2023 BACKPACKING SLEEPING PAD AWARDS 

What's your favorite sleeping pad? 👇 PADS FROM THE VIDEO 👇 WARMEST - Thermarest Xtherm: geni.us/xtherm ULTRALIGHT - Thermarest Xlite: geni.us/XliteNXT ULTRALIGHT - Big Agnes Zoom UL: geni.us/ZoomUL ULTRALIGHT - Nemo Tensor: geni.us/NemoTensor AFFORDABLE - Paria Recharge XL: geni.us/PariaRechargeXL COMFORTABLE - Sea to Summit Ether Light XT: geni.us/EtherLightXT COMFORTABLE - Big Agnes Q-Core/Boundary: geni.us/Q-CoreDeluxe HONORABLE - Rab Ionosphere: geni.us/RabIonosphere HONORABLE - Exped Ultra 5R: geni.us/Exped5R BEST ALL-AROUNDER - REI Helix: geni.us/HelixSleepingPad

I had the Sea to Summit Ether Lite XT Extreme and ended up selling it. It was comfy, but not warm at all. The Thermarest XTherm is still the king in my book.

Thanks for a brief review! Happy with my Nemo Tensor. "Real" warmth to weight to comfort is outstanding.

Excellent content as always! I usually have trouble getting good sleep outdoors and these comparison videos have helped me find more comfortable equipment. Thank you!

Very helpful, thank you. Just the right amount of details, while also getting to the point. Excellent video.

my husband and I LOVE our Paria Recharge XL. Worth every penny. We got our for $80 3 years ago and has been our go to ever since.

The Helix I got from REI has been great. They had them on sale for a while last year where it was something like $60. It's been great for car camping and staying overnight at a friend's house. I don't know how well it will work for me in cold temps, but i'm really happy with the comfort. Thanks for the review!

I'm a die-hard hammock camper but am doing a trip next month where I'll have to use a tent. I picked up a Big Agnes Rapide and spent one night on my living room floor and 2 nights on trail. I found it to be pretty comfortable, but needed something larger (I had gotten the 66"x20" version). I wound up going with a Nemo Tensor (insulated, regular wide) which is longer and wider while being a decent amount lighter than a comparably sized Rapide would have been. It's not as thick, but is actually quite comfortable. I gave it the living room floor test last night and slept through the night. So we'll see how it does on trail.

Informative, need a video like this for tents.

I'm Canadian and just bought a Helix pad in the US while I was there because of your previous video. It was 30% off so helped with the exchange rate.

Have you ever tryed the Rapid SL from Big Agnes? I am considering purchasing that one 🤔

Just picked up an REI Helix from their Memorial day sale! Can't wait to compare it to my SeatoSummit EtherLight XT to see if it's going to replace it as my go-to in the non-summer months

For me i switched last Winter from my NeoAir Xtherm to a Exped Ultra 7r because the NeoAir sounds like a Bag of Chips, I move a lot during sleep so it was to noisy for me. The neo air is lighter and more compact but I sacrafice the waight and volume for a way better sleep. Still two good pads would recomed both 100% but if you move alot during sleep the NeoAir can be noisy

My favorite is the nemo tensor alpine. Quilted pattern and you can feel the pad give you a heated seat feeling radiating ur own body heat right back the second u lay on it.

The sea to summit comfort plus xt with the dual air chambers has been my go to for the last three years. Something about it just blows everything else out of the water

Fantastic comprehensive review of the options! Have you tried the Big Agnes Rapide SL? Many thanks for your insights and experience!

The real question should be durability. I've had very short lifetimes for the most expensive sleeping pads and also no-name brand pads that have lasted over 500 nights! These sot of tests can never really capture that, unfortunately :/

Have you noticed differences in reliability ex. Build quality, durability, quality of the welds etc

I have a Exped ultra 5R and a insulated tensor. I will definitely go with Exped every time.

I just keep coming back to the Xtherm. The new NXT Max version has been awesome with about 20 nights on it so far. Much quieter than the old model, better R value, and an inch thicker. I wish I was sleeping on it tonite…

We appreciate you Justin!!

Very well done comparison.

