13 Best Lightweight Sleeping Pads for Backpacking [2022] BikeHikeSafari

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This is a gear review about the Best Lightweight Sleeping Pads for 2022.

Sleeping Mats are better in 2022 than ever before with many top brands stepping up their game.

The quality of the ultralight sleeping pads in this review are a huge leap forward from only a couple of years ago.

What are the best sleeping pads on the market in 2022?

Keep reading to find out.

Best Lightweight Sleeping Mats for Backpacking 2022

The Best Lightweight Sleeping Mats for Backpacking 2022 are:

Nemo have a large selection of lightweight sleeping pads for camping. The Nemo Tensor Insulated is arguably one of their best backpacking sleeping pads and the one I am currently using.

The Nemo Tensor Insulated is one of the most comfortable air pad of all the mattresses in this review because of its thickness and the fact that it is quiet. Making it perfect for the side sleeper.

The only other lightweight sleeping pad in this review that is equal to the Nemo Tensor for comfort is the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated.

At 14oz / 410g the Nemo Tensor Insulated is a lightweight insulated sleeping pad but the best thing about this mattress is how quiet it is when rolling over.

A complete contrast to most of the other mattresses in this review.

This is the most comfortable of the mattresses in this review. It is also slightly thicker than the other mattresses which makes it a great choice for a side sleeper like myself. I sleep with all the pressure on the hips and shoulders.

I recently used this mattress on my thru hike of the Te Araroa Trail and loved it, however, I did get a couple of small holes near the internal baffles.

There are a couple of different versions of the Nemo Tensor. In my opinion the Insulated mummy is the best.

The Regular Tensor Mummy weighs, 12oz / 345g, which is a bit lighter than the insulated but not as suited to cold temperatures below 35F / 2C.

For extreme cold temperatures down to -20F / -29C there is the Nemo Tensor Alpine. At only 475 grams this is the best option for cold climates, like climbing Kilimanjaro or Trekking in the Andes and Himalaya.

Overall, the Nemo Tensor Insulated is the best backpacking sleeping pad on the market in 2022.

The Therm a rest NeoAir Uberlite is one of the best ultralight sleeping pads on the market.

It weighs a ridiculous 8.8oz / 250grams and packs up smaller than a 1 litre Nalgene Bottle.

It also comes in a short version which is 6oz / 170grams which is big enough to cover people from head to hips.

A carefully placed empty backpack can insulate the feet in warm temperatures. It is enough to keep any gram counting ultra light hiker happy. But there is a catch.

To make this mattress so light it does not have as much thermal material inside. This mat has an R Rating of 2.0 or 37F/3C, making this a borderline 3 season backpacking mattress.

In my opinion the weight saving is worth it but I would not use this mattress on a notoriously cold trail such as the Continental Divide Trail.

Therma-A-Rest NeoAir Uberlite review by Thru Hiker Micheal ‘Grizzly’ Ivey

Ultralight Thru Hiker Micheal ‘Grizzly’ Ivey got his hands on one of these recently released mats. This is what he had to say,

“It has a very small packed size of 6 inches by 3.5 inches” which is smaller than a 1 litre Nalgene Bottle!”

“The Therm a Rest UberLite simply disappears in your pack while still offering a very cushy and enjoyable sleep. This pad is great for side sleepers with its 2.5 inches thick while also being quieter than other Therm-a-Rest inflatable pads”.

“The UberLite is able to be so light weight by using a thin 15 denier nylon. This is the lightest material used on the market.

In testing I’ve seen no issues with the thin material however I will be extra careful when choosing my campsites to make sure I clear any sharp debris from under my shelter”.

“I would recommend this pad to anyone who sleeps warm to neutral and is looking to reduce their base weight down without sacrificing comfort at night. I used this mattress on the Pacific Crest Trail and Colorado Trail in 2019”.

Overall, this is the best ultralight sleeping pad on the market right now! But is it strong enough in the long term! Want to know how it goes long term?

Follow Grizzlies journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grizzly_hikes/

The Sea to Summit Ether light XT is their newest lightweight sleeping pad. It is Sea to Summit’s flagship model right now.

