Sleeping Pad Types - The Outdoor Gear Review

Want to learn about the different types of sleeping pads that are on the market today? Take a look here.

Also what type of sleeping pad do you use?

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[Commander_HW]

I bought an almost brand new Exped DownMat XP 9 at the REI Garage sale for $99, the original price for the item was $300. It has been many yrs and it is still going strong. So I think that was my best buy ever.

[OHMIBushcraft]

The overview of the Ridgerest is spot on. I mean exactly. From personal experience for anyone thinking of the Thermarest Ridgerest, I just used it this weekend on a 2 night backpacking trip and I hardly slept. Although I was fairly warm, it didn't offer much comfort at all. It is a great lightweight and affordable pad, if a bonus that you never have to worry about puncturing it, but that's about it. I bought it to use when I hammock camp and that is probably how it will be used from now on. Thanks for your review Luke. I'll be investing in a self inflating pad for my next adventure. 

[willek]

My personal favorite, pine branches. It's cheap and it takes up minimal space in your pack.

[Rudey]

I have all 3 types, I started out on a simple foam matt (they nearly put me off camping as a young teen), which is the type i'm currently phasing out, but I still keep one as a spare. I like the other two types, Air pad and self inflating pad, I find I use the Air pad more, mainly just because it takes up less room in my pack, It boils down to that one factor for me, it's pack ability. I do find that I have to either pack a insulated silver emergency blanket or Silver camping mat (not the foam type, the very thin Car windshield reflector type) just to put underneath for its heat reflective properties as I always feel cold sleeping on a Airpad. The two combined (Air pad and silver camping mat) take up less room than my 4/3 self inflating mat, even less room if I combine it with a simple silver emergency blanket,   which I always pack at least two no matter what, they are just too useful with countless applications..

[michaelhodges]

I put my air pad on top of my closed foam pad in the tent. Does great using both!

[agustinmorales]

Thanks for the vid. I have used them all. To me the best are Inflables. I have used the big blue Dept stores mattresses but they practically take all the space of the tent and handling them make your camping experience less desirable. I bought gradually two Sea to Summit and two big Agnes Stillwater which are really comfortable. Worth every penny. Throughout a couple of years I managed to have top of the line gear. The right gear will make for repeated camping. Wasted a lot of money on Dept store tents, you get wet and they break. Get a full fly tent from a respected manufacturer. Actually you will save money by not wasting it, fact and you will repeat your camping experience. Thanks folks.

[darylgud]

I have slept on pads for more than 40 years. Self inflaters are the best in my experience. They offer more comfort because as you move at night the restriction of air movement keeps better loft. Air pads, because of convection and space between you and the ground will bring the cold to you if winter or cold camping and not as much comfort because the air movement, when rolling has the same resistance against the plastic walls of the tubes, even as you change positions.  One other comment on your video.  You talked on and on about what you don't like and wouldn't use, repeating the same things over and over on the failures of yoga mats and not much about the two pads you like.  Three fourths of your video was on what you don't suggest and wouldn't use and the cost of it. 

[deputyprepper]

Luke, I don't know how you do it, every time I'am looking for a gear reviw on a specific item you have made one. I was looking for a sleeping pad and I found yours. Thanks for all your hard work, I value your opinion on gear and have purchased several pieces you have reviewed and glad I did. Stay safe your friend andrew

[ConcreteScout]

Two Words for anyone who wants to save space and sleep like a king in the backcountry. "Big Agnes". cheers.

[RichAllfieldnohit]

Hey YouTube, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! These new comments are driving me crazy!
Hey, nice overview, I've been using a cheap self inflating pad (Alps M) but I just bought a Thermarest X-therm, supposedly has an r-value of 5.7, we'll see if it lives up to the hype.
Thanks for all the vids, keep up the good work!

[viewsandreviews]

I’ve used a surplus pad for the first few years I backpacked. It worked well for evening out irregularities in the ground and pared that with an emergency blanket but was like sleeping on a board. I’m now using a Thermorest; it is comfortable and reflects heat well.

[scarborosasquatchstation]

The Outdoor Gear Review : Folks check out a young Luke describe the differences between 3 types of Sleeping pads, with their pros & cons of what you need to know and how much they cost ! *Please avoid using yoga or exercise foam mats, due to they are not waterproof and retain very little heat ! Thanks S.S.S.

[fantaseas_]

I do a lot of festivals.. but I deffo want to do backpacking in the future. I bought a Thermarest Trail Lite Regular and I love it! It's not as bulky as some selfinflatable matresses cause when you compress it you can fold it in half 👍🏻 comfort comes first for me and I can sleep on it comfortably for a week without my back or hips aching. Me and my boyfriend bought them for a Nice deal in our local outdoor shop. Buy two get one half the price 👍🏻

[GreaseStain]

I never owned a sleeping pad. Just used a sheet of plastic as a vapour block (or the bottom of a tent) and thick blanket doubled up and a sleeping bag on top.

Mind you, I'm one of those people that sleep like the dead once I'm asleep. lol

Good review tho, I'm getting into canoeing and this will give me some things to consider as i gather some new gear to drag along with me.

[spikejones]

I bought the open foam pad that you showed. I like that it is a little tougher than the air.

[andrzejgieralt]

Very helpful!
But I heard that it's never good to blow into a mat because of the moisture in your lungs, and that you need a device whether it be a pump or a dry sack with a nozzle or something.

[TheOutdoorGearReview]

I'd love to reply to some of these comments but due to the 'awesome' changes on youtube I can't do that.

[Jtwizzle]

I love how little space that air pad takes, and very nice weight.

[rwilburn]

Great info for anyone just getting into backpacking.  You did an excellent job explaining it in a clear, concise manner.  The only thing that would have made it even more complete was adding some info about the use of pads with hammocks in the winter.  I really like your reviews. Thanks.

[ulrikefell]

Thanks for this overview. As always, I really like your videos. So, again, thanks a lot for all the effort you put in filming and sharing!
Regarding sleeping pads I just like to refer to one more type of pad, I pretty much like. That's the air mat filled with down. I have been using one of these (the Exped DownMat UL7 LW) for more than three years now and I really love it. Very small packing size, very lightweight, very comfortable, and great insulation. They are very expensive, though, but well-worth the money.