I really like Klymit pads too. They're surprisingly comfy for side sleepers like me. They have super wide options at 30 inches, and they're really inexpensive. You just have to be careful if you're picky about the valve because I think different styles use different valves and it's hard to tell which one is on there.

Thank you for this amazing video! I'm from Brazil and I intend to camping in USA on September. Thank you a lot!!!

Thank you for your apparent thoroughness and explanations of the pros and cons of the various pads that. you checked. Cheers from Victoria, BC (I subscribed)

I keep coming back to Nemo Tensor Insulated, 25 inches. I bought the Xtherm Wide bc I camp in the Sierra and it gets so cold and thought I needed all the warmth. But I finally have to admit to myself after many attempts that I can’t sleep on a mummy pad. I’m so uncomfortable that I can’t sleep and get frustrated. So I’m using the foam Decathalon pad with my insulated Nemo Tensor to give a bit higher R value.

I have put all my trust in exped pads. I have 5 various r values. We are very limited to good gear in Scotland. Very few stores stock winter camping kit.

Just exactly the review I was looking for. Great job.

Could you do a follow-up comparison using the newer Nemo Tensor insulated pads, like the All-Season (R value 5.4) and the Extreme (R value 8.5) (and the Alpine (R value 4.8) , though I think that one is discontinued.) They are all 3-3.5 inches thick and have the quilted baffle style. I'd like to know how they compare to the Thermarest Xtherm for warmth in real-world conditions and how they compare for comfort with your comfort choices. Thanks!!

I agree the see 2 summit pads are comfortable, but they don't last, all those dimples after a while start leaking air. I know I have been through 2 of them.

Big Agnes Rapide SL. Best compromise of weight / warmth / comfort. We have the double.

How warm is the Zoom UL compared to the Etherlite XT and Tensor? I've heard that the Zoom UL sleeps cold for its R-value rating.

Great round up, thank you Justin!

Have you looked into decathlon's offering? There's forclaz mt500 air mat with R value of 3.3 and costing 75€/80€ depending on which size you choose.

Nemo Tensor Insulated wins for me. Very warm (compared to other pads with same r-value), light, comfortable, quiet and sturdy. Btw: for me personally your comfort therory makes no sense. Dimples are no isolated 'springs'. Simply put less pressure into the pad.

Mighty summary from the sleeping pad expert! Pretty much exactly match my experiences.

Zempire Monstalite Thermo wins hands down for me, super comfy, warm, packs away small, cheap in comparison to most of these aaaand it's big so no rolling off it by accident in the middle of the night, unfortunately it has hardly any video's on it

My Thermarest NeoAir has been surpassed at an R value of 2.5 then! My Exped Synmat 7 has a decent R value of 4.7, but a bit heavy for hiking with.

🤔 we’re is the new Nature Hike r5.8 pad in this test a pad that matches the xtherm but at a fraction of the cost, it’s lighter and packs smaller too a pad that beats all the pads in your list I have the longer version it’s an awesome pad, you have really missed out here 👍😀❤️ great channel . The Paria pad is not a rebranded version of this mat not even close totally new technology and heat retention system on the NatureHike pad.

Sold on Thermarests. Especially their guarantee!

No rapide sl?

I wish you would have included durability in your reviews. Many of these pads are rumored to have a very short lifespan due to design flaws and stress points.

Have to add small velcro strips to my Nemo Tensor to keep from sliding around my Dyneema floor of my Tarptent Rainbow Li.

The best affordable pad is hands down the air core ultra lineup from big Agnes. Often can be found under 100 and are basically always on sale as it seem like they are phasing out those pads.

Personally I really like the horizontal baffles on the latest thermarest pads

I too am interested in reliability, like how many nights can I expect to get from a particular model before I wake up on the ground? Which manufacturers make the most reliable pads?

I think you need to try out the Exped Dura 8R especially since it's only 125.

Xtherm Max 25” wide and super long

Would like to see some tests on the zenbivy pads. Everyone tests the bed system but no one talks about the pads despite some pretty strong claims on their end.

