Planning for a camping season and in need of the best overmont sleeping pad?
Hammock camping is increasingly popular with backpackers and bikepackers, and it’s easy to see why! Hammocks are lightweight, easy to pack, take up minimal space, and keep you off the cold, hard ground.
In the summer, you can hang the hammock, throw in a sleeping bag, and be asleep in minutes. But when the weather gets even a little cold at night, you’ll miss the insulation of the hard ground as the air whips around you.
The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice the comfort of a hammock just to get the warmth you need for a good night’s sleep. With the right sleeping mat in your hammock, you’ll sleep like a baby.
Our Top 3 Recommendations:
What is the Best Sleeping Pad for a Hammock?
Finding the best sleeping pad for hammock camping is really about finding one that provides the coziness of a mattress without slipping and sliding in the hammock. A top quality hammock sleeping pad will also provide enough insulation to keep all your body heat contained in the sleeping bag.
There are many brands and types of hammock camping sleeping pads to choose from. We have scouted out the best hammock sleeping pads based on the criteria of offering optimal heat insulation, comfortable and solid design, and support and stability.
If you want to skip the reviews and get straight to it, you can’t go wrong with the Powerlix Ultralight. It checks the boxes for almost every type of hammock camper’s wishlist.
Best Sleeping Pads for Hammock Camping
Not everyone will agree on what qualifies as the “best” when it comes to the ultimate hammock sleeping pad.
But with this comprehensive list of top-quality sleeping pads for hammocks, we’re pretty confident you will find at least one to match your style of camping and desired comfort level.
1. Powerlix Sleeping Pad
Powerlix makes an impressively lightweight and compact sleeping pad.
This air mattress is designed with your comfort in mind, featuring hexagon-shaped cells that help keep you warm and insulated from the cold ground. It’s also waterproof, making it ideal for any camping trip, regardless of the weather.
Plus, the included inflating bag makes set-up a breeze, and the carry bag makes packing a cinch.
All things considered, this makes our top choice for a comfortable sleeping pad.
Made for hammocks? No. But it still acts very well as a hammock sleeping pad.
Pros
✔️Waterproof
✔️Unique inflating airbag that doubles as a pillow
Cons
❌Not great insulation
❌Not truly self-inflating
2. Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad
Klymit Insulated Static V is the second best sleeping mat for a hammock. It’s a four-season backcountry fully insulated air mattress designed to keep you warm and comfortable.
Its high-end v-chamber design and excellent synthetic insulation prevent heat loss and control air movement to deliver optimal comfort. This hammock mat is perfect for stomach, side, and back sleepers.
It packs down really well, so won’t take up too much space in your backpack, your car, or at home in storage.
Made for hammocks? No, but it again does the job well.
Pros
✔️Lightweight
✔️Durable
✔️Superior comfort
✔️All-season air mattress
Cons
❌Deflates slowly
❌Material feels squeaky when you move
3. Hikenture Camping Sleeping Pad Mat
Most hammock campers love the Hikenture Sleeping Mat because of its ability to inflate and deflate in seconds. It has an ultra-soft tubular-shaped design suitable for the stomach, side, and back sleepers.
It’s constructed with the solid 190T Ripstop Poly Pongee, making it incredibly firm and tear-resistance. The tubular shape optimizes anti-skidding capabilities while reducing the sounds generated when you turn around.
Made for hammocks? Yes!
Pros
✔️Comfortable
✔️Easy to set up and take down
✔️Large enough to fit two people comfortably
✔️Tear-resistant and long-lasting
Cons
❌Takes up more space in the hammock
4. Sleepingo Sleeping Pad for Camping
If you want a comfortable and durable sleeping pad for hammocks that is compact and portable enough to fit into your backpack, Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Padis a great choice for its compact size and ease of use.
This pad is made with strong outdoor-grade materials to withstand heavy use and unfavorable weather conditions. The ripstop nylon fabric is camping-grade, meaning it is tear-resistant, waterproof, and durable.
Made for hammocks? No.
Pros
✔️Easy-to-pack design concept
✔️Easy to inflate
✔️Ultra-portable
✔️Durable
Cons
❌Not ideal for heavier people
❌Can’t be used for group sleeping
5. Eco Tek Outdoors Hybern8 Ultralight Inflatable Sleeping Pad
EcoTek Outdoors Hybern8 Ultralight Inflatable Sleeping Pad is is an excellent choice for a lightweight hammock sleeping pad.
It’s designed to be compact and incredibly easy to setup. The innovative one-way valve design inflates quickly and can maintain the inflated state for days.
This pad has 2.5 inches of loft and 2.2-inch R-Value, providing all-season comfort and warmth. Its patent-pending FlexCell honeycomb design lends to every sleeping position, making it one of the better camping pads for side sleepers.
Overall, it is a great option for those that want a thick pad to provide a little extra warmth on a cold night.
Made for hammocks? Yes!
