Also be sure to use a bivy, a groundsheet, or a tent with a floor to prevent holes. Whether you seek the warmest or most packable option out there, we've got you covered. The Z Lite Sol offers an additional 2.0, while the slightly more comfortable Switchback also provides an additional 2.0. The Nemo Tensor Insulated boasts similar specs but edges past the XLite in comfort thanks to a rectangular design, box baffles, and less "crinkly" materials for a quieter night's sleep. Fastpacking packs are usually low volume often between 20 and 30 liters so wed recommend choosing a pad that compresses down small, such as the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pad at 6 x 3.6 inches or the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad at 9 x 4.1 inches. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. Aside from iRunFar, he has written for publications including Backpacker Magazine, Backpacking Light, Dark Mountain, and Section Hiker. Bulky pads also get in the way when bushwhacking off trail. So, if you want to be comfortable and warm, can afford the high price of an inflatable pad, and take care to avoid holes by always placing a groundsheet under your pad, dont hesitate to choose one for fastpacking. If you sleep on the ground without a sleeping mat, the ground can conduct heat away from you up to 160 times faster than the air around you. Some of us also have found rectangular pads to be more stable, and therefore more comfortable, than mummy-shaped pads. It also packs down surprisingly small and functions well as a back pad inside many fastpacking packs. Stuff extra clothes in it and use it as a pillow. When you bring the hyperlight Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pad, your fastpack is so light and small that there is room for a book. And quilted pads, such as our top pick for comfort, the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Air Sleeping Mat, tend to be cozier than pads with vertical or horizontal baffles. GearLab is reader-supported. Shop the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad, Shop the Therm-a-Rest Womens NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad, Shop the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pad, Shop the NEMO Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad, Shop the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat, Shop the Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad 1/8 Inch, Shop the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Max Sleeping Pad, Shop the Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat, Brooks Cascadia 16 Standard and GTX Reviews, Merrell Antora 2 Standard and Gore-Tex Reviews, Arcteryx Norvan SL Insulated Hoody Review, Blyss Running Distance Short and Skirting Around Crop Review, DexShell Waterproof Breathable Accessory Review, Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket and Peak Mission Gloves Review, Rab Kinetic Ultra Waterproof Jacket Review, Rabbit Womens Warm Weather Apparel Review, Rabbit Womens Cold Weather Apparel Review, Ultimate Direction Womens Mountain Vesta 5.0 Review, Tifosi Tsali and Swank Sunglasses Reviews, NordicTrack Commercial X32i Incline Treadmill Review, Ultramarathon Training: A Guide to Everything, The Long Game (In-Depth Profiles of Top Runners), Age-Old Runners (Profiles of Runners Age 45 and Up), Catching Up With (Runner Profiles from During the Pandemic), Where the Road Ends: A Guide to Trail Running by Meghan Hicks and Bryon Powell, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad ($200), Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad review, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pad ($220), NEMO Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad ($55), Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat ($189), Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad 1/8 Inch ($22), Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Max Sleeping Pad ($240), Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat ($149), Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad Review. Keep in mind that our ratings are relative. While some pump bags can be frustrating, the introduction of the Exped Schnozzel pump sack was a pleasant surprise. How can we improve GearLab? Yes, there is some versatility loss in having one large pad, but that doesn't detract from the potential value of this fluffy cloud! Second, we lose heat via three mechanisms: conduction, convection, and radiation. Its no question that this foam pad isnt for everyone. These same testers also will go with just a small piece of foam or nothing at all if the goal of the trip is to move as quickly as possible through the mountains or if they dont plan to rest more than a few hours at a time. In each of these situations, this is far better than nothing, but its still a far cry from being comfortable and warm. Hands down, the most comfortable pads we snoozed on are the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated and the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Camper Duo. No ads. We then bought these pads at retail and disbursed them to our trusty gear testers. Most fastpackers and ultralight backpackers will probably not choose this pad based purely on its weight, but it could be an option for someone who puts comfort as a priority. Let us know! We spent nights with teeth chattering, so hopefully, you won't have to. It's not one we'd recommend for the gram counters out there. This will depend on the expected temperatures during your trip and your ability or inability to sleep well on hard, cold surfaces. