Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads are found in every kind of campsite you can imagine–high in the alpine, rolled out in the back of hatchbacks, and on every major thru-hike in the world. Go ahead and name your adventure; we’ve got a sleeping pad for it. But how do you choose the one (ones?) you need? 

To help you pick the right pad for your style of adventure, we’ve put together The Ultimate Guide to Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads. It's intended to be the one-stop Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad bible.  Here you will find key specs and information that will help you make easy comparisons and confidently select the right sleeping pad for your sleep system.

Jump ahead to: 
1. Fast & Light Sleeping Pads
2. Backpacking Comfort Sleeping Pads
3. Camp & Comfort Sleeping Pads
4. Sleeping Pad R-Value
5. Sleeping Pad Construction
6. Sleeping Pad Valves
7. Sleeping Pad Sizes
8. How to Choose a Sleeping Pad
9. Sleeping Pad Maintenance

Fast & Light Sleeping Pads

This is our backcountry-focused category comprised of lightweight, warm, compact and durable sleeping pads. Featuring advanced materials and construction techniques, Fast & Light pads showcase why Therm-a-Rest has defined the cutting edge of sleeping pad innovation for over 50 years.

Model	R-Value	Sizes	Weight	Thickness	Best Use
NeoAir® XLite NXT™	4.5	Regular Short Regular Regular Wide Large	11.5 oz / 0.33 kg 13 oz / 0.37 kg 1 lb / 0.45 kg 1 lb 1 oz / 0.48 kg	3 in / 7.6 cm	Backpacking, thru-hiking, bike packing, kayaking, canoeing
NeoAir® XLite NXT MAX	4.5	Regular Wide Large	1 lb 3 oz / 0.54 kg 1lb 4 oz / 0.57 kg	3 in / 7.6 cm	Backpacking, thru-hiking, bike packing, kayaking, canoeing, with extra comfort
NeoAir® XTherm NXT™	7.3	Regular Regular Wide Large	15.5 oz  / 0.44 kg 1 lb 3 oz / .54 kg 1 lb 4 oz / 0.57 kg	3 in / 7.6 cm	Cold weather/winter, backpacking, thru-hiking, bike packing, kayaking, canoeing
NeoAir® XTherm NXT MAX™	7.3	Regular Wide Large	1 lb 7 oz / 0.65 kg 1 lb 8 oz / 0.68 kg	3 in / 7.6 cm	Cold weather/winter, backpacking, thru-hiking, bike packing, kayaking, canoeing with extra comfort
Original Z Lite™	1.7	Regular	14 oz / 0.41 kg	0.75 in / 2 cm	Backpacking, thru-hiking, ultralight, all-around use, multi-function
Z Lite™ SOL	2.0	Small Regular	10 oz / 0.29 kg 14 oz / 0.41 kg	0.75 in / 2 cm	Backpacking, thru-hiking, ultralight, all-around use, multi-function

NeoAir® XLite™ NXT/NeoAir XLite™ NXT MAX

The award-collecting, best-selling, standard-setting sleeping pad for lightweight backpacking performance. From ultralight purists to casual weekenders, everybody benefits from the XLite NXT's low weight, compact packed size and high degree of comfort. Internally, the XLite NXT is built with Triangular Core Matrix construction, which returns the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any pad construction in the industry. Externally, it's made of 30D ripstop nylon that keeps things lightweight with long-lasting durability.

At 3-inches thick, the XLite NXT is comfy and supportive for side sleepers. With its 4.5 R-value, it delivers year-round warmth. For broader campers and those that prefer more sleep surface area, the MAX version provides a full rectangle of insulated comfort.  Both versions pack down to about the size of a 1-liter water bottle. To top it all off, the high-flow, one-way inflation of the WingLock Valve makes setting up and packing up a breeze. Plus, it comes with a breath-saving pump sack.

Bottom Line: If you need a light, compact, warm and reliable pad for your backcountry-going sleep system, there is no better choice than the XLite NXT.

SHOP NEOAIR® XLITE™ NXT  |  SHOP NEOAIR XLITE™ NXT MAX

NeoAir® XTherm™ NXT/NeoAir XTherm™ NXT MAX

For years, the award-winning XTherm has provided the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any sleeping pad on the market. The latest NXT edition doubles down on that to maintain its reputation as the absolute go-to ultralight pad for alpinists and winter backpackers. While it’s slightly bulkier than the XLite NXT due to thicker materials and added warmth features, it still packs down plenty small to be a frequent choice for thru-hikers. We commonly hear from customers that the XTherm is their go-to pad for every trip, not just the cold ones. For a few extra ounces, they get the added durability and assured warmth.

