Best Foam Sleeping Pad

Price: $49.95

Type: Closed-cell foam

Claimed R-value: 2

Weight: (411g)

Packed Volume: 9.2L

Thickness: 0.9″ (2.3cm)

LxW: 72″x20″ (1.8m x 0.5m)

Breaths to Inflate: N/A

What We Like: Great price, Lightweight

What We Don’t: Not as comfortable as an air pad, Not as packable as an air pad

At only $49.95, the NEMO Switchback is one of the cheapest pads on our list. For those who value comfort above all else, the Switchback is probably not a go-to. There’s just no way to compete with the cushioning of an air pad. However, it’s an excellent choice for those who have no trouble catching a few winks without excessive frills. At only four bucks more than the Z Lite SOL, we felt that it provided more than $4 additional value and was simply a superior foam pad. It’s thicker, more comfortable, and more smartly designed. It could easily also serve as a bolster to an air pad for those looking to maximize comfort, but make sure you leave some extra room on your backpack. Although its intelligent design is hampered by a few features that may not be universally appreciated, its positive qualities were enough for us to award it Best Foam Sleeping Pad.

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See Our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review HERE!

Outdoor company NEMO’s name stems from their New England roots and pays homage to Jules Verne’s famous exploration vehicle. Operating out of a restored textile mill in New Hampshire, NEMO is 20,000 leagues ahead with inspired products that have set a new standard for outdoor equipment. Among this next-level gear is the NEMO Switchback. At only $49.95, this closed-cell foam pad is one of the cheapest pads on our list. Although its intelligent design is hampered by a few features that may not be universally appreciated, its positive qualities were enough for us to award it Best Foam Sleeping Pad.

Warmth

With an R-value of only 2, the NEMO Switchback certainly isn’t the warmest pad on our 2021 list; it just barely qualifies as a three-season sleeping pad. However, its insulation power is boosted by NEMO’s hexagonal node pattern and heat-reflective film, so it exceeded our expectations in practice and had no trouble keeping up with our other closed-cell foam pad, the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL, which has the same R-value.

Comfort

There’s no gentle way of putting this; the Switchback is rather thin. At only 0.9″ (2.3cm) thick, it’s the second thinnest pad in our review, coming just ahead of the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL (which is 0.75”). As you might expect, it simply can’t come close to competing with the comfort you get from an air pad, so if ample cushioning is required to obtain a good night’s sleep, this won’t be the pad for you. However, its hexagonal node pattern, along with improving insulation, seemed to boost the comfort factor as well. Its thin profile also means that it could easily be used in conjunction with an air pad if you’ve got some space to strap it outside your bag.

The regular-sized Switchback sports the standard dimensions of 72″x20″ (1.8m x 0.5m); unfortunately, there is no large version available, but for the more lilliputian hikers who don’t need quite as much space, there is a short version (retailing for $39.95) that’s only 51” long while still being 20” wide.

Weight & Packed Size

At just under a pound (14.5oz or 411g), the Switchback is rather light but not quite ultralight. Those interested in pursuing this route could potentially cut off a couple of sections, so that the pad extends from the shoulders to the hips and reduces both weight and packed size. You could also opt for the short version, which weighs only 10.5oz.

The compressed volume for the Switchback is 9.2L. Still, it’s doubtful that many hikers would attempt to stuff this inside their bag when it’s easier to strap it accordion-style on the outside. However, one thing we did like about the Switchback in this regard is how efficiently it could pack up. Once again, the smartly designed hexagonal node pattern came in clutch to optimize the packed size. When collapsed, the Switchback’s dimensions are 20”x5”x5.5” (51cm x 13cm x 14cm).

Inflation

It should come as little surprise that inflation is remarkably easy with the Switchback. You won’t need to use a single breath, and we challenge you to even find a valve. After several hours of heavy breathing on the trail, it can be a great relief to not include pad inflation on your campsite prep list. Unroll it, and you are good to go—or keep it rolled up to use as a seat while you unpack your most important accessories.

Durability

Closed-cell foam pads nearly always shine in the durability category, and the NEMO Switchback is no exception. However, it’s not without its faults. Obviously, there’s no concern over potential punctures or damaged valves. Still, foam pads come with another issue: because they need to be strapped to the outside of the bag, there’s a risk that they will snag on branches, rocks, and Mother Nature’s other melee weapons—meaning: they can tear. This won’t compromise the pad in the same way that a puncture would, but these tears could compound into something more substantial over the course of multiple trips. In addition, the cushioning on the pad did show a bit of deflation after repeated uses, which is less than appealing considering its already subpar comfort level.

The Bottom Line

For those who value comfort above all else, the Switchback is probably not a go-to. There’s just no way to compete with the cushioning of an air pad. However, it’s an excellent choice for those who have no trouble catching a few winks without excessive frills. At only four bucks more than the Z Lite SOL, we felt that it provided more than $4 additional value and was simply a superior foam pad. It’s thicker, more comfortable, and more smartly designed. It could easily also serve as a bolster to an air pad for those looking to maximize comfort, but make sure you leave some extra room to lug it with you.

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