The Elegear Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad Review

When it comes to backpacking, typical sleeping pads are usually of the “air mattress” variety. Think Therm-a-rest’s NeoAir series, or the Tensor from Nemo. These are comfortable pads, relatively speaking, but they do not equate to an actual bed. It can take some getting used to to be able to achieve a good night sleep on this type of pad. For many, a self-inflating sleeping pad is a much more comfortable option.

What is a self-inflating sleeping pad?

A self-inflating sleeping pad does exactly what the name implies. Open the valve or valves, and air fills in to inflate the pad. In contrast, a typical air sleeping pad requires forced air to inflate, either by lung power, pump sacks, or pump motors.

However, due their size and weight, these are not popular options on the trail. For this reason, I feel most self-inflating pads are best suited for camping not requiring a hike.

The Elegear Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

I recently was sent the Elegear Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad. I had never owned this type of pad so giving one a try for the first time peaked my interest and I figured I would share my experience with you.

However, let me be upfront and say this pad by no means is suitable for a backpacking trip. It is far too large and heavy to be practical when hiking miles. But if you are looking for a comfortable sleeping experience on a general camping trip, this may be the pad for you.

Specs

• Dimensions: 27”x77”x3.1”
• R-Value: 9.5
• Weight: 8.1 lbs
• Price: ~$65

Summary

Positives

The Elegear Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad has two valves for inflating and deflating. Open them both and wait until desired firmness has been achieved and then close the valves. One valve seems to do all the work though as the other seems to have minimum impact on how quickly the pad inflates. I’m not sure if this is a design flaw or not, but either way, the pad gets inflated.

The most important factor when it comes to a good sleeping pad is comfort. The Elegear Self-Inflating Pad is super comfortable, more so than any air pad I’ve slept on. I cannot compare it to other self-inflating pads, but this pad feels very similar to my actual bed.

For reference, I sleep on a medium-firm mattress, and I can hardly tell a difference between it and the Elegear Self-Inflating Pad. It is that comfortable. And being an active side sleeper, my hips and shoulders never feel the ground underneath, even while shifting positions, largely thanks to the 3.1-inch thickness.

Check out my best sleeping pads for side sleepers article!

That being the case, not everyone likes a mattress as firm as I prefer, so this may not be as comfortable to some as it is to me.

Another thing that makes this pad comfortable for a side sleeper is the size. At 27-inches wide, I can roll over and toss and turn and never worry about coming off the pad. There is plenty of length as well for taller individuals, measuring 77-inches long.

On colder nights, the 9.5 R-Value makes this pad suitable for nearly any condition. I will mention I am unsure if this value is manufacturer tested or lab tested by the ASTM and I have not tried it in sub-freezing temperatures.

One last positive, due to its materials, the Elegear Self-Inflating Pad is quiet, unlike many air sleeping pads. It is as quiet as sleeping on a foam mattress because you are sleeping on a foam mattress. The foam interior is surrounded by a water-proof layer, which in turn is surrounded by a 50D knitted outermost layer which feels similar to a silky bedsheet. This also allows for a much higher durability than any air sleeping pad will ever give you.

Negatives

As great as this Elegear pad is, it does make some sacrifices to achieve such great comfort. Sizing is one, but if you know what you are getting and have the correct intent for this pad, this cannot be deemed a negative.

It is bulky and it is heavy, and this makes the pad more difficult to pack and store. Deflating the pad and rolling it back up involves more work than an air sleeping pad, and if you want it tight, it requires strong hands.

To deflate the pad, open the valves and roll the pad from the headend. Next, close the valves and unroll the pad back out. Begin to roll the pad up again and open the valves when closer to the footend or when you feel the pad getting tight. It’s a simple process, but more time consuming.

When stored, this pad is 27-inches tall and 8-inches thick so it requires some space for storage. Of course, this is also if you are capable of rolling it as tight as possible. But if you can’t the storage bag has extra space so you will not have to fight very hard to fit it back in.

Speaking of the storage bag though, it has some quality issues. Having only carried it out one time by the strap and then attempting to carry it back inside, the strap came undone … on both ends, at the same time.

Conclusion

I really like the Elegear Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad. While it is heavier and bigger than many of the name brand competitors of the same type, those are still trying to cater to lightweight backpackers.

If you want a comfortable pad you can throw in the back of your car, go park, and camp outside, this is an excellent choice. Just remember this is what this pad is ideal for, or even sleepovers for the kids. This being the case, other than a disappointing strap on the storage bag, this is a great sleeping pad and you won’t be disappointed.

Check out my review of this double sleeping pad from Elegear!