Best Sleeping Pads For Cold Weather

Here is our review of the best sleeping pads for cold weather! We have a variety of R-values and types for trail and car camping; all products are from the best-known brands in this industry.

When choosing a sleeping pad for cold weather and winter camping, you have to rely on the R-value. The letter R is from the word resistance, and in this context, it describes the pad’s efficiency in preventing heat loss to the ground.

This issue was not regulated in the past, but from 2020 manufacturers are supposed to provide the ASTM F3340-18 Standard R-Value. But this is not compulsory, so it is always best to test your pad in controlled conditions before putting yourself in a dangerous situation.

For cold weather and winter camping, it is best to go for the highest R-value possible, but as you can imagine, this means more insulation (foam), making it heavier and bulkier. We would suggest taking R-value 4 as a minimum and then seeing what a specific pad offers regarding thickness, size, weight, etc.

We have tried to make a collection of pads for various activities, so this is not just a list of sleeping pads with the highest R-values. For winter camping, all the stuff is heavier and bulkier, so finding a warm pad that is still reasonably light and packable is necessary.

But for basecamps and places with car access, you will want a pad that insulates you, but you don’t have to worry too much about the weight.

Our List Of The Best Cold Weather Sleeping Pads

So here is our list with the sleeping pads ordered by the R-value from lower to higher:

These sleeping pads have been on the market for several years and are from the best-known brands in this industry.

1. Klymit Static V Luxe Insulated Sleeping Pad

• Dimensions: 76″ x 30″ x 3″
• Weight: 2.1 lbs
• R-Value: 4.4
• Pack Size: 10″ x 5.5″

The R-value of this pad is relatively low, at 4.4. This works for temperatures close to 5 F (-15 C). The main reason for having it in this group is its weight of 35 oz (992 g). This makes it suitable for hikers, mountaineers, backpackers, etc.

But this is also one of the best-known sleeping pads on the market, an iconic model of Klymit with those V-shaped baffles. The secret behind its weight is that this is an inflatable sleeping pad. They also use body mapping technology that provides support where you need it most.

The insulation inside is what they use in many of their pads with a similar design, and this is a synthetic Primaloft Eco insulation. This lightweight and very compressible insulation is made with 60% recycled materials, hence the word Eco in the name. This synthetic insulation manages moisture much better than down; it dries quickly and retains its insulation feature even when wet. As mentioned, it is very compressible, so the pad packs to (L x D) 10 x 5.5 inches (25.4 x 13.9 cm).

Best Packsize

Pros:

• It’s got an excellent pack size
• It’s lightweight
• It has a great price

Cons:

• A bit r value isn’t the best

Available from:

AMAZON

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The V-chambers help trap air and keep you warm, and the horizontal side baffles are sided rails added to keep you situated on your pad. They also give some flexibility when you put the pad in a sleeping bag sleeve.

The pad has two Twist-Pull valves for easy inflation, and you can open them wide for rapid deflation. They are equipped with a system for a secure seal that prevents accidental opening.

They have many pads with a similar design, and this one is with the word Luxe and refers to its overall size, which is 76 x 30 inches (193 x 76 6 cm). The thickness is 3 inches (7.6 cm). So given such dimensions, you can appreciate its great weight and realize why it is on the list. They also use durable fabric, so you have a 75D polyester. The pad comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

2. Exped Synmat Mega 12 Sleeping Pad

• Dimensions: 77.6″ x 25.6″ x 4.7″
• Weight: 2.6 lbs
• R-Value: 5.3 lbs
• Pack Size: 10.6″ x 6.5″

Exped is a brand best known for its sleeping pads, so we couldn’t make a list without one of their pads. So here you have an incredibly comfortable pad; the number 12 in the name means the thickness in centimeters, which is 4.7 inches.

The pad has an R-value of 5.3, so this should be fine for any weather conditions except for extreme cold. In terms of temperatures, this should imply -4 °F (-20 °C).

