Best Lightweight Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers

If you are hiking or backpacking, or camping, you will need the most comfortable backpacking sleeping pad for sleeping on your side. There is nothing worse than getting a terrible night’s sleep and then having to hike ten plus miles the next day.

Comfort is better than ever with advanced baffling and cell designs, weight and packed size continue to drop, and you can get all the insulation and warmth you need for cold weather.

Quality and durability are important factors when selecting any gear, but there are other things to consider for sleeping pads and side sleepers.

Our shoulders and hips bear our sleeping position’s weight, so we need to support these with at least 3″ of padding.

Also, side sleepers tend to toss and turn more than others, so we looked at baffling and design for things like side rails and pads that are at least 25″ wide.

Best Lightweight Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers

Sleeping pads come in three major types depending on the material and how they function. We have briefly highlighted them here.

We’ve tested a handful that roughly falls into the three-season range, which is suited to various activities. Let’s start

This sleeping pad is a favorite among seasoned backpackers and thru-hikers who side sleepers because it checks all the boxes.

The Big Agnes Q-Core SLX is a super comfy sleeping pad that differentiates itself from other pads with its significant side rails that help keep users centered and 4.25 inches of supportive thickness.

The SLX is one of the thickest backpacking pads on the market, which means it’s comfortable and that there’s a lot of space to fill with your lungs.

The Pumphouse Ultra pump sack makes it a lot less cumbersome to inflate the pad, but you’ll have to pick it up separately as it isn’t included in the cost of the SLX.

There’s no official R-value for the SLX, but Big Agnes claims it will work down to 32 °F, and we think that’s about right.

When it comes to colder nights in camp, you can’t see the insulation and heat-reflective technology, but they can certainly be felt and appreciated. You’ll know because instead of shivering on the cold ground, you’ll be sleeping like a baby.

Features

• Light, insulated sleeping pad designed for three-season backpacking
• Primaloft Silver insulation offers lightweight warmth
• Heat-reflective technology bounces your body heat back to you
• Laminated ripstop packs small and provides increased durability
• High-volume valve allows efficient inflation and fast deflation
• I-Beam construction reduces weight without disrupting stability
• It comes with a stuff sack and pad inflation sack for quick inflation

If you need a top-quality 3-season inflatable sleeping pad for the best possible price, this Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad Review is for you. You will not find a better price-quality combination.

Sleep Outside with the ultimate packable luxury. When your biggest priority is extra room to stretch and roll, the Static V Luxe has got you covered.

This generously wide version of the trademark V-Chamber design is large enough to accommodate the broadest shoulders.

It’s the perfect option for those who toss, turn, and tend to roll off narrower sleeping pads, yet it still packs small.

Adding more comfort without sacrificing its lightweight, Klymit has excited the Static V Luxe Sleeping Pad’s original Static V formula.

Destroying all notions of how luxurious a sleeping pad can genuinely be, the Static V Luxe has a V-chamber design to mirror the contours of your muscular structure.

This eliminates painful pressure points and traps all of your precious body heat.

It comes measuring at a downright vast 30-inch width; this pad offers you the freedom to toss and turn as much as you’d like without rolling off the pad.

And if you do roll a bit too far, Klymit equipped this pad with Dynamic Side Rails to help guide you back for a center alignment.

When it’s time to head on to the next campsite, press the push-valve for quick deflation and toss the pad in the included storage sack.

Features

• 75D polyester fabric
• Body mapping V-chamber design
• Dynamic Side Rails
• 30in width
• Rectangular shape
• Stuff sack and patch kit included

The Hikenture Double Sleeping Pad measures 79” long, 47.5” wide, and 3.65” thick. It weighs 3.64 lbs and packs down to 13.8”x5.9.” The thickness and vertical baffles make this sleeping pad ideal for side sleepers. The storage bag of this sleeping pad can be used as a pump sack. This pad comes equipped with two valves: inflating with a pump bag and the other for deflation.