5:00 Made me laugh when you said you might not want to take some of those colder pads out in the spring when the ground is still frozen. I live in Arkansas and the ground rarely freezes in the coldest part of the winter. It all depends on where you live and where your trip will be.

Etherlite insulated women's version mummy 25 inch is lighter and warmer than insulated rectangular 25 inch version

I'm still using my 30 year old Thermarest. Its never let me down. 😊

What do you think about durability in these? I’d be willing to sacrifice some weight and price and maybe even warmth for a durable pad that’s comfortable

Got the rapid sl and I really like it

How come there isn't a Thermarest Trail Pro review by anybody I know it's a bit big but for comfort they are in a league on there own 👊👍🥃

@JustinOutdoors Have you ever tried the Sea To Summit Comfort Plus XT? Is it the most comfortable pad available?

I am v happy with my Paria

What about Light tour R5.8 ?

Can you review the big agnes rapide sl. This would be awesome 😊

Just the one concern I have with the REI is frozen ground, I used REI airtrail and felt the cold 🥶

Bought the Helix online REi 30% off US$112+$20 shipping to 🇨🇦, as they were out of stock in Bellingham, thx Justin (gotta support the channel, right?) Tho 40% off Nemo Tensor insulated rw, it was a hard decision, but I'm likely gonna be shaped tarp stealth camping to offset & need a bit more durability. Just waiting for Paria Outdoors Breeze Mesh Bivy to be back in stock & I'm set 😉

How about the thermarest uberlite

Justin, would love your opinion. I am getting older and my back is now struggling. I have been a hammock guy for a while, but my last trip, I was pretty miserable. This is with some top of the line backpacking hammocks. So, looking at going back to the ground. I have been looking at Sea to summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air rec wide (25) regular and the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus XT Insulated Air wide (25) regular. Have you tried that one? it is heavy, but with my base packweight of 7.5lbs to 8lbs, I am fine adding another 1lb **IF** it is comfy. I don't go super cold...40 to 45F at the lowest. Would love your thoughts compared to the REI you mentioned....thanks!

Have you ever tested a Big Agnes Rapide SL? I heard that it's very comfortable and I wonder how it compares to Rei Helix?

You test the new Big Agnes Boundary Series. There's 3 new pads with different sizes

Big Agnes Rapide. Can't see the logic in showing the Q-Core at all. Warm enough for me, 26 oz (25x78), and very comfortable for this sioe sleeper.

Are these repairable if they spring a leak? Do any come with patch kits?

How about a sleeping pad that doesn’t deflate during the night? Have owned so many sleeping pads even expensive Big Agnes pads and they all lose air…

I returned my REI Helix b/c it was so darn heavy.

Do all of these bottom out when you sit up in them? And do they all stay all the way pressured by morning time? I have the exped ultra 5r and even when it's pumped all the way, my butt bottoms out when i sit up. Also by morning time it loses some pressure but still comfy if I'm laying flat. I can seem to see bubbles under water. I appreciate anyone's comments with their experiences.

I see you have some tents setup in the background. Are we getting a tent overview video soon?

hello Justin, I am looking for a new mattress, with a weight/durability/comfort ratio. I hesitate between the Nemo tensor, the Big Agnès Zoom UL and the Sea to Summit Etherlight insulated XT women. in advance thank you very much.

Have you tried the Klymit pads?

I noticed you said nothing about the Klymit pads. I find them to be rather durable and comfortable as a side/ stomach sleeper who moves around a lot. Not highly insulated but as a pad I don’t slide off of at all, which will immediately take you to 0 comfort & 0 warmth, a good buy for the $$.

At 5'9” is regular wide nxt xtherm enough? Thanks!

anyone have experience with kilos gear sleeping pad?

Still can't post links to share pack wizard setups 😞

Sorry if this is a weird question, but what are those pinkish/ reddish pants you are wearing at 7:25?

