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When I was young, all hiking was uphill both ways and everyone slept on the ground in sleeping bags with only a half-inch of thin closed-cell foam between us and every pebble. We also filtered our water with our teeth and ate mainly raw meat and foraged ramps. Kids these days.Still, I suppose there is something to be said for a comfy sleeping pad at the end of a long day on the trail, or even in the campsite next to your car. There are now many ways to make sure no peas (or pebbles) ever disturb your sleep in the outdoors. For years, we’ve been testing sleeping pads of all varieties in all kinds of conditions, and we’re happy to report that in all this time we’ve never had one fail on us. That said, there are some standouts and a few to avoid.

Be sure to read through our other outdoor guides, including the Best Tents, Best Hiking Gear, Best Camp Stoves, and our Camp Cooking guide.

In July 2024, two new Sea to Summit pads have been added, including the new favorite all-around camping and backpacking pad, the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus. Prices and links have also been updated throughout.

If you’re looking to buy only one sleeping pad and planning to use it in a variety of camp settings, make it the Sea To Summit Comfort Plus SI. This light, self-inflating pad sets itself apart by being able to gracefully slip between worlds. It is double the weight of most ultralight backpacking pads but still light in the grand scheme of things. The open-cell interior was also a much cushier experience. The MondoKing is the most comfortable, deluxe mattress in the line, perfect for picky car campers and those who are stationary in the backcountry for weeks or months at a time.

The REI Co-op Kingdom Insulated Air Bed is wide enough to fit Mom and two elementary schoolers and is insulated with an R-value of 2.6. The Nemo Equipment Tensor All-Season has the best R-Value to weight ratio of anything tested, with an R-Value of 5.4 and weighs just 18.2 ounces. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Sleeping Pad is perfect for three-season camping or backpacking with a 2.3 R-value. Exped’s Ultra 7R offers an R-value of 7 in a pad that weighs under 2 pounds for the wide version, making it ideal for camping in the snow.

The Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sol Sleeping Pad is an old-school, closed-cell foam pad that weighs next to nothing and doubles as a chair, extra padding on cold nights, or a table. The REI Co-op Kindercamp Sleeping Pad is perfect for kids with an R-value of 4.5 and is easy to inflate and deflate.

While there are many options available for sleeping pads, these stand out as some of the best for different needs and preferences. Make sure to choose a sleeping pad that suits your camping style and provides the comfort and insulation you need for a good night’s sleep in the great outdoors.