The XTherm NXT's top mandate is warmth, packing an R-value of 7.3.  Like its yellow sibling, it provides 3 inches of bump-swallowing loft and is available in a rectangular MAX version. Internally, Triangular Core Matrix construction integrates with two layers of reflective ThermaCapture™ material (one in the middle and one near the bottom) to maximize heat retention while minimizing bulk. Externally, the top of the pad is made of 30D ripstop nylon, while the bottom is 70D to improve its heat retention and puncture resistance. Like the XLite NXT, the WingLock Valve breezes inflation and deflation, especially when combined with the included pump sack.

Bottom Line: The XTherm NXT is a cold-weather specialist in a league of its own, but the qualities that make it great are useful on any trip.

SHOP NEOAIR® XTHERM NXT™  |  SHOP NEOAIR® XTHERM NXT MAX™

Z Lite SOL™/Original Z Lite™

The original “accordion egg carton” closed-cell foam sleeping pad. This iconic pad has become a mainstay in gear kits for long-distance thru-hikes, remote expeditions, and first-time weekend campers alike. Why? The Z Lite series is darn-near perfect with its approach to being an indestructible, ultralight, multi-use tool for your backpacking kit. Yes, it’s a sleeping pad, but it easily doubles as a seat, a dog bed, a warmth-boosting protective layer underneath your air pad, and even a splint for injured limbs. 

The textured design allows heat-trapping dimples to capture your body heat and hold it. Moreover, the SOL model features a layer of our proprietary reflective ThermaCapture coating to bump its R-value up to a fair-weather 2.0. That may not seem like much, but if you layer it under another pad, that 2.0 is added to your other pad’s R-Value. For example, an XLite—with a three-season R-Value of 4.2—on top of Z Lite SOL achieves an overall R-Value of 6.2—firmly in the four-season range–plus an indestructible bottom layer for added protection. That level of backcountry usefulness is hard to find at this price, in any gear category.

SHOP Z LITE SOL™  |  SHOP Z LITE™ ORIGINAL

Backpacking Comfort Sleeping Pads

The modern adventurer rarely restricts themselves to a single lane of adventure. Weeks spent sleeping in a tent deep in the backcountry are followed up by weekends car camping with friends and family. Our Backpacking Comfort pads are built to bridge that gap. They're light and compact enough for the backpack, while still bringing the premium comfort features you want in the frontcountry.

Model	R-Value	Sizes	Weight	Thickness	Best Use
NeoLoft™	4.7	Regular Regular Wide Large	1 lb 9 oz / 0.71 kg 1 lb 14 oz / 0.85 kg 2 lb / .91 kg	4.6 in /11.7 cm	Car camping, backpacking, road trips, guest bed
Trail Pro™ Max	4.4	Regular Wide Large	2 lb 9 oz / 1.16 kg 2 lb 11 oz / 1.24 kg	3 in / 7.6 cm	backpacking, car camping
Trail Pro™	4.4	Regular Regular Wide	1 lb 14 oz / 0.85 kg 2 lb 6 oz / 1.08 kg	3 in / 7.6 cm	backpacking, car camping
Trail ProLite™	3.8	Regular Regular Wide Large	1 lb 8 oz / 0.68kg 1 lb 14 oz/ 0.88 kg 2 lb / 0.91 kg	2 in / 5 cm	Backpacking, car camping
Trail Scout™	3.1	Regular	1 lb 8 oz / 0.68kg	1 in / 2.5 cm	Entry-level backpacking, backpacking, car camping
RidgeRest® Classic	2.0	Regular Large	14 oz / 0.40 kg 1 lb 3 oz / 0.54 kg	0.625 in / 1.5 cm	Backpacking, multi-use

NeoLoft™

When you've defined an entire category by making the lightest, warmest, and smallest-packing sleeping pads ever made, applying that technology to create what is arguably the most comfortable backpacking sleeping pad ever made is the logical next step. Just looking at the new NeoLoft kind of makes you go, "Ahhhhhh!"

First, you'll notice its shape: 4.6 inches of decadent loft, a full rectangular shape for 20% more sleep area, and–are those side rails to keep you on your pad? You bet they are. Add a soft, stretch knit surface for a luxuriously quiet sleep, and dreamtime awaits. Speaking of dreams, what if we told you it weighed only 25 ounces (size Regular) and packed down to nearly the size of a one-liter bottle? Thanks to a comfort-forward version of our industry-best Triangular Core Matrix™ construction, it does, and it delivers a whopping 4.7 R-value for all-season warmth. Twin Lock™ valves keep inflation and deflation easy. The NeoLoft sleeping pad completely redefines what 'backcountry comfort' means.

