Best Sleeping Foam Mats for Backpacking of 2026
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For those who love backpacking, having a comfortable and lightweight sleeping mat is crucial for a good night's rest. Sleeping foam mats are an excellent choice for backpackers as they provide both comfort and insulation while being easy to pack and carry. These mats are made from high-density foam that conforms to the body's shape, providing a supportive surface to sleep on. They are also durable and can withstand rough terrain and weather conditions. If you're planning a backpacking trip, we highly advise considering investing in a sleeping foam mat to stabilise your sleep and make your experience more enjoyable.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
#TOP 1
9.9
#TOP 2
9.8
#TOP 3
9.6
Top 3 Sleeping Foam Mats for Backpacking
THINTON Foldable Waterproof Camping Sleeping Mat
The THINTON Camping Sleeping Mat is a foldable and lightweight option, measuring 180601.8cm when open, making it ideal for ultralight backpacking and thru-hiking. Made from ergonomic closed cell foam, it supports your pressure points for a more comfortable sleep outdoors. With its insulated aluminium film, it effectively captures and circulates body heat, providing warmth during chilly nights. The mat is also waterproof and moisture-proof, ensuring you stay dry and comfortable, no matter the conditions.
REDCAMP 18mm Thick Closed Cell Foam Mat
The REDCAMP Foam Sleeping Mat is designed to provide you with extra warmth during your camping trips. Its thermal capture surface reflects heat, making your sleeping experience significantly cozier. The durable closed cell foam ensures that you have a soft and comfortable place to rest, while the space-saving accordion design allows for easy packing and transport. Weighing just 480g, this foldable camping pad balances thickness and lightweight convenience, ensuring you can carry it without hassle.
REDCAMP Foam Camping Roll Mat 18mm Thick,Closed Cell Foam Sleeping Mat, Wide Lightweight Folding Z Camping Pad for Hiking Backpacking
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are foam mats good for camping?
Lightweight and insulating Closed cell polyethylene foam is a brilliantly lightweight material that offers several benefits for use in the camping and travel market. Its closed cell structure provides a high level of insulation from the ground, as well as a flat and even surface.
2. Do you need a sleeping pad while backpacking?
So, do you need a sleeping pad for backpacking? It is highly recommended to take a sleeping pad with you on your backpacking trip. Not only do they give extra comfort for when you are curled up at night, they also provide insulation from the ground.
3. How thick should my sleeping pad be?
2.5 inches: The new standard for air pads and self-inflating pads. This thickness boosts you off the ground, allows lots of air for insulation, and isn't so high that it's bouncy. Many pads, especially air pads, fall into this category, and are quite comfortable.
4. What do you put under a sleeping pad?
Add a closed-cell foam pad beneath your regular sleeping pad for extra insulation. Stuff dry clothing inside your sleeping bag to fill empty spaces, reducing the area your body must heat. Put a warm water bottle close to the core of your body, since your core is your body's chief heat-generating zone.
During our sleeping foam mat for backpacking research, we found 275 sleeping foam mat for backpacking products and shortlisted 3 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,506 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sleeping foam mats for backpacking list. We found that most customers choose sleeping foam mats for backpacking with an average price of £17.77.
The sleeping foam mats for backpacking are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sleeping foam mats for backpacking, including THINTON, REDCAMP.
Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.