NEMO - Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad

My exact setup atm is a Dura 3R and Nemo Switchback. I feel like a king after coming from a old school thermarest and ground tarp

The nemo switchback is a bit more comfortable than the z-lite because it has a different dimple structure. I think the comfort benefit of a switchback is worth the increased price compared to an Ozark trail or aliexpress ccf sleeping pad. Additional recommendations: Others have mentioned short or torso length pads, but these certainly aren't for everyone. You should get a full length pad, use it for a few nights, then trial run using the pad shortened without actually cutting the pad. You can do this by just leaving the pad partially folded and sleeping on the unfolded part. The most trimming you should do from the start is just removing sections that are longer than your height. For example if you're 5'6" and the pad is 6' you can take off a couple sections and still have a full body pad. Going along with this, if you use a pillow, because ccf pads are so thin you can put the pillow off the edge of the pad to increase its effective length.

Everyone prioritizes things differently. Some people want the perfect piece of gear for every situation. Some people prioritize money, weight, comfort etc. For me, I didn’t want to buy multiple pads for multiple situations. So I bought the thermarest xlite with R value of 4.5 and a Nemo foldable switchback. Now I am covered all season comfortably with will not need to buy anything else. Have you slept on a foldable pad before? As a side sleeper I could not get comfortable. Where I backpack, it can get cold at night even in the summer and I didn’t want to be caught unprepared, so I always use my inflatable pad. You will eventually get a puncture in your inflatable sleeping pad, which is why you bring a small repair kit.

Yep I bring two pads as well. Although my system is a little bit different in that I use an X-therm combined with a 80x40 1/8th pad as my floor and then can fold it down in an emergency. I'm surprised that worked for you. I know when I had first gotten my sulo I took it down to 22F on snow with just a nemo switchback because that's all I owned and could very easily feel the cold from the pad

When I did Baker I brought a closed cell pad (Nemo switch back) and an inflatable (Sea to summit) for comfort and redundancy. You'll be hard pressed to find a new bag that's also lightweight for $200. You'll probably need to see if you can find something used or I would recommend you see if you can rent one.

I have the switchback and it’s warm enough for 32F for me but not cushy enough for my hips.

Glad you had success with it! I was super hyped about it from all the accounts of its comfort. Right now my “light” ground sleeping loadout is a klymit insulated paired with Nemo switchback (most comfortable combo I’ve found outside of self inflating) with tarp and bivvy. If I’m going less than 8 miles for an overnight and either the weather is extreme winter or I have a camping partner I haul my stupidly heavy mondo king pad and split the weight of the 3 man tent between us. Been leaning towards just going fully back to my hammmock but I think I’ve determined that I need an open cell/self inflating style pad to prevent hip pain on the ground.

I use a switchback with a 38 liter pack. 

Try cutting a Nemo switchback in half and adding it either under or on top of your tensor to give your back a bit more cushion. It doubles as a sit pad.

I have the amazon version of the walmart pad (stansport) and with the buckles/straps cut off and the length trimmed to knee length, it’s 240 grams for $18.  I haven’t had one of the ozark trails out of the packaging but I wonder how much of the listed weight is in the straps and extra few feet of length that are unnecessary.  You can probably make most of that weight savings for $0 and five minutes with a utility knife.    I also have a nemo switchback which, when cut to the same length, weighs 278 grams for about $50.  The switchback is marginally more comfortable but slicker than snot so I end up repositioning more.  Still have not decided which I prefer. 

We recommend a closed cell foam pad, as they are nearly indestructible and take no time to setup. The Nemo switchback is a good option and would last your scouts entire time in the program. We never recommend inflatable sleeping pads for scouts, as they are generally tough on their gear.

I’ve used a CCF switchback a few times and I didn’t love it. It’s not very comfortable at all, but more than that, it’s freezing cold. The weight you’d save going from an inflatable to a thin lite probably wouldn’t be that worth it in the end if you’re accounting for more warm layers or a warmer sleeping bag. By the way most carpeting has an underlay, and it’s perfectly level. This isn’t totally comparable to conditions while camping.

Careful about buying used zlites/switchbacks. Eggcrate style CCF pads do have a lifespan, will lose their supportiveness over time, and it's hard to tell via pics. The seller might not even realize that it's lost its supportiveness, since it happens slowly over time. Personally, I wouldn't buy a used eggcrate style CCF pad I can't touch and feel, even from a reputable, standup seller.

I have an Apex MYOG quilt and a cut down Nemo Switchback for my dog. I carry a Switchback for myself as well, so I don't have to worry about it popping due to his nails. I recently picked up an Xmid 1p fly from Durston gear to use as our tent.

Yes that's a popular one. I have it. Only ran it once but I may need to again. It was pretty hard on my back, but I survived. Might've been better had the ground been grassy rather than dirt. The only perks I can give it are that it's light, won't pop, and my arm didn't go numb.

