Best Budget Sleeping Pads of 2024

BEST BUDGET SLEEPING PAD

The Therm-a-rest Z Lite is a closed cell foam pad that exceeded our expectations in terms of comfort and is best suited for long-distance thru-hikers, climbers, and minimalists who are willing to sacrifice comfort to avoid a puncture and save some weight.    

What we like most about this pad is that it’s basically indestructible. It won’t puncture like inflatable pads, it’s waterproof, it’s very easy to use, and the price is right. It can be used on its own or it can be used in conjunction with an inflatable pad to boost the inflatable pad’s R-Value. 

What we don’t care for is the fact that is bulky and while it is more comfortable to sleep on than we had anticipated it still doesn’t come close to the comfort of the thicker inflatable pads in this category. While you could potentially fit the Z Lite inside a pack the majority of users will need to strap this to the outside of their pack, we are not a fan of strapping large items to our packs.

BEST FOAM SLEEPING PAD

The Nemo switchback is Nemo’s take on the classic “Z” style folding foam pad. Nemo uses a proprietary dual density closed cell foam with a reflective layer to help boost the R-value while maintaining a smaller size. This is a good pad for thru hikers, mountaineers, climbers, and anyone who doesn’t want to risk a puncture on the trail. It can also be used as an addition to an inflatable pad for anyone winter camping. 

What we like most about this pad is that it’s essentially indestructible and that set up and pack down take seconds. We like that it folds up smaller than its competitors while maintaining a slightly better R-Value. 

What we don’t care for is that it’s still quite large and will usually need to be strapped to the outside of the pack. It also only has an R-value of 2 meaning this is really only suitable for summertime camping. It’s not uncomfortable but we wouldn’t purchase this pad for the comfort factor. 

The Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout is a self inflating lightweight backpacking sleeping pad. It’s a great option for beginners, scouts and budget conscious backpackers. 

What we love the most about the Trail Scout is its overall value. While it’s not the flashiest pad out there, it does do a great job at balancing weight, durability, packability and price. Compared to other budget sleeping pads, the Trail Scout is an excellent value. It inflates mostly on its own, you’ll need to give it a few extra blows to fully inflate it. 

The biggest downside of this pad is it’s thin, it’s only one inch thick. It’s certainly an upgrade from a closed foam pad but it’s nowhere near as comfortable as the thicker pads that are on this list. For a slight upgrade in comfort while still staying on a tight budget, check out the Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite.

The Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout comes in three sizes: Regular, Short and Long. 

The REI Co-op Trailbreak is a self inflating budget sleeping pad. It’s a decent option for beginners who  don’t mind carrying a bit of extra weight to save some cash. 

What we love the most about the REI Trailbreak is its price. It’s one of the best value pads on this list. If you’re just starting out and you don’t want to splurge on a high end sleeping pad but also want some more padding than you’d get from a foam pad, this could be a good middle ground. 

The biggest drawback of this pad is it is very bulky so it’s not ideal for backpacking. You’ll most likely end up strapping it onto the outside of your pack. It weighs over 2 pounds, making it one of the heavier pads on this list. If you’re just getting started with backpacking it could be a good starting pad. If you decide to upgrade, you could use the Trailbreak for car camping. If you’re budget has a bit of wiggle room, take a look at the Big Agnes Air Core Ultra, which will give you much more padding, and it’s much better suited for backpacking trips.

This pad is self inflating and it does firm up a bit on its own but you’ll still need to give it a few blows to pump it up completely. Packing it back up also takes some effort but that can be expected with self inflating pads. 

The REI Trailbreak comes in two sizes: Regular and Long. It also comes in a women’s version which also comes in a regular and long size.

The Big Agnes Air Core Ultra is a synthetically insulated sleeping pad that packs down to the size of a water bottle. 

We love that this pad has vertical baffles that are bigger on the outside than they are on the middle which cradles your body, keeping you in the center of the pad. No one likes rolling off their pad in the middle of the night. This design works pretty well even on uneven ground. If you like this feature too, it’s common among all the Big Agnes sleeping pads we’ve featured on this list. We also love the amount of padding, there’s 3.25 inches of cushion. It’s good for side sleepers because you won’t have your hip bones pushing into the ground like they might with thinner pads. The $100 price tag is also a big plus, considering what you get. 

The Air Core Ultra has a two valves, one for inflation and the other for deflation. We quite like this system for a few reasons. One is because it sits flush to the pad so it doesn’t poke out, which makes it more durable than stick valves. Also, the inflate valve has a little plunger in it so if the pump bag comes lose or if you need to take a breather, you don’t lose any air. This system also makes it super easy to adjust the firmness. The deflate valve makes pack up fast and easy, unlike some other systems that you really have to squeeze the air out.

Our biggest complaint is the stuff sack is tight which makes it tricky to repack the pad. Another downside is it is noisy. Each time I moved it sounded like I was opening a bag of chips. If you’re the kind of person that just knocks out as soon as they lay down it shouldn’t be an issue. If the noise really puts you off, check out the Big Agnes Q-Core which is made out of quieter materials. 

The Big Agnes Core Ultra comes in three sizes: regular, regular wide and petite.

If you’re looking for an even smaller and lighter pad, and don’t mind sacrificing some warmth and coin, check out the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX.

This is another lightweight rolling option. The RidgeRest has been around for years and the brand continues to make enhancements to the product.

“Rest” assured, this pad is designed with a pattern of ridges and valleys to trap dead air. This trapped air provides extra insulation. The ridges also make this pad softer and more comfortable that closed-cell foam pads that have a smooth surface. The slightly reflective surface also assists in creating a warming effect as it helps to radiate back your own body heat that might be lost to the ground below. This pad gets bonus points for being the only one that is available in three sizes.

If you’re the type to thrash around in your sleep, you’ll appreciate the REI-Co-op Air Rails Plus. Similar to the idea of bumper bowling, this self-inflating/air hybrid sleeping pad comes equipped with inflatable air rails on the sides to keep you centered when you’re tossing and turning all night long. 

Furthering your stabilization, the top of the pad has a non-slip surface while the bottom is designed to resist wear from ground friction. With an R-value rating of 5, this is one of the warmer sleeping pads on the list.

If you like what a self-inflating pad has to offer, but don’t want all the bulk, consider the Sea to Summit Camp SI. Thanks to their proprietary technology, this sleeping pad cuts down 40-percent of the volume without detracting from your comfort level. Featuring an R-value of 4, this sleeping pad can be used year-round thanks to this middle of the road warmth rating. The Sea to Summit Camp SI is great for the camper who wants more comfort than a foam pad without the additional bulk of a typical inflatable air pad.

Forgetting your pillow is not an issue with the Coleman Self-Inflating Camping Pad and Pillow. This sleeping pad has a built-in pillow so it goes where the mattress goes.

Open up the valve and the pad and pillow will automatically inflate. With the addition of a few breaths, you can tailor both pad and pillow to your ideal firm setting. Weather-resistant and lofty, this sleeping pad is ideal for car campers looking for comfort.