Thermarest’s Sleeping Pads

Thermarest’s extensive selection of sleeping pads is among the best in the business. They help insulate and cushion you against a cold, hard ground when you’re camping. They’re also lightweight and pack down fairly small, so you won’t have to add bulk and weight if you’re hiking into the back-country.

Thermarest has tons of options for sleeping pads. On the entry level, cheaper side, there’s the RidgeRest line, which fold up accordion style. You may be inclined toward these if you’re on a budget, but they’re the bulkiest of the bunch, and they don’t pack down well. Further, they’re not nearly as comfortable as the others produced by the brand.

The more money you’re willing to spend, the better product you’ll get. You can graduate to an inflatable pad with a thin but effective layer of insulation. These are great if you’re not planning on camping at altitude and don’t mind using your own lung power to fill the pad.
Finally, there are options for self-inflating pads, a great idea if you’re going to be breaking into mountaineering or if you just don’t feel like blowing up a sleeping pad every time you camp. These pack down fairly small, rolling into the size of a large burrito that should easily fit in your pack.