The issue I have with the Neoloft is it makes my shoulder numb. I spend most of my time on my side, but I toss and turn like crazy. I was playing around with the inflation level but so far haven't solved the numbness issue. Other than that, I agree with you it's probably the most comfortable pad I've yet tried. The Big Agnes Divide is very good and weighs about the same. Both these pads are just under 2lbs if you get the Wide version. This one has vertical baffles that I think work better for me, especially as a very active sleeper to keep me centered. No numbness. I have a CCF Switchback that I only used once without much grass under it. It was hard on my back and pretty much makes side sleeping impossible. I want to try it again with some taller grass underneath to pad it. There may be some times where the weight savings are worth.

I used the switchback my whole hike and, in the end, the only thing I was really jealous over was comfort in the shelters. Never could get used to sleeping on the hard planks with the switchback, so I just tented in all but the worst weather.

I cut one down and sewed it to my extra long crazy creek so it’s a 3/4 pad and seat.

I use this, it’s not as cushy, but it is way less noisy and you can’t roll off. It’s always give and take with sleeping on the ground. You could try hammock camping if it’s an option. Colder on your booty, but way more comfortable for me.

The switchback is, in my opinion, the best sleeping pad there is. It boggles my mind that there’s endless posts and hand wringing here about this inflatable or that inflatable

Honestly, I have "regressed" since 2021. Tried many brands, size, length, baffle style iterations of inflatables out there at huge expense and disliked every one.  In 2021, I started exclusively using CCF (Exped, GG thinlight, but my fave Nemo Switchback).  Doing some more winter trips this coming season- southern hemisphere- and stacking pads takes too much space.  I just bought a short size Thermarest Prolite Plus on sale. I am such a gram counter in many ways, but can live with the 450g plus a CCF for Winter trips.

I have cut various CCF pads down to 6- 10 panels and just take whatever I think I will need. My go to is mostly the Nemo Switchback. If the ground is especially hard,I triple up my GG thinlight if I have it for under my hips, or if no thinlight put my puffy under my hips if they are feeling a bit tender. The Switchback is fine on its own though in most situations. I am a female side sleeper :-) The simplicity of CCF is bliss.

I've used a Nemo Switchback down to 20°F without issue and disagree with others saying it's only suitable for summer use and not 3 season use. Inflatable pads are more comfortable, but more expensive and can be popped. If you're the type to take good care of your gear, you'd likely be happier with an inflatable. I am not and have popped multiple inflatables before, so I'll stick to my Switchback.

I really encourage you to think outside the box here, and reconsider the answers you've gotten so far. This thread so far is 100% indistinguishable from a thread on a non-UL forum. If you are only camping in warm weather, and you're prioritizing weight and durability, then you do not need an inflatable. You'll be committing to a relatively heavy and fragile piece of gear for no reason. And the R values you're looking at are hugely overkill if you'll never go below 5C and you sleep warm. You're the perfect candidate for a foam pad. Cut a ~1 inch thick CCF pad with R=2 to fit your shoulders to your thighs. It will be like 5-6 oz, it will last forever, it will be cheap, it will be comfortable, it doubles as a luxury sit pad, you can stretch out on it, and it can be a framesheet for a frameless pack. If you've only ever tried shitty CCF, try a Switchback or a Zlite. If you really want to prioritize comfort, consider this; an inflatable that even remotely compares in weight to CCF will leak. It's not if, but when. And then you're sleeping on the ground until you make it back to town.

6 panels of Nemo Switchback goes about from my shoulders to knees, and I love it. Comfy, warm, light, indestructible, and a pretty decent warmth-to-weight ratio at R=2

the Switchback is super comfy, and it has a better warmth-to-weight ratio than the Flexmat

Your first question doesn't really make sense. If you meant to say inflatable, then many people would say CCF feels warmer than an equivalent inflatable. I've seen some explanations offered to explain this (usually relating to air circulation with the inflatable pad), but they're usually bro science without real evidence. At least I've never seen a convincing study. All I can say is that CCF is warm enough. However, at high R-values where you'll really start to notice the cold, CCF is no longer competitive from a weight perspective. It's usually used (at least, on its own) at R 2.5-ish and below, in which case it is great. But an R 4.5 CCF pad will pretty much always be heavier than an Xlite. For your second question, I was always skeptical of CCF before I tried it. But found it way comfier than I expected, from the get go. I never really had to adapt myself to it or anything. I now regard it as the far superior pad choice over an inflatable, at low R value, in many ways. No inflating, no deflating, no worrying about leaks, no carry patch kits, no meticulously clearing your sleep site. Just throw it down and sleep. I use 6 panels of switchback (shoulders to thigh) and love it. Also fyi MyLfeOutdoors is total clickbait that just reviews shit he is paid to review, and gives explicitly non-ul and uninformed advice

I don't find it a hassle at all to slide 6 panels of Switchback into my pack. It acts as a competent framesheet for a frameless pack

