Quick answer: If you sleep on your side, judge a backpacking pad by usable width, pressure comfort, tent fit, and how it feels after you adjust the air—not thickness or R-value alone. The Light Tour R4.2 and R7.5 are listed as 10 cm thick in R, RW, and L, but that number cannot guarantee that every side sleeper's hip will stay off the ground.
Why a 10 cm pad can still feel wrong
Side sleeping concentrates pressure at the shoulder and hip. An overinflated pad may feel firm and bouncy; an underinflated pad may bottom out when you roll over. Try inflating the pad, lying on your side for several minutes, then releasing a little air until your hip and shoulder are supported without touching the ground. Repeat this test with the bag or quilt you plan to use, because its fit can change how you lie on the pad.
Thickness is only one part of the decision. Baffle shape, your body dimensions, air pressure, and the surface below all affect comfort. A laboratory R-value addresses thermal resistance, not pressure relief. A claimed “side-sleeper pad” should be evaluated by a real lying-down test rather than a promise that nobody will bottom out.
Regular, regular-wide, or long?
| Listed Light Tour size | Inflated dimensions | Who should test it first? |
|---|---|---|
| R | 178 × 55 × 10 cm | Hikers who want a narrower pad and can keep shoulders and arms on it. |
| RW | 186 × 64 × 10 cm | Campers who want more width without the length of the L version. |
| L | 196 × 64 × 10 cm | Taller campers who need more length as well as the 64 cm width. |
If you wake because an arm or knee slides onto the cold floor, moving from 55 to 64 cm may address the problem more directly than simply raising R-value. If you camp in a compact Lanshan 1 or share a Lanshan 2, use our tent-fit guide before buying a wide pad.
Do you need an insulated pad on a warm summer night?
Many campers still want a pad for cushioning, a cleaner surface, and some separation from the ground even when warmth is not the main concern. If you only camp in reliably warm conditions and count every gram, compare the cost and packed weight of a lower-R pad with the higher-R models. If your trips also include chilly shoulder-season nights, the Light Tour R4.2 may be worth considering as one pad for those broader plans. Choose the R7.5 when greater ground insulation is a clear need, not because summer comfort requires the largest R number.
Best for
Side sleepers comparing 55 cm and 64 cm widths; people who turn at night; warm-weather campers trying to decide whether an insulated inflatable is useful beyond cold protection.
Not ideal for
Promising a pressure-free night for every body; buying a wide pad before checking tent clearance; assuming R-value measures softness or comfort.
FAQ
“I'm a side sleeper. Should I get the R7.5 instead of R4.2?”
Choose between them primarily by ground-insulation needs. Both list the same width and thickness options. For pressure comfort, compare sizes and test inflation; for warmth, read the R4.2 vs R7.5 comparison.
“Is 25 inches wide enough to stop me falling off?”
RW and L are listed at 64 cm, about 25.2 inches, but no width can guarantee that. Mark 64 cm on your floor and lie in your usual position to see where your arms and knees land.
“Why do my hips hurt on an inflatable pad?”
Pressure, firmness, and sleeping position may all contribute. Adjust the air and test on a level surface. If discomfort continues, a different pad construction or a thicker car-camping mattress may suit you better.
“Can a summer pad be too insulated?”
More insulation does not actively heat you, but it may add cost or carry weight you do not need. Use the R-value buying guide to match insulation to your trip range.