At a whooping 4inches/10cm thick this is the thickest mattress in this review.

This is the best ultralight sleeping pad for side sleepers. The thickness and air sprung cells make it super comfortable for even the most fussy of side sleepers.

It is also made of materials that make it very quiet when turning over during the night. No more clinking sounds as you toss and turn during the night.

It is ultra lightweight at 12oz/350g but should only be used in warmer weather . The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated version is slightly heavier at 15oz/425g but for slide sleepers it is a better option.

Such a thick mattress comes at the cost of needing many breaths to inflate it but Sea to Summit have solved this problem by adapting the Stuff Sac so it can be used inflate the mattress.

The Sea to Summit Etherlite Insulted is the best insulated sleeping pad for side sleepers. If you are a side sleeper like me and dislike when thin mattresses crush your hip and shoulder into the ground then this is for you.

Like the non insulted summer version of the Etherlite this sleeping mat is quiet when you roll over in the middle of the night. Add to that the super comfortable feel and good insulation and you have a great pad for not only summer hiking trips but backpacking trips in the cooler months.

It has a good system for inflating the pad which uses the stuff sack to inflate the mat. My only wish is that this mat was a little lighter.

Overall, if you are a slide sleeper and want a sleeping pad for cooler temperatures then this is for you. It is also one of the most comfortable mats in this review.

All the same great quality as the all the other Therm a Rest pads but with more insulation to help with those cold sleepers who need all the help they can get to stay warm.

At 15oz / 430g the Therm A Rest NeoAir XTherm is one of the best backpacking sleeping pads for cold temperatures.

The NeoAir X-Therm is very lightweight, super comfortable and reasonably priced.

This is a great option for anyone wanting to spend time outdoors during the colder parts of the year.

It would be perfect for high altitude hikes or bicycle tours in the Andes or Himalaya or for the cold sleeper who wants a bit more insulation.

I used the Therm a Rest NeoAir XTherm lightweight sleeping pad while thru hiking the coldest sections of the Sierra Section of the Pacific Crest Trail and had no reason to feel any cold transfer from the mattress below me.

Overall, this is the Best Winter Backpacking Sleeping Pad on the market in 2022.

The Therm a Rest NeoAir XLite is the most popular lightweight sleeping pad on the market for good reason.

At 12oz / 340g for the regular length version and an R-Value of 3.2 it is not only lightweight but super comfortable, reasonably priced and comes with a great lifetime warranty.

It also comes in a short version which only reaches the hips instead of all the way to the feet.

Ultra light ounce counters love the short option of the Therm a Rest NeoAir XLite.

The only down side I have about this mattress is the insulation layer inside the mattress. It makes an annoyingly loud crinkling sound every time someone rolls over on this mattress. After a week or two of use the noise it not so loud.

Very light sleepers might not like this very much, although it has never bothered me, it can be a deal breaker for some.

I used this mattress for several sections of the Pacific Crest Trail and loved it. I still have the mattress today.

At around $35, the Therm a Rest Z-Lite Sol is one of the best closed cell foam pads for the budget conscious person.

The lightweight Z-Lite Sol closed cell foam pad weights only 14oz / 410g and is the best foam sleeping pad on the market.

It provides enough comfort for most tired people. But if you are a side sleeper, this sleeping pad will not be the most comfortable.

This closed cell foam pad is also a favourite with the speedy hikers who love to throw down the mattress and sleep anywhere, anytime, ‘Hikertrash‘ style!

Unlike the other sleeping pads for backpacking in this review, the Therm a rest Z Lite will not get a puncture and deflate at the worst moment.

A great option for cactus filled deserts.

The foam sleeping pad also provides great insulation making it a great sleeping pad for backpacking in snow.

This is one of the best closed cell foam sleeping pads on the market at the moment with a great budget price and overall it is still a nice light sleeping pad.

The Sea to Summit Ultralight sleeping pads is another great value mattress for spending time in the back country.

At 14oz / 395g the Sea to Summit Ultralight is lightweight with enough insulation for summer hiking in warm temperatures.

