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Looking to get the best sleep while you're out on the trail? For over a decade, we've slept on dozens of the best women's sleeping pads, with 10 of the top options in this review. We put each one through our rigorous side-by-side comparison tests, camping out in all kinds of terrain and weather. Over the course of our testing, we have carried these pads with us all over North America on extended backpacking, horse-packing, car camping, and mountaineering trips. We've slept on sand, snow, and slabs, measuring their warmth and comfort. We also inflated, deflated, and compressed them to test their construction quality and usability — so you don't have to.
If you're looking for the best women's sleeping bag to pair with your new pad or are a taller person looking for a longer backpacking sleeping pad, we've reviewed those too. If you're shopping for something that offers an exceptional level of comfort and aren't concerned about the weight, we'd recommend looking at the top camping mattresses for tucking inside your favorite tent.
Editor's Note: We updated our women's sleeping pad review on May 22, 2024, to remove a discontinued model from our lineup.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT pad is our top pick when carrying our kit on our backs for extended periods of time. It is the lightest and most versatile inflatable pad we reviewed. Therm-a-Rest did away with the women's-specific version of this pad, so most recently, we tested the “short” size, which is one of four sizes this pad comes in. The women's version used to have more insulation, but it is still quite warm, with a 4.5 R-value. This is a great pick for extended backpacking or other self-propelled sports where weight and space are at a premium. It is also very comfortable and features 3 inches of thick, cushy air, and this new version has slightly quieter material, which has been the chief complaint of many users in the past. The XLite NXT uses patented construction techniques similar to a space blanket to trap radiant heat and deflect cold air from the ground, keeping you warm on the coldest nights of the year. This technology contributes to a small packed size because it doesn't use bulky insulating foam.
Like many ultralight products, the NeoAir XLite NXT is rather delicate, so you'll want to be mindful of your surrounding environment. The high-quality sleeping pads that are both lightweight and warm also come at a high price, so expect to fork over a hefty sum to take this cozy bed home with you. If both of these factors aren't a bar to entry, you'll get years of use and lots of trail miles out of this excellent, lightweight option. If you require a higher R-value for cold weather excursions, be sure to check out the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme below.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT has an R-Value of 4.5 and can be stretched to use through 3 seasons, but we recommend bringing some foam along too if you're sleeping on snow.
If an affordable and comfortable sleeping pad is what you're after, take a look at the self-inflating Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite. It boasts a warm R-value, and its cushy foam and slightly wider dimensions offer a comfortable night's rest. It's not noisy like the air-only pads and its 50D polyester material provides respectable durability.
The tradeoff for these coveted attributes is weight. At 25.6 ounces, this pad is quite heavy and doesn't pack down as small as other contenders. Therefore, it's probably best for shorter backpacking trips or car camping. But if you can cope with the additional ounces, the Trail Lite is an excellent, sturdy pad that offers a lot of comfort for the money spent. If you're on an even tighter budget and are okay with a closed-cell foam option instead of an inflatable pad, check out the Nemo Switchback.
Every time we lie down on the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated, its comfort blows us away. It offers pretty terrific warmth and weight specifications and packs down very small. The women's specific shape is wider at the hips and narrower at the shoulders, providing space where we need it most. At a cushy 4 inches thick, this pad is great for side sleepers. If you live for creature comforts, you'll want to consider this deliciously cozy pad, which even features a “pillow lock system” to attach a compatible Sea to Summit pillow. It's also stable and oh-so-quiet, especially compared to the loud, crunchy-sounding materials of other inflatable and packable pads.
The Ether Light XT is neither the lightest nor the warmest, but your tentmate will thank you for the silent sleep. If you're seeking a super comfortable pad and are willing to carry just a few extra ounces for quality sleep, this is our top recommendation. The Ether Light is a good choice for all your summer backpacking needs. The Nemo Tensor Ultralight Insulated is also a great option for those who want a bit more warmth with a lighter weight and smaller packed size.
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme is the one for you if you like camping in the cold and need cozy warmth beneath you. It offers targeted insulation zones in the areas where women tend to get chilly, and the shape is designed for more width in the hip area instead of the shoulders. It is 4 inches thick, quiet, and includes a pump sack for inflation. Made from high-quality materials and supportive air-sprung cells, we also appreciate some of the cool features, like the “pillow lock system” to attach your favorite compatible pillow.
