Sierra Designs Shadow Mountain Sleeping Pad

Pros: 

This Sierra Designs sleeping pad is a solid pick because of what it lacks—it's not heavy, and it doesn't come with a price tag that will make you wince. It's a simple, straightforward pad, with engineered baffles that help keep packed size down and inflate in a matter of seconds. At 14.5 ounces and a packed size of 10" x 3.5", the Shadow Mountain will speak to the fast, light, and thrifty. 

Cons: 

The valve can be finicky. A tester thought she popped the pad, only to realize that the valve wasn't completely closed. Additionally, while the 3" pad is comfortable on even ground, testers noticed that rocks, sticks, and pinecones can jut between the baffles, causing discomfort. Lastly, the pad is uninsulated, which is reflected by a low R-value of 1.3. 

Bottom Line: 

This pad is lightweight, packable, and affordable. It's not the most comfortable pad we tested, nor the most durable, but the price and the packed size make it a contender for backpackers.