Ultralight sleeping pad test & comparison – featherweight companion for trekking and bikepacking

These sleeping pads are what it’s all about:Ultralight sleeping pads, with high sleeping comfort, tiny pack size and reliability for many years. Which of the isomats meets these criteria and which does not?

For your new sleeping pad, are you now looking for a hands-on ultralight sleeping pad test & experience report from someone who knows sleeping pads really well?

Often the differences in ultralight sleeping pads lie in the details. Therefore, I present you the current TOP 5 Ultralight Mats in detail in this sleeping pad review. The test field ranges from high-end air mattresses to real value-for-money winners.

Get all the details now >>

The best sleeping mats in the sleeping mat test: small pack size and ultra-lightweight

Bahidora ultralight sleeping pad – cheap and light sleeping pad with best price performance

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This sleeping pad has surprised me very positively! The sleeping pad has all the features you would want from a featherweight sleeping pad: it is small, light, comfortable and very affordable to boot. Compared to the test winner, the Bahidora sleeping pad weighs about 40 grams more and lacks a pump bag. Therefore, you have to inflate the Bahidora sleeping pad with your mouth. This is done after about 10 breaths. The scope of delivery includes a repair kit, which I have fortunately not yet needed.

Sea to Summit Ultralight Mat – The test winner is tiny, light as a feather and offers comfortable sleeping.

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For several years, the Sea to Summit Ultralight Mat is in use with me and the mat has never had a defect. The durability of the Isoamtte is therefore convincing. With only 444 grams incl. Pack and pump bag, the sleeping pad is also light as a feather and the pack size is also tiny. The mat is suitable for outdoor tours between April and October.

You can find out more about each ultralight sleeping pad in detail:

✅ the advantages & the disadvantages.
✅ for whom exactly the sleeping pad is suitable.
✅ the small differences, which are only noticeable on closer investigation and can make a big difference in practice

Further down in the guide part I answer the really important questions when buying ultralight air mattresses – after reading you are a pro 😉 Often it is about the following questions e.g.

• What is the R-value for a sleeping pad and why is the specification important to me?
• How do you find the right size for you?
• Mit welcher Haltbarkeit kannst Du bei einer ultraleicht Isomatte rechnen?

Now I don’t want to keep you in suspense any longer: In the main part you will learn all the details about the test mats. Let’s start best with the best sleeping pads in the test >>

What must an ultralight sleeping pad be able to do?

Ultralight sleeping pads are particularly suitable for outdoor activities such as trekking and hiking or bikepacking and cycling trips. There are special requirements for the feather-light sleeping pad.

You should pay particular attention to the following features of your new ultralight sleeping pad. The ultralight mats differ here in detail! Therefore, I look at these points in the ultralight sleeping pad test with eagle eyes:

• Weight & Pack Size: You’re carrying your own gear and space in your backpack or bicycle bags is limited. Therefore, the weight should be as light as a feather and the pack size as tiny as possible.
• Inflate & Deflate: After a busy day, the ultralight sleeping pad should be inflated quickly and hygienically. The next day, venting must be quick, complete and uncomplicated.
• Reclining comfort & Sleeping comfort: If you’re on an outdoor trip, you’ll need plenty of energy again for the next day. A comfortable sleeping pad allows you to sleep soundly. Many sleeping pads are not problematic for back sleepers. Side sleepers often need a particularly comfortable sleeping surface.
• Warmth & insulation performance: is the air mattress is not sufficiently insulated, the cold can quickly penetrate through the sleeping pad. Even in the summer you should pay attention to the issue. When camping in spring, autumn and winter, insulation performance (R-value) becomes all the more important.
• Durability, Processing & Quality: Many nights the ultralight sleeping pad should be durable. The durability is influenced by how carefully YOU handle the sleeping pad. A protective underlay such as the floor of the tent should be mandatory. The thickness of the material of the sleeping pad influences the durability. Often a repair kit is included in the delivery. You should always have this with you in case of emergency.