FYI, 6 panels of Switchback goes from my shoulders to lower thigh, and it fits vertically in the back of my 37L Palante V2 (opened it half; two stacks of 3 panels) and acts as a framesheet. It's actually perfect for that. It's also exponentially comfier than a Thinlight. A Thinlight feels like almost nothing at all, while a switchback feels genuinely comfy. The R value is also 4 times that of a Thinlight (2 vs 0.5). I would worry that if you jump straight to a Thinlight, you'll get the wrong idea of how good CCF can be. But hey they're cheap to try it out, and they're a UL classic. FYI, GG recently re-released a 3/8" torso-length pad. It seems like a very happy medium between something like a Switchback and 1/8" https://www.gossamergear.com/products/folded-torso-foam-pad-3-8 Also note that Alpkit makes the EZ Sleeper, which is like a thin Switchback. Also a happy medium. https://us.alpkit.com/products/ez-sleeper-folding-foam-sleeping-mat?variant=39668238057516 Also, dude, going from an inflatable to foam is not backwards, it's forwards! CCF is better is so many ways

Reducing the pad length is a lot better for comfort than reducing the pad thickness. I chop my Switchback down to only 6 panels, which goes from my shoulders to my thighs. Definitely more comfortable than thinner foam. 1/8" foam on its own is only barely better than nothing. I just put my pack under my legs.  6 panels of Seitchback fit perfectly in the back of my Palante V2, and make for a pretty decent framesheet. It weighs ~5.9 oz Edit: this is such a refreshing comment section, and I've never felt so among friends here before haha. Where are all you people when I'm lone-wolfing it on the constant inflatable threads?!

> isn't the backpack under the legs too uncomfortable? I don't think it is. A frameless pack is just a few layers of fabric when it's empty > Isn't the thickness too different from the ccf? Nah, Switchback or Zlite is 0.9" tall before it's compressed with your body weight. You'll hardly notice the difference. It's way more noticeable with torso-length inflatables, which I also sometimes use. > And isn't the backpack too little insulation? Depends on the temps. Yea your legs will be colder than your torso. It works for me at least to freezing. But you can cut the pad a bit longer to cover your thighs if needed.

I use 6 panels of Switchback. It goes from my shoulders to upper thigh. It's all you need in the summer. For colder conditions, I bought the short (5'6") Xlite. I'm 5'10". Weight savings are worth it.

The first thing you need is a skill: accepting disappointment. If you don’t want to go down the rabbit hole, you must accept that taking a stranger’s suggestion may result in you finding a better item later, and some regret that you didn’t purchase the “best” item first. You must then think: “ok, but I saved myself 15-30 hrs research.”  Complete gear list, 10lb $800 total: https://pmags.com/the-budget-backpacking-kit He also has a 15 lb $300 version  https://pmags.com/300-gear-challenge Cheapest is buying used or discount - check r/ulgeartrade, r/geartrade, and steep and cheap.  My recommendations:  Sleeping pad:  - cheapest is learning to sleep on CCF - Nemo switchback, ridge rest, or similar. Unbeatable value and reliability. (Pads advertise r=2ish. You can stack pads to double this, but folks typically find that foam pads are plenty warm for 3 seasons. Pads seem to sleep warmer than the r-value suggests, due to the way r-value for pads is measured - it ignores heat loss through the sides, which is minimal for thin foam and not minimal for thick air pads.) - lightest for the r-value inflatable is the Thermarest X-Lite NXT - more comfy and not too heavy is the Exped Ultra 5. (5=r-value of 4.8ish) You can buy a mummy-shape (in either regular or long-wide mummy) to cut weight or the rectangle (again in normal or long-wide) if you like to sprawl.  Sleeping bag:  I bought mine used, learned to wash it. It was a good learning project. 

I have both and use both depending on the trip. My two most used sleeping pad options are the Flexmat Plus by itself or 6 panels of the Switchback with a 1/8" GG Thinlight on top. On their own I found the Switchback more comfortable out of the box, and the Switchback packs down much smaller and it "wants" to stay folded while the Exped has a tendency to want to spring open until you get it strapped onto the pack. The flip side is that once both pads had worn in a bit I found the softened up Flexmat Plus to be noticeably more comfortable on hard surfaces than the softened up Switchback. If I'm sure I'll be able to be find a nice and relatively soft campsite or if I'm just going as light as possible then I'll take the Switchback/Thinlight combo and if I'm less worried about the weight/bulk and can't be as picky about campsites then I'll take the Exped. Usually that means that when I'm solo I'm taking the lighter option and when I'm with friends I'm taking the Flexmat Plus. The huge caveat is that these are really personal things. For each pad you'll find people who say it is super comfortable and people who say that sleeping on it was torture, and they are both probably right. It sounds like you're probably in the lucky crew that will end up preferring CCF pads which is awesome, and the nice bonus is that you could end up getting 2-3 to try them out for less than the price of a single UL inflatable.

