How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
Exped Ultra 5R Sleeping Pad
$159.95
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Insulated for 4-season use, or 3-season use for campers who tend to sleep cold, the Exped 5R sleeping pad has an R-value of 4.8 and is ideal for backpacking, car camping, sea kayaking or sleepovers.
Key Details
Insulated
Yes
Pad Thickness (in.)
3 inches
Weight
Medium: 1 lb. 4 oz.
Medium Wide: 1 lb. 7 oz.
Long Wide: 1 lb. 9 oz.
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- Mat is 3 in. thick, providing ample comfort against rocky, rooty, uneven terrain
- 20-denier, 100% recycled polyester fabric is incredibly light weight; nonslip finish helps keep you on the pad
- Interior hydrolysis-resistant laminate is impervious to bacteria and moisture, which can degrade typical polyurethane coatings, ensuring an airtight mat for many years
- Internal welded baffles separate air chambers, creating a fully cushioned and stable sleep surface and preventing cold spots without excessive weight and bulk
- Internal synthetic insulation is laminated to both the top and bottom of each baffle, ensuring consistent warmth and R-value rating, use after use, year after year
- Proprietary 160 g Texpedloft microfiber insulation
- Air chambers are oriented head-to-toe, so the pad becomes slightly wider when weighted
- Oversize outer chambers form the Exped Comfort Cradle, helping to keep you centered and secured on the pad
- Vertical baffle orientation also reduces end-of-baffle welds, increasing lifespan of the pad
- This pad has an R-value of 4.8, which makes it a great choice for adventures in cold weather, providing considerable insulation from ground temperature.
- Recommended for all-season use, or 3-season use for those who tend to get cold while sleeping
- Durable, easy-to-use, one-way Flat Valves provide a high volume of airflow so you can quickly inflate/deflate the pad
- Flat Valves also eliminate the hard-to-soft interface of standard pad valves, reducing wear points and prolonging pad life
- Includes Schnozzel pump bag for inflation (weight: 2.1 oz.), a stuff sack for protection during transportation, and a repair kit with adhesive and fabric patches
Imported.
View all Exped Air Pads| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Air |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Insulation Type | Synthetic |
| R-Value | 4.8 |
| Repair Kit Included | Yes |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Packed Size | Medium: 5.1 x 12.2 inches Medium Wide: 5.1 x 13.4 inches Long Wide: 5.1 x 13.4 inches |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 3 inches |
| Dimensions | Medium: 72 x 20.5 x 3 inches Medium Wide: 72 x 25.6 x 3 inches Long Wide: 77.6 x 25.6 x 3 inches |
| Weight | Medium: 1 lb. 4 oz. Medium Wide: 1 lb. 7 oz. Long Wide: 1 lb. 9 oz. |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Warm and Comfortable, but Big.
Kent3 years ago
Received free productThe Exped Ultra 5R sleeping pad is incredibly comfortable, probably the most the comfortable sleeping pad I've ever used. The outer material is thick and feels very durable. Blowing up the sleeping pad is quick with the use of the pump bag - but inflating the pad without is a non-starter. I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was. I was expecting foil insulation used in many backpacking and ultra-light pads but the Ultra 5R uses a synthetic insulation, free of the annoying crinkling sound. As someone with wide-ish shoulders, I was happy with the width and I didn't have any issues with sliding or hanging off.
But, with comfort, comes size. I was quite surprised by how large the inflated sleeping pad was, both in height, width, and length. Although the packed size is much smaller than traditional self-inflating and foam pads, it is still quite larger than conventional sleeping pads and ultralight sleeping pads with a similar price point. It is quite bulky, I have attached an image with a comparison to a nalgene and the ultralight Nemo Tensor Alpine (Note: the Nemo Tensor Alpine is not in the same price range, and just used for comparison).