Now we start with the extensive ultralight sleeping pad test & comparison. Below you will find a big guide and if you still have questions: Just write me your comment 😉

The TOP 5 ultralight camping mats in the test & comparison

Sea to Summit Ultralight

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A particularly compact and ultra-light mat from Sea to Summit is the Ultralight Mat Isomatte. If the mat is fully inflated, then I can sleep comfortably on it to about 0 degrees. With a price of well under 100 €, it is also cheaper than comparable ultralight sleeping pads from well-known brand manufacturers.

To the detailed Sea to Summit Ultralight Mat practical test (test & experiences)

The R-value of 0.7 seems low at first, and at 5cm tall it also seems quite thin: in fact, the Sea to Summit Ultralight Mat is best suited for summer and the warmer spring or autumn months. But also in October in the Black Forest and on Iceland the ultralight sleeping pad has done an excellent job for me.

The pack size of the ultralight sleeping pad could hardly be smaller.

With a weight of only 444 grams incl. Pack/Pumpsack the sleeping pad is light as a feather and belongs to the lightest ultralight sleeping pads.

The sleeping pad has neither horizontal nor vertical chambers. So-called Air Sprung Cells are used: these are honeycomb-shaped cells that are supposed to hug the body better. From practical experience I can say that it is excellent to sleep on the mat, even as a side sleeper.

The noise is also quite high with the sie to Summit Ultralight, but so far this has not bothered me or my with sleepers.

Within three years I have slept more than 100 nights on the sleeping pad and the air mattress has not yet had a defect.

Even after more than 3 years of use, I am completely satisfied with the Sea-to-Summit Ultralight. Sea-to-summit has brought a really excellent ultralight sleeping pad onto the market. If a defect should occur, a patch set is included in the scope of delivery. I brought this as a precaution. As already mentioned, I have not used it yet. The pack sack also serves as a pump sack: with it you can quickly inflate the ultralight sleeping pad. The use of a pump bag is very hygienic: Only dry and bacteria-free air gets into the inside of the sleeping pad. This means that you hardly have to worry about mould and bacteria forming inside the mat.

When venting, the valve can be completely opened and removed: Within a moment, the air thus escapes almost completely. The subsequent rolling up and packing of the ultralight sleeping pad is particularly easy. No residual air remains in the sleeping pad. No sleeping pad in the comparison was easier to deflate.

Good

✅ Light as a feather
✅ Small pack size
✅ High lying and sleeping comfort
Very high durability: in use for over 3 years without defect
✅ Honeycomb structure prevents sagging
✅ Can be completely vented within a fraction of a second

Bad

❌ Rustles with movements during sleep
❌ Low R-value of 0.7: Can be used in practice down to approx. 0 degrees Celsius

Conclusion & suitable for

The clear favorite among ultralight sleeping pads is called Sea-to-Summit Ultralight Mat. The name says it all: The Isomat is one of the lightest outdoor air mattresses. The pack size is tiny. At the same time, the lightweight sleeping pad offers a lot of comfort: even side sleepers get along well with the ultralight sleeping pad and slumber restfully.

I have been using the Seat-to-Summit sleeping pad for several years and have not had a single defect so far. Therefore, I can confirm the air mattress long durability. A repair kit is included for emergencies.

Also included is a pack sack-pump sack combo: in less than a minute the sleeping pad is inflated and without moist air or saliva getting inside. Within seconds, the sleeping pad is completely deflated by pulling out the valve. No other sleeping pad is so easy to deflate and stow.

The R-value of 0.7 seems low at first. The insulation performance is sufficient for May to September and even in April and October you can still sleep on the sleeping pad.

Ultralight lovers get an excellent ultralight mat with the Sea-to-Summit Ultralight Mat. Smallest pack size and lowest weight are the order of the day here. For 2 to 3 seasons the Ultralight Mat is perfectly suitable.