When it gets cold the Sea to Summit Ultra Light Insulated is a better option.

The Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated weighs 17oz/480g and is rated for temperatures 22F/-5C.

The pads come with a stuff sack that can be used to inflate the mattress. Great for preventing stinky breath from contaminating the inside of the pads.

Big Agnes is another big name that entered the mattress making business.

The Big Agnes AXL Air is ultra lightweight at 9.6oz / 272g. The sleeping pad R-Value 2.6 makes it a good 3 season sleeping pad which is best used in summer with temperatures above freezing.

It also is a nice thick mattress which makes it a great mattress for side sleepers.

It is a great ultralight option that is well suited for anyone thinking of summer hiking or ultra lightweight thru hiking. A great alternative to the Uberlite from Thermarest.

For slightly colder temperatures the Big Agnes AXL Insulated is a better option. Weighing 10.6oz / 301g the Big Agnes Insulated is lightweight and packs up small. Just be warned that just because it says it is insulated doesn’t mean that it has enough insulation to keep you warm. This is still a summer only mattress.

Note that this mattress is becoming very difficult to find in many stores at the moment.

Sleeping Pad Buyers Guide

Best Sleeping Pad – Overall

Overall the Best Sleeping Pad for Backpacking in 2022 is the Nemo Tensor Insulated. It is the best combination of comfort, price and lightweight.

Best Ultralight Sleeping Pad

The best ultralight sleeping pad will only be best as a 3 season sleeping pad. The sleeping pads for backpacking in the summer months are the Uberlite from Thermarest, with the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT and the Big Agnes Air very close behind.

The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT and Big Agnes Air are thicker and better for side sleepers but the Therm a rest Uberlite is lighter weight.

These mats are ultra light but more fragile than the others, so choose the campsite well. In temperatures below freezing these are not the best choice.

Best Sleeping Pad for Winter Backpacking

 

For cold temperatures the best lightweight sleeping pads are the Thermarest X-Therm or the Nemo Tensor Alpine.

Both are suitable for winter camping or high altitude trekking. The Nemo Tensor Alpine is more comfortable and quiet, the Therm a rest X-Therm is lighter.

Are you heading to the Himalayan or Andes mountains for some high altitude trekking? or want a mat to use in winter? These would be the ones to consider.

Best Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers?

The Best Sleeping Pad for side sleepers are the Nemo Tensor, Big Agnes AXL Air or the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT. The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT is a massive 4 inches thick, has a small packed size and a pump sack to inflate it.

Overall, the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT is the best sleeping pad for side sleepers.

All are super comfortable thick mattresses that will ensure a better nights sleep for side sleepers than some the thinner sleeping pads in this review.

 

Best Budget Sleeping Pad

The best budget sleeping pad is the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol. It is also cheap and the best mattress for anyone traveling in cactus and thorn infested deserts of the world.

Inflatable Mattress Vs Foam Pad

Inflatable Sleeping Pads

Inflatable sleeping pads have come a long way from the crude rubber mattresses with built in pillows. Also, gone are the days of self inflating mattresses. I once used to own a Therm-A-Rest Prolite self inflating mattress but those days are long gone. Things have improved a lot since then.

Ultralight, high tech materials and lifetime warranties make them the best option for sleeping away from home.

But the high cost and possibility of getting a hole can frustrate people at times.

Foam Sleeping Pads

Foam Sleeping pads have long been the favourite due their budget price, great thermal qualities and ease of use. Just roll out the foam pad and fall asleep.

But for anyone who is a side sleeper or needs a comfortable bed this option is painful and not conducive of a good nights sleep.

Overall, the inflatable mattress and foam pads have good and bad points. But now is the era of the inflatable mattress. Advances in technology will only see things get better.

Will the best backpacking sleeping pads ever be puncture resistant!

Side Sleeper vs Back Sleeper

I am a side sleeper. Just the thought of sleeping on a closed cell foam mattress brings pain to all parts of my body. Therefore, it is important to know how you sleep when choosing a mattress.