This wouldn't be my first or second choice for a sleeping pad for any trip longer than one night. When considering the size/width of most backpacking/alpine tents, it's just too big, especially if sharing a tent. But this is coming from someone who prioritizes size and weight. I would only personally use this pad if I was car camping or on a winter mountaineering/alpine climbing trip. For backpacking and summer alpine missions, I would reach for something lighter and smaller first.
For those looking for comfort and warmth and willing to sacrifice some weight and bulkiness, this is a great sleeping pad.
KentReceived free product
Baltimore, MD
53 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Comfortable but noisy
Steph2 years ago
Comfortable but too noisy. If it wasn't for the noise every time you move, I would of kept it.
Steph
CO
9 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Kent
Received free product
Baltimore, MD
Warm and Comfortable, but Big.
3 years ago
The Exped Ultra 5R sleeping pad is incredibly comfortable, probably the most the comfortable sleeping pad I've ever used. The outer material is thick and feels very durable. Blowing up the sleeping pad is quick with the use of the pump bag - but inflating the pad without is a non-starter. I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was. I was expecting foil insulation used in many backpacking and ultra-light pads but the Ultra 5R uses a synthetic insulation, free of the annoying crinkling sound. As someone with wide-ish shoulders, I was happy with the width and I didn't have any issues with sliding or hanging off. But, with comfort, comes size. I was quite surprised by how large the inflated sleeping pad was, both in height, width, and length. Although the packed size is much smaller than traditional self-inflating and foam pads, it is still quite larger than conventional sleeping pads and ultralight sleeping pads with a similar price point. It is quite bulky, I have attached an image with a comparison to a nalgene and the ultralight Nemo Tensor Alpine (Note: the Nemo Tensor Alpine is not in the same price range, and just used for comparison). This wouldn't be my first or second choice for a sleeping pad for any trip longer than one night. When considering the size/width of most backpacking/alpine tents, it's just too big, especially if sharing a tent. But this is coming from someone who prioritizes size and weight. I would only personally use this pad if I was car camping or on a winter mountaineering/alpine climbing trip. For backpacking and summer alpine missions, I would reach for something lighter and smaller first. For those looking for comfort and warmth and willing to sacrifice some weight and bulkiness, this is a great sleeping pad.
Age:25–34
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Yes , I recommend this product
SFHiker
Received free product
San Francisco, CA
Lightweight and warm
3 years ago
I used this pad for a two night backpacking trip where temperatures dropped into the low 40s and it exceeded my expectations for warmth and comfort. I'm a side sleeper and I usually get cold in the middle of the night. Using this pad, I had two nights of comfortable sleep and didn't wake up cold. The R rating is double my existing pad and significantly lighter than it. The pad includes a pump bag and repair kit. I initially thought the pump bag was a gimmick but it definitely beats blowing directly into the bag at altitude. I do have some concern regarding its durability and I didn't like using it as a stuff sack because the pad fits poorly in it. Also the outlet plug kind of dangles around. As for the included stuff sack, it's annoyingly small. I have a compulsion to use stuff sacks that are included with products because it keeps things neat. My compulsion for stuff sacks is so bad that my wife hides them because I take too long to pack up our campsite. Unfortunately, this stuff sack just fits the pad as if it came from the factory and I struggle to get the pad small enough to get it into the sack on the first try. Overall this pad is replacing my existing pad due to its warm and weight. I have no good reason to go back.
Age:35–44
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
lfisgd746
Stanley, ID
Amazing!
2 years ago
I had no idea how badly I was sleeping while backpacking until I bought this pad. I'm a side and stomach sleeper. My hips don't ache, my shoulders don't fall asleep. I sleep hard and sound every.single.night on this thing! I coupled it with a Nemo Fillo Elite pillow, heaven! I originally went with the medium but exchanged for the Med/long (I'm 5'6, 117lbs), the extra room is so worth the extra oz and the packed size of the bigger mat is only slightly larger than the regular. It is super warm too, so far I've used it down to 25 degrees and stayed toasty. It is also quiet. I had tried the Nemo Tensor and the crazy loud crinkling sound was a no go. This one barely makes any noise. SO happy with this pad!!!