As is normally the case, there's a price to pay for all this comfort and warmth — this pad is heavy at just over a pound and a half and doesn't pack down as small as lighter weight pads. It's also pretty pricey, so be ready for a large investment. Still, we think the price and extra heft are worth it if you truly want to be comfortable in cold camping scenarios — next time you're sleeping out, and the temperatures dip, we know you won't be disappointed. Another warm and cozy option is the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus SI, though it's even heavier than the XT Extreme.
Warm and comfortable, the Sea to Summit Ether Light Extreme is a great choice for cold weather basecamping.
Credit: Ian McEleney
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We've slept in lots of beautiful places to help you find the right companion gear. The Sea To Summit Comfort Light Insulated is a very decent choice for short backpacking trips.
Credit: Ian McEleney
How We Test Sleeping Pads for Women
Reviewing women's sleeping pads began with understanding the market and, more specifically, what's actually worth testing. We did considerable research and combed through many products when deciding on the selection of top options discussed here. We considered the most important elements of a women's sleeping pad and focused on these aspects during testing. We slept and lounged in them to rate their comfort level, assessed their warmth in cold weather, packed them into our packs to see how much room they take up, and meticulously examined their construction. Most importantly, we tested the pads in varied terrain and environments, including climbing and mountaineering expeditions, extended backpacking trips, and car camping extravaganzas. The result is a comprehensive review that will set you off on the right foot in your search for a sleeping pad.
Our sleeping pad testing is divided across five rating metrics:
Comfort (30% of overall score weighting)
Weight (30% weighting)
Warmth (20% weighting)
Packed Size (10% weighting)
Construction Quality (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
This review is crafted by outdoor educator and guide, Jessica Haist. Jessica holds a Master's Degree in Adventure Education from Prescott College in Arizona. Originally from Canada, Jessica moved to the US from her native Toronto and now resides in Mammoth Lakes, CA, where she avidly engages in several outdoor pursuits, including climbing, backpacking, mountain biking, and skiing.
The thickness of your sleeping pad can affect its comfort, and over the years we've tried it all. From top to bottom: Therm-a-Rest's ProLite, ProLite Plus, Trail Lite, REI Trekker, Sea to Summit Comfort Plus, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite, Big Agnes Q-Core SLX.
The Ether Light XT Extreme's included pump sack is handy to blow up this thick pad. This will also help keep moisture out of your pad, which will help prevent mildew from growing.
A lineup of different candidates from Therm-a-Rest.
Analysis and Test Results
When it comes to sleeping pads, women have different needs than men — scientific research shows that women typically sleep colder than men. Outdoor gear suppliers have noticed this and created sleeping pads specifically for women. That typically means extra padding in the torso and foot areas, providing more insulation. The size of the pads also tends to be a little shorter, narrower in the shoulder area, and often wider in the hips for curvier figures. When a woman's sleeping pad is engineered correctly, it offers more comfort and a better fit for most women or shorter, curvier folks in general.
Value
At GearLab, we do care about the weight of your wallet. As a result, we wanted to highlight some pads that offer excellent performance at a reasonable price. The Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus is not the lightest of the products out there, but it's decently comfortable and packable enough to take on your next backpacking adventure without completely emptying your wallet. The Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite is an even greater value option either for car camping or backpacking if you don't mind carrying a little extra weight in your backpack. Notably, the Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated is a well-scoring product for a relatively low price compared to other premium options. It is very lightweight and rather comfy at a middling price point. In general, there's a tradeoff of weight and packability to save a few extra bucks, but you can find some excellent deals if you're okay with this.
Not Just for Women
People of all genders are starting to clue into the fact that women's sleeping pads provide a better bang for the buck regarding weight-to-warmth ratios. The women's pads we tested have higher R-values than the equivalent men's versions. They are usually the same weight as the men's version but come in a smaller, more compact packed size. We have spoken to some men and non-binary folks who prefer to buy women's products — especially if they're under 5'6" — because of the higher weight-to-warmth ratio. Some tall people are buying women's pads too, and just putting their backpacks or other gear under their feet for insulation. This is a great example of products that have been designed specifically for women and, in turn, have become better products for many other folks as well.