Pros
✔️Lightweight and compact
✔️Easy to inflate and deflate
✔️Superior comfort and warmth
Cons
❌Not ideal for heavier people
6. Outdoorsman Lab Camping Pad
Outdoorsman Lab Sleeping Pad for camping has a compact and ultralight design. It’s fairly high-rated for camping, though it may not make the best hammock sleeping pad.
It inflates with about 10-15 breaths to a maximum of 2.2 inches, providing the most comfortable and warm bed. Its one-way largemouth valve is epic and fills up easily. It won’t leak in between breaths as you inflate it.
Made for hammocks? No.
Pros
✔️Packs down extremely well
✔️Ultralight weight
✔️Easy to inflate
✔️Cheaper than comparable products
Cons
❌Not suitable for heavier people
❌Not easy to deflate
7. Gear Doctors ApolloAir
Gear Doctors ApolloAir packages outstanding comfort and support in a water bottle-sized design. It is a good water-resistant, ultra-strong and ultralight sleeping pad for hammocks.
Its silent ergonomic design has better insulation than most, with an R-value of 5.2, which makes it a top choice for maintaining body temperature on cold nights.
Meanwhile, the horizontal insulating air chamber design seamlessly distributes weight to offer optimal comfort and eliminate painful pressure points.
It offers lungs-free inflation coupled with unprecedented adjustable pressure.
Made for hammocks? No.
Pros
✔️Quick set-up
✔️Inflates quickly
✔️Comfortable
Cons
❌Not suitable for heavier people
8. Sierra Designs Single Camping Air Bed Mattress
Sierra Designs is known for high-quality camping gear at reasonable prices. So, a camping pad list wouldn’t be complete without one of their designs.
With an included integrated pillow, this camping mattress inflates with the included battery-powered pump.
As with all air mattresses, this one will tend to “deflate” in cold weather. And since it is just air with no insulation, it’s not going to be the warmest option on cold nights. Think of it as more of a summer/early fall hammock pad.
Made for hammocks? No.
Pros
✔️Tough, durable material
✔️Integrated pillow
Cons
❌Not self-inflating
❌Not well-insulated for cold weather
9. Overmont Large Sleeping Pad
Another high-quality, comfortable, and affordable sleeping pad for hammock camping is the Overmont Large Sleeping Pad. This pad has an R-value of 5.0, meaning you won’t feel extreme heat or coldness regardless of the external temperatures.
Constructed of camping-grade and waterproof ripstop polyester pongee, the sleeping mattress is strong and durable. It inflates in less than five minutes and deflates within the same time. It’s also longer, thicker, and wider, accommodating several people.
Made for hammocks? No.
Pros
✔️You can customize the firmness
✔️Comfortable
✔️Lightweight
✔️Easily portable
Cons
❌Its extreme thickness and firmness may cause discomfort
10. Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout Self-Inflating Foam Camping Mat – Best Ultralight Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
The Therm-a-Test Trail Scout is one of the few ultralight self-inflating sleeping pads on this list. It provides the warmth and essentials needed for a wonderful backpacking or camping experience.
It comes equipped with a rugged WingLock valve that enables it to inflate three times faster than standard valves. Its 3.1 R-valve supports three-season backpacking and camping, while the self-inflating thermal foam offers adequate convenience and comfort for backcountry camping.
This sleeping pad comes complete with a repair kit, so you can be ready for any emergency repairs that may come up.
Made for hammocks? No.
Pros
✔️Self-inflating technology
✔️Fits perfectly into your backpack
✔️Lightweight
✔️Durable and tear-resistant
Cons
❌Easily slides around
❌Valves feel like cheap plastic
11. Klymit Static V2 – Best Inflatable Sleeping Pad
The Static V2 sleeping pad is made to fit any Klymit hammock. That said, we found that it fits most hammocks universally.
It is a good sleeping pad for hammock camping designed to be comfortable, ultralight, and movement-resistant. The wide and solid side wings, coupled with the optimal versatility and large size, make it the perfect hammock pad for bigger people in all kinds of hammocks.
The pack is made of 20D polyester material and has a solid construction. It resists abrasion, water, and puncture and stands up to heavy use.
It also has a built-in patch kit, and its R-value is 4.4.
Made for hammocks? Yes.
Pros
✔️Compacts to a small portable size
✔️Suits all hammock types
✔️Wide side wings
Cons
❌No insulation
❌Valves tend to loosen
12. ALPS Mountaineering Swift Air Mat
When it comes to camping tents, I think Alps Mountaineering is highly underrated. They have features and quality that rival much more expensive brands.
The same can be said of their hammock camping pads, including this Alps Mountaineering Swift Air Mat. This hammock sleeping pad fits into a single hammock pretty well. And it even fits in the foot box of many hammock quilts.
It is lightweight and easy to carry with the included stuff sack. The only drawback is that it’s not self-inflating, which means it lacks insulation.
Made for hammocks? Yes.
Pros
✔️Lightweight
✔️Fits most hammocks and hammock accessories
Cons
❌Not self-inflating
13. HiHiker Camping Sleeping Pad
If searching for a lightweight, compact, and high-quality camping pack that offers the most comfortable outdoor sleeping experience, consider the HiHiker Camping Sleeping Pad as an option.