I usually bring a nemo folding CCF pad, not too much bulk and lighter than most inflatables. Its slightly lower profile than the thermarest, but simultaneously thicker to sleep on (due to the spacing of the bumps). Occasionally for sustained technical climbing I’ll bring a torso size 5mm evazote pad, weighs close to 120g. It kinda sucks to sleep on, but combining it with sleeping on top of my pack it’s workable. It’s hard to be careful with an inflatable on a sustained route, as bivy sites are often limited and rocky.

agree, the switchback fails once the ground freezes. if you have one 20 degree day you're good, but after a few days below 25 you have to switch to inflatable.

inflatable pads can have higher r value, inflatable pads can be kept drier because carried inside your pack when it's raining whereas a well worn switchback absorbs rainwater after 3000 miles of use, inflatable pads sit 2x higher off the ground which gives better avoidance of rain runoff when tarp camping, inflatable pads can be inflated to assist with pack flotation if fording a sketchy river (if you lose footing in a heavy current, the pack is likely to take on water possibly forcing you to ditch it, so flotation makes it more likely to recover the pack if ditched), inflatable pads enable a more minimalist pack profile because can be stored inside pack, inflatable packs are unlikely to be lost while hiking because sits inside of your pack, inflatable pads are easier to bushwhack thru dense vegetation (think not just off trail but also sections with heavy tree blowdowns you have to crawl under/thru) because it sits inside of your pack. to be clear, i carry a switchback pretty much exclusively. i only carry inflatable in winter. but these are the advantages of an inflatable as i see it .

A short Nemo switchback, it’s what my kid used in scouts for years. Now he’s upgraded to a full length.  All the scouts use them or the equivalent and I have never once heard a single kid complain about not sleeping due to a pad

A short Nemo switchback, it’s what my kid used in scouts for years. Now he’s upgraded to a full length.  All the scouts use them or the equivalent and I have never once heard a single kid complain about not sleeping due to a pad

You could make (or buy) a lightweight "over quilt" - say something rated around 40-50 degrees F. If you make it out of Climashield Apex, it's pretty easy to sew with even rudimentary sewing machine skills, as you only need to sew the four sides. Apex doesn't need "quilting" or baffles to stabilize it the way other loose fill or down insulations do. There are even Youtube videos that walk you through the process, and materials can be purchased from RipStopByTheRoll or Dutchware. Or go guy an Enlightened Equipment Revelation Apex quilt in the 40 or 50 range, regular/wide. Will the combination of Nemo Disco 15 and a synthetic quilt be as light as a Nemo Sonic 0 degree bag for example? Absolutely not. But since your main complaint is having too many of similar items, a lightweight synthetic quilt adds a lot of flexibility to your existing sleeping system, and you could even take just the synthetic quilt if, for example, you're bunking in a cabin somewhere where you don't need your Disco 15 but you need more than a cotton sheet. Also, with a synthetic quilt as a top layer, it will serve to move moisture (from your body's sweat at night) out of the down and into the synthetic layer if it's cold enough to condense into droplets. It will also handle brushing against wet tent walls (rain, condensation) better than the down sleeping bag alone will. 2 - supplement your insufficiently warm inflatable pad with a CCF pad like the Nemo Switchback. Same concept. The two together won't be as light as a much warmer inflatable pad, but you gain some flexibility.

I exclusively sleep on CCF mats. the best budget, packable and easily available option is the Decathlon MT500. The warmest is the Thermarest Ridgerest but it's bulky. The epxed flexmat, Thermarest Z lite and Nemo Switchback are all good but a bit more pricey. Don't get hung up on R values like you would with an inflatable pad. for some reason CCF mats always feel warmer, i think due to the density of the material. I've slept on ice in the alps with CCF mats. As always though it will depend on the person and you'd need to exercise caution with a young en.

What temperatures will you be in? I use a Nemo switchback in the summer and love it

I have both the Z Lite and the Nemo Switchback. I don't have tons of experience with Backcountry's house-brand gear and in particular not this pad. But based on the couple of their items I have bought, and others' experiences I've read about, I'm inclined to guess the Stoic will be only marginally inferior to the Thermarest, and that given the price difference in your market it makes sense to just get the Stoic. Certainly not all foam pads are created equal, even if they look similar, and I personally wouldn't grab a pad from a no-name fly-by-night knockoff off Amazon or AliExpress, because durability issues could easily compromise the already-borderline comfort of a CCF pad, and if it degrades or compresses quite a lot on a long trek it could badly compromise your sleep system warmth. But Backcountry certainly doesn't fall into the fly-by-night category, they stand behind their products reasonably well, and what few reviews I can see seem to be positive. I've heard that for at least some of their house-brand gear - notably some tents - Backcountry licenses outdated designs from bigger name companies, so the manufacturer really can pretty much just change colors and logos and keep making the old gear. Wouldn't be shocked if the Stoic is made in the same factory as pads from some bigger name brand.

