Best Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers and Comfort on the Trail?

[stephaniefisher]

Hello everyone.

I’m a side sleeper and need a sleeping pad that can keep me comfortable during long backpacking trips, especially when I can’t sleep on the ground.

I’ve already got a solid Western Mountaineering sleeping bag, but I’m looking for advice on which sleeping pad would complement it well.

I need something that offers great insulation, durability, and cushioning for side sleeping, but I’m also mindful of weight for backpacking.

Does anyone have recommendations or experience with pads that excel in these areas?

Any insights would be much appreciated!

 

[stephaniefisher]

Hello everyone.

I’m a side sleeper and need a sleeping pad that can keep me comfortable during long backpacking trips, especially when I can’t sleep on the ground.

I’ve already got a solid Western Mountaineering sleeping bag, but I’m looking for advice on which sleeping pad would complement it well.

I need something that offers great insulation, durability, and cushioning for side sleeping, but I’m also mindful of weight for backpacking.

Does anyone have recommendations or experience with pads that excel in these areas comfort of the bed?

Any insights would be much appreciated!

thanks in advance for any help

 

[ppine]

There are some good pads now. They cost a lot and they are flimsy, but they work and have good insulation.
Take your pick, just bring money.

 

[clemency]

There are some good pads now. They cost a lot and they are flimsy, but they work and have good insulation.
Take your pick, just bring money.

Agreed, modern pads are a huge step up from what they used to be. I'm a side sleeper and use a Big Agnes Air Core Ultra, but I'm sure there are many others that would be equally comfortable.

 

[snapper]

I am also a side sleeper and honestly, I'm not a fan of many of the newer sleeping pads. I originally went with the standard 20" wide pads and found they weren't wide enough for me. Even though it meant more $$$, I laid out the cash and invested in a 25" wide Nemo Tensor pad. Maybe it's just me but the wider the pad, the more uncomfortable it seems to be. The Nemo pad is 3" and I feel like I'm sleeping on an inflated bag. I like a firm pad and I just cant' seem to get the deeper pads inflated enough for them to feel solid instead of squishy.

In the end, I've gone back to my old, 1" thick, Therma-Rest "Pro-lite 4" pad. I appreciate the weight savings and even though it's only an inch thick when inflated, it still gives me plenty of support when sleeping on my side. I don't wake up with sore hips or anything else so the other pads are now just taking up space in my gear closet. I keep them around for others to borrow since most people seem to like them.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

PS - Before you lay out the money for one of the newer pads, I'd look to see if there is a way you can try one out. They are a lot of money to lay out for something that may, or may not, work for you.

 

[lowangle al]

I use an Exped pad that I like but it's a little longer and wider than I need. I probably could have found something thicker but smaller for the same weight that would have been better for side sleeping. I noticed that when sleeping on my side with a thin pad I need a thicker pillow to keep my head in a position that's more comfortable on my neck.

 

[yknpdlr]

About 20 years ago, shortly after Hennessey and other backpacker tripping style hamocks were (nearly) perfected, a freind introduced me to one, only in rare instances (along the treeless banks of the Yukon, for example) have I gone back to ground ever since. Although you do need an insulating pad under your body, even during summer night temperatures, an original thin Thermarest works just fine to also support hips and shoulders in comfort. I am a side sleeper, and have never slept better when bush camping. With my hammock, I have canoed to and slept comfortagly over the hardest rocky ground, over thick brush and blowdown woody debris, on slopes too steep for a tent, and in soggy bottom swamps. No longer do I have to search endlessly for an open primitive campsite that has even a postage size open bit of dry ground to support a tiny solo tent. The worst campites are large expanses of designated overused sites where trees are too widely spaced to hang my sleeping platform.

 

[Alan Gage]

I use a Thermarest pad. I don't know if the exact model is still available but it's one of the lightweight and expensive designs. I've been very happy with it. It's very light and compact yet I find it very comfortable. I started with a 20" and upgraded later to a 25" which I like a lot more.

