Best Sleeping Pad for Hammock Camping & Napping

On this list, you’ll find the best sleeping pad for hammock relaxation, whether you’re on the trail or at a campsite.

When you think of sleeping out in the great outdoors, you probably think about grabbing your tent or hammock and a sleeping bag. But what about a sleeping pad?

A sleeping mat can not only help you sleep more comfortably, but it can provide extra warmth and help retain your body heat during a cold night or a chilly afternoon.

From air pads, self-inflating pads, or a lightweight sleeping pad, there is sure to be a great choice for your next camping trip on this list!

The following outlines why it is important to take along a sleeping pad for your next hammock trip, and the best pads that you can find today!

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Why Do You Need a Sleeping Pad for Your Hammock?

Hammocks are extremely comfortable for lounging and napping. However, that comfort starts to wear off the more time you spend in it.

It may not be surprising that a hammock pad offers additional comfort, but it can also keep you warmer. Here’s what to look for to maximize both benefits!

Keeps You Warmer

Adding a layer between you and the cool night air can provide better insulation. That helps stave off chilly nights and lazy afternoons and keeps your body temperature higher despite the cold air.

Look for a great option that offers a high R-Value. An R-value shows how effective a pad is at preventing heat loss, keeping you warmer at night. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a cooler mattress, go with a lower R-Value (like the Klymit Static V2 below).

Comfort

Another important factor when considering a hammock pad is your comfort level. It’s a no-brainer that a thick pad can add a layer of comfort by providing a cushion to your sleeping area.

Obviously, thicker pads offer additional support over a more lightweight pad. But they may be more cumbersome to carry and store, depending on the pad. So, you don’t necessarily want the thickest pad, but rather a happy medium between comfort and practicality.

You can choose from cell foam pads or an inflatable sleeping pad since both pad options have options that won’t take up much space in the RV or camper.

Why are People Choosing Hammock Camping Over Tent Camping?

Many people like hammock camping over tent camping for several reasons. Not to mention all of the RVers who like to pitch a hammock on their site for leisurely afternoons and stargazing at night. (Speaking of night skies, you might want to check out my Tips on Stargazing.)

Comfort

When you sleep in a hammock, your body is raised above the cold, hard ground. This can lead to better quality sleep, especially if you also use a good sleeping pad.

Space

Sleeping in a hammock does not take up as much space as a tent. In fact, you can easily pack your hammock, sleeping bag, and pad when packing up, and be on the go. You will not have to lug around as much stuff!

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Versatility

Think of all the beautiful places you can hang and sleep when out in nature! If you camp in a tent, you have to find a spot that is flat and wide enough for your tent to be set up. A hammock allows you to set up in more unique locations, or move easily when you want to. (Which is also ideal for boondocking)

Fresh Air

Most nature lovers want to breathe in the fresh air when they take to the great outdoors! Hammock sleepers get out of a tent, and into that fresh air! If you also use one with a bug net, you can have the best of both worlds: fresh air without the pests!

Best Hammock Sleeping Pad

The following are my top picks for the best hammock sleeping pad!

Klymit Hammock V Sleeping Pad

This top choice sleeping pad features a V-chamber design with side rails, that wraps the body in additional comfort. This large size pad is insulated, but lightweight.

The Klymit Hammock V Sleeping Pad has a synthetic insulation. That makes it great for all seasons, and one of the reasons it’s at the top of my list!

This excellent design has V-shaped air cells that limits air movement, decreasing body heat loss. It is constructed from durable 75D polyester material that can withstand most punctures and tears.

It also offers a high R-value of 4.4 which means it can help keep you warm during almost freezing temperatures!

This pad also folds up into a very small size, about 5 x 8 inches. It also inflates to be 72″ long, which accommodates taller people.

In addition, its side rails can help keep you stable inside your hammock so that you don’t roll out when you doze off.

POWERLIX Ultra Lightweight Sleeping Pad

This excellent choice is a top-notch sleeping pad that won’t leave you breathless. It has a unique inflating method where you trap air into an included bag, and then roll that air into the mattress. A dual-action air valve that makes it easier to inflate and deflate, too.

That nifty air bag can be used as a pillow, too!

The mattress is ultra-lightweight and fits into a 4″x11″ carrying case that you can clip to a backpack or squeeze into most RV storage spaces.

The hexagon design is like sleeping on a bunch of little pillows that cradle you. All of that and an affordable price, it’s no wonder that it’s an Amazon bestseller.

Klymit Static v2

Not only is this pad very lightweight, weighing just under a pound. But it is high quality and durable.

Its V-chamber design provides great insulation, and it is not as expensive as other pads on the market. Although, it is a bit more expensive than the POWERLIX.

