Do you need a sleeping pad for camping?
Whether you are an experienced camper, a novice, or completely new to the activity, there are probably a few things that come to mind first when you think about camping. Regarding the gear you will need, a tent and sleeping bag are likely the top two items on your list in most camping situations. But inexperienced campers often forget another critical piece of gear because they are oblivious or because they feel it is unnecessary, and that is a sleeping pad. But do you really need a sleeping pad for camping?
A sleeping pad is recommended when camping because it provides extra comfort and serves as insulation to help keep you warm from the cooler dirt underneath or from the cold air circulating under your hammock or cot.
But what if its warm outside?
You can probably get by without a sleeping pad if it is warm enough, but do you want to be less comfortable? And how do you define “warm”?
I recommended using a sleeping pad if it is going to be below 75 degrees, but everyone is different. (Make that 80 degrees for women since you tend to sleep colder than men.)
Most of us are comfortable at those temperatures, but when we lay on the ground, we lose body heat through a process called conduction, and as the night progresses, we will feel colder, possibly slipping below our threshold. When this happens, you can expect a miserable night of sleep.
Is my sleeping bag not good enough?
Your sleeping bag is almost useless by itself when it comes to preventing heat loss to the ground. A sleeping bag needs loft to insulate, and when you lay in your sleeping bag, the back is compressed. This eliminates that side’s ability to insulate and this is the reason quilts have become so popular among hikers. If you want to know more about quilts, see how they stack up against sleeping bags.
Do I need a sleeping pad when camping with a hammock?
Using a sleeping pad with a hammock depends on how warm it is outside and your available setup. You should be fine without a sleeping pad if it is around 75 degrees or higher, but for cooler nights, most hammock campers will use what is an underquilt strapped underneath their hammock. This serves to block the cold air coming up from beneath and this is usually enough on nights that are not too cold. However, having a sleeping pad on colder nights is a good idea for an extra barrier of protection. Even more so if your underquilt is underrated for the temperatures expected that night.
You can use any type of sleeping pad in a hammock, but some may be a bit of a nuisance when it comes to staying in place. However, some sleeping pads are made with flaps on the side to help keep them stationary inside your hammock.
Do I need a sleeping pad when camping with a cot?
Much like a hammock, you can get by without a sleeping pad on a cot if the temperatures are warm enough. Again, cold air will circulate underneath the cot, just like a hammock, and you will feel it on your back without a sleeping pad. And there is no system I am aware of designed for strapping a quilt on the bottom side of your cot, but I imagine something can easily be rigged up. However, carrying a sleeping pad is the more simple option.
What kind of sleeping pad should I get?
The kind of sleeping pad you should get depends on your personal preference for the type of activity you will be doing. The table below lists the most important factors in choosing a sleeping pad regarding whether you are backpacking or camping, and which kind I think is best for your situation. For example, if you are hiking and weight is the most important factor for you, then I feel an air pad or closed-cell foam pad will work best.
Quick Guide Table for Choosing a Sleeping Pad Type
| Most Important Factor | For Hiking / Backpacking | For Camping (no hiking) |
| Comfort | Air Pad | Self-inflating Pad |
| Warmth | Air Pad | Self-inflating Pad |
| Durability | Closed-cell Foam Pad | Self-inflating Pad |
| Weight | Air Pad or Closed-cell Foam Pad | Air Pad or Closed-Cell Foam Pad |
| Packability | Air Pad | Air Pad |
| Ease if set up / breakdown | Closed-cell Foam Pad | Closed-cell Foam Pad |
| Price | Closed-cell Foam Pad | Closed-cell Foam Pad |
This table is just a general overview. There are other things that may sway your opinion one way or another. To better help you find what sleeping pad is right for you, let’s go further in-depth.
Choosing a Sleeping Pad
Having read the information above, whether to have a sleeping pad should be an easy choice but the act of choosing one can be more difficult. If you are unfamiliar with the market, you may make a premature choice and end up with a sleeping pad that does not suit your needs.
Let’s go over some of the basic things you need to know so that choosing a great sleeping pad will be a much easier venture.
Types of Sleeping Pads
There are three options when it comes to a type of sleeping pad. They are:
- Air Pads
- Self-inflating Pads
- Closed-cell Foam Pads
Each has their pros and cons, which this table below highlights:
| Type | Comfort | Durability | Weight | Price |
| Air Pad | High | Low | Lightweight | $$$ |
| Self-inflating Pad | High | Medium | Heavier | $$ |
| Closed-cell Foam Pad | Low | High | Lightweight | $ |
Now let’s discuss these characteristics to help determine what is important when it comes to choosing a sleeping pad.
Air Pads
Air pads are sleeping pads that require manual inflation by its user. This is done by mouth, a blower motor, or by using a pump sack. They typically are made from nylon fabrics and have a system of baffles that contribute to their comfort and warmth.
Air pads are the most common sleeping pad for backpackers because they are lightweight and easily packed. They can also weigh less than 8 ounces and pack down to the size of a water bottle. However, an average air pad will probably weigh around one pound while still fitting into a backpack easily.
Regarding comfort, air pads may be hard to beat but not all are created equal. Most will range from two to four inches thick, the thicker pads generally being more comfortable, especially for side sleepers.
The biggest downside when it comes to air pads is the price. Though there are some cheaper options, they are the most expensive type of sleeping pad, often costing north of $150. Cheaper pads usually sacrifice weight, warmth, or both, but you can find good deals. Check out my review of the Wellax Sleeping Pad for one of the best budget-friendly options available.