I've found I have the best comfort by over inflating the pad, laying on my side, and then opening the valve to let out air until my shoulder almost touches the ground. I initially thought I'd want it to be more firm but I got shoulder and hip pain when side sleeping. Letting out some air seems to help it conform to the shape of the body better.

Alan

 

[MJones]

I too am a side sleeper. For the past few years I have been using a Nemo Quasar 3D insulated sleeping pad (I bought the long and wide version). It's 3.5" thick and it is the most comfortable sleeping pad I have ever used. I do find the trick to comfort is to not over inflate the pad. It has an ASME R valve of 3.3, which I find works well for spring and fall camping as well.

One plus of this insulated pad is that the Primaloft insulating material makes no noise, unlike some insulated pads that use a layer of reflective foil inside the pad.

Quasar™ 3D Body-Mapped Insulated Lightweight Camping Sleeping Pad

A veteran favorite of the NEMO sleeping pad collection, Quasar™ 3D gets its “3D” designation from the body-mapped baffling that gently cradles the body and keeps you centered on the pad during the night. A slightly elevated head baffle helps keep your camp pillow in place or can negate the need...

www.nemoequipment.com

 

[GeoBoy]

I like my Sea to Summit Ether Lite XL and place it on top of a ExPed FlexMat LW for protection and added insulation.

 

[Mason]

Another, lower cost option is the Klymit Insulated Static V, at about $65. I've used one the last 7-8 years with total comfort and reliability. So far I've done two 6 week, one 4 week, two 2 week, and a few more shorter trips with 100% reliability. It's quiet and comfortable, 24 oz., 23 inches wide (keeps my elbows off the floor). I got mine from Costco, but Amazon also has it. Klymit Pad

 

[Microtus]

As others have mentioned, there are a lot of quality options out there now. We are a long way from those skinny closed cell foam pads of yester-year.

I've been a side sleeper all my life and flop like a fish due to sinus issues. I moved to a Warbonnet Blackbird hammock around ten years back and it was a game changer for quality of sleep. Tossing and turning is not an issue and I've used it from the middle of summer to the middle of winter. I highly recommend the Blackbird, I own two. With that said, while the hammock has a bug netting, it does nothing for you while getting in and out of clothes morning/evening.

I don't remember it always being this way, but I react really bad to skeeter and black fly bites and will be moving back to a tent and subsequent ground pad. I ended up going with a Zenbivy sleep system. I've read good reviews on their pads, sleep quality, bulk and weight. The reason I went with the Zenbivy is due to my tossing and turning all night. I unzip my bags and use them as a quilt to offer more freedom of movement while I sleep. My order should be here Tuesday. I plan on a campout in the yard next week in a trial run and can offer more feedback then.

 

[kona]

Exped downmat is a great match for my western mountaineering bags including the terralite. Warm. Thick. Reasonably light and compact. Expensive.

 

[Jmharrick]

I use the Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe pad in the Long Wide option. I’m 6’2” and 195 lbs and it is the perfect fit. I imagine it would work for someone up to 6’6”.

https://www.rei.com/product/216059/big-agnes-boundary-deluxe-insulated-sleeping-pad?redirect-pup=false

This is the most comfortable sleeping pad I’ve ever owned. I’ve slept on my back, side, and stomach on this pad and been comfortable in all positions. I can’t speak to long term durability yet. I’ve slept maybe a dozen nights on it without issue. The boundary deluxe is likely heavier and bulkier than an ultralight packer might want, but for my purpose canoe tripping and car camping it’s perfect.

I bought the Big Agnes Rapide and Divide for my wife and daughter and they both slept peacefully on these pads.

Hope this helps.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I’m a side sleeper and need a sleeping pad that can keep me comfortable during long backpacking trips

Stephanie, where do you backpack and canoe?