Product Spotlight: NEMO Switchback Foam Pad
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Foam pads never pop, never leak and never need inflating. You unfold one in the dark, throw it down and lie on it. The NEMO Switchback is a folding egg-crate-style pad that takes on the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol directly.
Tier: budget-to-mid.
NEMO's design changes
- Hexagonal nodes that nest tightly, so the foam can be taller without taking up more packed space
- Taller nodes leave more room for your sleeping bag's insulation to loft underneath you
- Dual-density foam, with a softer comfort layer on top of a firmer support layer
- A metallized reflective film, protected by a durable coating, to bounce heat back toward you
Amazon lists it at about 16 oz.
Is it as comfortable as an air pad?
No foam pad is. Most people find any closed-cell pad firmer than an inflatable, and side sleepers notice that most. A lot of hikers solve this by carrying both: an air pad for comfort and a Switchback underneath for warmth and puncture protection. On its own it's a strong choice for desert travel, where thorns are common, and for minimalist hikers.
Other uses
It works as a sit pad at lunch breaks, a frame sheet in frameless packs, and a splint in a pinch. Folding pads are bulky, so most people strap them outside the pack.
Check the NEMO Switchback on Amazon
Availability changes often, so check the Amazon listing for current stock and options.