Age:45–54
Weight:100–125 lbs.
Height:5'6"
Yes , I recommend this product
Allison M
Received free product
Pennsylvania
Compact packed with big comfort
3 years ago
My favorite thing about this pad is the two valve system. There is an air in valve that is separate from the air out valve. It makes inflation and deflation easy, especially since I was new to using the pump sack (included). I've always used a more rounded, tapered sleeping pad, but the rectangle shape did make this pad feel roomier. The shape was nice in my hammock as well with the vertical air pockets. Kept my feet more insulated in below freezing temps with the fuller foot area (versus my usual tapered pad)
Age:25–34
Weight:250–275 lbs.
Height:5'5"
Yes , I recommend this product
VenturaLuke
Received free product
Ventura CA
Does its job WELL!
3 years ago
This pad is a solid choice. I now have 6 nights on it and have not had a single issue. It is comfortable, warm, and has not leaked air yet aside from what is expected with temp changes. It comes with a HUGE inflator bag which is helpful, but could probably be made smaller to save space/weight. My initial thought when I unpacked it was that I would never be able to get it back in its stuff sack as it was packed in there tight. I have actually been pretty surprised that its not difficult to deflate, roll, and get it to fit back in. The overall packed down size is bigger than a Big Agnus pad that I have but this one is also warmer.
Age:35–44
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Yes , I recommend this product
knot_emotion
Received free product
Seattle, WA
Comfortable and warm, perfect for winter
3 years ago
Quick summary: this is the most comfortable pad that I’ve used for backcountry camping. It’s super warm and perfect for mild winter conditions. I highly recommend it for kayak camping or bikepacking where you want to keep weight down but an ounce or two extra might be less of a deal breaker than for ultralight backpacking. Full review: This mat gave me more comfort in my shoulder and hips than any other mat I’ve used. As a side sleeper, I appreciated every inch of thickness in this pad. I did a lot less flipping from side to side, trying to find a comfortable positioning. It’s easy to dial in the inflation using Exped’s well-designed valves. Yes, precision inflation is dorky and might sound unnecessary, but it’s a part of my side-sleeping comfort strategy. I like to get the pad inflated so I have the least amount of air in the pad that still keeps my hips and shoulder just barely off the ground. That’s easy to do with the little toggles that are attached to the valves. I’ve never had the pad leak air from the valves so the inflation level stays constant through the night. This mat is also super warm, more so than any others I’ve used in the past. It’s warm enough to use in fairly mild Pacific Northwest winter conditions (damp cold in the 30s Fahrenheit). You can feel the insulation in the pad reflecting heat back immediately when you lie down on it. It’s perfect for cold weather but potentially a little too warm if you were to try to use it for a hot, humid trip in the summer, for example (fortunately this mat comes in multiple insulation levels, so there are options for warmer conditions). The awesome comfort and warmth don’t come without a bit of a tradeoff in terms of weight and volume, though. The mat is light for what you get, but it’s a pound heavier than another ultralight pad with no insulation that I use in the summer. This Exped mat is absolutely the best that I’ve used for kayak camping. The small increase in size and weight relative to other ultralight pads barely matters if you’re throwing it in the hull of a boat. Likewise, I’ve found this mat works well for winter bikepacking overnighters where the extra ounces don’t make that much difference and the comfort is well worth it. It fits perfectly strapped in a three-bolt cargo cage (see the green stuff sack on the bike’s fork in the picture). I imagine this pad would also be good for shoulder season trips at high altitude where the temperature can dip at night, though I haven’t tried it yet under those conditions. I’ll still keep my other ultralight pad for longer multi-day trips and summer trips where the 5R rating of this Exped mat would be too warm. But, I love how this Exped mat has helped take the edge off of mild winter camping. I’m 5’10” tall and about 170 pounds and the medium wide size is luxurious for me. It feels more like an air mattress than a backpacking pad and I can flip over at night without rolling off the pad. I could have gotten by with the regular-width medium pad, but I appreciate the extra comfort of the larger size. I’m willing to carry a little heavier sleep system so that I can feel comfortable at night and I try to minimize weight from the rest of my gear to make up for it. I love that this mat comes with a Schnozzle inflator bag. It has been a game changer for me and I can’t imagine going back to the bad old days of getting light headed and nauseous trying to inflate a mat with my lungs at the end of a long day. It’s just so much faster and easier to use the Schnozzle system. Although Exped advertises that the Schnozzle doubles as a waterproof stuff sack, I’ve found that it’s too big to be practical for carrying anything. Instead, I just roll it up a pop it inside the stuff sack for the mat. I’ve found the convenience of the pump bag is more than worth the tiny weight it adds. I also appreciate that Exped takes sustainability seriously. I like that the materials in this mat are Bluesign approved. And, there’s a QR code on the box that links to a page with more information about how Exped offsets the carbon emissions from the full lifecycle of the mat. I know offsets aren’t perfect, but they’re a start and I appreciate Exped’s commitment and transparency around carbon reduction.