Most Comfortable

Pros:

• It’s extremely comfortable
• It comes with a warranty
• It’s very easy to carry with you

Cons:

• It’s pretty expensive

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

This is yet another inflatable pad which is why it’s got such a low weight. They use a durable 75D polyester throughout the pad, a water-resistant and soft material that does not make noise. The insulation is synthetic, you have it 200 g/m², and they call it Texpedloft Microfibre.

All 4 pads pack nicely, so the MW version measures 10.6 x 6.5 inches (27 x 16.5 cm). There are two separate valves, and the pad comes with the Schnozzel pump bag. Note that you have a warranty for 5 years.

3. Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

• Dimensions: 77″ x 25″ x 2″
• Weight: 3.6 lbs
• R-Value: 6
• Pack Size: 26″ x 7.5″

This Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad comes with an R-value of 6, which is good enough for winter use and all seasons. The inner insulation is an open-cell foam.

Best Roll Up

Pros:

• It rolls up relatively well
• It’s not too heavy
• It has a good R-value considering the thickness

Cons:

• It’s not very thick

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The good thing here is that it is built in three different sizes, regular (R), long (L), and extra-large (XL). This allows you to save weight if/when you carry it on the trail. The weight of the three sizes is: for the size R 2 lb 8 oz (1.14 kg), for L 3 lb 6 oz (1.53 kg), and XL 4 lb (1.82 kg). Note that the corresponding dimensions are:

– R: 72 x 20 inches (183 x 51 cm).
– L: 77 x 25 inches (196 x 63 cm).
– XL: 77 x 30 inches (196 x 76 cm).

The shell is a 75D polyester. The thickness may look less impressive; you have 2 inches (5 cm) of durable and supportive insulation and fabric underneath your body. Note that they offer a limited lifetime warranty.

4. ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Self-Inflating Double Air Pad

• Dimensions: 75″ x 23.5″ x 3″
• Weight: 9.7 lbs
• R-Value: 6.9
• Pack Size: 27 x 7.5

This ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Self-Inflating Double Air Pad is unique. As you can tell from the name, this is a double pad, but of a specific type. Namely, you have two pads that can be used as a double pad or as two separate single pads. There is a Velcro connection that keeps them together.

It has been around for years already, and the brand behind it is globally known. The official R-value is 6.9, but if you fold it, you have twice this value, making it one of the warmest on the market. So this is a very versatile pad suitable for car camping in all seasons.

Most Versatile

Pros:

• Provides excellent insulation
• It can be folded to double the insualtions
• You can use it as a single or double pad

Cons:

• It’s pretty heavy
• It’s not cheap

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The pad is self-inflating with the usual foam inside. The size is (L x W x D) 75 x 47 x 3 inches (191 x 119 x 7.6 cm) as a double and 75 x 23.5 x 3 inches (191 x 60 x 7.6 cm) as a single pad. The packed size for its half (single) pad is (L x D) 27 x 7.5 inches (69 x 19 cm).

The pad is on the heavy side; it weighs 9 lb 7 oz (4.28 kg) as a double. The fabric is a 70D polyester ripstop, and the bottom is polyester taffeta. This pad is also on our list of best self-inflating sleeping pads for camping.

5. Nemo Roamer Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

• Dimensions: 76″ x 25″ x 4″
• Weight: 4 lbs
• R-Value: 7
• Pack Size: 12 x 8.5

This NEMO Roamer Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad is official with a temperature rating of -30 F (-34 C). This should correspond to the R-value of around 7. Note also that you have 4 inches (10.2 cm) of plush and supportive foam underneath your body.

They build this pad in two sizes, long-wide (LW) and extra long-wide (XLW), and their dimensions are 76 x 25 inches (193 x 64 cm) and 80 x 30 inches (203 x 76 cm), respectively. The corresponding weight is 4 lb (1.8 kg) and 5 lb 4 oz (2.38 kg), so the pad is reasonably light for such a thickness and size. The inner foam will self-inflate the pad; you only need to open the valve and let it do the job for you.

