Sleeping Pads

Recent Sleeping Pad Reviews

REI AirRail 1.5 Self-Inflating Pad

The REI AirRail Self-Inflating pad really does help keep you centered and gives the user a slight edge on keeping out the cold with the concave design. I picked up this model from the local Co-op garage sale. It was returned because the original owner said that it would not inflate. After examining the valve, I could see nothing wrong with it. I blew on it in the store and it seemed to work fine so I bought it for the $9.85 price tag. The valve is a quarter turner. To close the valve, you depress… Full review

Big Agnes AXL Air

An extremely light and comfortable sleeping pad suitable for its intended use—warm summer nights. Besides comfort and being extremely lightweight, it packs small and easily, has a good design to prevent roll-off, is relatively easy to inflate, and seems cooler on warm summer nights. Minor detractions include valve not adapting to DIY inflation, slipperiness on a tent floor, mild noise when tossing and turning, and an occasional shift needed to avoid a root coinciding with the depressions in the… Full review

REI Flash Insulated Air Pad

->Light 15 oz. air insulated mattress with a 3.7 R value. ->Fast to inflate with a Sea to Summit valve-compatible inflator dry bag. ->Comfortable and warm enough for shoulder season (15°F) use. ->Several reported weld failures by owners; newest version said to have fixed this (fingers crossed). There are several companies making insulated air mattresses at present. These are not to be confused with the foam filled self inflating air mattresses we are accustomed to using. These new insulated… Full review

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra

Ditto! Coincidence? I've had an almost identical experience as Charles Brodeur (reviewer, above) reported:  Undetectable leak; warranty replacement.  Several years in storage.  Replacement pad developed a leak after two nights; this tiny leak detected at fabric-plastic joint at old style brass valve. I was advised to "Goop" it (silicone sealer) and, if that didn't seal the leak satisfactorily, to return it for a second replacement. Very cooperative CS. (I have not tried the Goop treatment yet.) … Full review

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra

Does not seem as heavy material as original Q-Core. I had the older model Q-Core and while it took a bit to inflate, it was a very nice sleeping platform and served me well until leaks started for some reason. The first product was returned to REI after a failure of the valve that occurred during a fire camp in Washington state. It made some tough sleeping for the two weeks on that wildland fire. I deploy several times a year and sleep is pretty important after working 15 hours straight. I repaired… Full review

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra

Third time's the charm? Time will tell. I received this new model under warranty replacement. I had originally purchased one of the prior model that's a mute dark purple. It held air for about a week before it started to leak slowly. Within a few more days it would deflate in a matter of hours without laying on it. After doing leak testing and not finding the culprit I sent it to BA for repair and they promptly replaced it with a new one of the same. It was worse. Testing it at home it started slowly… Full review

Therm-a-Rest Women's NeoAir XLite

The Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite mattress is the perfect balance of warmth, size, and weight for a light backpacking kit. The pad weighs just 12 ounces with an R-Value of 3.2 in a profile the size of a one-liter water bottle. The Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite inflatable mattress is a marvel of warmth in a small package. I was still using the very first NeoAir model, which was revolutionary when it came out but only had an R-Value of 2. The NeoAir XLite has an R-Value of 3.2. It doesn’t sound like much… Full review

Exped DownMat 7

Very expensive for a product that is such poor quality. Don't waste your money. My family (wife and 4 kids) have been backpacking for years with Therm-a-Rests. I thought I would treat mysefl and buy a more comfortable warmer mat. What a mistake. If you like to pay a lot of money for a mat that leaks, this product is for you. I have used this mat for about 10 nights in total and have treated it very delicately. I can not find any holes and the mat still looks like new.   Full review

Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated Mat

I used to have two Therm-a-Rest self inflating mats (1980) and was never happy. This StS insulated mat is a lot better on warmth and comfort 10-fold. With my Katabatic Flex 22 top quilt I'll sleep like a king. Very happy with it. Although length is sufficient, I wish there was an option for a little bit more width. Full review