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The Absolute Best Sleeping Pads For Side Sleepers Reviewed
One of the most important things that you can buy if you are planning to go backpacking is the right sleeping pad – especially if you’re a side sleeper.
The best sleeping pads for side sleepers are those that you want to invest your money into, and if you’re planning to look for an outdoor camping mat, you need to ensure that it’s a high quality material, insulated, can pack down easily, and provide plenty of insulation for the cooler months.
Being on the road and hiking is fun, but it’s only going to remain so if you can get a great night’s sleep before you head out the next day.
There are three different types of backpacking sleeping pads, and each of them have their own design and quality options to choose from.
In some cases, these pads will work for some side sleepers and not work for others.
It’s really going to come down to what works specifically for you when you want to choose which side sleeping pads to use.
The best sleeping pad for side sleepers is the one that suits your sleeping style, and if you want to remain fit and active through the day and enjoy your experience outside, then you need to read the right reviews to get the best backpacking sleeping pad for side sleepers.
Sleeping pads work really well in theory, but when you have a preferred side to sleep on, you might find that it’s a little more of a challenge to find the right side sleeping pad for you.
Some sleeping pads can be very uncomfortable for those who sleep on their side, so it’s vital you find one that is specific for side sleepers.
You need the right outdoor camping mat to support your weight distribution when you are sleeping on your side. This means finding a pad that has a better thickness on a narrower surface area to support you on your side.
When you find one, you can enjoy a better night of sleep and feel more energized the next day as a result.
With this in mind, here are some of the best sleeping pads for side sleepers you’ll find right now!
Top Sleeping Pad For Side Sleepers Comparison Chart
Best Sleeping Pad For Side Sleepers
1. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Sleeping Pad
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Sleeping Pad
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite is cited as one of the lightest pads in the sleeping pad market.
At just 12 ounces in weight, it’s perfect for the backpacker who wants to be on the go all the time.
The smallest version of this pad weighs in at only 8 ounces, and it can pack down to be as small as a 1L bottle; perfect for space saving, too!
The material has recently been updated to be more sound-proof after complaints were made that the material tended to “crackle” a lot.
Therm-a-Rest got points for this because they listened to customer feedback and took it on board! While the 30 denier nylon doesn’t work to be as durable as others on the market, it’s still got a decent enough hold and those who have been using these for years are still using them.
You don’t need a foam pad on a cold trek with this one; the R–value sits at 4.2.
This sleeping pad is very lightweight and packs down super small for an easy carry. It takes moments to inflate and sleep on and it doesn’t deflate through the night. The fabrics are the lightest around!
2. Nemo Tensor Ultralight Sleeping Pad
Nemo Tensor Ultralight Sleeping Pad
There are tight layers of metalized film paired with a unique internal structure that offers 3 inches of support.
It packs down small and the baffle is undulating, which makes for a brilliant sleep surface for those who sleep on their side. You can keep your elbows off the ground with this one!
It’s got 20D fabric, which as you may already know, is puncture resistant.
The whole system is innovative, so you get to have a comfortable night of sleep in temperatures as low as ten degrees.
One of the best features of this outdoor camping mat is the zero-profile multifunctional valve. It allows for very easy inflation and a much faster deflation than most – all you have to do is open the cover to see that the valve is a one-way system.
This allows the air in without it leaking out and causing the mat to deflate overnight. It’s easy to roll up and let the air out, too!
It has a bigger sleeping area compared to other sleeping pads on the market, and the material is really quiet, so you won’t be disturbed by night time rustles! The pad is easy to inflate and deflate and it’s light to carry, packing down small.
3. Therm-a-Rest Prolite Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
Therm-a-Rest Prolite Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
It’s a self-inflating pad, so there’s no need for an annoying pump to get it inflated and full of air.
It weighs just over a pound, and it’s got one of the most stable sleep surfaces you’ll ever encounter.
