© My Outdoor Gear Testing Lab.
Key Points
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A sleeping pad is an essential piece of camping gear.
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The Sleepingo Large Sleeping Pad has many positives and only a few drawbacks.
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Side sleepers might consider a different sleeping pad.
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The Sleepingo Large Sleeping Pad isn't suitable for winter camping.
The ground isn't a comfortable place to sleep — been there, done that. That's why I have the Sleepingo Large Sleeping Pad.
I cherish my back too much to sleep on a bed of packed dirt and jagged rocks. My younger self did this many times and every morning after, I felt like I was deep in my 90s. My head also hurt — but that may have been from too many shots of the ole "liquid courage" I took to dull the body aches.
Now that I'm older and hopefully a little wiser, I understand the importance of a good night's sleep while I'm out and about in the woods. In my quest for an affordable, lightweight sleeping pad, I stumbled upon the Sleepingo Large Sleeping Pad. I approach all new products with skepticism. My shopping tactic is to convince myself not to buy it, but this sleeping pad met and then exceeded my expectations.
There are still two days left in 2023 that the National Park Service has free admission for all sites! Take this time to go camping with loved ones. Before you head out, get some basic camping equipment like a tent and a sleeping pad. Below, I share my experience with the Sleepingo Pad, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses for you to consider in reaching a final verdict.
Large Sleeping Pad for Camping
$27.99
by Sleepingo
Buy Now
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12/06/2023 06:27 am GMT
Comfort
by Sleepingo
The amount of comfort you receive depends entirely on how you sleep. The Sleepingo Pad offers decent comfort, especially for folks who sleep on their back or stomach. Two inches of air-filled padding kept me off the ground and provided a nice cushioned surface.
Side sleepers, beware! The padding wasn't enough. I'm a bony individual, weighing in at a solid buck-fifty sopping wet. When sleeping on my side, I felt every inch of the ground — and it didn't feel good. I woke up with sore shoulders, stiff hips, and a bad attitude.
Pressure points like the hips and shoulders have limited insulation when sleeping on your side. There's also your weight to consider. All bodies are beautiful, but not all feel comfortable on two inches of insulation. You might need more. This is why testing sleeping pads before heading to the field is always wise. If a pad isn't comfortable in the confines of your living room, it sure as heck won't be comfy in the woods.
Weight and Size
This is a wonderfully lightweight sleeping pad, a mere 14.4 oz. I want to carry as little weight as possible on my scrawny shoulders, so the Sleepingo Pad is a godsend. If you prioritize less weight — and who doesn't? — check out this sleeping pad.
It's compact, roughly the same size and shape as a large coffee thermos when packed. This ensures portability without taking up your precious backpack space. Whether embarking on a hiking, biking, or Viking raid, the Sleepingo Pad doesn't weigh you down.
Warmth
This is a warm-weather use sleeping pad. It's suitable for summer and spring camping trips and possibly an early outing for the more hardy. If the mission at night is to stay cool, this is your sleeping pad. A winter trip through Yellowstone requires a sleeping pad with warmer properties.
This is because of the Sleepingo Pads lack of insulation. As I mentioned, there are only two inches of padding. The R-value is 2.1, but you need more than that in a cold setting. Adding another sleeping pad creates an extra layer of warmth. A closed-cell pad is always a good, cheap choice. The problem with this is that it doubles the number of sleeping bags you carry.
If you're camping in the winter, buy a sleeping pad built for cold camping. If you're going in the summer, spring, and fall, the Sleepingo Pad is just fine.
Inflation
Inflation is a breeze, inflating faster than an oil-strapped American economy. The waffle design and two-inch thick insulation make it a quick process to get this pad up and running. The rubber one-way valve requires about a minute of steady exhalation on your part to get it fully inflated.
It doesn't have a pump sack — nor does it need one — given how quickly and easily it inflates with the simple power of your lungs. Deflation is equally easy. Open up the valve and push out the air. To eliminate stubborn air pockets, I roll up the pad like a burrito towards the valve to push out the air.
Once done, stuff the pad into a carrying bag or your backpack, and you're good to go. Setup and teardown with this pad are wonderfully simple.
Durability
I put it through the wringer, using it on the ground, a screen, and on a thick layer of duff. I also knelt on it, walked over it, and did some small jumps. It held up. There weren't any leaks or abrasions. The 20D fabric of the pad feels tough. I don't get that cheap-synthetic sense from similarly priced sleeping pads. This sleeping pad feels durable — because it's durable.
Don't get me wrong; it's not Superman. There's going to be some damage eventually. That's normal for any camping gear. Fortunately, Sleepingo offers a superb return and replacement policy. You can also perform some DIY repairs, too!
If you're deep in the woods on a several-day trip, treat this pad with as much TLC as possible. The last thing you want is a sleeping pad that doesn't inflate. After several nights of sleeping on the ground, your first order of business back home is probably an appointment with your chiropractor.
The Right Pad
Outdoor recreation expert Heather Balogh Rochfort says, "Sleeping on the dirt can be a lot of fun — as long as you have a good sleeping pad. The right mattress will cushion your joints, insulate you from the cold ground and pair nicely with your sleeping bag."
The right pad is vital when camping because a groggy brain leads to bad decisions, and the woods aren't the place to make bad decisions. A quality sleeping pad is the best wall of sleep between one day of camping and the next. Pair your sleeping pad with a camping pillow and a camping cot for extra comfort. If you've got the whole family camping, consider going the air mattress route.
For an affordable and lightweight sleeping pad, try the Sleepingo Large Sleeping Pad. It's perfect for front and back sleepers who want something portable and easy to inflate. While it may not be as luxurious as other choices, it's great for summer camping trips or any adventure where weight and packed size matter.
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