Nemo Switchback Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review
Updated:
Jan 20, 2025
Comfort
Warmth / Weight
Packed Size
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Type
Foam
R-value
2.0
Weight
14.5 oz.
Packed Size
20 x 5.5 x 5 in.
Thickness
0.9 in.
Fabric(s)
PE foam
Pros
Cons
Nemo Switchback
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads.
This score may seem mediocre at first, but it’s relative to the sleeping pad category as a whole. The Nemo Switchback—and any other closed-cell foam pad, for that matter—will never match the thickness and cushion of a baffled air pad. But compared to other foam pads? This one surpasses most of the competition.
To start, the Nemo Switchback is one of the thickest foam pads out there, at 0.9 inches (once again, keep in mind that air pads will always have more height than their foam counterparts). That’s near the top of the category—only the Exped FlexMat Plus, at 1.5 inches, is thicker—and a step up from the classic Therm-a-Rest Z Lite and Z Lite Sol pads, which each measure 0.75 inches thick. Exped’s other foam pad, the regular FlexMat, is also only 0.7 inches thick. Praising the Switchback for its dimensions may seem like playing in the margins, but when pads are this thin we’ll take what we can get. It won’t protect you from rocks or roots, but on a dirt or sand tent site, it’ll provide some welcome cushion.
Notably, Nemo designed the Switchback with a unique air cell pattern: Instead of straight, horizontal rows, the pad’s raised cells and divots are arranged in a hexagonal layout, which provides a different feel than other backpacking sleeping pads. One Better Trail editor, who slept on the Switchback during a backpacking trip into Southern Colorado’s Big Dominguez Canyon, deemed the novel design an upgrade over normal foam pads. To repeat, it’s not a game-changing upgrade or enough comfort to appeal to side sleepers—and most back sleepers too—but the difference is noticeable.
As with comfort, it helps to look at our warmth-to-weight score first in the context of pads in general, and then zero in on the closed-cell foam subcategory. For the former, the Switchback and its foam brethren will never match the insulating powers of air pads. (The 13 oz. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, for example, weighs less than the Switchback but has more than double its R-value.) However, with an R-value of 2.0, the 14.5-ounce Switchback once again ranks near the top of the foam pad lineup. The Z Lite has an R-value of 1.7, while the Z Lite Sol and its heat-reflective top layer match the Switchback at 2.0. (The Switchback’s insulation comes in the form of an internal reflective layer, as well as the air trapped inside its individual cells.) Once again, though, it’s bested by the FlexMat Plus’s 2.2 R-value.
In terms of usage, the Switchback—as well as the other foam pads we’re comparing it to—is only insulated enough for camping on warm summer nights. However, it’s also convenient to layer beneath an air pad for a super-charged cold-weather sleep platform; because R-value is additive, adding the 2.0 Switchback to an air pad in the 4ish R-value range creates a 6.0-plus R-value setup that you can use to sleep on snow. This also potentially saves you the cost of having to buy a dedicated winter pad.
The Nemo Switchback is bulky, full stop. Rather than compressing down and fitting into a stuff sack, as air pads do, it folds in on itself accordion-style and maintains its entire 20-inch width (when folded it measures 20 in. x 5 in. x 5.5 in). Backpackers almost always carry it (and other foam pads) on the outside of their backpack. As far as closed-cell models go, though, it’s right in line with the packed size of the competition.
One of the best reasons to own a closed-cell foam pad is its reliability, and the Nemo Switchback is no exception. With no way to spring a leak, it doesn’t have the fallibility of an air pad, meaning you can use and abuse it—set it down on rocks, prickly branches, or any other surface—without fear of it popping and ruining your trip. All in all, the Switchback’s foam construction is nearly indestructible; one of our editors even uses it to wrap pots of just-boiled water at meal-time. Our backpacking sleeping pads have picked up a few small nicks and scratches but impressively have not had any chunks of foam fall off.
