Best Sleeping Pad for Backpacking 2023 – GWC Mag

Which Backpacking Sleeping Pad is Right for Which Season?

Use Expected Temperature to Choose a Sleeping Pad for backpacking

First, we think expected temperature is a better way to choose a sleeping pad for backpacking as opposed to “seasons” which is the way that the industry traditionally talks about which backpacking sleeping pad is right for which conditions. For instance winter in Florida is very different than Winter in Maine.

Second, we are more conservative and generally choose a sleeping pad for backpacking that is warmer than is usually recommended. Remember, the standard sleeping bag temperature rating test is done with a very warm sleeping pad — R4.8.

Which R-Value for which temperature?

R2 to R3.5 | Nighttime temps above freezing: When nighttime temperatures are above freezing (with possibly a light morning frost) average to hardy sleepers will want a backpacking sleeping pad around R2 to R2.5. Colder sleepers will likely want an R3 to R3.5 pad.

R3.5 to R5.4 | Good portion of nighttime temps below freezing: When a good portion of nighttime temperatures are at or below freezing (with possibly a very hard morning frost) average to hardy sleepers will want a sleeping pad for backpacking rated from R-3.5 to R-4.5. Colder sleepers will likely want an R4.5 to R5.4 sleeping pad.

For most folks in the northern part of the country or in the high mountains Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is the best overall pad for the shoulder seasons of late fall or early spring, when snow and temps falling well below freezing are a real possibility.

R5.4 to R7 | All of night time temps below freezing: When temperatures are already below freezing before you go to bed (with possibly of morning temps dropping below 20F) average to hardy sleepers will want a backpacking sleeping pad around R5.4. Colder sleepers will likely want an R6.5 to R7 pad.

Both campers might consider adding foam torso kicker-pad to increase warmth in the critical upper body area, or a supplemental mat like the Gossamer Gear Thinlight. The applies when camping on snow or ice. When a high R-value backpacking sleeping pad is called for, we always turn to the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT.