![]() I think the friction from the micro dirt buildup ultimately led to the little hole in mine. The baffle system across the pad makes it collect dirt like nobody’s business. As mentioned above, even on the slightly taller side of the spectrum, this pad is plenty of bed to get cozy on. It held up pretty well for most of the PCT where I used it and has only recently received its first pinhole. The insulation factor means it can be used functionally even on the coldest nights, yet I never had issues with it being too warm in the summer months. This pad is extremely well suited for thru-hiking. Two-part valve system: Makes inflation adjustment convenient.“ Space blanket” insulation: It really works! I’ve slept directly on snow well below freezing with this pad paired with a 20-degree quilt and slept just fine.Mummy shape: Shaves a little weight while still providing plenty of cushion to sleep on for a 6-foot tall hiker.Mummy) / 9 oz (Short Mummy) / 18 oz (Reg.) ![]() ![]() Pros: Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio easy-to-use one-way valve comfortable multiple length options.Ĭons: Expensive, on the narrow side makes a lot of noise.īest backpacking sleeping pads: NEMO Tensor mummy. The material is reasonably durable and easy to repair, but a long thru-hike will put that to the test. And like other inflatable pads, the risk of a puncture leaving you flat in the night is very real. Their tapered mummy shape, while cutting weight, can make it difficult for active sleepers to remain perched on the thick cushion. The NeoAir line also runs on the narrow side for sleeping pads. That’s fine for solo sleepers, but light-sleeping partners and shelter-mates beware. This works, but it also sounds like you’re lying on a crinkly bag of chips when rolling around. The NeoAir XLite utilizes Therm-a-Rests reflective ThermaCapture technology to boost the R-value while minimizing bulk. It also comes in various lengths for a perfect fit, and an updated valve and included pump sack make inflating/deflating easier than ever. ![]() The XLite inflates to a root-smothering 2.5-inches thick and packs tiny to roughly the size of a Nalgene. The 66” women’s version is even warmer at 5.4 while maintaining the same 12-ounce weight, making it perfect for smaller dudes too. The NeoAir XLite is perfect for three-season thru-hiking with an R-value of 4.2 in the men’s version (47”, 72”, or 77”). That means our picks for the best backpacking sleeping pads aren’t just our opinions: they’re based on years of feedback from the greater thru-hiking community.Ĭheck out AT hikers’ favorite sleeping pads from the 2016, 2018, and 2019 surveys. Moreover, we survey hundreds of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers every year to learn about their behaviors, demographics, and-you guessed it-gear preferences. We’re gear nerds who love putting our equipment to the test on trails long and short, and we’ve tried just about every sleeping pad under the sun in pursuit of a better night’s sleep in the backcountry. (Not to mention extremely humble).īut if that isn’t enough to impress you, there’s also the fact that everyone who contributed to this article is an experienced thru-hiker with thousands of on-trail miles under their belt. Why should you trust us?īecause we’re so incredibly intelligent, of course! Attractive, too. Because a crappy night’s sleep is the fastest way to ruin the trip of a lifetime, you should opt for one of the best backpacking sleeping pads for your next hike. The warmest sleeping bag in the world won’t do you much good if you’re lying on the cold, hard ground without a mattress, after all. ![]() It may not be as sexy as a tent, backpack, or sleeping bag, but the humble backpacking sleeping pad is just as critical (and often just as expensive) as the much-touted Big Three. ![]()
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