No need to agonise over it any longer. Whether it is for a full night or a quick nap on the trail, this is your guide to sleeping pads.
Your portable bed has two main jobs: cushioning and insulation. Sleeping on a soft surface is the obvious reason to buy a pad, but when camping in the cold it is that insulation you really need. In the shop, do ask about the different models and try them before you buy. Everyone is different and will use the pad in different conditions. Explain your situation and you will get a much better sense of the cushioning you need, the right length and the packed size.
The types of sleeping pad on the market
Inflatable pads
Inflatable pads have separate air chambers that spread your body weight evenly. You can fill them in several ways: most models you inflate by mouth, but some brands supply a small electric pump, a bag pump or a built in hand pump.
Pros
The insulated models work all year round. They are comfortable and light.
Cons
They are expensive and can puncture on the trail, though most come with a repair kit.
Foam pads
Foam pads have a dense foam core. The air cells inside that foam provide excellent insulation.
Pros
They are very light, durable and above all cheap. You can use them in any conditions and they do not absorb water, so you can carry them on the outside of your pack without extra protection. Most models roll up, but folding versions exist that are a little easier to stow.
Cons
They are less comfortable if you sleep on your side, and on uneven ground they are hard work.
Self inflating pads
Self inflating pads combine foam and air insulation. They are very simple to use: open the valve and the pad fills itself, thanks to the vacuum between the foam cells.
Pros
They inflate themselves, so you are not left gasping for breath at the moment you want to go to sleep. They are also comfortable and insulate well.
Cons
They are the heaviest of all pads and generally expensive. Like inflatable pads they can puncture on the trail, though a repair kit is usually included.
What else to look at
Insulation: the R value
Many pads carry an R value. The higher that number, the better the pad holds heat. The same unit is used for the insulation you buy for your house.
Camping on a tropical summer night, you do not need a high R value. As soon as temperatures drop, an insulated pad becomes important. It may sound odd, but you lose most of your heat through the cold ground, not through your sleeping bag. That said, both your bag and your pad need to match the climate of your destination.
How much body heat you lose overnight varies a lot from person to person. One camper barely feels the cold, another sees their body temperature drop sharply. If you get cold quickly at night, choose the highest R value you can afford. Research shows women lose more body heat on average. That is why men's and women's models from many brands differ not only in size but also in R value.
Length
Your pad should match your height. Too long means carrying weight for nothing, too short means cold feet. Some lightweight fanatics choose pads that do not support their legs, and which sometimes even have holes in them, but unless you are very experienced and weight is your main criterion, you are better off with a full length pad.
Width
Are you a still sleeper, or do you roll around the tent all night? If you often sleep on your side and switch sides regularly, a wider pad is the better choice.
Shape
Most pads have the classic mummy shape, but rectangular models exist too.
Remember the pad has to fit your tent. If you have a trekking tent that narrows at the foot end, definitely go for a mummy shaped pad. They are usually lighter and pack smaller too.
Grip
Some sleeping bags slide off a pad easily. Choose a pad with a textured surface. The ground is never perfectly level and you do not want to wake up beside your pad in the middle of the night. This matters most for restless sleepers.
Do not forget that your pad determines a large part of your comfort. You use it nearly eight hours a day, and a good night's sleep decides your energy for the days that follow. Spending a bit extra on a good pad is entirely justified.