Another negative of air pads is the durability, but do not be fooled! Some air pads can survive thousands of miles and hundreds of nights on trail. You just need to be more careful when handling this type of sleeping pad to avoid puncturing the material. To combat this, most air pads have a patch kit included for emergency repairs.
Self-inflating Pads
Self-inflating pads fill up automatically when you open the air valve, causing open-cell foam insulation inside to expand. This allows you to spare your lungs the workout, except for maybe a couple of breaths to achieve your desired firmness. Unlike closed-cell foam, open-cell foam is more flexible. This makes self-inflating pads more manageable to pack for easy transport.
Compared to air pads, self-inflating pads are just as comfortable and maybe even more so. Also, they tend to be warmer on average, but this comes with additional weight and volume. Because of the added weight, self-inflating pads are significantly cheaper than most air pads which offer a better warmth-to-weight ratio.
Durability wise, a self-inflating pad wins hands-down against an air pad. They can be punctured, but generally not as easily.
Closed-cell Foam Pads
Closed-cell foam pads are the most primitive sleeping pads and typically roll up or fold down accordion style. They are not as comfortable and will not keep you as warm as most air pads or self-inflating pads, but they are the most affordable option and are also lightweight.
Closed-cell foam pads will not pack into a hiking backpack very well, so most are usually strapped on the outside. This is okay because they are the most durable sleeping pad option. No air means no worries of being punctured by snagging it on a branch or laying it across a sharp rock. They can tear but they will still function.
One way these pads offer great convenience though is the set up and break-down time. When you need to use it, a closed-cell foam pad is ready in seconds, and in the morning, just roll it up (or fold it) and you are ready to go. Compare this to having to deflate air pads and ensuring you get all the air out before rolling it up.
What is a sleeping pad’s R-value?
As previously stated, the most important reason for why you need a sleeping pad for camping is to keep you warm. To determine how warm a sleeping pad is, you need to look at its R-value.
Almost all sleeping pads will advertise an R-value, a rating indicating how much heat a pad can resist. The better a pad’s insulation is at preventing heat loss through itself, the higher the R-value will be, thus the warmer you will stay.
A sleeping pad’s R-value is affected by its material and thickness and is listed by the manufacturer as determined by a lab. R-value is measured on a scale from 1 to 11 and most sleeping pads fall somewhere between 1 and 7. An R-value between 2 and 5 is recommended for 3-season camping, but for colder temperatures (10*F and lower), using a sleeping pad with an R-value of 6 or higher is recommended.
If you want to know more about the standards used to evaluate R-value in a sleeping pad, check out the ASTM’s Test Method for Thermal Resistance of Camping Mattresses.
Sleeping Pad Sizing
Another important characteristic of a sleeping pad is its size. The industry standard dimensions are 20” wide by 72” long, which is fine for most people. However, consider a larger pad if you are larger or taller yourself, or if you toss and turn throughout the night. You may also want a larger pad for extra space to prevent your arms from hanging off the sides and laying on the ground (I fall into this category).
If you decide you want a larger sleeping pad, look for models that offer long or wide options. Long models will be around 78” in length and wide sleeping pads will be around 25” wide.
For women, some models are designated as being specifically for you. These sleeping pads are shorter than a standard sleeping pad, typically measuring around 66” long. Large sleeping pads are available in women’s sizes, too and measure around 72” in length. As a side note, women’s sleeping pad models usually offer a higher R-value compared to their counterparts.
And for extreme ultralight hikers, some sleeping pads can be purchased in short or small sizes, measuring around 47-48” long. These are also great options for kids, but if you want something more custom to your kid’s size, you can cut a closed-cell foam pad to length.
Thickness
While technically still part of a sleeping pad’s size, thickness needs special attention since it plays a role in how warm your pad is as well as how comfortable the pad may be. If you are a side sleeper, I recommend a thickness of at least 2.5” . Unfortunately, this means a closed-cell foam pad is unlikely to work well for you. For help finding a pad for side sleepers, here are a few sleeping pad recommendations.
Sleeping Pad Shape
The shape of a sleeping pad is another characteristic you should consider. Closed-cell foam pads are almost always rectangular while air pads and self-inflating pads are rectangular or mummy-shaped. Mummy-shaped pads, like mummy sleeping bags, slim down towards the foot-end and take up less space. They tend to weigh less but also have less area for your feet to move around.
Best Sleeping Pad Type for Hikers and Backpackers
In my opinion, air pads are the best choice for hikers and backpackers because they offer the best warmth-to-weight ratio. They also pack down very small allowing them to fit easily into a hiking backpack. If you can get over the price point, an air pad is the best choice. A closed-cell foam pad is a good second choice if the temperatures are not too cold.
Best Sleeping Pad Type for Campers
If you aren’t hiking a considerable distance, then I think a self-inflating pad is the best choice. With air pads, you pretty much pay extra for how light and pack-able they are, which mostly benefits hikers. Since you are just camping, the weight and volume savings are not worth the jump in price.
What about air mattresses?
Air mattresses work fine for camping purposes, but as a hiker, you do not want to carry one. Some sleeping pads blur the line between an air pad and an air mattress, but these are heavier and bulkier. I don’t know much about air mattresses, so I encourage you to do research if this is the route you choose.
In Conclusion …
Get a sleeping pad! It’s an easy choice and you don’t have to spend much money to gain extra comfort and protection. Just be sure to make a good decision so you end up with a sleeping pad that works for you. Hopefully you found some value in this information and feel better prepared to do just that.
