10 Best Sleeping Pads for Side Sleepers 2020 [Buying Guide]

Your Authors and Guides

Heather
Patton

Jennifer
Trimbee

Samantha
Dewitt

How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers

There are few things that make camping more comfortable than a really great sleep pad but the truth is it can be really difficult to find one that works if you’re a side sleeping. That’s why we researched some of the top-rated sleeping pad and put together this sleeping pad buying guide to find out which one works best sleeping pad for side sleepers. Before we get started, let’s take a look at some of the key features to keep in mind.

Waterproof: It’s always a good idea for your outdoor gear to be waterproof but having a high-quality water-resistant pad is good, too. We found both a little bit of both. Look for the details in the individual reviews.

Size: This is the size of the pads when they’re expanded. If you’re really tall, pay close attention to the dimensions to make sure you get one that’s long enough. You certainly don’t want to worry about your legs hanging off.

Material: The type of material the pad is made of directly relates to how durable it is. Look for something that can stand up to abrasions and punctures if you want something that’s truly built to last.

Color Options: A lot of these pads are only available in plain colors like black, blue, and gray but there are some that give you a variety of beautiful colors to choose from. Color doesn’t affect comfort but it sure is fun.

Weight: Weight is particularly important if you’re going to be carrying this pad around in your pack. In that case, you don’t want to add any unnecessary weight. Luckily, some of these pads only weigh around a pound.

Inflatable: All but one of these pads is inflatable. That said, they don’t all inflate the same way. They have either self-inflating valves to foot pumps to manual inflation. But don’t worry, even the manual ones are designed to inflate quickly.

Top 10 Products

Now that you know what to look for, let’s move into our sleeping pad reviews. Here’s how it works. If you’re in a hurry, check out our top and budget picks first. That’s the best way to see the range that’s available and we put them right at the top of the list so they’re really easy to find. All of these products are very different, though, so stick around to see them all. Are you ready? Let’s get started.

Lightspeed Outdoors Sleep Pad

Our top pick is the Lightspeed Outdoors Sleep Pad. This self-inflating sleep pad helps keep you centered with a built-in pillow and side rails so you don’t roll off of it while you sleep. It features an oversized air valve for easy inflation and deflation and the best part is you don’t even need a pump. This pad is also designed to help keep you warm and it’s made of lightweight materials with no harmful phthalates, plastic odors, or loud plastic noises when you move around. Your tent mates will surely be thankful for that. It includes an oversized carrying bag and compression straps so it’s easy to store and to transport. It’s a great alternative to a heavy air mattress and much more convenient. Plus, it’s covered by a 1-year warranty.

Check Price Now Review Top Pick

Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad

If you’re looking for a cheap sleeping pad, you can’t do much better than our budget pick, the Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad. This affordable pad is lightweight, easy to transport, and features a unique V-chamber design that keeps air movement at a minimum for better support and prevention of heat loss. It contours to the way you sleep, supporting you when you’re on your side and side rails keep you centered. There’s also a deep weld pattern for an extra layer of comfort. Inflation is easy, too. In fact, the valve is so effective, it’s ready to go in as little as 10 breaths. The polyester material was built to last and there’s a patch kit included, just in case. It’s also covered by a limited lifetime guarantee.

Check Price Now Review Budget Pick

Fox Outfitters Airlite Sleeping Pad

Next up is the Fox Outfitters Airlite Sleeping Pad. It has a tubular design that’s comfortable and really easy to pack. Plus, you can adjust the air in the tubes to support your side, hips, arms, and legs for superior comfort no matter how you sleep. It’s extremely flexible and contours to any terrain. This design features an integrated foot pump for easy and fast inflation and a double brass valve for quick deflation when it’s time to pack up and go home. It’s always important to use durable equipment when you’re outdoors. That’s why this pad is made of Diamond Ripstop fabric with an internal polyurethane coating that makes it resistant to tears. And here’s the kicker: each pad is individually inflated for quality.

Check Price Now

WELLAX Ultralight Air Sleeping Pad

The WELLAX Ultralight Air Sleeping Pad is more than extremely comfortable and durable. It’s also waterproof, perfect for any outdoor adventure even when the weather turns. It’s made of nylon with a TPU coating that’s both lightweight and extremely durable. It doesn’t make a lot of noise when you move and reflects your body heat back to you to keep your extra warm. That’s not all, it’s even abrasion and tear resistant. It’s also covered by a 1-year warranty just in case something goes wrong. The cool thing about this design is that it uses dozens of air cells that were designed to move like a pocketed spring mattress. That means it contours to your body and still provides the support you need which is ideal for side sleepers.