SHOP NEOLOFT™

Trail Pro™ and Trail Pro™ MAX

When it comes to comfort, bigger is better, and thanks to some innovative construction, the TrailPro and TrailPro Max create big comfort you can easily pack with you. StrataCore™ construction starts with a continuous central layer of foam and adds alternating ridges of air and foam to achieve its full loft while saving weight and space.  Wrapped in a soft, stretch-knit fabric, the result is a high-loft, self-inflating mattress that delivers exceptional comfort and warmth with minimal bulk at a great value. The Trail Pro's tapered shape keeps efficiency a top priority, while the rectangular MAX offers added sleep surface that belly/back sleepers, as well as those with broad shoulders, will appreciate. 

SHOP TRAIL PRO™ MAX and TRAIL PRO™

Trail ProLite™

The Trail ProLite uses the same StrataCore construction of the TrailPro, but in a streamlined form to create the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any self-inflating mattress. The open-cell foam makes this sleeping pad warm, stable, and reliable, and it also adds the ease of self-inflation to simplify setting up camp.

SHOP TRAIL PROLITE™

Trail Scout™

Essential comfort is the name of the game for this popular three-season classic. While ideal for novice backpackers, the build quality, low weight, and compact profile make this pad suitable for anyone seeking outstanding value. The self-inflating, open-cell foam core does much of the inflation work, requiring just a few breaths into the WingLock Valve to reach your desired comfort level.

SHOP TRAIL SCOUT™

RidgeRest® Classic

The closed-cell foam of the RidgeRest series offers indestructible reliability, basic comfort, and multi-function peace of mind; traits that have earned it high praise and a place on the backpacks of backpackers of all experience levels for over four decades.  The “peaks and valleys” thermally formed into each foam provide a supportive sleep surface and space to trap heat.

RidgeRest pads roll up into a compact cylinder for easy packing and come in sizes small through large.

SHOP RIDGEREST® CLASSIC

Camp & Comfort Sleeping Pads

Camp & Comfort sleeping pads were built for leisurely weekends camping with family and friends, road trips, and your best glamping vacations. With premium materials and maximum comfort as our top priority, our Camp & Comfort series is designed to provide a decadent foundation for a great night's rest when you only need to carry your gear between car and camp.

Model	R-Value	Sizes	Weight	Thickness	Best Use
MondoKing™ 3D	7.0	Large XXLarge	4 lb 6 oz / 1.99 kg 5 lb 8 oz / 2.50 kg	4.25 in / 11 cm	Car camping, truck/van sleep systems, impressing your friends at camp
LuxuryMap™	6.0	Regular Large XLarge	3 lb 4 oz / 1.48 kg 4 lb 3 oz / 1.90 kg 5 lb 2 oz / 2.33 kg	3 in / 7.6 cm	Car camping, truck/van sleep systems
BaseCamp™	6.0	Regular Large XLarge	2 lb 8 oz / 1.14 kg 3 lb 6 oz / 1.53 kg 4 lb / 1.82 kg	2 in / 5 cm	Car camping

MondoKing™ 3D

This aptly named pad is the pinnacle of camp comfort. Spend a night on one, and you’ll likely reach the same conclusion.  “3D” refers to the sidewall construction style that allows us to mimic a traditional mattress with a broad, flat, and supportive sleep surface along with vertical sidewalls, providing four inches of decadent loft. Other key comfort features include the next-to-skin delight that is stretch-knit fabric and the four-season R-Value of 7.0—the most insulating power of any self-inflating Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad.

Despite the enormous comfort it provides, the Mondo remains compact during transport thanks to StrataCore construction. The foam-air combination packs and inflates easily thanks to the high-capacity TwinLock valve system; just a few puffs of air from you or the included pump sack will top things off to your desired firmness. Whether you are pitching a tent in summer or crashing in your van for first chair in Jackson Hole, the MondoKing provides more than enough warmth and comfort for a good night’s sleep anywhere.

Pro Tip: Lay it out in your home when you need an extra bed for visiting friends or in-laws. It’s that comfortable!

SHOP MONDOKING™ 3D

LuxuryMap™

The LuxuryMap is the perfect bridge between the essential performance of the BaseCamp and the mammoth comfort of MondoKing 3D. It utilizes the same plush stretch-knit fabrics as the Mondo and comes in at a cold-conquering 6.0 R-value. Thicker than the BaseCamp at three inches, the LuxuryMap lives up to its name with a broad, supportive sleep surface that accommodates side sleepers and those who toss and turn at night.

