Best Sleeping Pads for Cold Weather

Here you have a collection of best sleeping pads for cold weather in a variety of R-values and types, for the trail and for car camping, all products from the best-known brands in this industry.

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

In the past, this issue was not regulated, but from 2020 manufacturers are supposed to provide the ASTM F3340-18 Standard R-Value. But note that this is not compulsory, so it is always best to test your pad yourself in more or less controlled conditions before getting into trouble.

For cold weather and winter camping, it is best to go to as high R-value as possible, but as you can imagine, this means more insulation and the pad is consequently heavier and bulkier. I would suggest taking R-value 4 as a minimum and then see what a specific pad offers, its thickness, size, weight, etc.

I 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. By this, I mean that, although you cannot make compromises, you certainly cannot take just any pad and carry it on the trail. For winter camping all the stuff is heavier and bulkier so it is necessary to find a pad that is warm but still reasonably light and packable so that you can attach it to the pack.

But for basecamps and for places with a car access you will want a pad that insulates you and provides comfort as well. This is why you have a number of such sleeping pads here in the list.

---

My list of the best cold weather sleeping pads

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

Note that these are all sleeping pads that have been on the market for a number of years, and you have the pads from the best-known brands in this industry.

---

1. Klymit Static V Luxe Insulated Sleeping Pad

The R-value of this pad is relatively low, you have 4.4 here. This is roughly close to the temperature of 5 F (-15 C). The main reason for having it in this group is its great 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 the fact that this is an inflatable sleeping pad. But there is more, they use what they call the body mapping technology that provides support where it is needed 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 is a lightweight and very compressible insulation that includes 60% of the recycled materials, hence the word Eco in the name. This synthetic insulation manages moisture much better than down, it dries quickly and it also retains its insulation feature even when becomes wet. As mentioned it is very compressible so the pad packs to only (L x D) 10 x 5.5 inches (25.4 x 13.9 cm).

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

The pad comes with two Twist-Pull valves for easy inflation, and you open them wide for rapid deflation. They are equipped with a system for a secure seal and it also prevents inadvertent opening.

They have many pads with a similar design, and this one is with the word Luxe that 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 in view of such dimensions, you can more appreciate its great weight and you realize why it is here in the list. Note also that they use durable fabric, so you have a 75D polyester. The pad comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

What I like:

• Almost everything and this includes the packed size, weight, comfort, size, and price.

What I dislike:

• A bit modest R-value.

---

2. Exped Synmat Mega 12 Sleeping Pad

Exped is a brand best-known for its sleeping pads, and such a list cannot be 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 comes with an R-value of 5.3, so this should be fine for any weather conditions, except for the really extreme cold. In terms of temperatures, this should imply -4 °F (-20 °C).

This is yet another inflatable pad and this is behind its great weight. Note that they build it in 4 sizes with the weight as follows:

• M: 33.2 oz (0.94 kg).
• M/W: 40.6 oz (1.15 kg).
• L/W: 42.9 oz (1.22 kg).
• LXW: 49.4 oz (1.4 kg).

The corresponding dimensions are:

• M: 72 x 20.5 x 4.7 in (183 x 52 x 12 cm).
• M/W: 72 x 25.6 x 4.7 in (183 x 65 x 12 cm).
• L/W: 77.6 x 25.6 x 4.7 in (197 x 65 x 12 cm).
• LXW: 77.6 x 30.3 x 4.7 in (197 x 77 x 12 cm).

They use a durable 75D polyester throughout the pad, it is 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.

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

What I like:

• Comfort.
• Thickness.
• Warranty.
• Packed size.
• Weight.

What I dislike:

• Price.

---

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

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

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. They are indeed light enough for such a use. 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 for 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 thickness may look less impressive, you have 2 inches (5 cm) of a durable and supportive insulation and fabric underneath your body. The shell is a 75D polyester. Note that they offer a limited lifetime warranty.

What I like:

• Weight.
• Options to choose the size.
• Comfort.
• Packed size.

What I dislike:

• Thickness.

---

4. ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Self-Inflating Double Air Pad

This ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Self-Inflating Double Air Pad is quite special here in the list. As you realize 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 Velcro connection that keeps them together.

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

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).

They use the word lightweight in the name of the pad, this is an official part of the name and this is why I am using it in the title above. But 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 in my list of best self-inflating sleeping pads for camping.

What I like:

• Versatility.
• Insulation.
• Price.

What I dislike:

• Weight.

---

5. Nemo Roamer Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

This NEMO Roamer Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad is officially 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.

The inner foam will self-inflate the pad, so just open the valve and let it do the job for you. 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 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 together, there are toggles and loops for this purpose. You have dual valves, and 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.

What I like:

• Thickness.
• Comfort.
• Valves system.

What I dislike:

• The price.

---

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

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

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 weight for the two sizes is 4 lb 6 oz (1.99 kg) and 5 lb 8 oz (2.5 kg). 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).

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 a polyurethane foam. The sides are also made vertical and this gives 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, very easy to use and to regulate and fine-tune the thickness of the pad. A stuff sack is included and the pad is with a limited lifetime warranty.

What I like:

• Thickness.
• Comfort.

What I dislike:

• The price.
• The packed size.

---

7. Lightspeed Outdoors XL Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

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

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 size which is remarkable, you have 77 x 30 inches (196 x 76 cm). With such a size it cannot be light, so the weight is 6 lb (2.72 kg). See also the packed size which is (L x D) 30 x 7.75 inches (76 x 20 cm). So this is a pad for places with a car access.

What I like:

• Insulation.
• Comfort.
• Price.

What I dislike:

• The weight.
• The packed size.

---

How to choose

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

The purpose

You have basecamp type pads here, and also pads that are light enough to be carried on the trail. So this is the first thing to consider. This implies differences in weight and packed size, and also in insulation.

The price

There are big differences here. These are all well-established and globally known brands, yet some of them are known for great 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.

Editor’s choice sleeping pad for cold weather

I have decided to put forward the pad that is good enough for both worlds, for the trail as well as for base-camping. The price/value combination of this pad is hard to match. So here it is:

You can see a bit more about this pad in this short video, please have a look:

In a cold environment, you will need a warm sleeping bag for cold weather and also an appropriate cold weather camping tent. So please follow the links and read more. You might want to check also these best double sleeping pads for camping. Let me know if you have any comment or question, there is a comment box below.