Check Price Now

X-Lounger Ultralight Sleeping Pad

Our next pick for best backpacking pad for side sleepers is the X-Lounger Ultralight Sleeping Pad. It features a unique diamond-lattice design with interconnected air cells that work individually to contour to your body shape which is exactly why this is such a good pad for side sleeping. Another cool thing about this pad is that you can connect two of them together using the simple connect buckle to make a double mattress. Inflation is really easy, too. There are 2 covers and each takes 10 to 15 breaths to inflate. That’s not all, this pad also includes an inflatable pillow that’s made of polyester pongee with a TPU coating. It has an ergonomic design that supports your head and neck for even more comfort. There are even 4 colors to choose from!

Check Price Now

Western Owl Sleeping Pad

The Western Owl Sleeping Pad is a great backpacking mattress. It’s insulated, durable, and won’t leak air throughout the night. This pad self-inflates and can easily be adjusted for the right amount of pressure. There’s also a valve so you can inflate it manually for maximum inflation. The material is water resistant and isn’t easy to puncture. One of the best things about this pad is that it’s insulated and helps preserve your body heat to keep your comfy cozy while your sleep. This pad was made for extreme climbing, winter camping, and long distance trips when keeping the weight of your pack down and getting a good night’s sleep is of the utmost importance. When inflated, this pad is about 2.1 inches tall, one of the thickest pads on the market.

Check Price Now

VENTURE 4TH Sleeping Pad

Our next choice for best sleeping pad for side sleepers is the VENTURE 4TH Sleeping Pad. This pad is made of a strong polyester outer shell that’s resistant to punctures and waterproof to keep you dry if the weather isn’t working with you. That’s not all, it also protects you from the cold ground and prevents heat loss which keeps you nice and toasty while you sleep. One of the best things about this pad is it’s self-inflating. It uses a pneumatic valve for reliability and is ready for you before you know it. The tapered design is really easy to roll up and pack and it even includes a handy carrying bag that makes it really easy to carry to your campsite. One more thing: it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Check Price Now

Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Pad

Next up is the Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Pad. The thing that sets it apart from our other picks is that this pad is not inflatable but, don’t worry, it’s still extremely comfortable. Plus, you don’t have to worry about inflating it or any punctures. The cross-link polyethylene design is made of basic closed-cell foam that’s lightweight and exceptionally durable. It features supportive peaks and heat-trapping valleys that provide the right amount of comfort and insulation. This pad is really easy to set up - just roll it out on the ground and you’re done. That’s not all, because it weighs just 14 ounces and is easy to roll up, you can take it with you wherever you go during the spring, summer, and into the fall. Just tuck it into your pack and you’re ready to go.

Check Price Now

Last Lake Camping Sleeping Pad

The Last Lake Camping Sleeping Pad is out next choice for best sleeping pad. When deflated and unrolled, it’s about the size of a football which is really easy to add to your pack. Inflating it takes less than 5 minutes. All you have to do is unroll the mat and open the valve. The inner layer will start to inflate as it sucks in air. Then, just add a few puffs of air until you reach the right firmness and it’s ready. It’s made of thick durable polyester material that won’t leak and it’s even tear resistant so you can place it right on the rocky ground without fear. This sleeping pad is covered by a 1-year manufacturer's warranty and comes with a 100% money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.

Check Price Now

Camel Double Sleeping Pad

Last but not least is the Camel Double Sleeping Pad. This special design is double wide and comfortably sleeps 2 people. And get this, you can also attach 2 of them together to make an extra-large mat that’s perfect for family camping, especially if you have little ones that you want to keep close throughout the night. There’s even a pillow built into the top of the pad to make sure you’re as comfortable as can be. Dual free-flow and non-leak air valves help it self-inflate quickly. You don’t even need a pump. When it’s time to go home, compression straps help compress it down for easier travel. There’s a patch kit included, too, just in case you need it as well as a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Check Price Now

About the Author

Samantha Dewitt

Expert Researcher and Writer

Samantha Dewitt is a lead researcher and writer for GeekWrapped, writing under a pen name. She gets excited about pet, baby, and science products and has over 12 years of experience.

Best Sleeping Pads for Side Sleepers

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

Lightspeed Outdoors Sleep Pad

Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad

How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers

Top 10 Products

Lightspeed Outdoors Sleep Pad

Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad

Fox Outfitters Airlite Sleeping Pad

WELLAX Ultralight Air Sleeping Pad

X-Lounger Ultralight Sleeping Pad

Western Owl Sleeping Pad

VENTURE 4TH Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Pad

Last Lake Camping Sleeping Pad

Camel Double Sleeping Pad

About the Author

TOP PICK

Lightspeed Outdoors Sleep Pad