I've used the Z Lite a fair bit but haven't had as many opportunities to go backpacking since I got the Switchback, so this isn't a highly well-tested opinion. The Switchback is more comfortable - not by much, but enough to be consistently noticeable. They're essentially identical in most other aspects. The small weight difference in the manufacturers' specs doesn't seem to hold up in the real world; my Z Lite and Switchback weigh exactly the same. Online reviewers similarly say any weight difference is dominated by minor manufacturing variability. Reviewers' pictures all show the Switchback's folded size is smaller, but mine are not very different. Some reviewers say the Switchback is a tiny bit more durable as well - they say that it compresses just a little more slowly and Nemo puts some kind of protective film on the thermal reflective surface. Nemo suggests using theirs thermal reflective side down, and that makes the pad less slippery than using the Z Lite in its recommended reflective up state. Overall, I do think the Switchback is the one to get.

I have moved away from the 1/8 inch pad because while it might be lighter, it was causing me to do fewer miles since campsite selection becomes such a priority. For example, I come across a good spot to sleep about 60-90 minutes before I planned to stop. With the 1/8th inch pad I probably need to call it a day because skipping that site means risking not finding another one. Or, I remember one time I wasted a good hour trying to find a nice soft, sandy spot in an otherwise rocky terrain. By contrast, with a switchback or zlite CCF pad I can just kind of hike till I’m tired and as long as I don’t throw the pad down directly on a root or a rock, I don’t have to be very picky with where I sleep for the night. As a result, I can just kind of hike till I’m ready to collapse, throw the pad down, and sleep.

I have the featherstone el cordion and it is every bit comparable in insulation and "padding" to a z-lite sol to me. however, I find the Nemo switchback slightly more comfortable than both. that said, the thermarest ridgerest, as obnoxious to carry as it is, wins in comfort for me (barely)

I think 2 pads is the way to go, but don't buy a summer pad and a winter pad. Instead, get a 3-season pad and a CCF pad—something like the Thermarest Z Lite or Nemo Switchback. They weigh under a pound, have a 2.0 R rating, and are relatively inexpensive (especially if you're willing to buy used). CCF pads are also handy because they can double as a durable, waterproof, insulated seat if you want to sit down for lunch out in the snow. I have a Big Agnes Q-Core SLX for 3-season backpacking. If I stack it with a Z-Lite, then the total R-value is 5.2, which is enough for any winter camping I'll ever do.

Air mattresses are a bit more comfortable especially if you have to set up on roots or some minor rocks. I haven’t found it to be worth all the issues with air leaks though. I’ve been able to get away with the switchback for pretty much March to October and often more. Also nice to be able to use it as a seat cushion during the day

Canadian side sleeper here. I often 3 season camp down past -5 deg ( probably closer to -10 deg ) depending on what the mountains decide to do. Not much camping in snow but a lot of waking up in it. I've never needed R value of 5. Are you sure you do? Have you tried anything else? Exped lists their 5R being good to -20 C. That's not 3 season is it? That seems overkill to me. Exped 3R in the shortest length (with any dangling feet on top of a pack or something) would be my preference for an inflatable for the brand's you listed. It's quite a bit lighter than those options and is worth a consideration. I have slept many nights in the previous version of it in a double wide with a partner (which may have had a slightly different R value than what is available now).  I also just spent a lot of nights on a slow LASH on the PCT (where I had slept in the temperatures of interest  - down below -5 C in both desert and mountains) on a sea to summit ultralight insulated short pad. This was very comfortable and warm. it's like 350 grams. Eventually on trail I went with a CCF pad (Nemo Switchback ) to reduce base weight a bit - and that hurt my hips when camping on some surfaces but was a compromise I accepted for many nights. This was much lower R value but warm enough on cold nights down below -5 C.  

Most basic and pretty inexpensive, ignoring the shelter. Two Nemo switchback/zlites (whatever cheap foldable CCF you can get cheaply) One MYOG Rayway apex double quilt. Zips in half so the bulk can be split. Make sure you add draft collar and skirt to it. Why no cuddles when you smell? Do you really notice when your SO is stinky from hiking? I dont. I'm focused on how great of a team we are. It's awesome.

Budget Quilt - HangTight Heatseeker Quilt with Ground Dweller add on Budget Inflatable Insulated Sleeping Pad - Naturrhike or Light Tour Budget Sleeping Pad - any foam CCF pad (Nemo Switbacks are popular)

Im a floor sleeper on a nemo switchback. For backpacking i use the folding 1/8 inch and plan to add the newly re-released? GG 3/8 inch folding torso pad in addition. Another thing to consider.

I mostly carry my switchback, I had an ultralight inflatable, but it didn't hold up. I have an ancient 3/4 therma-rest guidelite that I carry some times in the summer, but it's half a pound heavier than my switchback. Mostly I just try to hike hard enough that I'm tired enough to sleep where ever. I agree with the poster who mentioned shelters, the switchback is way better on the ground than a shelter floor.

