Outdoor camping sleeping pad is very useful camping gear for getting a well night sleep. It cushioning the small stones and insulate the heat from the ground. Normally, comfort is the first aspect people will consider when buying an outdoor camping sleeping pad. Actually, keep you warm in the night is also important factor you need to pay attention to.

To choose a suitable outdoor camping sleeping pad for your camping or backpacking, here are some advices:

1. Choose what types of camping sleeping pad. Air, self-inflating or closed-cell form type? If you are not very familiar with them, learn about them at first.
2. For what condition use. Backpacking, car camping, forest hiking, or cold weather hiking? Different weather, environment will need different types of outdoor camping sleeping pad.
3. Warmness and sleeping comfort. Make sure the outdoor camping sleeping pad you use can keep you warm in the night, the camping sleeping pad need to avoid the heat loss. Moreover, your sleeping comfort in the wild is also important aspect need to be considered.
4. Other detail aspects to consider: weight, size, portability, etc.

Types of outdoor camping sleeping pad:

1. Air pads:

(Click the photo to learn more about this outdoor camping sleeping pad)

There are various types of air pads. Lightweight outdoor air pads are normally the best choice for backpackers. While extra-thick air pads are more suitable for glamping. Most air pads use insulation and/or reflective paderials to increase warmth. Also, they now has alternative inflation methods, do not need us to inflate them with mouth.

Advantages: Air type outdoor camping sleeping pad is very light, comfortable, very easy to pack. You can change the firmness of the pad as you like (by releasing or adding air from the valves). Moreover, it has wide uses.

Disadvantages: It is more expensive than other types of outdoor camping sleeping pad. In addition, they are easy to be punctured or ripped (especially when sharing a tent with dogs). If you want to bring your air pad with your dog, remember to bring appropriate patch kit so that you can repair the pad once it has been damaged! Ha-ha!

If the outside environmental temperature changes, you may feel the outdoor air pad are losing air. Therefore, you need to check and adjust the firmness of air pad to a suitable level before you to go sleep in the night. Another detail we need to pay attention to is: the moisture from breath can get trapped inside. The moisture may eventually lead to degraded performance or bacterial or mold issues. The solution way to prevent moisture is using hand pump.

Some of the air type outdoor camping sleeping pads have another problem. When you move around on the pad, it will make loud crinkly sound and noise. This may annoy yourself or your tent pades. Therefore, pay attention to this detail when choosing the outdoor camping sleeping pad if loud noise bothers you.

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2. Self-inflating outdoor camping sleeping pad

Self-inflating pads offer a combination of open-cell foam insulation and air. The foam will expand and brings in air autopadically when you open the valves. Some kind of self-inflating outdoor camping sleeping pads are designed for backpack. They can be folded lengthwise and then rolled up to fit inside your pack. There are other types of camping sleeping pad for car camping. They are rolled up without folding. There are wide ranges of self-inflating outdoor camping sleeping pad according to warmness, size and cost.

Advantages: They are comfortable, compact, and with good insulation. Their firmness can also be adjusted by adding or releasing air. In addition, they normally last a longer life than air pad.

Disadvantages: More expensive, heavier than ordinary foam camping sleeping pad. Also, it is not as compact as air type outdoor camping sleeping pad. They can be punctured or ripped, although the repair is not difficult.

3. Closed-Cell Foam Pad.

Closed-cell foam pads are usually made of dense foam, filled with tiny closed air cells. You can easily roll them up or fold them in a Z forpadion.

Advantages: They are cheap, light weight, more durable and suit for all environment and conditions use. There is no need to worry about punctures or leaks. They can be placed under other kinds of outdoor camping sleeping pads to improve insulation and prevent punctures. In addition, closed-cell foam pad can be carried on the outside of your pack without worrying about any damage. They can also be used as sit pads during the camping.

Disadvantages: Closed cell foam pads are not as comfortable as air pad or self-inflating camping sleeping pad. They are relatively stiff, firm, and heavier.

The following is a quick comparison between different types of outdoor sleeping pad.

Your outdoor camping sleeping pad needs to work with your sleeping bag.

Your real-world warmth and comfort can change from the tested temperature ratings based on many factors, including humidity, wind, shelter style, ground conditions, clothing and your personal preferences. However, the central consideration is your sleep system. A sleep system consists of three basic components: the sleeping bag, the camping sleeping pad, and the cloth you are wearing.

If you use a less-insulated outdoor camping sleeping pad at colder temps, your sleeping bag might not live up to its temperature rating. The sleeping bag's test rating is based on a person who is wearing long underwear and socks, and is sleeping on an insulated pad with an R-value of approxipadely 5.5. (To get accurate measurements, we need to keep those variables consistent across all tested camping sleeping pads.)

To help you choose a better outdoor camping sleeping pad, we will introduce according to their features:

1. Choose according to the camping sleeping pad weight.

Light weight outdoor sleeping pad is excellent for outdoor camping and backpacking, but they are more expensive. If you have enough budget, you can choose light weight ones. Also, you can save the weight and money by choosing mummy or tapered shape outdoor sleeping pad. Because smaller size saves weight and packs smaller. Also, you can choose short length closed-cell foam camping sleeping pad to lower the weight.

2. Choose according to the sleeping pad length.

72 inches regular length and 78 inches long length outdoor sleeping pad can make sure your legs and feet are fit on the pad. If you are camping in the autumn or winter, you may need to choose regular or long outdoor camping sleeping pad. A short or 3/4-length sleeping pad (usually 47 or 48 inches) is smaller pack and lighter wight. But you can put your clothing or your pack under your legs and feet to keep warm.

3. Choose according to the sleeping pad width.

Normally, the width of outdoor sleeping pad is 20 inches. If you have large size, or want to roll around on the sleeping pad, you can choose 25 or 30 inches one. Pay attention to consider your camping tent size.

Some large outdoor camping sleeping pads have side baffles. They can cradle you and keep you from rolling off when you turn around during your sleep. This kind of outdoor sleeping pad is especially nice for children.

4. Choose according to the camping sleeping pad inflation.

Some outdoor sleeping pads have both a high-volume inflation valve and a deflation valve. This can speed air flow in or out. Some new sleeping pads have larger “neck” openings. It can inflate faster with fewer breaths. Outdoor camping sleeping pads with separate inflation chambers or layers can bring you more satisfaction; if one layer fails, the other will still give you some cushioning.

5. Choose according to the sleeping pad surface.

If you're a restless sleeper, it is better to choose an outdoor camping sleeping pad with a textured or brushed-fabric surface. This helps keep you and your sleeping bag from sliding off during the night. Moreover, it might also be quieter.

Other aspects you need to consider about when choosing and using outdoor sleeping pad.

1. Pad sleeves. Some sleeping pads have an integrated sleeve to hold a pad. This keeps you and your sleeping pad from sliding off in the night. Check the sleeve width before you buy a pad.
2. Hand Pumps. If you don’t want to expending breath after a long day of hiking, buy a camping sleeping pad with an integrated hand pump. Or you can choose to purchase a bag-style hand pump that rolls up small and weighs only a couple ounces (sold separately).
3. Patch kits are very useful for backpacking. Find out whether they are sold with the outdoor camping sleeping pad or sold separately. In addition, you need to know how to patch a puncture before you start the camping, in case you have to repair one in the dark.