What’s on your ‘good night’s sleep’ kit list? Hooded ? Silicone ear plugs? Snuggles the Bear? (Just me?) A quality sleeping pad is going to be right up there at the top too, and for multi-day trips and backcountry adventures an inflatable type is a great choice. If you've shopped around for one recently you'll notice that while they start at around $30 (£23), you can pay anything up to an eye-watering $400 (£300) for a top-end version. These bits of gear need to be comfortable, portable, reliable and help keep you warm – but do they need to be the price of a queen-size mattress? There are a couple of types of inflatable sleeping pads to choose from, and both can come with a hefty price tag.
Non-insulated air pads are extremely light and compact, good for ultralight enthusiasts and hardy warm-weather campers. Insulated air pads are at the top end of the price range, with a good mix of insulation and cushioning, offering comfort and warmth for minimal weight. We explore the different types of mats further in our .
Some styles come in ‘female specific' versions, which you can find out more on in our reviews of the . In reality, there are many reasons why sleeping pads cost what they do. A lot of it comes down to creating and manufacturing the technical designs and buying the specialized materials.
And of course, there are the coveted brands that folk are happy to spend extra on. In this article, we take a look at some of the main reasons why sleeping pads cost so m.