How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking

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Offering the perfect trifecta of warmth, comfort and light weight, the women's Sea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated Air sleeping pad offers a safe bet for sleeping outside in cool weather.
Shop newer version| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Air |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Semirectangular |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Insulation Type | Synthetic |
| R-Value | 4.7 |
| Repair Kit Included | Yes |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 2.5 inches |
| Gender | Women's |
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So far I've only spent Memorial Day weekend camping and using this mat (coupled with a Coleman foam mat underneath), both on a plywood bunk in a cabin and on the chilly, Alaska ground. It was AMAZING. I'm 5'1", roughly 112 lbs and curvy, and sleep all over the place (especially in my mummy sleeping bag). I didn't feel ANY pressure on my shoulders or hips whatsoever during both nights. It was easy to unpack and blow up (albeit pretty cumbersome for an asthmatic, but I'll figure out a blow-up method that works better), clean and then roll up to be stored again. It packs pretty small and light, and fits perfectly in my backpack. I highly recommend!
I purchased this pad in large as I'm a restless side sleeper and I find that there's just not enough wiggle room on regular size pads. If this came in a regular length wide version, I would have purchased that one instead as, at 5'5", I dont need the extra length. This pad performs as it should, with enough lift to keep my hips off the ground and not bottoming out and enough insulation to keep the ground chill a bay. The face material is not clammy and does not produce the noise from movement that some other pads do. If you're looking for an ultralight pad, look elsewhere, but I prefer comfort and this pad has it in aces. Highly recommend!
I absolutely love this sleeping pad. I have used a few others from big names in the outdoor industry and I always had the same two problems; a loud mat and an uncomfortable mat when I was on my side. I sleep on my side most of the time and this mat keeps me comfortable, not only that, it's QUIET, which I absolutely love. The insulation is an added bonus. While I'm not a cold sleeper, I do tend to get cold while camping, and I have not had this problem with this mat. This mat also has enough room in the hips to keep my entire body on the mat while on my side. I would recommend this mat to pretty much anyone looking to actually sleep comfortably outside.
Getting to this mat has been a process for me. After years of sleeping on the ground I finally stepped up to some egg-crate foam. After scolding myself for not having made that move years ago, I stepped up to a "self-inflating" pad that made things even better. However, I would often wake up with pain or stiffness in my hip. I assumed that was just a consequence of an aging body spending the night in a tent. Then I discovered this mat. What a difference! It is lighter than what I had been carrying and far more comfortable. Blowing it up (one of my concerns) is not a problem. Absolutely recommended!
I would caution that the R value is NOT 4.7 as advertised on REI's website and the mat's packaging. ASTM released a new standard for measuring sleeping mat R-values. This particular mat (wms comfort light insulated air) tested at R3.9 under those new standards. I called Sea to Summit and confirmed this new, significantly lower R-value number. Unfortunately, I purchased this mat on 1/18/20 thinking I was getting a winter mat, but alas.
First off, thanks Sea to Summit for making more and more high tech gear aimed at the ladies (many a gentleman would be very comfy on this mat too, I am sure). The extra width at what would be the men's regular length is great. Having previously used the men's version of this pad, I liked that my arms didn't fall off the mat and my entire body had enough space when sleeping on the side. I tested this down to about -3C and never felt cold coming from the ground. I like the inflation system and also never had to top up the mat after I had properly inflated it.
Needed something light and small for kayaking/camping and backpacking. I have SI pads for car camping and now I just use this. it is soooo comfortable and easy to inflate and deflates and rolls up in seconds. Also great insulation as used it when it was snowing/raining and kept me warm and dry. highly recommend!!
I recently retired my old Therm-a-Rest for this sleeping pad and now I can actually sleep at night! No comparison. It's easy to inflate and I like the mummy shape. I'm exactly 5'6" and the regular works perfectly. This is likely too heavy for PCT through hikers but for my 1-, 2- and 3-night trips, it's perfect. However, my very favorite Sea to Summit product which was an absolute game-changer for me for backpacking is the Aeros pillow. That has made all the difference between a miserable night and a great one.
This item is very hot that sold by REI,So grab this as soon as possible.
Wanted some extra loft and comfort on a three week trip to a somewhat unpredictable climate where our tents and gear were carried by horses. We would also be at altitude, so the ease of inflation was important. The mat is comfortable, warm (had it in freezing temperatures), easy to inflate and not noisy. This is not an ultra-light mat but was fine for hauling around and I would still backpack with it if the temps were low.