Decathlon Forclaz Trek 700 Air

The Forclaz Trek 700 Air is a really good trekking air mattress for short and also long tours. In this price range, a really more attractive offer. The Decathlon air mattress is noticeably sturdier than the other ultralight mattresses in the test and a repair kit is included.

• Buy Trekking Air Mattress Trek 700 Air S in Grey at Decathlon*.
• Buy Trekking Air Mattress Trek 700 Air L in Yellow at Decathlon*.
• Buy Trekking Air Mattress Trek 700 Air XL in Yellow at Decathlon*.

Weight: 523 gram incl. Packing bag (reweighed)
Isolation/R-value: 1.6
Material: Thermoplastic polyurethane and polyester (PES)
Valve: Two-way check valve
Pack size: approx. 10 cm x 26 cm
Sizes: 180 x 52 x 5.5
Thickness: 5.5 cm
Scope of delivery: Ultralight sleeping pad, repair kit, pack sack
Extras: Particularly robust, silicone parts for a secure hold on the air mattress, excellent price-performance ratio.
Application range: 2 to 3 seasons

To the detailed practical test of the trekking air mattress Trek 700 Air (test & experiences)

In the medium size (size L), the Decathlon sleeping pad is about the size of a 950 milliliter bicycle water bottle. Thus, the Trek 700 Air is compact but slightly larger than the other ultralight sleeping pads in the test.

The price-performance tip is the Forclaz Trek 700 Air. Probably nowhere else is so much performance offered as with Decathlon’s own brand:

The medium size L offers a 180 cm long lying surface and weighs 510 grams. That’s a bit more than high-end products. Especially in view of the much lower price, the weight is all right.

The Decathlon sleeping pad is given an R-value of 1.6. This makes it ideal as an outdoor mat in the summer. Camping tours in late spring and early autumn are also pleasantly possible with this warmth. I’ve also spotted the Trek 700 Air while camping in Iceland and the owners seemed very happy with the Decathlon sleeping pad.

Non-slip parts made of silicone provide a secure grip on the top of the sleeping pad. With this, you don’t have to worry about slipping off the mat while you sleep.

The thickness of 5.5 cm is in the midfield and provides good sleeping comfort: As a side sleeper, I sleep very comfortably on the eight vertically arranged air chambers of the Forclaz Trek 700 Air.

For quick inflation and deflation, a two-way check valve is integrated. The Decathlon sleeping pad is delivered in a transport bag and comes with a patch kit. A pump bag is unfortunately not available.

The Forclaz trekking air mattress is available in the following sizes:

• Short: 360 g. 120 x 52 cm length at 360 grams
• L: 510 g. 180 x 52 x 5.5 cm.
• XL: 600 g. 195 x 60 x 5.5 cm

Good

✅ very robust and still light
✅ very favorable
✅ Quickly inflated and easily deflated
✅ excellent price-performance ratio
✅ ample space for tall people in XL variant
✅ good enough for up to 3 seasons

Bad

Slightly larger pack size for ultralight conditions

Conclusion & suitable for

The Decathlon Trek 700 Air offers everything you would expect from a lightweight air mattress. On top of that, the price-performance ratio is outstanding. In comparison, the Decathlon sleeping pad has some advantages but also some disadvantages:

In the test, the Decathlon sleeping pad is the most robust of them all. You notice immediately when you touch it that resistant and thick material was used. Thus, the sleeping pad should be durable for a long time. With 523 grams, the sleeping pad is still light but about 80 grams heavier than the top products, for example, from Sea-to-Summit. The pack size is the largest in the field, but is still okay and is also suitable for ultralight trekking and ultralight bikepacking.

With an R-value of 1.7 you are well equipped for 2 to 3 seasons. On Iceland, some cyclists also used the Decathlon sleeping pad and were very satisfied with the air mattress. With the two-way valve, the sleeping pad is quickly inflated and just as quickly deflated again.