This outdoor sleeping mat is made of polyester pongee with TPU lamination technology, waterproof, durable, and wear-resistant. Ideal for family camping, car camping, hiking, backpacking, self-drive tour, travel, truck camping, and it also can get used at home for guests.

Features

• Easy inflation and deflation: Built-in Foot Pump allows you to inflate this double camping mattress with little effort, and the Double-decked Valve is for rapid inflation and deflation
• Comfortable and Convenient: this inflatable double sleeping pad is much thicker and more comfortable than those traditional two-person self-inflating foam mattresses.
• It also comes with a storage bag for easy carrying.

The Exped Synmat Sleeping pad is perfect for two sleepers or great for one sleeper who needs their space. It comes in a variety of sizes, but the “large medium weighs” 37 oz. This sleeping pad is 72″ long and 41.3″ wide. According to one product fan, it comes with a Schnozzle inflator bag that’s “inventive, simple, and compact.”

The Exped SynMat XP 7 inflatable sleeping pad is a durable, warm, and comfortable option for 3-season+ backpacking or camping. An included pump sack makes inflation a snap.

By employing baffled air chambers, the mattress provides a plush 2.8″ base of comfortable support. High-performance laminated polyester fabric is air-tight, slip-proof, and offers both UV and abrasion resistance. A layer of microfiber insulation comes laminated to the bottom and top of each baffled air chamber. The pad’s 4.9 R-value is suitable for stand-alone use in all but the coldest of winter temperatures.

Although the Exped Synmat Sleeping Pad is compact and light for a double pad, it’s a better option for a Kayak tour over a thru-hike.

Features

• Warm, comfortable microfiber insulation
• Stable baffle construction with top and bottom laminated insulation
• Convenient inflation and deflation valves
• Schnozzel Pumpbag UL included and doubles as a waterproof stuff sack

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite is hands down one of the best ultralight backpacking pads on the market. Simply put, this mattress has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, which makes it the lightest 3 season air mattress available.

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite is 2.5 inches thick with a tapered design to keep weight at a minimum. It packs down to the size of a 1-liter water bottle so that you won’t have any problem stuffing this one into your pack.

A soft-touch outer fabric plus a baffled internal structure provide stability, support, and above all, mega comfort for a good night’s sleep.

Not only is it comfortable, but it’s warm enough for summer hiking. The Triangular Core Matrix™ construction uses two stacked layers of triangle-shaped baffles to trap radiating heat efficiently. A new high-flow WingLock valve and a pump sack make it easier than ever to inflate.

With any ultralight gear, the durability of the product inevitability takes a hit. With the UberLite sleeping pad, it is no different. It’s constructed with only 15 denier nylon fabric.

For comparison, the heavier XLite pad is made out of 30 denier nylon fabric. This by no means should be considered a deal-breaker. Instead, it should just mean that you need to take extra care when using it.

Campsite selection and using a tent footprint can go a long way to protect it from rocks, sticks, and other sharp objects on the forest floor. Also, since the pad is less durable, always carry the patch kit that comes with it.

The NeoAir UberLite sleeping pad is an awe-inspiring piece of gear. The pad is incredibly lightweight and surprisingly durable despite being made from very thin material. Also, the comfort is on par with other inflatable sleeping pads on the market. For those reasons and more, this pad should earn a spot in your pack on those warm-weather backpacking trips. You will undoubtedly find it in fine.

Features

• Shrinks down to the size of a large water bottle for a minimal impact on your pack space
• Triangular Core Matrix™ construction minimizes heat loss with two stacked layers of triangular baffles, creating hundreds of individual cells for warmth and stability.
• This pad has an R-value of 2.0, which makes it best for cool weather adventures; it provides reasonable insulation from ground temperature.
• Most sleeping pads we sell range from 1.0 (suitable for warm weather) to 5.5+ (for use in extreme cold); the higher the R-value, the more insulated the pad
• 5 inches (6.4 cm) of thickness and baffled internal structure provide stability and support for luxurious rest
• Available in multiple sizes so you can pick the one that best suits your adventure needs

The Nemo Tensor Ultralight Sleeping Pad is 3” thick and made for side sleepers. Unlike the sleeping pads listed before and after this one, the Nemo Tensor UL is specifically designed to be quiet. One of the main issues with sleeping pads is the crinkly noise they make. This one is designed for side sleepers because the pad itself is more peaceful than most while you toss and turn through the night.
The insulated models of the Nemo Tensor UL Sleeping Pad come rated between 10°F and 20°F. The uninsulated models come rated for 35°F to 45°F.