Side sleepers want a thick mattress. The Nemo Tensor, Sea to Summit Ether Light XT , Sea to Summit Ether Light Insulated and Big Agnes AXL Air are certainly better options than the others due to their slightly thicker cores.

The thicker core on the air pads is more comfortable but it takes more breathes to blow up. Many have stuff sacks that double as pump sack to inflate the inflatable pads.

Back sleepers are usually able to withstand a thinner mattress a lot better. Therefore, any mattress in this review would work out well for them in the comfort stakes.

All the backpacking sleeping pads except the Z Lite foam pad would be good for side sleepers. Those with a sore back would not like the Therm a Rest z Lite Sol.

Inflatable Mattress Warranty

Inflatable mattresses have a bad reputation of not only getting holes but delaminating from the inside. The internal baffles which are important for the integrity of the mattress often fail, causing a large bubble to appear.

I have had this happen to several of the well known brands and each time the warranty of the companies have been rock solid.

These companies stand behind their products. Failure to do so would destroy the confidence in buying such a lightweight piece of gear. Hence the rise of the air mattress and the decline of the foam mattress.

How to Look After a Lightweight Sleeping Pad

• Prevent dirt and body oils from coming in contact with the mattress by using sleep clothing such as long merino pants and long merino top. Some people use a sleeping bag liner too.
• Do not allow Deet mosquito repellent, fuel from stoves or embers from a campfire to get anywhere near a mattress. Wash them off immediately.
• If campfire embers contact your mattress, you might have an uncomfortable nights sleep with the backpacking sleeping pad deflating!
• A wet sleeping mattress can be packed up while wet for the short term. It is not always possible to keep the mattress dry. Be sure and air it out (with the valve open) as soon as possible.
• Ensure the campsite is free of thorns or sharp objects that might puncture the air mattress.

How to clean and store a Sleeping Mat

• It is also a good idea to wash the mattress with a sponge and warm soapy water.
• Make sure the air valve is closed when washing.
• Unroll and unpack the mattress and let it air out for at least a day or two.
• Hang or store the mattress in a cool dry place, inside a wardrobe with clothing or under a bed works well for me.

How to repair a mattress in the field

• Finding the hole can be a problem. Rivers and lakes make the best places to blow up the mattress and try to find the hole.
• Clean the area around the hole. A small alcohol wipe found in first aid kits are good for cleaning the area. When it is clean and dry, use a small sticky contact patch such as a Tenacious Tape Patch.
• A small drop of liquid seam sealer can be used to repair very small leaks but not larger holes. Make sure it is a silicon based seam sealer such as this Silicon Seam Sealer.

PRO TIP
Ever slept on a slope and woke up to find the mattress slipped overnight and pressing against the bottom of the tent?
I add Silicon Seam Sealer on the bottom of my air mattress to stop it slipping and sliding around in my tent at night, specially if my tent is pitched on a slope. But only use a silicon based sealer, not the water based one.

R-Value Sleeping Pad

The Sleeping Pad R-Value, when used in the context of measuring Sleeping Mats, refers to the ability of the mattress to stop the transfer of heat or cold through the pad.

In cold weather a high R-Value sleeping pad will serve to reduce the cold temperatures from snow or frozen ground transferring to the person sleeping on the pad.

This is important when camping in winter or the colder times of the year.

Below is an R-Values temperature chart. The R-Value Sleeping Pad prevents temperature transfer from the cold to the warmth of the body and sleeping bag. into Temperature.

The video below by Exped explains what R-Values are and how it refers to sleeping mats in a detailed yet informative way.

Sleeping Pad Packed Size

All these lightweight sleeping pads are compact enough to be rolled up to the size of a 1 litre Nalgene bottle, with the exception of the Z Lite foam pad.

I rarely use a stuff sack. I just roll it up and stuff it in my backpack. When hiking and bicycle touring I roll the mattress up and pack it inside my sleeping bag but only when it is dry.

Many of the companies include a stuff sack that also has a valve to use as a way of inflating the mattress.

A good idea to prevent stinky, humid breath from entering the mattress, but is the extra weight worth it!

Best Backpacking Sleeping Mats

The Best Backpacking Sleeping Mats for 2022 are:

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