Nemo Switchback Foam Sleeping Pad

Product Information

If you want the comfort of an inflatable without the whopping price tag, the Static V line is your best bet. Noteworthy Features Members of the iRunFar team have been using several of the sleeping pads on this list for years, while others were added to this list of favorites through a research and testing process in 2022 and 2023.

Nemo Switchback Regular Sleeping Mat | UK | Ultralight

It’s one of the lightest none-inflatable mats around but it doesn’t fold up quite as small as I would like, that’s probably the main disadvantage of this sleeping pad. Although this pad’s insulation factor is impressive, it has limits. If you’ll be out in teens and single-digit temperatures (and/or expect to camp on snow or ice), you’ll want a supplemental foam pad underneath to ward off the chill. Highly-efficient, hexagonal nesting pattern allocates more space for taller, wider nodes, providing significantly greater plushness. Locate leaks by submerging the pad in water and following the trail of bubbles to the pinhole. And on a related note… Maggie Guterl tests an Outdoor Vitals sleeping pad for this guide on a spring camping trip. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter HoranyiR-values aren’t unique to sleeping pads. They’re also used to describe building insulation and other materials. For instance, the walls of a typical insulated home have an R-value between 13 and 19. No, and yes. It is not mandatory to carry an inflatable pad’s inflation bag because it is totally possible to blow up any of the pads on our list with your mouth. And it’s tempting also to leave it behind because it is seemingly unnecessary weight — as many as three ounces in some cases. If you’re new to exploring and camping outdoors, you might be worried about how cozy your sleeping bag is going to be. It’s important to remember here that a good sleeping bag with a camping pad can create a level of warmth, insulation, and comfort that simply wouldn’t be possible with a sleeping bag alone. This year, the Arizona Trail had some unique perks and challenges for thru-hike hopefuls. An intense snow year in the Southwest meant we didn’t have to worry much about dried up water sources or long water carries, and we got to see a massive super bloom in the Sonoran Desert.

Nemo Equipment | UK | Ultralight Outdoor Gear Nemo Equipment | UK | Ultralight Outdoor Gear

One doesn't need to sleep on an airmat to set it under stress, it's surely enough to carry it around every day. The good news is, it’s the year 2023 and there are plenty of options for great camping sleeping pads. In fact, there are so many options that you may need some help narrowing down the options. From the best affordable sleeping pad to the absolute top-end option on the market, there’s lots of choices. Now that the results are in, I hope you find it easier to choose a sleeping pad for your travel style 🙂Bring the patch kit that came with your inflatable pad when you bought it. It weighs next to nothing, it will prolong the life of your inflatable, and someday it will save you from a crappy night’s sleep on a partially deflated pad. Baffles are another point of failure for inflatable pads. Over time, internal welds can begin to come apart, and the pad will start to bubble. The dimpled structure of the baffling on the Ether Light XT made it easier to find a comfortable position than pads that had vertical, horizontal, or honeycomb baffling, and the 4-inch height meant my hips were well protected from the ground when sleeping on my side.