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi. Sea to Summit threw down with the Ether Light XT as a pad offering a high level of comfort without piling on the weight. Packed Size: 19 x 3 inches (48.3 x 7.6cm). Several of us at iRunFar have been using different versions of this pad for nearly a decade. Even though a 72-inch long mummy-shaped pad and a 72-inch long rectangular pad are the same lengths if you measure right down the middle, the rectangular pad will feel quite a bit longer because you can sleep diagonally, utilizing the corners. That's value. Both pads received awards in this guide. The dimensions are a bit tight for larger individuals. We recommend Aquaseal +FD for home repairs because it tends to be more permanent and durable than stick-on patches. In general, the lower the price, the lighter and less warm the pads tend to be. It felt like we had a heater running in the tent. Some of our testers also find rectangular pads to be more stable and therefore more comfortable than mummy-shaped pads. With the difficulty of inflation being one of the main drawbacks of air construction mats, manufacturers have developed an array of valve styles to help alleviate this issue. In this review, we've included ease of inflation in our metrics. The only real downside is its weight relative to our highest-rated warm sleeping pads. Check the warmth score of a lightweight pad before purchasing it to make sure it will meet your needs. The lighter the better, of course, though thats not always possible depending on the trip. About six months of use versus a brand new Z Lite. Self-inflating pads have been on the market for decades and make the task of inflating easier. If thats you, pick an inflatable pad rather than a foam pad. While this pad does taper at the head and foot, it is less shaped than the Therm-a-Rest pads, which probably accounts for some of the comfort and stability. Most who use this pad must strap it to the outside, either on the top or back of the pack. Actual Weight: 19.2 ounces (544g) without the inflation bag, 21.1 ounces (598g) with the inflation bag. Weight is an omnipresent factor when selecting and using outdoor equipment. It's light, comfortable, and packs down small. The NEMO Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad is also trimmable, with each of the 14 sections weighing one ounce. Wed recommend that you take the inflation bag along and find an alternate use for it so that it doesnt feel like unnecessary weight. You can see the foam cells break down eventually losing a significant amount of padding over time. One critical piece of fastpacking equipment is your sleeping pad, so weve chosen eight that will keep you warm and sometimes even comfortable on just about any fastpacking trip. With a standard 12 ounce coffee mug for scale, these pads represent the spectrum of sizes. Many inflatable pads are rounded at the head and foot, creating a mummy shape. While the pump sack is definitely the way to go, filling the old-fashioned way isn't too bad. How light does my pad need to be to run with it in my pack? The Static V2 has one of the lowest R-values of any pad we tested, making it unsuitable for temps below freezing unless you have a burly sleeping bag or a closed-cell foam pad to boost the insulation. Andy has been testing and writing for OutdoorGearLab for over five years and climbing for over 20. Its also our favorite pad for frigid winter fastpacking trips through the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau. No, and yes. How important is my sleeping pad in the context of fastpacking? We sent out folks of all different sizes equipped with each pad to do a deep dive into critical features such as comfort, packed size, warmth, ease of inflation, and durability. Our testers also found it to be quite comfortable, with one of them saying that it was inexplicably more comfortable than the above-reviewed Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad. Photo: iRunFar/Ben Kilbourne. Most fastpackers and ultralight backpackers must strap folding foam pads to the back of the pack where they can get hung up on branches when bushwhacking. While calling your movement running can be a bit of a misnomer when youve got 10 to 15 pounds on your shoulders on rough terrain, hopefully, you pack light enough that you can cover miles quickly and relatively unencumbered. However, the downside of self-inflating pads is that they are less comfortable, bulkier, and heavier than air-construction pads. For those who want to go ultralight and fast, give some serious time and consideration to both the Switchback and Z Lite, as they can be cut down to shave off more weight and will virtually never completely fall apart. Higher denier fabrics will be more puncture resistant than lower ones. If car camping is your dig, be sure to look at the Nemo Astro Insulated, which offers exceptional warmth but is a bit too large and bulky for backcountry carry. These pads are an excellent choice for those getting into backpacking because they are lightweight and super affordable. While this pad might not be our first choice for side sleepers, given its relatively thin padding, it does perform well when sleeping prone or on your back. Over the last decade, our backpacking experts have tested over 50 of the best backpacking sleeping pads. However, it is one of the least packable pads we have tested and is miserably uncomfortable on hard surfaces. This pad is light, warm, comfortable, and packs down small. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. A leaking pad can be not only be uncomfortable but dangerous, as your pad keeps you warm in frigid temperatures. Some of the most durable inflatable pads are the Comfort Plus, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm, and the Nemo Astro Insulated that all utilize thicker materials and even dual air chambers in the case of the Comfort Plus.