Price-conscious buyers get a good sleeping pad with the Trek 700 Air, which is suitable for almost all purposes.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

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The NeoAir XLite from Therm-a-Rest has been the bestseller in ultralight mats for many years and for good reason: Therm-a-Rest has done a lot right here the weight of 434 grams is ultra-light (even reweighed) and the pack size is very compact.

To the detailed Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite field test (test & experiences)

The ultralight sleeping pad has a high R-value of 3.2. Thus, the ultralight sleeping pad can be used for three to four seasons. If it should be a little warmer, there is the insulated NeoAir XTherm with an R-value of 6.9 and a weight of 430 grams (manufacturer’s specification – should be a little heavier in reality).

With a very comfortable thickness of 6.4 cm, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir is particularly thick. Thus, the ultralight sleeping pad is particularly suitable for side sleepers.

One of the most popular ultralight sleeping pads is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite.

The crackling when turning over on the mat was often criticized. Therm-a-Rest improved the noise level during a product update in 2015.

Good

✅ very low weight
✅ small pack size
✅ excellent sleeping comfort
✅ High insulation performance – full 3-season sleeping pad

Bad

❌ crackles when turned over
❌ expensive

Conclusion & suitable for

The Sea-to-Summit NeoAir XLite was the first true ultralight sleeping pad. Through product care, this is still one of the best ultralight sleeping pads and the most popular air mattress in this category. No wishes are left open in terms of comfort, insulation performance and weight.

The NeoAir XLite clearly plays in the top class here and is a full 3 season sleeping pad. The price is quite high. In return, the mat offers outstanding comfort as well as very good insulation performance. Unlike mats with less insulation performance, the weight is the same and the pack size is only slightly larger.

Exped SynMat HL

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The Exped SynMat HL is a true Therm-a-Rest alternative: Exped calls the Ultralight Mat the world’s lightest mat for its warmth and comfort.

To the detailed Exped SynMat HL field test (test & experiences)

The specs are almost identical to the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir series: 365 lightweight grams are weighed in. When inflated, the thickness of 7 cm is pleasant to the touch. The high R-value of 3.3 provides good insulation capability. With these values, outdoor and camping trips are possible well into winter.

The air chambers of the Expeed sleeping pad are arranged vertically.

The insulation capacity is also achieved by an insulation layer of microfiber fleece inside. The material weighs only 60 grams per m2 and is called Texpedloft Microfibre by Exped.

The top and bottom of the Exped sleeping pad are certified according to Eco-Tex 100.

Let’s compare it again to the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite: The Exped sleeping pad is a bit narrower in parts. I’m sure many people are fine with this. For some side sleepers, this could be an issue.

A practical pump bag is included in the scope of delivery. This fulfils several purposes at once:

• With a few pushes the Exped Ultralight Mat is inflated, without the wet saliva can penetrate into the mat.
• The pump sack also serves as a practical compression sack and drybag for the sleeping pad

Good

✅ Ultralight
✅ Very small pack size
✅ High insulation performance
✅ comfortable: suitable for back and side sleepers
✅ Air pump bag included: With 2 fillings the sleeping pad is inflated

Bad

❌ High price

Conclusion & suitable for

The SynMat HL is the ultralight sleeping pad from Exped. Also this sleeping pad does almost everything right: The weight is low and the pack size very small. With the included pump bag, the ultralight mat is also very quickly inflated. The mat is minimally narrower than comparable mats. Fortunately, as a side sleeper, I had no problems with this.

If you are looking for a 3-season sleeping pad from Exped, don’t be put off by the price. The performance is right and with the SynMat HL you get an excellent ultralight sleeping pad.

Bahidora Ultralight Camping Pad

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The Bahidora Ultralight Mat surprised me a lot: At the beginning of the Ultralight Mat Test I had no high expectations of the lightweight air mattress from Bahidora. Very quickly I was convinced of their qualities.

