How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking

Designed with a smooth, stable sleep surface, the light and compact Big Agnes Divide Insulated sleeping pad has larger outside tubes to cradle you on top of the pad so you don't roll off.
$26
10% Reward
on this and every eligible full-price item*
+
$30
Bonus Card
valid for 60 days after joining*
=
$56
Value
Keep shopping
Imported.
View all Big Agnes Air PadsBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Sleeping Pad Type | Air |
Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
Insulated | Yes |
Insulation Type | Synthetic |
R-Value | 4 |
Repair Kit Included | Yes |
Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
Packed Size | Petite: 4 x 7.5 inches Regular: 5 x 8 inches Regular Wide: 5.5 x 8 inches Long Wide: 5.5 x 9 inches Double: 6.5 x 15 inches |
Sleeping Capacity | Petite: 1-person Regular: 1-person Regular Wide: 1-person Long Wide: 1-person Double: 2-person |
Pad Thickness (in.) | 3.5 inches |
Dimensions | Petite: 66 x 20 x 3.5 inches Regular: 72 x 20 x 3.5 inches Regular Wide: 72 x 25 x 3.5 inches Long Wide: 78 x 25 x 3.5 inches Double: 78 x 50 x 3.5 inches |
Weight | Petite: 1 lb. 6 oz. Regular: 1 lb. 7 oz. Regular Wide: 1 lb. 14 oz. Long Wide: 2 lbs. 1 oz. Double: 3 lbs. 12 oz. |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
I slept on this for 32 nights straight for geology field camp. It was a comfortable 32 nights. And while my comrades sleep systems failed and they awoke on the ground, mine remained inflated for days on end. I would highly recommend this mattress for long term camping. It's durable, comfortable, and when treated with care, reliable for a weeks on end. I did find, however, that it's a little bit of a challenge to roll up and store. The stuff bag is sized for the factory vacuum rolled up pad, and is sort of tough to get it to fit after using it. But don't let that deter you from buying this if you need a comfortable and durable sleep pad.
I was looking for a petite luxury pad and was tricked by the thickness. It’s a very lightweight pad that holds a lot of air in a way that is pretty comfortable. But it’s still a little bouncy and squeaky and pretty minimalist. It is tiny packed and inflated pretty easily once I watched a you tube of how to use the air sack. I might keep it for emergencies and backpacking but it isn’t enough to make me look forward to nights outdoors.
It works, its warm, it isnt loud, but it isnt as comfortable. I am used to the REI campbed, but decided to pick up something a bit more portable for backpacking. I have a Big Agnes trailbreak sleeping bag (love that btw), and this pad fits perfectly in the pocket underneath. My only issue with the pad is that the rails are not that comfortable. I am 6'0'' 250lbs, and my glutes line up perfectly with the apex of the rails haha, which turned them into a major pressure point while sleeping on my back (even as I let out more air). My father (5'7'', 180lbs) loves it though. He likes a firm bed (part of that sleep number: 100 club), and the max filled pad was best for him.
The pillow has a hole at the end. The pad is great but I am sad, a few months after purchase to find this defect. It it the most I’ve ever spent on a sleeping pad.
I bought this pad having little faith in it's ability to support me being 6 foot 3 inches and 400 lbs due to not seeing any reviews. Boy was I proven wrong, I first tested it on a flat concrete floor and was amazed none of my body sunk through and contacted the hard ground. With history of a broken back. I was thrilled to be as comfortable as I was while pairing it with a big agnes echo park 20 long wide, which it does fit fine, as long as you fill half way, then stuff into bag, and fill to full.
This sleeping pad is perfect for me. I used it for two nights last weekend and slept so well (I'm a side/stomach sleeper). It held it's air and didn't have to be topped off at all. It has a more cushion than my old REI flash pad and is quieter when rolling around. It's also super lightweight and packs down nicely. I can't wait to bring it backpacking this summer! My only con is that it doesn't fit in the pocket on the back of my Big Agnes sleeping bag, which was a big reason I chose this one. Either way, I'm so happy I bought it. I've only used it once, so I'll update this review if needed.
I sleep outside a good portion of the year even in winter. I got this a couple weeks ago and its pretty nice had it out in 35 F weather and so far so good. Its been almost a month of daily use and no serious issues. I had my doubts but so far its a good pad and everything works good. Takes awhile to blow yp even with an attachment. Pack size is pretty small and it actually fits pretty good in its stuff sack. I took pictures of the original as I unfolded it and fold it up just like it was packaged
This pad is wicked comfy, even on uneven ground. And it folds up small and light, great for backpacking or any other travel where you don't wanna be bogged down. However I have not really gotten the inflator bag to work... So it does take awhile to blow it up directly. But its worth it. The only thing I'll mention is if you're wider built, your arms will kind of wish for the regular-wide rather than just the regular. I opted for the regular because it was lighter and cheaper. So if you're on the fence, just factor in ideal comfort vs. weight and price.
I have at least 120 miles on this pad since I purchased it several months ago, and after numerous pads, this is by far my favorite. I am 5'-10" and about 175-lbs. I live and hike in the Southwest in dry, rocky environments where vegetation is thorny and aggressive. I have used a variety of pads, to include the ultralight Thermarest pads and the accordion-style closed cell-foam pads, and have close to 2,000-miles of backpacking and thru-hiking experience. I purchased the regular size. To begin, I am an exclusive side-sleeper, so width wasn't too much a factor for me. I was hesitant initially due to the higher weight than I am used to, but it's worth the weight penalty. It's comfortable, doesn't lose air, folds down neatly in my pack (I simply roll it up after folding into thirds, and it sits low in my pack by my quilt) and is quick to blow up. I've used this in colder conditions, maybe close to 40-degrees, and in warmer conditions where the temperatures hover in the mid-70s to low-80s and haven't felt too hot or too cold. The valve mechanism works flawlessly and haven't experienced issues with bottoming out as I previously mentioned. I've found, at least for me, it's most comfortable when about two-thirds the way inflated. All in all, a comfortable and reliable pad that'll accompany me on my wilderness adventures moving forward.
Excellent pad! Just what I've been looking for. I returned a Nemo pad and exchanged for this one. Nemo pad lost air and didn't seem durable and smaller than i expected. This Divide pad is not only more durable it held air all night long. I'm tall and fit perfectly on this pad. Slept great using this pad. Highly recommend!!