That said, this time around, we've included some options in our lineup that aren't women's-specific but are simply made for smaller people. We sifted through the manufacturers' sites to see who makes pads in smaller sizes, specifically in the 64-66 inch length, which is a great size for anyone around 5'3" to 5'6". This way, we can still get great men's/unisex products with fewer materials (and weight).
The Nemo Tensor Ultralight Insulated with its included pump sack.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Comfort
We evaluated the comfort of our lineup's sleeping pads by assessing how well we slept on various ground surfaces, including rock-solid granite slabs and lumpy sand. It's no big surprise that the higher-scorers were typically thicker.
In our testers' opinions, the most comfortable pads we tested are the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme, Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated, and the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus SI. Their thickness makes them cushy to lie on, especially for side sleepers, while still feeling more stable than many others. We also like the generous shapes of these mattresses, which are all on the wider side of options.
The XT Extreme is a very comfortable and warm sleeping pad, but on the heavy side for certain kinds of extended trips.
Credit: Jessica Haist
The 3-inch thick Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT and Nemo Tensor Ultralight Insulated are also quite comfortable, but they take a bit of getting used to because they are bouncier and crinklier than others. Both are devoid of foam and only have air inside, which is part of why this occurs.
What About Noisy Pads?
Some of the lighter pads that use non-traditional insulation and are more rubbery than closed-cell foam mats (like the NeoAir XLite NXT and Ether Light XT Insulated) have received criticism for how noisy they are. Therm-a-Rest has tried to make the NeoAir XLite NXT quieter than past versions, which we confirmed during our last round of testing. However, we've realized that a big part of the noise is often a result of the pad/tent floor interface. Often, those two materials rub together and creak and squeal all night long when you move. We recommend putting something soft like clothing or your backpack in between your pad and tent floor. The same thing can happen with your pad and sleeping bag, so adding some clothes between the two is a great option, with the added benefit of having your clothes warmed up for you in the morning!
Weight
For all backpackers, gear weight should be considered, and your pad is an integral part of your sleeping system that absolutely affects pack weight. Carefully choosing the weight of every item in your bag can significantly reduce your pack weight and boost your hiking enjoyment.
Foam weighs more than air; thus, all the self-inflating foam mattresses cannot compete with air-core constructed options. The lightest inflatable pad we tested is the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, weighing in at just 11.8 ounces. The Nemo Tensor Ultralight Insulated is next in line, weighing a scant 13.9 ounces. Conversely, the heaviest is the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus SI at 34.4 ounces, three times the weight of the NeoAir. Many of these pads now include pump sacks, adding weight to your kit. If you're looking to save weight, consider leaving them at home and blowing up your mattress manually.
Our two lightest backpacking pads, the Nemo Tensor (left) and the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT in size short. The NeoAir is slightly lighter and warmer than the Tensor.
Credit: Jessica Haist
The absolute lightest pad we tested is the Nemo Switchback at 10.8 ounces, but this pad is an outlier, as it is the only non-inflatable, closed-cell foam pad we included. This barely 1-inch piece of foam isn't very comfortable or warm, but it does serve a purpose — as do all closed-cell foam pads. In addition to its lighter weight, the Switchback is highly durable and versatile — it's great as a ground pad for cooking and hanging out and can be a brilliant additional layer to bump up the R-value of your cold-weather sleeping system.
The Nemo Switchback is thin but will protect you from sharp pokey ground.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Warmth
The sleeping pads we tested have R-values ranging from 2 (the Nemo Switchback closed cell foam pad) to 6.3 (the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme) and are designed for use primarily in three-season conditions — but some can be used in winter temperatures as well.
R-value ratings are based on how well a material insulates. Originally, R-values were used by the construction industry to rate home insulation. In the realm of sleeping pads, the R-value scale measures how well a pad insulates the sleeper from the cold ground temperature and conserves the convective heat from the sleeper's body warmth. A pad's thickness and the amount of air circulation inside the construction affect its R-value.