There’s a smooth and stable pad for you to sleep on through the night and while it hasn’t won any awards for comfort (yet), it’s popular for a good reason.
You’ll be comfortable and warm through the night, and it’s perfectly suited to backpacking trips where you want something hassle-free to put together easily for the best night of sleep possible.
This is a durable option that self-inflates, saving your breath after a long hike. The sleep surface is a stable one, so if you turn in the night, you’re not going to get caught up in material or have to keep waking up to sort the pad out and put it back into position.
4. KLYMIT STATIC V LUXE Sleeping Pad
KLYMIT STATIC V LUXE Sleeping Pad
It’s outer shell is made up of of a durable 75D polyester, if you are unfamiliar with fabric grads, a point of reference that is made out of a similar material is a stereotypical camping tent.
Weighing in at only 1 lb and able to pack down into an impressive 5.5″ x 10″ roll, the STATIC V LUXE is perfect for most backpacking trips.
You may be wondering how long is takes to inflate, we found it takes anywhere from approximately 30 breaths into the air valve, which we didn’t mind at all!
It’s convenient carrying case makes it super easy to add to your hiking pack and roam the mountains effortlessly.
It’s 3″ thickness provides a generous amount of padding on those rough surfaces you’re bound to encounter. It’s full inflated dimensions measure in at 76″ X 30″ X 3. If you enjoy the quality of the sleeping pad, the company KLYMIT also offers a backpacking pillow made of the same material.
5. Sea to Summit Comfort Self Inflating Sleeping Pad
Sea to Summit Comfort Self Inflating Sleeping Pad
This is a plush, compact sleeping pad perfect for camping side sleepers who want to get themselves as rested as possible before hiking again!
The pad is 3.1 inches thick, protecting you against the bumps in the ground as you sleep soundly at night.
The horizontal core reduces the weight and it’s got a valve that has been designed to be user friendly.
You can get this side sleeper pad in Mummy style or in a rectangular shape, and the sizes vary so you can choose the one that’s relevant to your height.
If you have enough space in your tent, get the larger size for a comfortable night.
You definitely won’t feel cramped and you won’t fall off the pad at night. It comes with non-slip grips, too, which keeps the mat planted in place.
The Comfort has the same firmness to a mattress you’d sleep on at home, which is always good to know if you are nervous about camping! It’s also warm enough to sleep year-round.
This is a self inflating sleeping pad that offers warmth and comfort no matter the season. It’s affordable, and it’s easy to see why it’s well-loved!
Top Sleeping Pad For Side Sleepers Features To Consider
There are so many sleeping pads on the market for campers that it’s easy to get caught up in which one you should use if you’re looking for the best sleeping pads for side sleepers.
The good news is that now you know that they exist! There are some things that you should think about before you go ahead and purchase, and we’ve got a few of them below:
Thickness
One of the things that you should be looking for is what you need to be comfortable, and that’s a thick pad that’s comfortable to sleep on for your hips and shoulders.
Side sleepers put a lot of pressure on these places, and you want something that won’t make you feel like you’re hugging the ground.
Durability
Side sleepers tend to shuffle and turn in the night, and as your body is pushing more force on certain areas of the pad, it can’t rip. You need the material to be durable, and thankfully, most side-sleeping pads have been designed this way to ensure that you don’t end up with a hole in the material while you’re sleeping.
Weight
As you’re going to be hiking and moving while you’re camping, the last thing you want is more weight than necessary. Finding a lightweight side-sleeping pad is easy, though, especially as you have the list above to help! You want your packing to be efficient, too, so choose one that packs down small in your bag.
Width
Side sleepers still need a wide surface area for a comfortable sleep. Choosing the pads that have enough width to support you is a must – and now you can because you know the brands that will offer you that!
Insulation
The side sleeping pad you choose has to be warm to work with you all year around. Wherever you are in the world, you want warmth and comfort all year. This will make winter camping far more comfortable.