How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking

Sleeping pad? Check. Cooler insulation? Check. Seat cushion? Check. River floatie? Check. The versatile NRS Snooze Pad 3 sleeping pad self inflates for a comfortable night and is built to endure.
Imported.
View all NRS Self-inflating PadsBest Use | Camping |
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Sleeping Pad Type | Self-inflating |
Sleeping Pad Shape | Semirectangular |
Insulated | Yes |
Insulation Type | Open-cell Foam |
R-Value | 11.4 |
Repair Kit Included | Yes |
Packed Size | 9 x 26 inches |
Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
Pad Thickness (in.) | 3 inches |
Dimensions | 76 x 26 x 3 inches |
Weight | 9 lbs. 6 oz. |
Gender | Unisex |
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I like this sleeping pad a lot. It is very easy to carry with its handle and strap system. It inflates itself in under 2 minutes. This really matters when setting up camp. It is wide enough for me to have at least 6 inches on each side while laying on my back. I am 5’4 ans 120 lbs and it has plenty of room at my head and feet as well. I’m very excited to camp with thos often. I had sufficient support while sleeping in the tent and I did not wake up sore and stiff.
I can tell that a lot of thought and planning went into the design of this sleeping pad. I am big on quality when making decisions about what gear to add to my kit. This is definitely staying in the lineup for now. I really like the usefulness of the inflation valve and the ease of use. There’s no guesswork when setting up or putting away. The materials used feel quality and like they’ll last a long time. I really appreciate that the stowing straps are integrated into the pad, so you don’t have to keep track of where they are or potentially misplace them. I wish however that the included patch kit had some way to integrate into the unit. If I forget to pack it and get a hole, I won’t have any way to repair the pad. All in all, as far as sleeping pads go, it is comfortable and stays inflated. Waking up with a rock in your back and feeling the cold is never fun, but haven’t experienced that with this pad.
I really liked this pad more than I thought I would! At first feeling the rubbery material seemed like sleeping on it would be a bit sticky and noisy if you’re shifting around, but it was way softer than it looks especially if you’re a side sleeper like I am. What makes this pad unique is that the self-inflating actually works very well — inflates fully in ~2 minutes and you don’t need to blow anymore air to top off like my other pads require. The pad is bulky and a bit heavy so it’s definitely for car camping, but the strap helps for carrying like a tote.
I took this pad on a couple of camping trips. It's great for use inside and outside the tent. We used it as a cushion inside our beach tent on rocky terrain. It was really comfortable to sit and relax all day and the material is waterproof, which is great for accidental spills. We also brought it out so my child could read and nap outside. It rolls up easily and self inflates, which is great when setting up camp. The material is also tacky, so it doesn't shift around when you change positions while sleeping. I did wish it was another inch thicker, because I'm a side sleeper and my hip did feel the ground.
If you’re looking for a sleeping pad that is closer in comfort to that foam mattress that you’re sleeping on at home, the NRS Snooze Pad 3 is for you! Firmness is relatively consistent no matter how you lie on it, in contrast to light-weight camping air mattresses. The mattress appears to be well constructed and the valve is recessed and protected with a twist-on cover. Comes with a patch kit. Set-up is easy for an inflatable mattress. Just unroll, open the valve, and wait. The mattress does the rest; in warm weather allow 15-30 minutes for the pressure to equalize to a generally comfortable level. When packing up, this mattress suffers from the same drawbacks that other foam air mattresses have, which is that they can be a hassle to deflate and get down to stowage size. This is complicated by the mattresses’ significant weight, which means that relieving pressure while rolling up the mattress can require some muscle. Sleeping comfort. This is the most comfortable camping air mattress that I have ever used. Firmness varies less when shifting position, and the generous size and rubbery cover coating prevents that feeling of being about to slide off the mattress. As with any air mattress, the primary means to changing firmness is by adjusting air pressure, but the 3” depth and progressive compression through the dual-density foam enhance the comfort to a degree that I have not seen with other camping air mattresses. If you’re a warm sleeper, please be aware that the combination of the waterproof cover and insulating effect of the foam makes for an extremely warm mattress. Construction: Although I have only used it for a few nights, durability is likely to be similar to other air mattresses, with at least some of the added weight associated with thicker and thus more durable cover material. It’s not clear whether the valve can be serviced, a weakness on some other air mattresses. Best use: at over 10 pounds, this mattress is best for car camping and canoe or kayaking travel where weight is not a concern. I did not have an opportunity to test the mattress as a floatation device, so can’t comment on that.