Best Ultralight Sleeping Pads of 2024

BEST ULTRALIGHT SLEEPING PAD

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite is an ultralight backpacking pad that is great for fast and light missions. It’s a favorite among long-distance hikers who camp mostly in summer conditions. 

What we love the most about this sleeping pad is how small and light it is while still being long and wide enough. It weighs next to nothing and rolls up to the size of a beer can. It’s Therm-a-Rest’s lightest pad yet, the runner up is the XLite which weighs 3.2 ounces more. All of this does come at a cost, it is one of the most expensive pads on this list, but it is worth the price if weight and packability are your highest priorities.  

The biggest downside of the NeoAir UberLite is the fabric is uber thin which means you need to be extra careful with it. Also, it’s not as warm as other ultralight pads out there. If the warmth and durability of this pad are a big issue for you, take a look at the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir X-Therm.  Another complaint is it makes a loud crinkly noise every time you move. 

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite is available in two sizes: Regular and Long. 

BEST BACKPACKING SLEEPING PAD FOR COLD WEATHER

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm is an inflatable sleeping pad that boasts the most warmth per ounce of any lightweight sleeping pad available on the market today. For this reason, it is a popular choice amongst long-distance hikers who might be traveling in colder conditions and alpine environments. It is also a top choice for cold sleepers and winter campers. 

What we like most about this pas is simply how warm it is while maintaining a reasonably light weight. It’s easy to inflate and somewhat easy to deflate and pack up. This is the warmest inflatable pad that we’ve tested. We like that Therm-a-rest doesn’t use any synthetic insulation on the inside that might degrade over time. The Thermacapture technology seems to work really well. After you lay on the pad for a few minutes you can really feel the pad warming up and transferring warmth back towards your body.  

What we don’t care for is the valve system. While it does function as it should it’s a lot more clunky when trying to connect the pump sack to the sleeping pad than we’d like to see on a sleeping pad at this price point. It’s also a little difficult to fine-tune the pressure in the pad. We also found the material to be noisy and the pad itself to be a little unstable near the edges. Price is also a barrier for this pad. 

BEST BACKPACKING SLEEPING PAD OVERALL

The Nemo Tensor Insulated is one of the best-selling sleeping pads on the market today and for good reason. It’s easy to use and has all of the comfort and functionality that one would expect from a sleeping pad for its price point. It also comes with Nemo’s lifetime warranty as an added bonus. 

What we like most about this pad is the valve and how easy it is to inflate and deflate. You can inflate it with 3 or 4 breaths and deflate it in seconds. It also has a good 3-season R-Value at 3.5. The material feels surprisingly soft to the touch and it isn’t too slippery. Because of the soft fabric this would be a could choice for those who sleep with quilts instead of sleeping bags. It’s also very quiet. One of the quietest sleeping pads that we’ve tested. The included pump-sack works well with the valve. This pad is 3 inches thick and is quite comfortable. This is a good pad for side sleeping as we never bottomed out even when sleeping on our side. 

What we don’t care for is that it’s a little heavy for its warmth. Also after personally testing it, as well as researching online, it seems to be less durable than other options that we tested.

A wide and comfy sleeping pad, the Klymit V Ultralight sleeping pad will allow no interruptions to your well deserved shut-eye. Featuring a V-shaped design that keeps you from rolling off the mattress and individual air pockets that provide both softness and stability, you won’t have to toss and turn to find the most comfortable sleeping position.

The twist-pull valve makes the inflation process fast (only 7 breaths), and the deflation almost instant, thanks to the wide valve opening. The Klymit V Ultralight is not as well insulated as more expensive sleeping pads, but it will undoubtedly make you want to snooze through your alarm if you are hiking in the summer months.

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 Z Lite Sol is a closed-cell foam sleeping pad that can be compressed into a lightweight and compact shape. The Z Lite Sol also features a higher than average R-Value (the measurement used to establish the degree of insulation of different foams) making it one of the warmest ultralight sleeping pads on our list.

With a reflective surface, the Z Lite Sol will maintain your body heat during cold nights in the outdoors, while leaving enough space in your backpack to carry all the other essentials.

While closed-cell foam pads tend to be less comfortable than air or self-inflating pads, the egg-carton pattern of the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol creates a soft and insulated surface that is impressively pleasant, considering the price range. On top of being durable, this sleeping pad unfolds instantly, so you can get ready for bed in a matter of minutes (or even seconds).

While self-inflating sleeping pads are generally bulky and inconvenient to carry in a backpack, the 3-season Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus is designed with the alpine climber in mind. Thanks to the tapered shape, the weight remains minimal and the packing size, while larger than other sleeping pads listed here, is easily manageable.

Compared to air pads, this self-inflating mattress is much sturdier and likely to last longer. Plus with an R-value of 3.2, it is suitable to be used in colder environments. The self-inflating process will take about 10 minutes, so be patient before you hit the sack.