Age:35–44
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
ColtS
Albany, GA
Warm and Comfy
8 months ago
I've only had this on the trail for 2 nights so far, but I really like it. It's very comfy and warm (only had it down to 30*F with a 20*F quilt, and I was toasty). I'm a side sleeper and didn't have to worry about my hip pressing through to the ground. I didn't have any issue with noise that others complain about. The material also feels more durable than other lightweight pads I've tried/borrowed. The included pump sack works pretty well and only takes about to pumps to fill. I got the Medium Wide, and it's the perfect size for me at 5'6". It would probably be fine for close to 6'. The only downside is it doesn't pack down very small. But I'll take that compromise for the comfort and warmth.
Age:25–34
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'6"
Yes , I recommend this product
bookgirl
Received free product
Smyrna, GA
comfort!
3 years ago
I love to backpack because it brings me to the best places. However, I am not necessarily into roughing it so this sleeping pad is the bomb: lightweight enough to want to carry, thick enough to keep me comfortable on (off!) the ground, and the added protection from the cold. It is truly the trifecta of need to keep me happy in my tent. The shape feels like a bonus - I have had a tapered design before... who knew a rectangle could feel so spacious? Also, there is no sliding and it is quiet. (You know, the crinkle noises from bad sleeping pads and waterproof mattress covers - no thank you!). I have a pet peeve against stuff sacks - please oh please I wish companies could put two extra inches in their carry bags. This one is critically small so I have already subbed it out with another, but this is the only negative I have experienced with this product.
Age:45–54
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'3"
Yes , I recommend this product
sedwards223
Received free product
Reston, VA
Lightweight and Comfortable
3 years ago
This sleeping pad is a bit longer/wider than most sleeping pads I have used and it feels more like an air mattress than a sleeping pad to me. I tend to sleep on my side and always toss and turn a lot on sleeping pads because my hips hurt. I found that my hips hurt a lot less using this product. Inflating is quick and easy. I like the two ports so you can inflate it without losing air like other sleeping pads. The Schnozzle system is also very nice and only takes a few bags full of air to inflate and you don't wear yourself out having to blow it up manually. Deflation is super easy because of the dedicated out valve. It is easy to roll and pack up once it is deflated. The sleeping pad is really warm and I used it comfortably in 20 degree Fahrenheit weather. It might be a bit warm for hot summer nights. In addition to camping, I have used this mattress beside my baby's crib at night way more than I would care to admit and it has been invaluable in allowing me to get rest while also being able to stay beside my sick child. The sleeping pad is very durable and made of high quality materials and I would highly recommend it!
Age:35–44
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Yes , I recommend this product
Only another mile
Indianapolis
Better than Nemo Tensor
2 years ago
After using the Nemo for 2 years I bought the Exped 5R. I absolutely got better sleep with the Exped.
Age:45–54
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
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