The attractive price-performance ratio of the Bahidora sleeping pad is clearly on the plus side. The lying surface is especially large and comfortable and therefore particularly suitable for side sleepers. The sleeping pad is quickly inflated and can be stowed away just as quickly. With an R-value of 2.2, the air mattress is completely suitable for three seasons. Now let’s look at the Bahidora sleeping pad in detail.

To the detailed Bahidora Isomatte practical test (test & experiences)

The Bahidora sleeping mat is available in one size: 188 x 55 cm. This is exactly the size I tested. For me with 184 body height there was plenty of space on the comfortable sleeping mat.

The pack size is tiny: The Bahidora sleeping pad is packed much smaller than a 950 millilitre drinking bottle. Also, the mat can be packed smaller than some high-priced ultralight mats that cost three times as much. How is that possible? Comparatively thin 20D nylon is used, but this is not meant in a negative way: 20D as a material thickness is ideal for an ultralight sleeping pad.

Lightweight 481 grams weighs the Bahidora sleeping pad including all accessories ie including pack bag and repair kit. Thus, the inexpensive isomat remains well below the 500 gram limit. Also in terms of weight, the Bahidora isomat is thus only just behind the best ultralight isomat.

I had already mentioned the R-value above: 2.2. A sensible value. This makes the Bahidora sleeping pad ideal as a fully-fledged 3-season sleeping pad from March to October. According to the manufacturer, the mat is suitable for outdoor activities in spring, summer and autumn for up to +2 ° Celsius. If you are not too sensitive to cold, then camping should also be possible at slightly sub-zero temperatures.

This statement is based on the following experience: I have not yet tested camping at sub-zero temperatures with the Bahidora sleeping pad. The Sea-to-Summit Ultralight Mat has an R-value of 0.7, which in my experience allows comfortable camping down to about +5° Celsius.

The individual, honeycomb-shaped air chambers adapt perfectly to the body. Thanks to the adaptability and the especially wide lying surface of 55 cm, you lie and sleep especially comfortably on the Bahidora sleeping pad – even as a side sleeper.

The thickness of 5.5 centimeters is not record-breaking but is perfectly adequate: If the mat is fully inflated then even larger irregularities in the ground are well balanced by the outdoor air mattress.

Inflate the Bahidora sleeping pad via the flat retention valve: With about 10 air blasts, the sleeping pad is fully inflated. This operation can be done even after a strenuous outdoor day 😉 to deflate the valve is simply pressed back inside. While pushing the valve inwards, you have to roll up the air mattress a little bit to push the air completely out of the air mattress. Venting works surprisingly easy with a little practice.

Overall, the mat has a high quality finish and I expect it to last a long time. A repair kit is also included in the scope of delivery just in case.

The Bahidora mat is available in the following sizes:

• Bahidora sleeping pad in universal size 188 x 55 cm at 481 grams*.

Good

✅ Lightweight sleeping pad
✅ Excellent price-performance ratio
✅ Particularly large lying surface
✅ Quickly inflated and easily deflated
✅ Suitable as an outdoor sleeping mat for 3 seasons

Bad

❌ Transport cover included but no pump bag

Conclusion & suitable for

I am very enthusiastic about the Bahidora Ultralight Mat: The mat offers everything that makes the ultralight and outdoor heart beat faster and at a very small price: small pack size, low weight and particularly high lying comfort thanks to the large delivery area. The Bahidora sleeping pad has no real weaknesses.

The sleeping pad is only available in the size 188 x 55 cm. If this is a good fit for you, you should take a close look at the Bahidora sleeping pad.

More Ultralight Mats in comparison

Klymit Inertia X-Lite

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In the ultralight sleeping pad test, the lightest and at the same time most reduced model comes from Klymit. The Inertia X-Lite weighs in at a mere 174 grams.