However, while this pad is excellent for summer camping, it does only offer an R-value of 1.3. That means you won’t want to take it out for a winter adventure if you are looking for great insulation against cold weather.

In addition, the top layer is made from 30D polyester, meaning that it may be slightly more prone to tears or punctures. You will want to keep extra weight to a minimum. So depending on your body shape, this pad may not be the best for you.

Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro (Self-Inflating)

The Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro is an excellent choice when it comes to sleeping pads. Not only is this high-quality inflatable pad self-inflating, but it also has an R-value greater than 4 to keep you warm in cold temperatures!

This pad is a bit pricier than others, but that is because it comes with two inches of supportive foam. That also makes it a bit bulkier than other sleeping pads, which isn’t ideal for backpacking but isn’t so bad for RV leisure.

However, it provides excellent comfort and is a great shape to fit snugly inside a hammock.

The pad also features a diagonal-cut foam which can help keep you more insulated without adding more weight.

You can choose different size options to accommodate your personal needs.

ALPS Mountaineering Foam Camping Mat

This mat is for those who don’t want to mess with inflatable mats and want the ultra comfort of foam.

This excellent choice is a top-notch sleeping pad. Not only is it constructed from very lightweight foam, but it comes complete with carrying straps. That means you can attach it easily to your backpack for longer hiking treks.

Since it’s foam, it’s a little more rigid than others options which makes it a bit more difficult to use in a hammock. However, you could always trim the edges to make it fit more comfortably in your particular hammock.

Your Vote on the Best Sleeping Pad for Hammock Use

Please let us know in the comments if you’ve used any of the above or recommend any other hammock pads. We always appreciate your input!

Mike and Jennifer’s Favorite Places in Florida – all 3 ebooks!

We RVers may wander far and wide but it’s true for most of us that we end up with some favorite “Go-To” places – places that draw us back again and again.

Florida is one of those places for us. And we know it is for many RVers looking to get away and explore during the winter. 

That’s why we’ve created three guides, covering Florida’s Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast, and the Keys. 

Each of these guides is a seven-day guided exploration of one of the coasts. And each stop is a curated view of the best things that we’ve enjoyed on this trip and want you to experience.

Altogether these guides are over 300 pages of content! 

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FAQ’s about Florida Gulf Coast beaches of interest to RVers

What is the weather like along Florida’s Gulf Coast?

The weather along Florida’s Gulf Coast can vary depending on the time of year and the specific location. In general, the area experiences hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters.

The Panhandle region can be quite cool in January. It is seldom below freezing, but daytime highs are typically in the 50s. It warms up about 10 degrees each month.

You can also generally add about 10 degrees for every 150 miles you travel south down the Florida peninsula.

By the time you hit Naples, daytime highs in January are in the comfortable 70s.

Did Hurricane Ian destroy many beach campgrounds on the Gulf Coast?

While it severely damaged almost two dozen RV parks and campgrounds, about 8-10 campgrounds in the Naples-Ft. Myers area were completely destroyed. Most of the damaged campgrounds have been repaired and reopened.

Check with the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds if you have questions or concerns.

Are there any websites that can help me get a reservation for a Florida beach campground?

One of the best resources we can recommend is called Campnab. This service monitors parks for cancelations and sends you an alert when an opening matches your criteria. That said, it isn’t magic. The app doesn’t create availabilities. 

The service works – but it is not free.

Campnab offers two ways to use the service. The first is individual pay-per-use scans. These watch for vacancies at a specific park for a specific date. These work well if you know exactly when and where you intend to camp. Pay-per-use scans cost $10 – $20, depending on how frequently you want them to check availability.

The second way to use the service is through a membership. These typically run monthly and are tailored to those who camp more frequently or are looking to maximize their chance of finding a site. Membership allows you to scan multiple parks and/or dates simultaneously. With memberships, you pay a monthly recurring fee ($10, $20, $30, or $50), depending on your needs.

Are there places in Florida where you can literally camp on the beach for free?

Not many. And they are very pricey. If you want to sleep directly on the sand in an RV, you’ll have to stay at a developed commercial campground like Camp Gulf on the Emerald Coast or an RV resort like Big Pine Key Resort in the keys. Some state parks like the Gamble Rogers State Memorial Recreation Area in the Atlantic Coast or  Bahia Honda State Park in the keys or Fort Desto State Park near St. Petersburg have beachside sites, too.

But are there free, unrestricted RV beach camping spots in Florida?

Sorry, none that I know of that would work for RVs.

There is unrestricted camping on wild beaches on a couple of islands, but you need a boat to get there, and it is for tent camping only. If you want to sleep directly on the sand, there is Anclote Key offshore Tarpon Springs, and Shell Key in Pinellas County. Another favorite is Keewaydin Island between Naples and Marco Island but that area remains pretty devasted from Hurricane Ian.