Love to camp out in a tent, but also like to be as comfortable at night as possible? Or like to hang out in the backyard in that most summery of garden furniture, the hammock?
Then the chances are that if you haven’t tried using one already, choosing from among the many sleeping pads for hammocks that are available will elevate your hammock sleeping experiences to new levels! But which of the many available are the best? Read on to find out!
What is a Sleeping Pad, and How Do You Use One in a Hammock?
A hammock sleeping pad is a mattress-like, lightweight insert for your hammock. It offers additional sleeping comfort without adding too much weight and bulk, and it can help keep drafts at bay, as hammock sleeping can get a little chilly at night, even in the summer.
A well fitting sleeping pad will also add stability to your hammock sleeping experience in general, making it less likely that you’ll tip up and/or fall out, especially if you tend to shift in your sleep. Many of them are self-inflating too, which makes them very easy to use.
Best Sleeping Pads for Hammock Camping Reviews
Once you start searching for them, you’ll find that there are lots of sleeping pads for hammocks out there to choose from. So many that it can easily get confusing and not a little overwhelming. As these are often quite an investment, at least in terms of camping gear costs, you’ll want to try to ensure that you choose the right sleeping pad for your needs.
To help you do that, here’s a look at some of the best sleeping pads for hammocks we’ve tried out.
Best Overall Choice Sleeping Pad For Regular Campers: Klymit Insulated Static V
Why we Love This: If you are a four season camper, this high quality sleeping pad will keep you warm and comfortable no matter what the weather is like!
For a variety of reasons, this sleeping pad is our overall favorite. It’s made for four seasons, and its R Value (a scientific measurement of how well a fabric can keep air out and in) is 4.4, which means it’ll keep you warm even when the temperature drops below freezing. It’s made of puncture-resistant polyester and has a ridged ‘v-cell’ bottom to ensure a secure fit in your hammock.
Klymit Insulated Static V Pros
- Very versatile, can be used year round.
- Will keep you very warm, but is ventilated enough for cool summer use too.
- Lightweight, can be rolled up to fit in a backpack with ease.
Klymit Insulated Static V Cons
- One of the more expensive choices you can make.
Best Lightweight Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm
Why we love this: If you include a lot of hiking in your camping trip agenda, you want as little to weigh you down as possible. This super lightweight sleeping pad won’t hold you back at all!
This hammock sleeping pad is not only lightweight (it weighs less than a pound when uninflated) and compact, but it is also extremely warm, with an R-Value of 5.7 that will keep you feeling toasty even in the coldest of situations.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Pros
- Will add just a pound of weight to your backpack!
- High quality construction, especially at the seams.
- Will keep you warm on winter camping trips.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Cons
- Not an inexpensive choice
- May be a little too hot at times in the summer if you are camping in very warm climes.
Best Sleeping Pad for the Summer: Klymit Static V2
Why we love this: If you only camp during the summer, this cool but comfy sleeping pad is a perfect choice.
This hammock sleeping pad has the same v cell design as our top selection, but it’s much lighter (under a pound) and, while it still keeps out those occasionally too cool night breezes, it’s also incredibly breathable, so you won’t wake up all hot and bothered.
Klymit Static V2 Pros
- Very lightweight and cool to sleep in
- Excellent sturdy construction
- Very lightweight, will add less than a pound to your carrying load.
Klymit Static V2 Cons
- Has a low R rating, so is not suitable for cold weather camping.
Best Budget Sleeping Pad: OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight
Why we love this: If you only camp occasionally, or are just experimenting with hammock sleeping and don’t want to make a big investment in a sleeping pad, yet this is a good option to try out.
This is a simple and easy-to-use cheap hammock sleeping pad that is ideal for infrequent summer campers on a budget.
The pad is made of TPU and rip stop nylon (the same material used in many sleeping bags), and it’s soft and flexible, so it’ll fit well into your hammock.
OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight Pros
- Relatively inexpensive
- Nice and flexible and fits well into most hammocks
- A great starter choice if you are not sure about hammock sleeping yet.
OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight Cons
- Not as durable as the other options on our list.
Click here to view the OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight Sleeping Pad on Amazon
Best Supportive Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro
Why we love this: If you tend to wake up with back pain, or are looking for a more supportive sleeping experience, this pad is a great choice.
If you’re worried about getting enough back support when sleeping in a hammock, the fact that this sleeping pad has 2 inches of supportive memory foam should alleviate your concerns. It also boasts an R value rating of 4.0, so can be used in the winter.
Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro Pros
- Very supportive, offers a very comfortable sleeping experience
- May relieve waking back pain
- Rated for winter use
Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro Cons
- Is heavy and bulky compared to other options covered here, so not a great choice for hiking campers.
View this Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro on Amazon
How Do You Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Your Hammock?
Whether you choose one of the options we’ve featured on our hammock sleeping mat list or make a different choice, there are some buying considerations you should keep in mind as you shop. Here’s a look at some of the most important of them.
Weight
If you drive to campgrounds and haul all your equipment in a trailer, gear weight is less of a concern, but for hiking campers, every pound counts. Make sure that you check the uninflated weight and dimensions of any sleeping pad you are considering to ensure it won’t weigh you down too much and that it will fit in the size of backpack you prefer to carry.
R Value Rating
Every sleeping pad will come with an R value rating, and as we mentioned earlier, the higher that number is, the better it will be at keeping you warm. For fall camping in cooler climes (like the Northeastern United States) you should look for an R value rating of at least 4, and go even higher if you intend to sleep out in a hammock in winter.
Support Level
If you need a more supportive sleeping pad, or are a little nervous of trying to get through a sleeping experience that involves a lot of hammock swaying then you might want to look for a sturdier option, like the Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro from our best of list. This is probably especially important if you tend to wake up with nagging back pain at home.
Price
A hammock sleeping pad isn’t the cheapest piece of camping gear you’ll ever buy, and some can seem quite expensive. If you camp often, and prefer the support of a hammock over ground sleeping – as lots of people do – then we’d suggest making a larger investment in a high quality sleeping pad, as it will pay off in the long run.
If you are only an occasional camper however, or just want a hammock sleeping pad to add to your backyard hammock at home, then a less expensive option may be all you need. You may also want to opt for a budget option if you are not sure yet if you enjoy hammock sleeping at all!