How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking

Sleeping pad? Check. Seat cushion? Check. Cooler insulation? Check. River floatie? Check. The multipurpose NRS Snooze Pad 4 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 | 14.1 |
Repair Kit Included | Yes |
Packed Size | 10.5 x 28 inches |
Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
Pad Thickness (in.) | 4 inches |
Dimensions | 78 x 28 x 4 inches |
Weight | 12 pounds |
Gender | Unisex |
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The four inch thick air mattress did not stand up to my expectations. The valve is a cool design that is easy to use. Unscrew the valve cover and it exposes the push valve to open and air will begin to enter the pad. Does not take much time for the air to stop and the pad is "completely" full. The instructions on the valve say to not use any form of pump to top off the pad so push the valve again to close it and screw that cap back on. My preference is a harder mattress so once I layed on this it seemed under inflated and was surprised the instructions said to not use a pump to add more air. Rolling this up is quite a challenge as well. The material is very tacky and grips to itself very easily making it difficult to roll up. I can see a place for this when car camping as it is quite large when rolled up as tight as I could get it.
This is a wonderful, quick to deploy, self-inflating sleeping pad for one person that's not setting up camp too far away from a vehicle. The R-value is top notch and is quite comfortable. This pad is a bit on the larger side -- but that's why I chose it. It perfectly fits my REI long down sleeping bag, and is probably long enough for someone up to about 6'4" as it fits 6'1" me quite well. The width is also great; as a broad shouldered person, some of the other sleeping pads I've come across have been a bit narrow. That was not a problem with this pad. Packing/rolling up this pad was quite easy, and there are some very thoughtful design touches in how the straps connect and hold everything together, even allowing you to cinch everything down tight to make it a bit more compact. All the comfort does come in exchange for weight -- I wouldn't want to have to pack this thing in or out anywhere, but if you're not going too far it's, well worth it. Overall, it's incredibly comfy and fits my frame perfectly. It will be my go-to for solo trips where I'm not packing in/out overnight.
The Snooze Pad 4 is a solid choice as a sleeping pad and more! Self inflates within a minute with no pump required. The combo of air and foam makes for a cozy base to any sleep system. The outer shell is rubberized and feels “tacky” which is actually really nice for keeping sleeping bags in place if you roll around while sleeping. Too many nylon sleeping pads just turn into slip n slides. I didn’t try to float with it, but knowing NRS’s reputation on the water (and based on my own experience with their PFD’s) I’m sure it excels for leisurely floating. This would be a perfect fit for car camping as it is a bit bulky and heavy for backpacking. Don’t even think about going ultralight! However, for a base camp set up or car camping it is superb!
The NRS Sooze Pad 4 Sleeping Pad is a great option for back sleepers or for those who need a heavy duty sleeping pad. It is made out of really thick gauge nylon material and feels practically indestructible. This is particularly useful if you have dogs who like to sleep with you or climb all over your sleeping pad, since their nails aren't likely to puncture the pad. If you do manage to put a hole in it, NRS includes a handy sealing kit. Other great features include the built in straps/hook system, which makes rolling the self-inflating pad back up a breeze. The one shortcoming of the pad is that the padding is not as stiff as you would imagine for a four inch pad. While it is very plush, side-sleepers may find that their hips hit the ground due to a lack of firmness overall. As a side-sleeper myself, the pad is definitely comfortable if you are camping (or snoozing) on soft ground, but anything firm (like concrete or wood) is likely to cause some discomfort for side sleepers. Overall though, I can definitely recommend this for folks looking for a comfy sleeping pad that they can throw around without worrying about damage.
This pad is so comfortable and perfectly sized. I have joint pain in my hips so camping isn’t usually comfortable bc I haven’t found the right mat or sleeping set up. This is it! It inflates super easily and quick too!