This one replaces the sold-out Wise Owl Outfitters’ honeycomb sleeping pad. However, like the version it replaces, it has a heavy-duty yet durable and inflatable design.
The pad fits comfortably into any size of a backpacking bag and takes minimal pack space. It comes with a carrying bag and patch kit for those emergencies.
What makes it perfect for backpackers is how small it packs. Roughly the size of a water bottle and only 14 oz, you’ll barely notice it’s there when hiking in.
But you won’t know how you lived without it when sleeping under the stars in luxurious comfort.
Made for hammocks? No.
Pros
✔️Durable straps and designs
✔️Heavy-duty and solid fabric
✔️Ultralight and comfortable
Cons
❌Not specifically for hammocks
Summary of the Best Sleeping Pads for Hammocks
Here is a handy table to see each of these sleeping pads side-by-side.
What to Consider When Choosing a Sleeping Pad for Hammock Camping
Before selecting the best pad for hammock camping, you need to know when, how, and how often you’ll use the sleeping mat.
✔️Insulation
You want to consider the sleeping pad’s R-value. This number indicates how well it keeps out the cold and is an important factor when deciding on the sleeping pad to invest in.
The best sleeping mats for hammock camping have either self-inflating, closed-cell, or open-cell insulation. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.
However, standard inflatable air pads provide the least amount of insulation since you will still have cold air below you.
Self-Inflating Insulated Pads
Auto self-inflating hammock sleeping mats save space and inflating time. These mats use air and moisture to create a comfortable, warm, and portable sleeping mat.
They are pretty simply made, with closed-cell foam inside of an inflatable pad. When you open the valve, the compressed foam expands, drawing in air.
The trade-off is that they are heavier and more costly than closed-cell and open-cell pads.
Closed Cell Insulated Pads
Closed-cell foam pads combine comfort and warmth to deliver optimal hammock camping experiences.
These pads are lightweight, durable, and cheaper than self-inflating units. They can’t be punctured easily, and are bigger and bulkier than other types of insulated camping mats.
Overall they provide higher R-values than other types of insulation, perfect for chilly nights.
Open Cell Insulated Pads
Open-cell foam pads are cheap, ultralight, and save space. These pads do not necessarily need to be inflated manually like the closed-cell pads.
✔️Packability
The packing size of the sleeping pad is another consideration. You want pads that can easily be packed and aren’t so heavy to transport. Look for a pad that’s easy to roll up and store.
✔️Size
A hammock sleeping bag’s size determines its weight and comfort. Most of the pads we reviewed above are lightweight and compact and can fit into your backpack.
Hammock Pad Vs. Underquilt
Sleeping pads and underquilts serve similar roles of keeping you warm and comfortable while hammock camping. But hammock sleeping pads also add a little more cushion and quite a bit more insulation since they resist crushing more than an underquilt.
The nice thing about sleeping pads are that they are versatile and can be used in both hammock and tent camping. So if you have to choose, go for the sleeping pad.
But they can actually work well together, especially on extremely cold nights. So you don’t have to choose one over the other. Get them both!
FAQs: Best Sleeping Pads for Hammocks
Can you use a sleeping bag in a hammock?
Yes, most sleeping pads can work in a hammock. It’s worth the effort to choose the right type of sleeping pad for your hammock – one that is appropriately insulated, packable, and the right size to fit in your hammock. You can find camping pads specifically made for hammocks though that isn’t necessary.
What is the best bedding for hammock camping?
The best bedding for hammock camping includes a sleeping pad (inflatable or foam), underquilt, sleeping bag, and overquilt. Depending on how cold the air is, you may be able to get by with fewer layers of bedding, but remember that sleeping suspended in a hammock means you aren’t warmed by the heat of the ground.
Wrap Up – Best Sleeping Pad for Hammocks
Each of these sleeping pads for hammock camping has a unique feature and function. But if we have to recommend one that stands out in all aspects, we would go for the Powerlix. We consider it the best camping pad for hammocks because it’s durable, ultralight, and ultra-comfortable.
Which one is the right sleeping pad for you?
If you wouldn’t want to go through the hassle of inflating your sleeping pad manually, you can never go wrong with the Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout Self-Inflating Foam Camping Mat. It automatically inflates itself in seconds and deflates within seconds, too.
And finally, if you’re low on budget but want good quality and durable hammock camping sleeping mat, you should consider the Sleepingo Sleeping Pad for camping.
Want to Find More Hammock Camping Gear Guides?
We’ve done extensive reviews to find the best gear for hammock camping. Don’t miss these guides!
The 15 Best Camping Hammocks
The 15 Best Top Quilts for Camping
The 19 Best Underquilts for Hammock Camping
The 11 Best Tarps for Hammock Camping
The 15 Best Portable Hammock Stands for Camping
The 11 Best Sleeping Bags for Hammock Camping
The 7 Best Camping Hammocks for Big Guys
