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One of the most importantpieces of camping gearto get that outcome?
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The right sleeping pad for your comfort, trip, and budget.
That being said, with such innovation comes a whole lot of options and price ranges.
We broke it down by best air-inflatable sleeping pads and self-inflating sleeping pads below.
Many inflatable sleeping pads come with a repair patch; theyre also relatively inexpensive tobuy separately.
Thats where something called R-value comes in.
The higher the R-value, the more insulated youll be against a cold ground.
Comfort is more of a personal preference, so its something youll want to fine-tune for yourself.
That being said,side sleepersoften benefit from thicker pads.
From $50 to $250, there are sleeping pads at all price ranges.
You dont have to always have the latest, greatest, says Okonek.
you better get something that works, that allows you to grow, and then go from there.
Best Air Inflatable Sleeping Pads
Air-inflatable camping pads use air almost entirely to lift you up.
You inflate them up by blowing into them or using a pump.
These are the pads we are focusing most on in this round up.
For general all-around three-season use on backpacking trips, the Womens NeoAir XLite is tough to beat.
It has a great R-value of 5.4 and it packs down surprisingly small.
Its also one of the most comfortable sleeping pads Ive ever slept on.
Vice president of marketing atKampgrounds of AmericaWhitney Scott also names this pad as her top pick.
At almost $200, its one of the more expensive pads on our list.
Plus, the UberLite is just as comfy to sleep on as the XLite.
My primary recommendation for an inflatable sleeping pad is that more expensive doesnt equate to better, says Goodner.
My favorite thing about this sleeping pad is the quality of sleep I get.
While the specific pad she uses isnt available anymore, Shisler recommends the Flash Thermal as a similar model.
Shisler tells SELF, as a six-foot-tall woman, I prefer the longer versions of the sleeping pads.
Former REI sales manager and founder of adventure companyHither + Yon, Lisa Wilder recommends theInsulated Q-Core Deluxe.
The baffle system (air pocket pattern) offers loft regardless of preferred sleep style, says Wilder.
It also needs to be thick/inflated enough to manage unevenly distributed weight, mostly at my hips.
This pad is designed for side sleepers and greater warmth, Benson tells SELF.
Ive tried other pads, but at this price point and versatility, I think its a great deal.
It’s a great price point and has enough cushion if you’re a side sleeper, she says.
The one issue I have with the pad is the price.
This is not a cheap pad.
Its lightweight and compactso perfect for backpacking.
Both Landauer and La like this pad for camping.
The other benefit of this pad?
Theres no chance of it getting a hole and leaking air.
