Best Backpacking Self Inflating Sleeping Pads

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Here you have the list with best backpacking self inflating sleeping pads and some tips why you would want to use one, all top-notch pads from renown brands. So keep reading.

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What is in the title

It is important to realize this is about self-inflating sleeping pads. So if you are an ounce-counter you might decide not to read the rest of the text, but I suggest you have a look.

If you are completely new in this, just to stress that such a pad implies an open-cell foam inside, plus an air-tight shell with one of two valves. So when you unfold the pad and open the valve(s), it will suck the air in and self-inflate.

From this, you realize that such pads are typically heavier and bulkier than most of the inflatable sleeping pads. This is simply because you have foam inside, and this adds weight and bulk. There is no way around this.

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Why you would want to use a self-inflating pad

I already mentioned that there are lighter and better packable inflatable pads on the market. If so, then why use a self-inflating pad on the trail? Here are some very important reasons.

Both self-inflating and inflatable pads can get punctured and they can leak. If this happens with your inflatable pad, and if you are somewhere unsupported, this may ruin all your plans. You will end up sleeping on the ground with a piece of plastic underneath your sleeping bag.

But if this happens with a self-inflating pad, you will still have foam inside even if it is not air-tight. This will give some cushion and a bit of insulation and you might be able to continue and finish your adventure.

I mentioned insulation, so this is something you always have in a self-inflating pad. You can have insulation in inflatable pads as well, see some here, but insulation makes them heavier and bulkier, and they may be comparable to the self-inflating pad.

So how these self-inflating pads compare with inflatable pads

I thought you might want to see some numbers. So here is one example from our list of ultralight sleeping pads for backpacking, as you would expect those are inflatable pads.

• Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Mat (this is an inflatable air pad):
  – Weight: 0.86 lb (390 g).
  – Packed size: 8.3 x 3.9 inches (21 x 10 cm).
  – Dimensions: 72 x 21.6 inches (183 x 55 cm).
  – R-value: 0.8.
  – Thickness: 4 inches (10.2 cm).

Now compare this with one of the lightest self-inflating pads here in the list:

• Therm-a-Rest EvoLite Sleeping Pad:
  – Weight: 1 lb 1 oz (482 g).
  – Packed size: 9 x 5.3 inches (23 x 13 cm)
  – Dimensions: 72 x 20 inches (183 x 51 cm).
  – R-value: 4.
  – Thickness: 2 inches (5.1 cm).

So there are differences in the weight and packed size, but see the foam insulation in the second example and all that comes with it. With such a pad you can sleep anywhere, and this is not so with the first pad.

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Backpacking Self Inflating Sleeping Pads – my list

The sleeping pads in the list are ordered by weight, from heavier to lighter:

 

Here are a few data about each of the sleeping pads from the list above. Please follow the links for more.

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1. REI Co-op AirRail Plus Sleeping Pad

This is an insulated 3-season self-inflating but with a unique baffle around to keep you centered and to keep the pillow in place. This makes it quite different from any of its competitors.

The insulation is a foam and you have an R-value of 3.3. They build this pad in three different lengths, and the regular measures 72 x 25 inches (183 x 64 cm).

Note that all of them are the same width, and the same thickness which is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).

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2. Big Agnes Two Track Sleeping Pad

This pad is built in three different sizes. The regular (or middle size) is 72 x 20 inches (183 x 51 cm) and the thickness is 2 inches (5.1 cm). This same size weighs 24 oz (680 g) so this is still very light pad and it deserves to be here.

The R-value is 3.3 and note that they use the new ASTM Standard (ASTM F3340-18) introduced recently, you can read more in my separate text.

So this is a very warm and very comfortable self-inflating pad, they describe it as ideal for year-round use but I would say this is a true 3-season pad. You would need more for winter use.

The top and bottom fabric is a light and durable polyester ripstop, and inside you have a lightweight foam with vertical and horizontal coring. You have a two-way, pull-tab valve that allows for easy inflation, deflation, and for micro-adjustments. The pad comes with a stuff sack.

Please see more about this pad in this short video:

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3. NEMO Flyer Sleeping Pad

In this NEMO Flyer Sleeping Pad you have a unique and advanced design. It is self-inflating of course. They build it in 3 sizes and the regular size weighs 1 lb 7 oz (652 g). This may look a lot, but you should know that it comes with an R-value 3.3 so this is an insulated pad suitable for 3 seasons no matter what conditions you might have on the trail.