The self-inflating foam core and high-volume TwinLock valves make inflating, deflating, and adjusting this high-volume pad remarkably easy. It steps up from the BaseCamp with a pressure-mapped foam core designed to provide the perfect balance of supportive comfort and weight-saving packability. Without vertical sidewalls, it's less bulky than the Mondo, but still provides outstanding comfort in the frontcountry.

SHOP LUXURYMAP™

BaseCamp™

The BaseCamp pad's simple form factor harkens back to the original self-inflating foam pads, but with modern-day frontcountry comfort. Two inches thick, with a supportive open-cell foam core wrapped in comfortable and durable fabrics, the BaseCamp pad can be relied upon as a refuge from the elements time and time again—just like a base camp ought to be. The real kicker, though, is its incredible value. If you've been using your backpacking pad for car camping and are looking for something more deluxe for roadside use without breaking the bank, the BaseCamp is an excellent choice.

SHOP BASECAMP™

Sleeping Pad R-Value

R-value is a measure of thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the slower heat will pass through a given material or structure. Practically speaking, the higher the R-Value, the warmer a pad is.

Keep in mind that R-value is not the same as the temperature ratings used to rate the warmth of sleeping bags and quilts. While a sleeping bag uses its insulation to keep cold air out and trap warm air in, a sleeping pad creates a thermal resistance against the cold ground. Heat flows from warmer to cooler regions until the temperature difference is eliminated. Your sleeping pad is the barrier that prevents that heat loss, and R-Value is the rating of how well it does that.

Why is knowing about R-Value important? Having a pad with the right R-value for the current conditions will help you be thermally efficient. Of course, thermal efficiency is achieved by the right combination of all the gear in your sleep system (more on that in a moment), but your pad is the foundation of that system. Here’s a quick breakdown of R-Value ranges and how they pertain to the seasons:

Keep in mind that this is a general guide. There are no absolutes when it comes to outdoor conditions and your individual preferences. Some people sleep cold even if it’s warm, and sometimes the weather changes unexpectedly. Choosing the pad that fits your preferences—including where and how you adventure, and what type of sleeper you are—is key to sleeping comfortably

Sleeping Pad Layering + R-value

One mantra often tossed around when talking about preparing for any outdoor adventure is “expect the unexpected.” In the category of sleeping pads, the best way to prepare is the same as with clothing (and even sleeping bags and quilts): layering.

R-value is additive; therefore, if you stack two pads, you can add their respective R-values together for a higher overall rating. While stacking two inflatable pads can prove "tippy", a closed-cell pad is the perfect warmth-boosting underlayment to any sleeping pad.

We mentioned it above, but it's worth repeating: a Z-Lite SOL is a downright useful thing to have. If temperatures drop unexpectedly, layering the Z-Lite under your inflatable pad will raise your overall R-Value by 2.0, boosting the warmth of your entire system. The extra warmth can be traded for a slightly smaller, lighter sleeping bag; it adds protection under an air mattress for peace of mind; and it gives you a soft, indestructible seat for anywhere at camp. That's a win-win-win.

Sleeping Pad Construction Technology

Different construction types allow Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads to be unique and excel in different areas.

NeoAir Construction Types

Triangular Core Matrix™: This groundbreaking, award-winning technology has revolutionized the entire industry and redefined the term "ultralight comfort". Complex by nature, it utilizes two stacked layers of triangular baffles to retain warmth and create an incredibly stable sleep surface.  Despite the complexity, the benefits are simple: more warmth per ounce than ever possible before.

Self-Inflating Construction Types

Open-Cell Foam: The original construction type and the technology that revolutionized outdoor sleep. We've found far more efficient ways to use it than the solid sheets that made up our original pads, but its stability, warmth, and self-inflating properties keep it as the foundation for the next three construction types. 

StrataCore™ Construction: StrataCore marries the attributes of air pads and self-inflating pads. A continuous layer of thermal open-cell foam is cut into a series of ridges. When placed inside its airtight enclosure, the spaces between the ridges are filled with heat-trapping air, supported by the adjacent foam ridges. This allows significant weight savings, a much smaller packed size, and the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any self-inflating foam construction.

Vertically Die-Cut Foams: No pun intended, but you might see a pattern developing here: removing foam to reduce weight and bulk while isolating captured air to boost heat retention. Vertically die-cutting foams was the first way we achieved these goals. 