It weighs between 1lb, 2 oz. And 1lb, 5oz; packs down to 8”x3” up to 9.5”x3”; and ranges in size from 72” x 25” to 76” x 25”.
Overall, the Nemo Tensor comes in 3 different insulated or uninsulated sizes and Mummy shapes and sizes. Spaceframe baffles for stability and weight distribution and two layers of Thermal Mirror film for the insulated options.

Features

• Thermal Mirror insulation (insulated model only) delivers optimal sleep at a minimal packed weight and size
• Non-insulated, Regular model packs down to 8 x 3 in dia

The Camping Sleeping Pad from Sleepingo is a portable camping mat that doesn’t add much weight or space to a pack. Weighing only 14 ounces and condensing down to 9.5 inches by 2.5 inches, this sleeping mat meets backpackers and minimalist adventurers’ needs.

When unfolded, the pad is 75 inches by 25 inches and offers 2.2-inch-thick sleep support. Though it is lightweight, this is a quality camping mat that stays comfortable and sturdy enough to support campers of various sizes. Users weighing more than 350 pounds can add a couple of extra breaths while inflating the pad to get the support they need.

Constructed from heavy-duty ripstop tear-resistant nylon and treated with abrasion-resistant TPU, this sleeping pad is waterproof, flexible, and noise-free. An R-value of 2.1 gives enough insulation for warmer months and summer adventures and can get paired with another sleeping pad for additional comfort in other seasons.

For any outdoor lover who is on the hunt for a sleeping pad for camping, maybe hiking, and backpacking, you can easily carry this camp pad along to just about any outdoor activity.

It is a lightweight, high-performance, compact, and durable, ultralight sleeping pad that you can count on for many seasons of comfortable sleep. It is easy for me to rate the Sleepingo Pad as a strong buy.

Features

• This lightweight sleeping pad is made of super-strong waterproof and camping-grade ripstop nylon fabric. 
• An impressive 20 denier thickness is used only for the most robust camping equipment designed to last a lifetime in the most severe conditions.
• No backaches due to heavyweight very convenient to carry
• Super sturdy and highly significant for any sleep position

Coleman’s Self-inflating Sleeping Pad saves campers’ breath after a long day of hiking. When setting up the bed for the night, roll out this sleeping pad and open the free-flow valve and the pad sufficiently fills with air automatically, with no pump or breath required.

The integrated pillow gives hikers one less thing to pack along and increases the sleeping pad’s comfort. With extra cushioning, this sleeping pad measures 76 inches by 25 inches by 2.5 inches, giving sleepers plenty of room to sleep in comfort.

To deflate quickly, reopen the valve and the pad pushes out air as it’s rolled up. Just squeeze out the remaining air with the compression straps.

The tufted design is made for a pleasant sleep while camping, but it might be a bit bulky for carrying on some backpacking trips. It’s made with thick and durable weather-resistant polyester; this sleeping pad is rugged and suited to various terrains.

Features

• An inflatable sleeping pad provides extra cushioning on camping trips
• The soft, tufted design offers an extra layer of padding between your sleeping bag and the ground
• Self-inflating design; free-flow valve inflates the pad with no air pump required
• Compression straps force out air for a quick deflation
• Durable polyester shell endures rugged use
• Camping sleeping pad is lightweight and portable
• Utilize for sleepovers and movie nights

The POPCHOSE Camping Sleeping Pad comes constructed of military-grade material that is strong but lightweight.