Please help Justin! We have very limited options in South Africa so I am looking at buying a lightweight tent but the problem is it has a full mesh inner (other than the bathtub floor). Even though our temperatures don’t get too cold (relatively speaking to your cold climates) we get high levels of wind and possibly snow when on the top of peaks in the mountains (probably no less than -6 Celsius nor more than 60km/h wind gusts) but I also run cold in general ie Hike cold, sleep cold so I am terrified of the mesh inner. But I love the tent so much I’m wondering if I just invest in a great sleep system whether that will compensate any potential cold issues - ie a sub zero sleeping bag, as well as an Xtherm (or even Xlite with it new higher R-value). Do you think this would negate the airy/potential cold of an inner mesh tent (it will also have a 20D 4000mm fly). I am just terrified of the cold and froze in the last one I used (where temperature probably never went below freezing - but I used no sleep system then other than a roll mat and a 6 degree sleeping bag (although I was wearing thermals, fleece tops/bottoms, down jacket, rain jacket, gloves and beanie). So would you recommend the Xtherm to help keep me warm in this situation or would it not make a big difference. If so do you think Xlite could do the trick? Or lastly, get a more fabric made inner tent? I mostly hike 3 seasons but when o. Top of mountains especially in the the Cape & the Drakensberg, it can get to 0degrees with high winds during the night. What shld I do?! Pls help 🤯

0:25 7.3 R value + foam = a pad that can keep you warm at -50? How is that possible when 7.3 equals ~ -32C? How does that make sense?

Greetings from Redwood Nat. Park. Is the Helix being discontinued? I see many reviews (on REI's site) questioning the durability of the helix.

So I’m fixed on the new Thermarest xlite nxt max from ur other recent video! Why didn’t u review it here too? Or is it not comfortable as the rest 🤪. Love to know!! Toats confused

Which is more comfortable Helix or Zoom UL? Seem close to same RValue Zoom just a lot lighter

In the Ultralight category why did you not even mention the Thermarest Uberlite? Its R value isn't great and it does have the horizontal baffles you don't like and it is a little crinkly but it is also the lightest pad on the market. Don't you think that not even considering it in the UL category invalidates that part of your review a bit? Regarding its downsides I would never use it to sleep on frozen ground (like snow) but most of the time most backpackers don't backpack in temps below freezing because it is just less fun. I agree that cold backpacking is done and can be a great experience and we need a solution for that (which you acknowledge the best pad for that is the Therarest XTherm) but for the majority of the time the extra weight is wasted. Most of us don't live at Canadian latitudes. Like quilts no single product will get you through the whole year and even thru-hikers swap out their gear as conditions dictate. Regarding comfort and noise, well you are sleeping on the ground so things can only get so good but I acknowledge your point, if you are willing to carry twice the weight then you can probably make it marginally more comfortable. Noise - the Uberlite is the quietest of the Thermarest pads and only really matters if the wind is not blowing. If it is you probably have ear plugs in because your DCF tent is making way more noise and a pair of foam ear plugs are really light.

Criminal that the Nemo Quasar 3D is not on this list 😭

So where does the BA Rapide SL fall in your ranking these days? Fairly recently, it was among your favorite pads if I recall correctly.

Weight of Rab ionosphere is 655g.

I need something durable and compact and comfortable but don’t care too much about weight because I’m moto camping and probably won’t have to carry it too far. But seems like all of these are super fragile 😅

Have you ever heard of Outdoor Vitals?

I can’t do 20” pads, I need a 25”; I fall off 20”.

The Sea to Summit etherlight xt is a great sleeping pad if it lasts more than 20 nights, which it doesn’t!! The air spring holes weldings will start leaking. Expensive light weight crap!

I bough a cheep tent so I could afford to get a really nice pad

Are you paid by Thermarest?

someone got good pay check from REI just saying :-))))

lol the Helix model you chose as best overall doesn’t even exist anymore and it’s only been 5 months

Just no love for the si models? (Personally find them all the be 10x as comfy as regular inflatable)

Has anyone else been having their nemo tensor fail on them?

Sea to summit is sh!t quality product. But is very comfortable untill you get up on the ground. 4 from 6 got warranty damage *about 4 years of use 1 month or more every year. very sad.

The Helix is an awesome pad with a great price, but I love my NEMO Tensor. I find that filling sleeping pads to about 90% gives me the best night sleep on trail. Helps avoid any pressure points that may cause a limb to go numb.

Too bad there's no REI in the EU.