The Klymit Inertia X-Lite achieves this incredibly low weight through drastic reduction. Unfortunately, you also have to make compromises:

• It is a 3/4 length sleeping pad
• In the middle of the mat there are some skeletal recesses

The low weight is achieved in particular by omitting material. The recesses are called “Loft Pockets” by Klymit. The sleeping bag should fill the recesses and thus still provide insulation. An R-value is not given by Klymit. This would have to be specified differently at different points on the sleeping pad anyway. The Klymit Interia X-Lite is more suitable as an air mattress for the summer.

How do the above-mentioned properties and the thickness of only 3.8 cm affect sleeping comfort? I rate the sleeping comfort as rather moderate. The mattress is continuous at the important points, i.e. at the head, the shoulder and the hip. These areas need to fit your body proportions very well in order for you to sleep comfortably. With its reduction to the essentials, the Klymit Interia X-Lite offers a thoroughly interesting concept. Ultralight fans may take a look.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite (NEW)

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The Term-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite was newly introduced in 2019 and sets standards in terms of lightness: Just 250 grams (manufacturer’s specification, presumably without pack sack) brings the new ultralight sleeping pad from Therm-a-Rest in the size Regular at 183 cm length on the scale.

What has remained is the comfortable thickness of a full 6.4 cm. The R-value has decreased, in contrast to NeoAir XLite from 3.2 to 2.4. In return, you save a whole 100 grams of weight in comparison.

The temperature range is not quite as flexible due to the reduced R-value. For outdoor use from the beginning of March until late autumn you should be well equipped with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite.

The Neoair Uberlite is available in the following sizes:

• Small: 119cm length at 170 grams
• Regular: 183cm length at 250 grams
• Large: 196cm length at 340 grams

Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite

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Advisor – what to look for when buying a sleeping pad?

What are the most important 8 criteria when buying a sleeping pad? What should you look for when buying and what did I look for in the sleeping pad test?

Please note: Not every sleeping pad is equally suitable for every bikepacker. One wants to save every gram and be really ultralight on the road. The other would prefer a little more comfort or is on the road in colder temperatures. For this he is happy to accept a few grams more.

R-value

In which season do you want to be on the road with your sleeping pad? Do you use your sleeping pad exclusively in summer or do you want to be able to camp in winter as well?

The name says it all: the sleeping pad insulates you from the cold of the ground. To protect you from the cold, your most important equipment is your sleeping bag and sleeping pad.

The sleeping pad effectively forms a barrier between the cold ground and you.

A sleeping pad for winter use must therefore insulate better than a sleeping pad for summer use.

How strong the insulation capacity of an insulating mat is, is indicated with the R-value. This makes the insulation capability comparable.

• A high R-value stands for a high insulation capacity
• A low R-value stands for a low insulation capacity

A winterized sleeping pad has an R-value of 4 or higher (source: link). Through my practical experience, I can say: that’s about right. My Sea-to-Summit Ultralight has an R-value of 3.2 (needs validation). With this sleeping pad I can sleep comfortably up to about 0 degrees outside temperature. After that, I feel the cold permeate.

Officially, the R-value describes the insulation performance of a sleeping pad.

The following table gives you an overview of what the R-values mean in practice. You can count on that insulation capability:

Tip: R values can be combined. More precisely, the R-values are added. For example, place a thin EVA foam pad with an R-value of 2.6 under an inflatable pad with an R-value of 3.2 to get an R-value of 5.8.

Thickness

The thickness of the sleeping pad has a great influence on your sleeping comfort. Basically, you can say:

The thicker the sleeping pad, the more comfortable you can sleep on it. Here, a good ultralight sleeping pad offers a surprising amount of comfort:

Previously widely used foam sleeping pads typically have a thickness of only 1 cm

A good EVA sleeping pad like the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite offers with 2 cm already the double thickness.

Good inflatable mats are ideally up to approx. 8 cm thick and offer a high level of sleeping comfort.

Weight and pack size

Weight and pack size are among the most important characteristics of an ultralight sleeping pad. Above all, the ideal sleeping pad should be small and light. Many factors determine the weight and pack size: especially the thickness of the material used and the material in turn influences the durability. Nylon in 20D thickness is often used for ultralight sleeping pads.

