily compromising comfort, but as weight goes down you may see durability decrease and price increase. Backpackers trim weight in a number of ways, but one of the simplest and most affordable is the humble sleeping pad.