The Ether Light XT Extreme is filled with layers of synthetic material and is a cushy 4" thick.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Generally, the thicker the pad, the warmer, and the less air circulation, the better. The outdoor industry has implemented new R-value testing standards in the US, called the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards, and all manufacturers in this test have gotten on board. These standards have shaken things up by significantly bumping up the R-value of some pads and decreasing others. It turns out that foam is not the most insulating material, and those pads have taken a hit in terms of warmth.
Construction Type and Warmth
The pads we tested are available in two types of construction. Several of the pads we tested are self-inflating foam and air construction, where open-cell foam is glued to the top and bottom of the pad's interior. These pads are comfortable and hold their shape well, but are not the most compact. For backpacking, we're seeing more and more products finding ways to insulate that are not as bulky or heavy. Several newer pads use a thin layer of synthetic insulation that is lighter and more compact for a higher warmth ratio than the open-cell foam. Most of the Sea to Summit pads are designed this way. We suspect that this compressible, light synthetic insulation is the way of the future. The one exception that does not use foam or synthetic insulation is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT — it has a structurally insulated air core construction, which is a lot less bulky than foam but can be very noisy, though they have improved this with the latest version. It is designed with internal baffles that provide structure and warmth and compress very small.
The NeoAir XLite will keep you warm and cozy, especially when paired with a warm sleeping bag.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Packed Size
Packed size is another essential factor to consider when trying to slim down your backpack. Again, foam-insulated mattresses cannot compete with air-core construction or thin layers of synthetic insulation. If you camp in all four seasons, you will undoubtedly want to own more than one sleeping pad — a bigger, bulkier one with insulation for when it's cold and a thin, lightweight, and packable model for summertime backpacking trips.
The Nemo Tensor nudges out the NeoAir XLite NXT and Sea to Summit Ultralight — all are in the range of 8-9" x 3-4" — with the Comfort Light Insulated nipping at their heels. Many people have difficulty rolling their inflatable pads up to the original size they came in and cannot fit them back into their stuff sacks; the trick is taking more than one go at rolling and squeezing all the air out.
Our testing fleet from a few years back. As you can see, the sizes can range quite a bit, so consider what backpack you will be using before making a final decision.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Construction Quality
All except one of the pads in our current lineup are inflatable. Inflatables are inherently less durable than closed-cell foam pads because they can be punctured, but they are also much more comfortable. That said, if you are mindful and take good care of your inflatable pad, it can still be with you for many, many years.
We evaluated the construction quality mostly on the toughness of the materials of these pads, which range from 30-50-denier strength fabrics. The Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite features some of the most robust materials. The Nemo Switchback, our one closed-cell foam option, is also highly robust, even if you don't treat it very nicely. The NeoAir XLite NXT is surprisingly durable as well, and some of our testers have owned older versions of this model for many years without incident. Luckily, all of the pads we tested are relatively quick and easy to patch should something go awry.
We like Sea to Summit's valve system. It is easy to use and seems durable.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Many of the newer pads on the market have excellent valve technology that Is more durable and easy to use than older models that twist shut. Sea to Summit's valves have burly openings and tabs that allow the one-way valve to open or the whole thing to open up for easy deflation. These models also all come with patches and extra valve pieces. All of Therm-a-Rest's models also got new one-way valves several years back that increased their durability. In the past, there were complaints of leaky valves.
Although many of our reviewed sleeping pads claim to be “self-inflating,” some people are disappointed by the amount they actually inflate on their own. Just so we're all on the same page, even the manufacturers don't claim that their pads can completely inflate on their own. These pads will inflate most of the way, and if people prefer a firmer mattress, they can blow in a few more breaths before closing the valve.
The Sea To Summit Comfort Light Insulated is warm enough to stretch from the beginning to end of summer.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Conclusion
Since most women sleep colder than men and have different anatomy, a handful of manufacturers have created pads specific to these qualities. This review is here to help you find the pad that is the most comfortable, light, compact, and/or durable, depending on your specific needs. We want you to have all the necessary information to make the right choice for your next trip sleeping out on the ground. Whether ice fishing in the Yukon or sleeping on the beach in Baja, you'll find the best option in one of these products we've reviewed. Have fun out there!