I just tested my system in 7f (-13 C) weather the other night, I layered a Thermarest Xlite NXT with a Nemo Switchback. Put the Ccf pad on top as that's what I've seen recommended due to potential heat loss through the sides of the Inflatable mat. I had a 10f and 20f quilt doubled up and I slept incredibly warm, bordering on sweating and had to take off layers multiple times throughout the night. Woke up still toasty. So that's an R Value of estimated 6-6.5 combined and I was also using quilts so nothing other then the pads under me. Theoretically this system could go down to -10f (-23 C) but haven't tried that yet. Based how warm I slept in just base layers I could certainly imagine that being true.

The Ozark Trails pad is a study in cost/benefit analysis. The full size weighs 535 grams, and as you note, cost about $25. The Nemo Switchback full size weighs 411 grams and costs about $60. But here's your cost/benefit: For \~$30 you can cut weight by 115 grams, or 3.8 grams per dollar. Is that worth it? That's up to you. Note: shorter versions of each exist, weighing and costing less, but the relative cost/benefit is similar. FWIW, the Ozark Trails is on my "[best bang for the buck](https://lighterpack.com/r/ah3y5f)" list that I provide to beginners, cost-constrained, or value-oriented inquiries.

It will take some adjusting and time but I would try to learn to sleep on just foam. Substantially cheaper, more durable, easy to use, and warm enough for the summer. Inflatables take a lot of babying, they often get holes. I use a Nemo switchback for 3 seasons and then jump to a thermarest xtherm (which has a 70d bottom) for the cold. Yes, foam is not as comfy, it just takes some getting used to but you can learn to sleep on it fine. If it’s just not worth it and you really want an inflatable, put an 1/8in foam under, or at a bare minimum a groundsheet, even in the shelters

I hiked from mile 0 - mile 907 this summer and I had a friend who had one of these. By mile 650 she was looking for a replacement. I highly recommend the nemo switchback; play around with how many panels you want and consider cutting a few to saw a few ounces

I just went through this over the past few months. Switchback is great to sleep on but I found it a little pokey against my back when in the pack, so moved to a Gossamer Gear torso pad (3/8”). It’s not as warm, but I love it for its packability and make up for that with clothes.

yep. ive got mine in two parts so i can sit on it and then sleep on them together. in cold weather i use an xtherm nxt, but the switch back in parts is fine for other seasons.

Outside straps. I’ve carried two switchbacks on a 35L in winter, it’s achievable

The R-value of the switchback is super low so won’t provide much insulation plus, if you’re a side sleeper, it’s probably not going to be comfortable at all. Based on the temperatures in your post, you might want to allocate a bit more toward a warmer pad. Edited to add: That bag is crazy heavy if you’re backpacking.

I don’t find the switchback comfortable

I'm a side sleeper with hip pain at times and I prefer a CCF Nemo Switchback for sleep. I am planning on selling my barely used NeoAir Thermarest inflatable bc it always makes back and hip issues worse. Then again I'm someone who prefers to sleep on the floor over a bed bc it feels way better on my back. Good luck in your search!

Nemo switchback - spend then extra few bucks for your back

I recommend looking for a pad between 5-8R value and under 1.5 lbs. R value goes into heavy diminished returns around 8. So don't bother spending more for a 'more biggerer' R number. The cost to performance ratio makes it a waste of money. Weight and durability are like inversely proportional. The super robust pads are too heavy. Big chonky things. Going ultra-lite on a pad sacrifices durability. The best products are a balance of durability, high R value, and lightness. People have preferences about baffles. Vertical baffles, horizontal baffles, the little square guys, etc. Apparently, that's a thing to take into consideration. A vertical baffle person might get the ick on a horizontal baffle pad. Foam pads like Nemo's Switchback are great as additional insulation, and they help protect the inflatables. Plus, they function as a place to sit. I'll set my gear on a foam pad while breaking camp to keep it clean/dry.

I use a Nemo switchback for this purpose all the time. The switchback also makes a great sit pad and backrest up against a tree or big rock. It’s very lightweight and folds up

1) Patch your Xlite 2) If not working, buy a Nemo Switchback. Start with the full one and cut it down until you don't want to take anymore off. Enjoy a never popping pad. If too hard, double up for your torso

Second the recommendation for closed cell, but I loveeeee my Nemo switchback (short to save weight, since I am 5'6 and always sleep with my knees halfway up). To me it is far more comfy than inflatable: quiet, I don't fall off or feel unbalanced, and despite being a side sleeper I like hard surfaces for sleeping so it's perfect. It's also light and durable as hell, and functions as a sit pad. I don't know your use case, so it is hard to make any further recommendations.

I disagree. Comfort is the most important since most CCF has the same r-value (0.5 greater for the switchback). I find CCF more comfy than inflatables, I hate the balloon feeling and I love just a bit of cushion on the ground. The switchback is definitely worth the money, the weird pattern is much comfier.

I can confirm this. I sleep in -10c on two nemos on a regular basis. Two pads also makes it more comfy.