Diagonally Die-Cut Foams: Like vertically cut foam, except the channels are diagonally cut. Diagonal channels reduce heat loss even further while providing the same support and reduced weight and bulk.

Sleeping Pad Valves

Classic Valve
While not used in our pads anymore, there are likely millions of these still out in the wild, doing their job. Understanding the classic valve puts the advancements of our next two valves in perspective. The original valve focused on three key principles: ease of use, durability, and repairability. Its easy, twist-to-open-and-close action makes it intuitive to use with gloves on, in the dark, or in the cold and makes midnight adjustments possible. Should the valve ever wear out, replacing one is a simple process that can be done at home or in the field, and we've got plenty in stock to keep you and your mattress out in the backcountry for years to come. 

WingLock™ Valve
The WingLock kept the core principles of the classic valve and took it to the next level, delivering 3x the airflow, in and out, to speed both setting up and packing up camp. With a simple twist, the added “wings” allow the valve to be set to inflation or deflation mode. In inflation mode, the valve is one-way, ensuring that the air you put in doesn’t escape between breaths or rolls of a pump sack.  When the wings are set in deflation mode and the valve is opened, the air escapes rapidly for easy packing. T The WingLock valve is found on most of our pads, including all of the Fast & Light series pads, and is also easily replaced should you ever need to. 

TwinLock™ Valve
Reserved for our high-volume pads, the TwinLock takes all of the functionality of the WingLock and splits it into two valves. A dedicated one-way inflation valve and a dedicated deflation valve, allowing you to rapidly dump air out of your pad.

Sleeping Pad Sizes

Short (47 in x 20 in / 119 cm x 51 cm)
This sizing is commonly referred to as the ¾ pad and is popular amongst thru-hikers and other ultralight-focused adventurers. This size offers warmth and comfort for the most critical area of the body—the torso—and cuts a significant amount of weight by not supporting the legs. Sounds uncomfortable? Not so fast; a common solution is to put your backpack under your legs. Not for everybody, but the weight savings and packability gains make it worth it for some.

Regular (72 in x 20 in / 183 cm x 51 cm)
The baseline size of our sleeping pads. The Regular size offers full body support for people up to 6 feet tall.

Regular Wide (72 in x 25 in / 183 x 64 cm)
 Added width supports broader shoulders and body types without adding unnecessary extra length.  

Large (77 in x 25 in / 196 cm x 64 cm)
The Large size offers full-body support for those taller than 6 feet. Added width accounts for broader shoulders and body types.

MAX
MAX sizes in our ultralight sleeping pads are fully rectangular, rather than the standard tapered shapes. This adds that extra bit of room for broader torsos and those that move around a lot in their sleep.

Sleep Systems & How to Choose a Sleeping Pad

Sleep systems are the combinations of sleeping pads, sleeping bags, quilts, and pillows used to achieve a good night’s sleep outdoors. When choosing a sleeping pad, it’s critical that you consider your choice in the context of the other gear you will be using alongside it.

Choosing the right sleeping pad is a matter of matching the pad's attributes to your sleeper profile (how warm you sleep), the climatic conditions you expect to encounter, and the performance of the rest of your sleep system. There’s a lot to consider here, so in addition to the sleep system blog linked above, here’s some additional reading material to help you out:

• How to Choose a Sleeping Pad
• How to Choose the Right Size and Shape Sleeping Pad

Sleeping Pad Maintenance

Cacti, sharp rocks, an aggressive stick, or a careless moment are all it takes to puncture an air pad, and it's by far the most common repair needed. Fortunately, all your mattresses are easy to fix in the field and at home. 

• How to Repair Your Sleeping Pad
• How to Clean & Store a Sleeping Pad

If your pad punctures and you can't repair it, you can always send it to our repair shop and let the pros handle it. We make our gear to last and to be repairable. Keeping it out of landfills is an important step in sustainability. If a manufacturing defect causes a failure, we will replace the pad free of charge under our Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Hopefully all of this information helped make choosing the right sleeping pad for your next road trip, backpack, or camping adventure a bit easier. Fortunately, you can't really go wrong when it comes to putting something soft, supportive, and warm beneath you, and there's no better place to start looking than the undisputed leader in innovation and quality: Therm-a-Rest Sleeping Pads. 

We'll see you out there! 

Related Posts:

• The Benefits of Having Multiple Sleeping Pads
• How to Choose a Sleeping Pad for Any Adventure

Updated. Originally Published Jun 8, 2021.