With no need for inflation, foam pads are as easy as it gets in terms of setup and packing away. Simply pick a spot, unfold, and enjoy not having to fiddle with a pump sack or use your lungs. We’d also be remiss not to shout out the Switchback’s other main use: It works great as a seat for multiple people, whether you’re lounging in camp or taking a snack break on the trail. There’s undeniably something appealing about throwing it down as temporary ground cover in places you’d never dare put an air pad.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
The Nemo Switchback comes in two sizes, regular and short. The regular version is 72 inches long and 20 inches wide—the standard rectangular pad size—while the short is 51 inches long with the same width. (It’s meant for diehard minimalists and climbers who supplement the pad with a backpack, rope, or some other surface to sleep on.) One of our testers, who describes himself as having wide shoulders, reported that he had no trouble fitting on the pad. He also said it was nice to have a rectangular shape, rather than a tapered mummy silhouette since he’s a side-sleeper.
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol ($60): The Tried and True Classic
Although it’s thicker than the Z Lite Sol, the Switchback still folds up to the same size (20 in. by 5 in. by 5.5 in.), and at 14.5 ounces weighs only half an ounce more. Besides that (and the minuscule difference in price), these pads are basically the same. Like the Switchback, the Z Lite Sol has an R-value of 2.0 and is made from closed-cell foam, with cups and cells arranged in what we’ve come to think of as the “regular” pattern of more or less straight lines. Both these pads have the same use cases and strengths; picking one over the other will more or less come down to which foam you prefer, and if that .15 inches of thickness on the Switchback matters to you or not. For more, read our review of the Z Lite Sol.
Exped FlexMat ($45): The Budget Option
Exped’s version of the closed-cell foam pad, the FlexMat, costs even less than the Switchback and the Z Lite Sol. It’s thinner, though (0.7 inches thick), and its honeycomb-style nubs and divots are less pronounced than either of its two competitors, which could make for a less plush feel. At 20.5 inches across the Flex Mat is half an inch wider than the Switchback—again, with foam pads it’s all about playing in the margins—and weighs less, at 12.3 ounces. It’s less warm, with an R-value of 1.5, but it does have one trait that the Switchback and Z Lite don’t: The FlexMat comes in a long wide version that measures 77.6 inches long and 25.6 inches across, if you want more coverage for under your air pad, beneath your keister, or however else you choose to use it. Finally, there’s a FlexMat Plus ($60) available, which bumps thickness to 1.5 inches—with corresponding jumps in weight and packed size.
Big Agnes Divide Insulated ($130): Air Pad Upgrade
If you’re unsure about sleeping so close to the ground, it’s worth considering an air pad upgrade. Big Agnes’ Divide Insulated checks a lot of boxes: It’s affordable at $130 (regular size), has a higher R-value than the foam Switchback (4 vs. 2), and is substantially thicker at 3 inches. The Divide is also reasonably durable and packs down much smaller at just 7.5 inches by 4 inches. It’s double the price, 7.5 ounces heavier, and comes with less versatility than the Switchback, but we give the Divide the clear nod as an all-rounder backpacking sleeping pad. For more, read our review of the Big Agnes Divide Insulated.
The Switchback is one of our favorite closed-cell foam pads. Its texture offers a unique feel, and its warmth and thickness are above average for the category. There are cheaper closed-cell options, though, and it’s not that comfortable or warm when used on its own.
Comfort
Warmth / Weight
Packed Size
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
The Z Lite Sol is a do-all closed-cell foam pad many consider a backpacking mainstay. It’s not quite as cushioned as the Nemo Switchback but offers the same level of insulation for half an ounce less.
Comfort
Warmth / Weight
Packed Size
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
One of the best budget models we tested, the Divide Insulated has an impressive R-value and comfort level for its price. Its weight and warmth don’t exactly turn heads, but your wallet will notice.
Comfort
Warmth / Weight
Packed Size
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Is the Switchback for You?
If you’re considering a closed-cell foam sleeping pad the Nemo Switchback is one of the top contenders, especially if saving as much money as possible isn’t your main priority. It’s worth the (quite reasonable) extra dollars compared to other foam pads, thanks to its slightly thicker shape and (relatively) comfortable, smartly designed cell-and-divot pattern. And of course, it does what other foam pads do best: Provide a worry-free, long-lasting platform that you can slot into your backpacking kit as a versatile part of your sleep system.
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