This. I discovered that this is extremely comfortable while winter camping — added a Nemo Switchback pad on top of my Nemo Tensor to get the extra r value I needed for sleeping on snow. It’s much more cushion - very comfortable. I’ve also done this with a thin light pad and found that was also pretty good for comfort / cushion. So you might start by trying the cheaper, lighter thin light.

A closed cell foam folding pad like the zrest or switchback is your best choice. It’s 100% packable because you keep it outside your pack (ideal for lunch breaks) and it’s folded up.  The R value is reported around 2.2 but closed cell foam sleeps significantly warmer than inflatable pads with similar R values and they’re great three season pads. They’re much safer than inflatable pads when it’s actually cold outside because you can rely on them.

When it’s really cold, a lot of factors come into play. I slept on a simple switchback in 7°F weather last month on Hagerman Pass in Colorado, but I was sleeping on very deep fluffy snow which had been in quite warm and sunny weather during the day. I added a few pine boughs to keep the insulation up (it was a bit unplanned; normally I don’t like using natural trees like that). It was warm enough. I’ve also been out at 10°F in a storm where wind was cutting through the snow and even two thick pads stacked wasn’t really enough. But two pads is usually enough for me at 0°-20° on snow. Hard ground or solid ice can be a lot colder than fluffy Rocky Mountain snow. Slush would be a nightmare and I would dig down to a better layer with my avalanche shovel.

Nemo switchback is a good pad, yes.

Despite the comment below, I'm with you. I used a S2S inflatable pad on the PCT and it was fine (needed one replacement). I have since experimented with just taking the Switchback for longer and longer trails. And it's fine, especially after I hacked the pillow attachment so it stays put ... love it. Just back from a 3 day trip where I though I should try my Nemo Tensor Insulated pad again ... and regretted it. I didn't sleep any better, the moving around is more difficult (to stay on it) and of course the setup is more difficult (and more susceptible to damage). So, back to the Switchback it is!

It works fine the width can be annoying when bushwacking or hurdling trees. I moved to a 20" pad and cut my wide one down to 5-6 panels for my dog or to use with a full 20" sometimes IMO a good pillow with a lot of height to it is key if your going CCF If you dont yet have the exped pad and can afford say a nemo or thermarest 20" ccf id try those if you wanna do a ccf they have a slightly higher r value and are better to hike with PROS: i like the simplicity and durability of ccf pads especially because my dog cant pop them and you can use them as a sit pad or a stool when folded they are great during breaks for that reason CONS:obviously they aren't as comfortable especially the 1st night or two but if your doing big miles anything is pretty comfortable at the end of the day My 1st PCT section hike i brought one of the expedition mats and an inflatable pad. My inflatable pad ended up popping in a manor that was un repairable and I was soo thankful to have the ccf Since that trip I use a ccf pad 90% of the time That being said ccf is not for everyone or most people

I like the Nemo Switchback

Closed cell foam mats are absolutely the way to go. I use a GG Thinlite folded in half with my legs hanging off for anything above 45F. Below, I bring out the Nemo Switchback, or even stack the two when it's below freezing. They're bulky so you've got to strap them outside the pack, but they're light and make great sit pads.

Yeah! It has the egg crate kind of shape but it's still closed cell foam. Doesn't need inflating and won't ever deflate. I definitely prefer a pad shaped like that because it adds a little more comfort, but if you're used to sleeping on a yoga mat on the ground it probably won't make much a difference. I like how it folds instead of rolling, makes it easier to use as a sit pad.

I sleep surprisingly well with a standard CCF pad. You could get a torso length Nemo Switchback and supplement with 1/8".

Love my ultralight Nemo pad, and when I ultimately punctured it, the company sent me a new one no questions asked.

Comfortable, I have one now. Before I had a Nemo pad I returned and honestly, kind of wish I had kept it. Only downside was it took forever to inflate. Also, these things go on sale/get returned all the time. I’d look for one second hand if possible.

Have you considered a camping cot? There are a lot of ultralight options now which are about the same price as a good sleeping pad for side sleepers. The only difference being is the weight, you’re looking at around 1.5kg for a cot bed which would be double the weight of a sleeping pad. For me, the extra weight is worth it for the comfort. For context I’ve tried Therm-a-Rest, Big Agnes and Nemo mats. If I’m going for comfort, the cot bed wins every time.

My Nemo pad is more comfortable than my Purple bed 😂

Yeah. I don't regret getting a fancy Nemo pad because it's at least light and warm, but I've still never had a good night on one. 

I returned it to REI and got a Nemo

Nemo - I have the same pad and its great. Very comfortable, light and warm.

I’ve had it about a year I think. I had the previous version too the insulated. Both in regular wide. Before these I had an Xlite and a S2S ultralight insulated. The Nemo is more comfortable than either for me.

Buy once cry once. Thermarest, Nemo, Sea to Summit. They make the best small, lightweight, comfortable pads.

