How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking

The self-inflating Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout sleeping pad is lightweight and compact. The 1-inch thickness is perfect for resting after an active day of backpacking or camping.
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Made in USA.
View all Therm-a-Rest Self-inflating PadsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Sleeping Pad Type | Self-inflating |
Sleeping Pad Shape | Semirectangular |
Insulated | Yes |
Insulation Type | Open-cell Foam |
R-Value | 3.1 |
Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
Packed Size | Regular: 7.8 x 11 inches |
Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
Pad Thickness (in.) | Regular: 1 inch |
Dimensions | Regular: 72 x 20 x 1 inches |
Weight | Regular: 1 lb. 8 oz. |
Gender | Unisex |
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This is my first backpacking pad. I originally chose this pad because of its entry level status and value and I have been super happy with it. My wife and I both find it to be very comfortable. It’s lighter and warmer than many more expensive pads without jumping into the $200 range. I have used it for dozens of nights and it still looks and feels like new. My only complaints are that it feels like it takes a long time to deflate and roll up and get back into its bag. Also, self inflating is a pretty generous term. I leave it in my tent for about an hour and then still give it 10 or 15 breaths.
I backpack with a 75 lb hound who is indiscriminate around my gear. She had already popped two previous air pads (which I used with my first dog -who was as big - before her for the past 15 years with no problem). I decided to give an air pad one last chance before moving on to closed-cell options. The deal breaker for the Scout Pad : 75D fabric. And after 7 days backpacking in rugged Sierra Nevada, this pad came out unscathed. Couldn't be more happy. I also own the T-a-R Baseacamp for car-camping (also 75D), no problem there with either hound #1 or #2. Pro: tough, valve is great, comfy. Con: you take weight penalty, a little more bulky but still packable (its no bigger than your tent bag).
Just bought the "2022" model of this pad and while it appears to have all the features of the older model, the outer surface of this one is not rubbery looking. It also comes with a storage bag. This model looks like the Therm-a-rest I bought 30 years ago and I'm looking forward to it lasting as long. I bought a pad on Amazon that was made in China. While it packed smaller, it crinkled and after two uses it blew a leak (which I can't find). This Therm-a-rest pad is quiet and made in the USA. Wish it packed smaller but it's also a 3 season pad so I'll live with it.
I bought this in June for a trip to the UP for some back country camping. In the store, I was impressed with the comfort (side sleeper) and weight. Practical use in the back country, not so much. Definitely not meant for a side sleeper - lots of tossing and turning due to pressure points. I gave it another try this weekend in 20° weather for a back country hiking trip because of the R value. While still not comfortable, the R value is true effective. I felt no chill whatsoever from the ground. This may be a great mat for a back sleeper and I would definitely recommend it for the insulation.
This pad is a great value from a brand that makes nothing but high quality products, and it's no exception. It's not a thick pack, only about 1", but it's surprisingly comfortable on most terrain, due to its dense foam insulation, which also gives it some warmth. There are certainly lighter pads. There are more comfortable pads. There are warmer pads. But this entry into the Thermarest family of self-inflating pads gets the job done. if you aren't interested in air-only, or close cell foam pads, and want something durable with real insulation and don't have deep pockets, for the price this pad may be for you.
Firm pad best for people who sleep on their backs. I’m a side sleeper so this did not work out for me. Seemed like great quality though.
I'd only really camped one other time before I purchased this sleeping pad as my first personally owned one. I found it plenty soft enough when inflated to sleep comfortably, even over some roots at a couple campsites. I used it in a two person tent that I shared with another camper, and it's tapered design seemed like it helped make it feel like it didn't take up too much space, even in the tall size (the tall size itself was the right call for a tall person!). Nights only got down to low 50s or maybe upper 40s one night, but I never felt like the sleeping pad was an issue with staying warm. (Used in conjunction with a 30F sleeping bag and wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt.) It gave me no problems over a 4 night trip into the Boundary Waters, and I'm looking forward to getting a lot more use out of it.
Extremely glad I found this sleeping pad. I was looking for something more comfortable than foam board but not at a $200 price range. The associate and I stumbled on this and so glad I bought it. The R value helped in 32 degree temps and didn’t feel the ground. We’ll built product that is lightweight and easy to inflate. Great product!
PROS: For the weight, value, and packable size, this is decent for short backpacking trips, which is what I used this for. Very comfortable when fully inflated. CONS: It doesn't seem to want to hold air. After inflation, I double-checked to make sure the valve was shut correctly, and it held air for a couple of hours while I was laying down on it. Throughout the night, however, the pad slowly started deflating and was making a loud whining noise while doing so. Between the noise and the discomfort, I was constantly being woken up through the night and into the morning. By the time sunrise has come around, it was completely out of air. This is disappointing considering how comfortable this sleeping pad is when it's fully inflated. Either the valve is defective, or it's the overall design of the product. I will be looking elsewhere for a sleeping pad.
I used this three times indoors, rolled it up and stowed it in the closet. On the fourth use it no longer holds air. It’ll inflate just fine but after 15 minutes or so it’s empty. I reached out to the company via their website and they never responded. My replacement will be a different brand.