Best Comfort/Packsize

Pros:

• It’s very comfortable
• It packs down well, considering the thickness
• The valve systems are very advanced

Cons:

• It’s pretty expensive

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The top and bottom polyester fabric has different denier values, 50D and 75D, and the pad is designed with completely vertical sides. This is on purpose, so you can attach two pads; they use toggles and loops for this. You have dual valves; this is their Laylow multivalve system with micro-adjustment of the pressure.

All in all, this is a pad good enough, even for the harshest winter conditions. The packed size is (L x D) 12 x 8.5 inches (30 x 22 cm) for LW and 15 x 10.5 inches (38 x 26 cm) for the XLW pad. The pad comes with Nemo’s lifetime warranty. A stuff sack is included.

6. Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

• Dimensions: 80″ x 30″
• Thickness: 4.25″
• Weight: 5.8 lbs 
• Packed Size: 31″ x 10.3″

This Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad comes with an R-value of 7. This is the latest modified version of the pad that has been on the market for years already. It is also very thick; you have 4.25 inches (11 cm) underneath you.

They build it in two sizes, L and XXL, and the corresponding dimensions are 77 x 25 inches (196 x 63 cm) and 80 x 30 inches (203 x 76 cm). The packed dimensions for the two sizes are (L x D) 26 x 10.3 inches (66 x 26 cm) and 31 x 10.3 inches (70 x 26 cm). The weight for the two sizes is 4 lb 6 oz (1.99 kg) and 5 lb 8 oz (2.5 kg).

Best Seller

Pros:

• It has a great R-value
• It’s very comfortable
• It’s made with great materials

Cons:

• The price isn’t budget-friendly
• The packed size

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

As you see in its name, this is again a self-inflating pad; the top fabric is 50D polyester knit, and the bottom is 75D polyester. The insulation is polyurethane foam. The sides are also made vertically, giving around 20% more effective usable surface, and if you use it next to another pad, they will fit nicely. This is particularly important in a narrow 2-person or 3-person tent when you are with other people inside.

Regarding valves, you have a dual two-way valve system, which is very easy to use and to regulate and fine-tune the thickness of the pad. A stuff sack and pad are included with a limited lifetime warranty.

7. Lightspeed Outdoors XL Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

• Dimensions: 77″ x 30″ x 3″
• Weight: 6 lbs
• R-Value: 9.66
• Pack Size: 30 x 7.75

This pad comes with a massive R-value of 9.66. This is combined with a thickness of 3 inches (7.6 cm) and an integrated headrest which is not exceptionally high, around 1.5 cm thicker than the rest of the pad.

Top Pick

Pros:

• Provides the best insulation
• It has extra thickness for a built-in pillow
• It’s not too expensive

Cons:

• It’s not for trail camping

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The pad is self-inflating and with a sort of memory foam inside. If you are curious about the letters XL in the official name of the pad, this is about its remarkable size; you have 77 x 30 inches (196 x 76 cm). And with that size, you can’t expect it to be lightweight, so it weighs 6 lb (2.72 kg). See also the packed size (L x D) 30 x 7.75 inches (76 x 20 cm). So this is a pad for places with car access.

How To Choose

So this was our list of best sleeping pads for cold weather, and we think you have plenty of great options here. There are several factors to consider when it comes to choosing.

The Purpose

You need to think about where you will be using the sleeping pad. Some of the pads are pretty heavy, so it’s not something you can take on the trail.

So it would be best to balance the weight, R-value, and size to ensure your sleeping pad fits your purpose.

The Price

There are significant differences here. These are all well-established and globally known brands, yet some are known for their incredible prices. This applies in particular to Klymit and Alps Mountaineering. So if you are on a budget, these are the brands to check in general.