I’m not sure there’s a best one per se, there are a lot of equality pads out there and the one that best fits you and your needs might be the right choice for you. My favorite is Exped but I love my Nemo’s as well. My personal opinion tho is that you have nowhere to go but up. After fifty plus years of buying and using outdoor gear I can say that I actively despise only one brand, Klymit. And that’s all I have to say about that.

Exped echo chamber on reddit. I tried exped and nemo and the zempire monstabed at REI. Found the monstabed the most comfortable. I say try them out in-store if possible.

Lighter than the Nemo or Thermarest options, but thinner and less cushy feeling. Also nice that they come in wide variants.

Nemo makes the best sleeping pads on the market currently. They test the best and have the best weight to r value ratio.

Nemo. Lighter weight and a better R value. Now that Nemo has finally fixed the massive leaking problems they had on the 2022 and earlier pads I can recommend them. Lifetime warranty.

Both Thermarest and Nemo pads work for me, and I suspect many others would as well. Regarding shape, I think I actually need *less* space than someone who sleeps on their back. Regular mummy pads work great for me.

The measure of comfort for me is 4” of inflation. Below that and my hips hit the ground. Currently rocking a NEMO which is heavy (17 oz) but has been awesome.

I started on the old school thermarest shortie, then a full length, then switched to a big agnes inflatable--which i liked but went through two of them with bad valves. Switched to a nemo a couple of years ago, and love it. It's a little "crinkly" sounding, but otherwise well worth it. Good choice :-)

I own and use both. Both are now backups to my therm a rest neo loft bc that big boy is like sleeping in a real bed and is worth every ounce. But between the Nemo and ether light I’d say the Nemo is lighter and comfy, but the ether light is a tiny bit thicker and more comfortable, and the ether light is also more durable. My Nemo is still functional but I did have to patch it up once.

I upgraded from an older therm-a-rest to a Nemo, it is thick, warm, and comfy but noisy! Here is a good source of info, but they don’t consider noise an issue, so you have to look around if that is a consideration. https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-sleeping-pad

I did a 500 mile tour with a exped sleeping mat a little bit bigger than yours. I rolled a 3/4 Dow rod in the middle and strapped it long ways on my rear rack. I slept awesome but it was very cumbersome. For my upcoming tour I purchased a long wide Nemo pad. Since I am 6’4” and a side sleeper it is a constant battle of functionality and comfort.

I'd say it depends where you live and will it get cold at night. I had the Klymit for a number of years and works well if the air pressure doesn't change at night. If you live anywhere where it gets cooler, it will deflate during the night. I live in the Yukon, and recently bought a nemo. It works super well even in the winter and packs small and light. Otherwise, look for something with a high r rating. A cheaper option would be to get a z-lite thermarest to use under your klymit mat. They are bulky but super light, rated r2, and you can strap outside your bag. Personally, I'd only use the Coleman for car camping.

I have a Nemo bag and pad and have been quite happy with them both. Particularly if you're a side sleeper or otherwise restless, the Nemo spoon-shaped bags are great. They're not the lightest but they're light enough if you need that comfort. I suggest adding the Big Agnes Rapide to your list of potential pads.

Not for backpacking, but I love the exped megamat for my car camping. I've never tried their backpacking pads but just based on the megamat I would be tempted to try it. Currently have an aging Nemo pad for backpacking that I will at some point need to replace but with a toddler at home we are just car camping for now.

I actually cross-shopped these three pads earlier this summer, and tried each one of them. My thoughts below: Packed size (smallest to largest): \-Nemo \-S2S \-Big Agnes Actual measured weight (lightest to heaviest): \-Nemo \-S2S \-Big Agnes Comfort (most comfy to least comfy): \-S2S \-Big Agnes \-Nemo I settled pretty happily on the S2S. It's significantly more comfy (IMO) than the other two. The other two have a slippery surface that makes the last 1" on each side unusable since you slide off it anyway. Even the Big Agnes, with it's raised outer baffle, doesn't help as much as you'd think since it's so slippery. For reference, I'm a side sleeper and move around quite a bit throughout the night. The S2S surface has more friction, is quieter, and just isolates movement overall a little bit better than the other two. I couldn't compare/contrast actual warmth since I've only taken them summer camping.

LOL, yeah I dove pretty hard into upgrading my sleep system this year. I tried the rectangular reg/wide in all pads. I settled on the S2S and love it. I used the Nemo several nights as well as the S2S several nights. The S2S is way ahead of the Nemo in terms of comfort, with only a slight penalty in weight. Packability is pretty similar, with a slight nod to the Nemo. You may be thinking of the previous gen S2S "XT" pads, which were not very packable, slightly heavier, colder, and maybe louder? The new "XR" version is fantastic. Big Agnes was another step up in bulk and weight, and I just couldn't justify either when the comfort wasn't as great as the S2S (which surprised me). I never camped with the Big Agnes, only tried it at home.