As always with a sleeping pad or lightweight air mattress, a thin and lightweight protective tarp should always be used. Then you can expect several years of reliability from a 20D nylon sleeping pad. The lightest sleeping pads are made from thinner 15D thick nylon. Then even more prudent handling is in order.

The pack size usually corresponds to that of an approx. 950 milliliter bicycle water bottle. With an ultralight sleeping pad, you should look for the absolute smallest pack size. I’ll show you both features in detail in the test.

Noise generation

Thick foam sleeping pads have no noise. Inflatable ultralight mats sound quite different: due to the special coating, some ultralight mats make a noise when you move on them and turn around.

This crackling noise can disturb either you or your tent neighbor. Known as crackling masters are especially the highly recommended ultralight sleeping pads from Therm-a-Rest and Sea to Summit.

I myself have been using the Sea to Summit Ultralight Mat sleeping pad for many years. One of the loudest crackling sleeping pads. Fortunately, I have never woken up from the crackling myself and my fellow sleepers have never been bothered by it either.

Durability

I have owned my ultralight sleeping pad for a little over 3 years now. The mat has no hole or other defect so far. So even an ultra-light sleeping pad can last a long time.

But your defect is possible at any time. Therefore, an ultralight repair kit should be included. On the road you can use it to repair your ultralight sleeping pad. In a pinch you can also repair a sleeping pad with a bicycle inner tube.

Pump bag

A pump bag is important for long-term durability and hygiene. A pump bag should be included or available as an accessory.

Most people blow up their ultralight sleeping pad with their mouth. This causes saliva and moisture to enter the inside of the sleeping pad. Over time, mould will then form inside the sleeping pad. Not so tasty, is it? Should I mention that when you inflate, you also inhale some of that air?

With a pump sack this problem can be completely avoided: with these ultra-light sacks you blow clean air comfortably into the inside of the air mattress and no mould forms.

The ultralight pump bag usually also serves as a transport cover for the sleeping pad. Thus, no valuable space in the backpack or bike bag is wasted.

Inflation and deflation comfort

A pump bag provides extra comfort and hygiene during inflation. The accessory. Sack has already been discussed in detail in the section above.

Ventilation is also an important factor when buying ultralight sleeping pads. An easy to vent the sleeping pad ensures plenty of comfort. If the sleeping pad is difficult to deflate, you will only have frustration in the morning when you pack it. Some sleeping pads have a separate vent valve, while others allow the entire valve to be pulled out with a flick of the wrist. The air then escapes almost completely within a fraction of a second.

The subsequent rolling up of the air mattress without trapped air is then a piece of cake.

Find the right size

What is the right size for an ultralight sleeping pad? The length of the ultralight sleeping pad should be close to your height. From my own experience I can say: if the sleeping pad is as long as you are tall, then you can sleep ideally on it.

Very much too long the sleeping pad should not be: That would be a waste of weight and pack size.

If you are prepared to forego a little comfort, then a smaller sleeping pad can also be chosen. There are also sleeping mats for the upper body only. But this is a very special topic and only something for the very hard weight optimizers.

Fortunately, most manufacturers offer several sizes, so you can find the right size for almost any ultralight sleeping pad.

Different models

• Foam
• Inflatable
• With down

Conclusion

This article offers you an overview of the currently recommended ultralight sleeping pads, including the advantages and disadvantages of the tested air mattresses. Now you know the lightest, smallest and field-proven ultralight sleeping pads.

In the guidebook section, you learned about the requirements for a recommended, compact and lightweight ultralight sleeping pad. You now know what’s important in a lightweight and more reliable sleeping pad. With this knowledge of these important characteristics, you can now make your purchase decision – and find your new dream sleeping pad.

Do you still have questions, need more tips or have suggestions for additions? Write me your comment and I’ll be happy to answer 😉

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