What's the Warmest Sleeping Pad for the Weight in 2026?
Ranked by stated R-value per 100 g of the weight each maker publishes, with list prices, re-read daily. 29 models on this page, of 33 sleeping pads we rank.
For stated R-value per weight, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT leads. Of the 29 models ranked here, the lightest by maker-published weight is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT at 13.1 oz (370 g). It lists at $209.95.
- Models
- 29
- Lightest
- 13.1 ozTherm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT
- Median weight
- 1.15 lb
- Median list price
- $149.00
On this page8 sections
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The picks, with their figures#
Highest stated R-value per weight
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT
- Weight
- 15.5 oz440 g
- By weight
- #9 of 29lighter than 71% of the others
- R-value
- 7.31.66 per 100 g
- List price
- $229.95$14.82/oz
R 7.3, 1.66 per 100 g.
+ Add to my packLightest
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT
- Weight
- 13.1 oz370 g
- By weight
- #1 of 29lightest
- R-value
- 4.51.22 per 100 g
- List price
- $209.95$16.09/oz
0.9 oz (25 g) lighter than the next lightest, the Sea to Summit Ultralight Sleeping Pad.
+ Add to my packLightest at or under $150
Big Agnes TwisterCane BioFoam Pad
- Weight
- 14.0 oz397 g
- By weight
- #3 of 29lighter than 93% of the others
- R-value
- 1.70.43 per 100 g
- List price
- $69.95$5.00/oz
1.0 oz (27 g) more than the lightest, for $140 less.
+ Add to my packLowest list price
Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic Sleeping Pad
- Weight
- 14.1 oz400 g
- By weight
- #4 of 29lighter than 89% of the others
- R-value
- 2.00.50 per 100 g
- List price
- $34.95$2.48/oz
1.1 oz (30 g) more than the lightest, for $175 less.
+ Add to my pack
How the weights spread#
The heaviest is the Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self Inflating Sleeping Pad at 2.31 lb (1,050 g), 1.50 lb (680 g) more than the lightest.
In the table, "lighter than" is the share of the other models on this page that weigh more; models of equal weight share a figure.
Weight against price#
Against the median model, 1.15 lb (522 g) at $149, an ounce saved costs $11.37 with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, 5.4 oz (152 g) lighter for $61 more; $20.25 with the Sea to Summit Ultralight Women's Insulated Air Sleeping Pad, 1.5 oz (42 g) lighter for $30 more; and $25.80 with the NEMO Tensor Trail Sleeping Pad, 1.6 oz (45 g) lighter for $41 more.
8 models have no list price on record and are ranked on weight alone.
Weight by R-value#
The lightest pad with R-value under 2 (warm nights) is the Sea to Summit Ultralight Sleeping Pad, R 1.1, at 13.9 oz (395 g).
Next highest stated R-value per weight: the NEMO Tensor Extreme Ultralight Sleeping Pad, R 8.5 at 587 g (1.45 per 100 g); the Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro Insulated Air Sleeping Pad, R 7.4 at 560 g (1.32 per 100 g); the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, R 4.5 at 370 g (1.22 per 100 g).
Every model on this shelf, highest R-value per weight first#
Backpacking sleeping pads with a stated R-value: 29 models. Median weight 1.15 lb, median price $149.00, median $6.98 per ounce.
| # | Model | Weight | Lighter than | R-value | R per 100 g | Price | Per oz | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXTPick | 15.5 oz (440 g) | 71% of the others | 7.3 | 1.66 | $229.95 | $14.82 | Amazon |
| 2 | NEMO Tensor Extreme Ultralight Sleeping Pad | 1.29 lb (587 g) | 32% of the others | 8.5 | 1.45 | — | — | NEMO |
| 3 | Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro Insulated Air Sleeping Pad | 1.23 lb (560 g) | 39% of the others | 7.4 | 1.32 | — | — | Sea to Summit |
| 4 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXTPick | 13.1 oz (370 g) | lightest | 4.5 | 1.22 | $209.95 | $16.09 | Amazon |
| 5 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX Sleeping Pad | 1.43 lb (650 g) | 21% of the others | 7.3 | 1.12 | $249.95 | $10.90 | Amazon |
| 6 | NEMO Tensor All-Season Sleeping Pad | 1.15 lb (522 g) | 50% of the others | 5.4 | 1.03 | $219.95 | $11.95 | Amazon |
| 7 | Big Agnes Rapide Sl Insulated | 1.06 lb (482 g) | 57% of the others | 4.8 | 1.00 | — | — | Big Agnes |
