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The R-value is 4.3, and the pad weighs 25 ounces - keeping things nice and trim. The top is a quiet, stretch material that won't wake up fellow campers when you roll over in your sleep, and the bottom is made from durable, recycled material that will stand up to tough conditions. New and Upcoming Releasesīig Agnes Boundary Deluxe Insulated: This brand-new sleeping pad from Big Agnes is super cozy, but still lightweight enough for backpacking trips. Patent-pending, reflective ThermaCapture technology gives this pad an impressive 4.2 R-Value, making it suitable for all conditions, except arctic. At 2.5 inches, it’s one of the thickest and most comfortable ultra-lightweight backpacking sleeping pads.
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Similar in size to a 32oz Nalgene water bottle when packed, the small and regular size pads both come in under one pound. When pack weight is counted in ounces, not pounds, the Therma-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad is sure to lighten the load.
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Size: 72 inches x 20 inches (Regular) 77 inches x 25 inches (Large).
#Best personal budget sleeping pad camping upgrade
So, ditch that dated, musty-smelling mattress and upgrade to one of these. Regardless of what direction you face when you sleep, a high-quality camping mattress will make your nights more restful, your days more energetic and your whole adventure more enjoyable - not to mention safer. This will offer more cushion and surface area and prevent the camper from pressing into the center of the mattress where the insulation layers tend to live.” A side sleeper may want a thicker and wider pad, especially if they flip sides throughout the night. “The width and thickness of the mattresses should factor in your sleeping style. “It is also important to understand which shape and size you will need,” he adds. The R references resistance to heat loss. “The main factors to consider are warmth, weight, comfort and packability.” Are you camping close to your car and have the luxury to go big? Or are you backpacking and need something small that fits in your pack? It's worth noting that warmth is measured in R-value, an insulation scale that ranges from less than 2 (barely insulated) to 5.5 or more (highly insulated). To choose one, “start with its intended use,” suggests Jeff Moberg, product line manager at Therm-a-Rest. (If you're looking for something elevated above the ground, we've also covered the best camping cots. And unlike air mattresses for use in the home, self-inflate pads for camping don't need a wall outlet. Self-inflate pads are the most popular among car campers and offer the most comfort and warmth. Air-inflated pads tend to be the lightest and pack down the smallest, but they are also the least durable. These are your classic thin, single layer of closed-cell foam.
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Most people, however, will be fine below R-5.What Are the Different Types of Camping Mattresses?Ĭamping mattresses fall into three categories: foam pads, air-inflated pads and self-inflate pads.įoam pads are the most basic and least comfortable. If you camp late into the year, or just don't appreciate the chill of the ground, go above R-5.
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Anything above R-5 is warm, below R-5 is standard. There's a whole formula behind it, but for context the insulation in your walls has an R-Value of around 15-20, insulation in your ceiling is upwards of R-30. R-Value: This is as science-y as we'll get, but essentially R-Value is a given material's insulation rating. For car camping, it should just pack away neatly, so it can be stored in a closet and tossed in a trunk when the time comes. For backpacking, single-person sleeping pads should be under three pounds and pack light enough to stuff or attach to your pack. Packability (Weight + Dimensions): This is relative to what you'll be using the sleeping pad for. Some thinner, colder, budget pads were more comfortable than thicker, warmer, luxury ones. There is zero science involved here-a real Goldilocks situation. Those aspects are:Ĭomfort: The most important part! How well can you actually sleep on this thing. Every option on this list excelled in every aspect of testing. There are a few main criteria we looked at when testing sleeping pads.
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