With four layers—two inner layers of TPU coating and two external layers of heavy-duty ripstop nylon—the air pad is durable and water-resistant. The pad reaches a comfortable size of 75 inches by 25 inches and is easy to inflate with the built-in foot pump.

The Z-shape air pipes give a sleeper’s body good support and a night of balanced sleep since the design allows a good volume of air to get pumped into the pad.

This sleeping pad comes with a built-in W-shaped ergonomic pillow to hug the neck curves when lying down, making a pillow one less thing to pack on your travels. The shape of the pad and pillow make it comfortable for side or back sleepers. For some extra fun, this sleeping pad doubles as a water mattress for floating at the lake.

Features

• An inflatable sleeping pad provides extra cushioning on camping trips.
• The soft, tufted design provides an extra layer of padding between your sleeping bag and the ground.
• Self-inflating design; free-flow valve inflates the pad with no air pump required.
• Compression straps force out air for quick deflation.
• Durable polyester shell endures tough use. Inflated dimensions is 76 x 25 x 2.5 inch

The ZOOOBELIVES Extra Thickness Inflatable Sleeping Pad is a self-inflating sleeping pad that gives comfort in harsh conditions and side sleepers. Thin sleep pads can be uncomfortable for side sleepers, primarily in the hips.

This sleeping pad is 3.94 inches thick, giving extra space between the hips and the ground, and measures 74.8 inches long by 24.41 inches wide. Made from woven polyester fabric and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), this sleeping pad is waterproof and warm, even in wet or extreme conditions. An approximate R-value of 4 makes it a helpful pad for three seasons.

To inflate the pad, use the built-in air pump. The pump has a double-decked design; one valve is for inflating or slow release of the air for desired firmness, and the second valve is for quick deflation. The pad packs up into 6 inches by 6 inches by 14 inches. It’s a handy choice for car camping by a lake since it can also get used as a floating mattress in the summertime.

Features

• The Airlive2000p takes the cake for the thickest sleeping pad.
• It looked like a 1.5 times wide!
• Foot stomp or hand press to inflate, allowing you to air your camp pad up within 2-3 mins only.
• It’s made of 75D Polyester pongee fabric with extruded PVC lamination.

Factors to Consider Before Buying Best Lightweight Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers

Here are factors to consider before you decide to buy any sleeping pad.

Material

The most common material used in the sleeping pad is foam, as it provides insulation for the user. The amount of foam layers, heat-reflecting materials, or synthetic fill determines if your sleeping pad is suitable for cold conditions or just for moderate weather.

In addition to it, brands also utilize ripstop nylon or other similar material to adopt rough terrains and prevent the sleeping pad from getting damaged. Some even have a waterproof coating.

Size

The size depends on whether you are looking for a 1-person sleeping pad or a larger one that can accommodate multiple people. If you are camping with your partners or friends, purchasing a bigger pad altogether would reduce weight. But, before you buy, make sure it fits your tent dimensions! Size also determines how portable your pad is.

Weight

Your choice of weight greatly depends on whether you are hiking, backpacking, or car camping. Backpackers would get thrilled to have an ultra-light sleeping pad that also packs small. Ideally, it has to weigh 1lb or less. Car campers have the luxury to carry a large pad and enjoy extra space!

Pump sacks

Pump sacks make it much easier to inflate an air pad. Most pump sacks can double as a stuff sack, and some can be used as a dry bag.

Pump sacks are good for keeping moisture from your breath out of your sleeping pad, which is especially important during winter trips when moisture from your breath can freeze and reduce your pad’s insulation value.

Final Thoughts

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite is hands down one of the best ultralight backpacking pads on the market. Simply put, this mattress has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, which makes it the lightest 3 season air mattress available.

Our article has described a list of the top 10 best camping sleeping pads for Side Sleepers that you can find in 2021. These products are all durable and feature high quality. Additionally, they feature different prices, giving you options to pick from depending on your budget. Order the best that matches your lifestyle, budget, need, and purpose. Happy Camping!

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