The 9 Best Sleeping Pads for Camping of 2023
By: Jack Mace: Camp Buyer | June 23, 2023
Sometimes sleeping pads can be a contentious subject. Every brand and model has its diehard aficionados, absolutely confident that their favorite pad is the best, for everyone. But at their core, all sleeping pads serve the same two purposes: providing a cushion between your body and the ground when you’re camping, and insulating your body’s natural heat from the near-infinite heat sink that is the cold hard earth. So every sleeping pad will do those two things with some combination of effectiveness, and it comes down to you, the customer, to decide how much you value those functions over the weight, packability, and price of the pad. The best sleeping pads make that choice easy, they’re lightweight, affordable, and do a good enough job of keeping you comfortable and warm. Every pad on this list will meet those parameters. But, each makes a slightly different set of compromises to get to that point, so it’s worth buying a pad that’s tailored to your needs when choosing a sleeping pad.
New This Year:
This list has a wide variety of pad types, from ultralight inflatable options to thick foam mats, to hybrid options with both foam and air padding. This year’s crop of pads is lighter, warmer, and more comfortable than ever, so we’re confident that you’ll find the perfect ingredient to a good night’s sleep on this list.
Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp™
There's a time and a place for ultra-light, minimalist sleeping pads, and there's a time for comfort. The Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp™ Sleeping Pad falls firmly in the latter category, with premium self-inflating foam and generous dimensions for a warmer, more luxurious experience that will send you straight to dreamland under the stars.
| R-Value | Pad Style | Original Price |
| 6 | Self-Inflating | $114.95 - $154.95 |
Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite™ SOL
Once you've made it up the mountain there is nothing quite like taking a rest. Improve that experience with the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite™ SOL Sleeping Pad. Ultra light and compact, this is the perfect way to ensure a good night's sleep but also lighten your load for the climb. Even better, pair it with a lightweight, packable air mattress for the ultimate comfort in the backcountry! With ThermaCapture™ technology and the use of heat-trapping dimples, this glorious sleeping pad not only repels the cold, it helps maintain warmth while you sleep.
| R-Value | Pad Style | Original Price |
| 2.6 | Foam | $57.95 |
Nemo Astro Insulated
Simple, lightweight, and well insulated, the Nemo Astro Insulated Sleeping Pad is music to a backpackers ears. A 2.6 R-value helps keep you warm in mild temperatures, an it comes with an easy inflation system that gets the pad ready quicker than you can say Zzzzz.
| R-Value | Pad Style | Original Price |
| 2.6 | Air | $139.95 - $149.95 |
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Wide Sleeping Pad
Simple, lightweight, and well insulated, the Nemo Astro Insulated Sleeping Pad is music to a backpacker's ears. A 2.6 R-value helps keep you warm in mild temperatures, and it comes with an easy inflation system that gets the pad ready quicker than you can say Zzzzz. The Astro is a lightweight pad that’s great for three-season adventures. It’s one of the best sleeping pads for backpacking as it’s very packable but is shockingly comfortable for its size.
| “R” Insulation Value | Type | Original Price |
| 2.6 | Insulated Inflatable | $139.95 |
Nemo Tensor Insulated Mummy
The Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad is your new best friend in the backcountry. It's super lightweight, packs down small, and helps you get a comfortable night's sleep year-round without disturbing your tent mate thanks to suspended film construction. With three inches of stable cushioned loft and a 3.5 R-value, you'll stay toasty warm as temps drop.
| R-Value | Pad Style | Original Price |
| 3.5 | Air | $199.95 - $229.95 |
Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated
The Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated Sleeping Pad helps you get a comfortable sleep on three-season adventures. Body-mapped baffling cradles you securely on the pad while PrimaLoft insulation keeps you cozy warm. The included Vortex pump sack saves you a bunch of time and breath on setup and the convenient Laylow valve lets you customize the stiffness of your mattress.
| R-Value | Pad Style | Original Price |
| 3.3 | Air | $159.95 |
Big Agnes Goosenest Inflatable Cot
The Big Agnes Goosenest Inflatable Cot is a new offering from Big Agnes and a new innovation in backcountry comfort. Cots used to be the sole domain of glamping and car camping, but this inflatable number is here to change all that. It blows up to a respectable 6 inch thickness, giving you plenty of padding and separation from the ground, all while weighing less that 1.5kg and packing down small enough to fit in your backpack. Easily attach it to your sleeping pad, and enjoy a bed-like experience far from the creature comforts of home.
| R-Value | Pad Style | Original Price |
| Air | $299.95 |
Nemo Quasar 3D
The Nemo Quasar 3D Sleeping Pad is great to take on any camping adventure, backpacking trip, or a sleepover where there are not enough beds for everyone. Body-mapped baffling cradles you securely on the pad so you can sleep soundly all night. The included Vortex pump sack saves you a bunch of time and breath on setup while the Laylow valve lets you customize the stiffness of your mattress. You might even volunteer for the floor.
| R-Value | Pad Style | Original Price |
| 1.8 | Air | $139.95 |
Learn More With Our Other Camping Guides:
- Camping - What to Bring Camping & Checklist
- Sleeping Bags - How to Choose a Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Bags - How to Wash a Sleeping Bag
- Tents - How to Choose a Tent for Camping
- Stoves - How to Choose a Camping Stove
- Sleeping Pads - How to Choose a Sleeping Pad
- What to Pack for a Day Hike
Learn About Some of Our Favorite Gear:
- The Best Sleeping Bags
- The Best Sleeping Pads
- The Best Camping Tents
- The Best Backpacking Tents
- The Best Camping Stoves
- The Best Camping Hammocks
- The Best Camping Coffee Makers
- The Best Camping Chairs
- The Best Camping Water Filters & Water Purifiers
- The Best Camping Coolers
- The Best Camping Accessories
- The Best Camping Cookware
- The Best Headlamps & Camping Lights
- The Best Headlamps Camping Blankets
- The Best Daypacks
- The Best Duffel Bags
The Selection Process:
Our camp buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things camping stemming from years of experience in the outdoor industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the trail and hanging at the campsite. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Jack Mace
Hey there! My name is Jack Mace, and I am the camp buyer for evo. I grew up in Washington and spent most of my childhood summers on the water or in the mountains, which drove my passion for fun activities such as camping. I attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, which provides plenty of excellent camping locations, such as Larrabee State Park or Silver Lake. Then, I moved back to the Seattle area and worked as a sailing instructor for several years at my cousin’s rental shop on Lake Union before joining the evo family in 2012. At evo, I started on the customer service team and worked my way onto the merchandising team, which gave me the opportunity to integrate my passion and love for the outdoors into a career as the Camp Buyer. I still reside in the Seattle area with my wife, Katie, and two sons, Wes and Carter.