The pad has a very specific inner design with large air channels. It is 2 inches (5.1 cm) thick and the regular size is 72 x 20 inches (183 x 51 cm). Please follow the link to read more.

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4. Sea to Summit Comfort Light Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat

This pad is built in three sizes and with the R-value 3.1, so this is again a true 3-season sleeping pad. The regular size measures 72 x 20 inches (183 x 51 cm) and it weighs 1.43 lb (650 g).

They use what they call the Delta Core technique to reduce the weight and bulk of the inner polyurethane (PU) foam core. They claim that this reduces the initial volume by 40% yet retaining enough for optimal support and comfort, and this also minimizes the weight.

The pad comes with anti-slip silicone prints to keep the pad firm on the tent’s floor and also to lock a pillow in place.

Please see more in this video:

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5. Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus Ultralight Self-Inflating Backpacking Pad

This pad comes with the R-value 3.2 and it weighs 1 lb 7 oz (650 g). So this is indeed lightweight and insulated pad for all conditions in a 3-season use.

The mentioned weight is for its regular size, and you also have Small and Large sizes. With such a weight you would not expect a thick fabric but here you have it, this is a 50D mini hex rip polyester.

A stuff sack is included, the inner foam is polyurethane, and the packed size is 11 x 6.8 inches (28 x 17 cm).

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6. Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout Self-Inflating Foam Camping Mat

This is a self-inflating sleeping pad with an R-value of 3.1, so this puts it in the group of true 3-season pads. They build it in three sizes and its regular size weighs 1 lb 6 oz (630 g). The pad has been around for almost a decade as far as I know, so it has been tested and tried by many people.

The regular pad measures 72 x 20 inches (183 x 51 cm), and its thickness is 1 inch (2.5 cm). The top and bottom fabric is urethane, and the inner foam is polyurethane. The stuff sack is included, and the pad comes with a WingLock valve.

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7. Kelty Cosmic Mummy Sleeping Pad

This self-inflating mummy sleeping pad has been on the market for a few years but here is its 2020 version. As you see the shape is trimmed and this is behind the word mummy in its name. Observe that Kelty also has a sleeping bag under the name Cosmic.

From what I know, they build it in one size and the dimensions are 78 x 23.5 in (198 x 60 cm), and the pad is 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. It comes with the R-value 4, so this is a pad for a 3-season-plus use.

You have one brass valve and a carry sack is also included. It is incredibly affordable, you will want to know this. It weighs only 1 lb 4 oz (560 g).

Here is a bit more, note the pad in the video is its previous version but it is practically the same:

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8. Sea to Summit Ultralight SI Sleeping Pad

They build this self-inflating insulated pad in four different sizes so you can choose the appropriate length and width to avoid unnecessary weight. The R size weighs only 1 lb 3 oz (550 g).

It is insulated enough for up to 2 seasons, the R-value is 2.6. This is a body mapping design with what they call the Delta Core V technology, and this is behind its incredible weight. It has a pillow lock as well. 

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9. Therm-a-Rest EvoLite Sleeping Pad

This EvoLite sleeping pad is also built in three sizes and the regular size is with dimensions 72 x 20 x 2 inches (183 x 51 x 5.1 cm). You have alternating foam and air channels and this reduces its weight and packed size while increasing loft.

So the regular pad weighs only 1 lb 1 oz (482 g), and this is hard to believe. Yet, you still have the R-value of 2.1 and the pad is suitable for 2-3 season use.

A stuff sack is included and the packed size is 9 x 5.3 inches (23 x 13 cm). Both the top and bottom fabric are 30D mini rip polyester and the inner foam is urethane.

Please see more in this short video:

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How to choose

Length and weight

These two parameters are essential and they are related. As mentioned in the text above, these pads are usually built in several sizes (lengths) so make sure you choose your best fit to avoid carrying unnecessary weight.

Packed size

Packed sizes may be different but this is usually for good reasons. This may imply more foam (a better R-value), a larger size, or a stronger fabric, or some combination of these factors. So if this is for a warm-weather tour, no need to have a high R-value and this might shed the weight.

Seasons & climate

I already pointed out that each of these pads is by default insulating. I have mentioned the R-value for each of them and you realize that all of them are for 3-season use, some even more than that. Note also that such a pad is not a heater, so it will work well even in warm summer weather.

Quality & reliability

If you are new to this perhaps you do not know, but all the pads here are from the top brands known throughout the globe. With such products you know what you are buying, so even if you have to pay a bit more, it is worth it.

Editor’s Choice pad

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