Sleeping Pads come in 2 main categories: foam or inflatable.  This choice is very individual, based on comfort, sleep style, cost, weight, packed size, and risk aversion, among other factors.  Before we talk about our favorite models of sleeping pads, let’s talk about this first decision: foam or inflatable?

VS 

My Experience

I have personally used the full spectrum of camping pads: from the 12″ tall memory foam-topped inflatable mattress that needs a pump…to the glorified swimming pool float…to the classic closed cell foam rolled up and strapped to the bottom of my pack (and others).  Still, I rotate between several styles depending on the length of the trip, the weather, and how much I’m willing to sacrifice.

Here’s what I consider when I’m choosing which pad to bring or buy for myself (in no particular order):

• warmth: if it’s going to be cold, I want the pad with the highest R value to keep me warm (I’m a cold sleeper)
• weight: my pack weight varies a lot depending on who I’m hiking with; sometimes I need to shave a few more ounces than normal, and other times weight is almost not a consideration
• comfort: with the pads I have, this is a tradeoff with weight; my lightest option is least comfortable, while my heaviest is the most comfortable
• durability: in all my nights on the trail, I have never personally had a puncture of an inflatable mattress, but I have been in the same tent as someone who went through that on a cold night. Fortunately, he was prepared with Tenacious Tape, which solved that problem.  I have owned defective inflatable pads that slowly leaked…or maybe I just fell victim to science.
• cost: obviously just the up-front decision, but prices vary from approximately $15 to almost $300 (for single pads)
• packed size: I always carry inflatable pads inside my pack, where pack volume is a premium.  Foam pads get strapped to the outside, where that concern goes away.

But Kids are Different!

But this isn’t about me, is it?  Nope, we’re talking about backpacking with kids here.  Let’s put those in order of importance (in my opinion, anyway):

• durability: jumping, poking with a stick, wrestling…kids are tough on stuff…did I mention jumping?
• cost: see durability.  There’s definitely a total lifetime cost to consider here.
• weight: this might be a bit high on the list for kids, but I do think kids have a sense of pride when they carry all of their own stuff.  Keeping the weight down here allows that to be more likely.
• warmth: sometimes, I’m not even sure why I bring a sleeping bag for my kids.  While I’m full hoody-mummy in my bag, they’re complaining about being hot while squirming around and ending up perpendicular to where they started. It seems like less of a concern, but part of that is their inability to really know when they’re cold.  They also don’t cope with things like adults do (meaning rationally, hopefully).
• comfort: comfort problems for us heavy adults just aren’t that important for little bodies.  At one-third the weight of most adults, kids won’t compress that pad nearly as much, so their interpretation of comfort will definitely vary from yours.
• packed size: certainly important, but in general, I find packed size to be relatively comparable among inflatables and irrelevant for foam

The Selection Matrix

What you see above puts some math to the madness.  This is all my opinion, and you can definitely make your own with your own scale (and factors).  But for my priorities, the decision is clear: the bulletproof, lightweight, and low cost foam sleeping pad is the best choice for kids backpacking.

Get your child a foam sleeping pad!