That said, CCF pads don’t last forever. With extended use, the foam will compress, the comfort-giving dimples will flatten, and the heat-reflecting shine will dull. This is why I choose the word “rugged” instead of “durable”. Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio: Therm-a-Rest has long been an industry leader on this front. The XLite NXT’s 4.5 R-value at just 12.5 ounces blows the competition out of the water. Some people don’t care for the dramatic taper of the NeoAir mummy pads, but the rectangular version of the XTherm NXT solves that problem. TLDR

Nemo Switchback Trekking Mattresses : Snowleader

I think this says a lot about manufacturing variability and does little to inform consumers about which pad is a better choice. Also, while I generally like the pad’s nested valve design, it makes it all too easy to accidentally let all the air out when I only meant to open the intake valve to add a few more puffs of air. TLDR So the risk to destroy an airmat with sparks is relatively high if one sleeps next to the fire. A long lasting selfinflating airmat isn't cheap as you know. Premium dual-density Axiotomic™ foam offers a supple layer for comfort and a resilient layer for support. Because we’re so incredibly intelligent, of course! Attractive, too. (Not to mention extremely humble).I need nearly the most long lasting equipment that exists, because even equipment of well known high quality brands falls in pieces within a few month in my use. After I replaced a lot of my old military equipment with modern lightweight equipment, I binned most of it and digged out my old stuff. Couples will like that the baffles for each side of the mat are inflated separately, which reduces the likelihood that your partner will wake you up in the middle of the night, while individuals using the Ultra 3R Duo will appreciate that they roll through seamlessly, avoiding an uncomfortable spot in the middle of the mat. Although no inflatable pad will ever be truly quiet, I’ve found Big Agnes pads to be among the least squeaky I’ve tried. I also like that the Rapide is available in six different sizes so you can dial the fit, weight, and price according to your needs. Even though the valve design with separate inflate and deflate valves is clunkier than some, it makes setting up camp hassle-free. Noteworthy Features While the Sleepingo is incredibly affordable and performs decently, there are some important notes. This pad offers the least amount of padding compared to the rest of the air-construction pads we tested. It also doesn't have an ASTM-tested R-rating, which makes the stated value a bit less valuable than it would be otherwise. Due to this, we feel it's best to use this pad in fair weather only. Therm-a-Rest instructs using the Z Lite reflective side-up. NEMO says the metallic film points to the ground. In a lab setting, I bet it doesn’t make a difference, but I think it might in the wild.

NEMO Switchback Review | Tested by GearLab

Keeping dog paws off inflatable sleeping pads can keep them from springing leaks. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter HoranyiR-value: NEMO doesn’t list R value, but they estimate this pad to be good down to 20-35 F (we wouldn’t recommend it for sub-freezing temps)

NEMO Switchback: The Ultimate Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol vs. NEMO Switchback: The Ultimate

Dimensions: 72″ x 20″ x 3″ (Reg.) / 72″ x 25″ x 3″ (Reg. Wide) / 66″ x 20″ x 3″ (Short) / 77″ x 25″ x 3″ (Large)

Second, I’ve found it to be insanely durable. My partner owns a Sea to Summit UltraLight, and it stood up to all manner of abuse and shenanigans on an Appalachian Trail thru-hike and beyond. The NeoAir Xtherm ditches the mainstream rectangular shape for a contoured build. This makes it overall more weight-effective, without compromising comfort and it’s a seriously comfortable, seriously lightweight sleeping pad – as an all rounder, the Xtherm is hard to beat, but it ain’t cheap and there are some better value options out there. The klymit static v is comfortable. The v baffles are supposed to let your sleeping bag expand, keeping you warmer. Lofty goals but the valleys are too deep and the cold comes right through. R value is actually about a 1.0, despite the 4.4 listing. Best to use a Z-lite sol underneath it if winter camping. I think that filtering water will always be a lame chore. The Squeeze is one of the better filter systems available, especially for solo hikers. I also really like the Platypus GravityWorks system, which is what I used for the majority of the CDT. I definitely recommend that if filtering water for more than one person, and I use it solo anyway because it’s so easy to use. It weighs more than the Squeeze for sure (~8oz vs. ~3oz), but depending on my mood and the type of trip, I think it’s worth it. It comes down to personal preference, really.

Closed cell foam sleep mat for winter use? | BushcraftUK Closed cell foam sleep mat for winter use? | BushcraftUK

Note: Mountain Laurel Designs sells a similar pad with more length options, which may be ideal for taller people. Otherwise, the two are functionally similar in most ways. The more you know. Nobody’s Perfect The most awesome thing about this air mattress is the ‘internal stabiliser’ that makes sure your weight is distributed evenly while you snooze. I hiked with the smaller version of this pad on the Appalachian Trail, and though not an ultralight choice, I got excellent sleep night after night – which makes it worth its weight in gold. An R-value of 2-4 is suitable for spring, summer, and fall trips in warm to cool environments. Most inflatable pads are in this range.

But even if you’re going to use the heaviest pad on this list, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Nxt Max Sleeping Pad, you should still be able to run comfortably if the rest of your kit is well thought out, with no redundancy and individual items that have multiple uses for efficiency. So, if you prioritize comfort, you may have to spend a little more time dialing in other parts of your kit. Some people don’t care for the dramatic taper of the NeoAir mummy pads, but the rectangular version of the XLite NXT solves that problem. TLDR Mummy shape: Shaves weight while still providing plenty of cushion to sleep on for a six-foot-tall hiker. Size Range: R (72 inches x 23 inches) to XL (78 inches x 29 inches) and a double (78 inches x 53 inches)