| 8 | Rab Ionosphere 5.5 | 1.36 lb (615 g) | 25% of the others | 5.5 | 0.89 | $210.00 | $9.68 | Rab |
| 9 | Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated Air Sleeping Pad | 1.04 lb (470 g) | 68% of the others | 4.1 | 0.87 | — | — | Amazon |
| 10 | Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Insulated Air Sleeping Pad | 14.6 oz (415 g) | 75% of the others | 3.6 | 0.87 | $149.00 | $10.18 | Sea to Summit |
| 11 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT MAX Sleeping Pad | 1.19 lb (540 g) | 43% of the others | 4.5 | 0.83 | $219.95 | $11.55 | Cascade Designs |
| 12 | Sea to Summit Ultralight Women's Insulated Air Sleeping Pad | 1.06 lb (480 g) | 61% of the others | 3.5 | 0.73 | $179.00 | $10.57 | Sea to Summit |
| 13 | Sea to Summit Women's Ether Light XT Insulated | 1.09 lb (495 g) | 54% of the others | 3.5 | 0.71 | — | — | Amazon |
| 14 | Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad | 1.57 lb (710 g) | 14% of the others | 4.7 | 0.66 | $249.95 | $9.98 | Amazon |
| 15 | NEMO Tensor Trail Sleeping Pad | 1.05 lb (477 g) | 64% of the others | 2.8 | 0.59 | $189.95 | $11.29 | Amazon |
| 16 | Sea to Summit Pursuit Plus Self Inflating Sleeping Pad | 1.77 lb (805 g) | 7% of the others | 4.2 | 0.52 | $169.00 | $5.95 | Sea to Summit |
| 17 | Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self Inflating Sleeping Pad | 2.31 lb (1,050 g) | heaviest | 5.3 | 0.50 | $99.00 | $2.67 | Sea to Summit |
| 18 | Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic Sleeping PadPick | 14.1 oz (400 g) | 89% of the others | 2.0 | 0.50 | $34.95 | $2.48 | Amazon |
| 19 | Sea to Summit Camp Self Inflating Pad | 1.85 lb (840 g) | 4% of the others | 4.2 | 0.50 | $89.00 | $3.00 | Sea to Summit |
| 20 | Sea to Summit Pursuit Self Inflating Sleeping Pad | 1.33 lb (605 g) | 29% of the others | 3.0 | 0.50 | $149.00 | $6.98 | Sea to Summit |
| 21 | Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol | 14.5 oz (410 g) | 82% of the others | 2.0 | 0.49 | $59.95 | $4.15 | Amazon |
| 22 | NEMO Switchback Foam Sleeping Pad | 14.6 oz (415 g) | 75% of the others | 2.0 | 0.48 | $59.95 | $4.10 | Amazon |
| 23 | Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout Sleeping Pad | 1.50 lb (680 g) | 18% of the others | 3.1 | 0.46 | $89.95 | $3.75 | Amazon |
| 24 | Big Agnes TwisterCane BioFoam PadPick | 14.0 oz (397 g) | 93% of the others | 1.7 | 0.43 | $69.95 | $5.00 | Big Agnes |
| 25 | Therm-a-Rest Original Z Lite Sleeping Pad | 14.5 oz (410 g) | 82% of the others | 1.7 | 0.41 | $49.95 | $3.45 | Amazon |
| 26 | NEMO Astro Insulated Lightweight Sleeping Pad | 1.61 lb (730 g) | 11% of the others | 2.6 | 0.36 | — | — | NEMO |
| 27 | Klymit Insulated Static V Lite | 1.25 lb (567 g) | 36% of the others | 1.9 | 0.34 | — | — | Amazon |
| 28 | Sea to Summit Ultralight Sleeping Pad | 13.9 oz (395 g) | 96% of the others | 1.1 | 0.28 | — | — | Sea to Summit |
| 29 | Klymit Static V Base Sleeping Pad | 1.17 lb (530 g) | 46% of the others | 1.3 | 0.25 | $49.95 | $2.67 | Klymit |
The whole category, every model placed: the full sleeping pads & mats ranking.
What this ranking does not cover#
This ranking compares published weight, list price and the R-value each maker states. It does not cover comfort, noise, packed size, how long a pad holds air, or how it holds up over time.
R-values from makers that test to the ASTM F3340 standard compare directly; a figure from a maker that does not state its method may not.
The maker of the Big Agnes Rapide Sl Insulated publishes a weight for each size and none for the model; it is ranked at the weight of its lightest size.
Torso-length pads are left out of this ranking, which compares full-length pads.
Questions people ask#
- How much do backpacking sleeping pads with a stated R-value cost?
- List prices run from $34.95 (the Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic Sleeping Pad) to $249.95 (shared by the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX Sleeping Pad and the Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad) across the 21 models with a price on record.
- What R-value do I need?
- As a rule of thumb: under 2 for warm nights; 2 to 3.9 for three-season use to around freezing; 4 to 5.4 for shoulder season to around 20°F; 5.5 and up for winter.
The picks, head to head#
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