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From packable pads to comfortable air beds, we found the best camping mattresses and sleeping pads to fit every adventure and budget.
Sleeping out under the stars is one of our favorite ways to unwind, and unlike backpacking, frontcountry camping allows for the full comfort outdoor experience — without the worry over pack weights and size. And with that, one of the first pieces of kit we splurge on is the perfect camping sleeping pad. Ultra-cushioned, cozy, and warm — all assets in ensuring your night out is a memorable one.
We all have different needs when it comes to sleeping pads, so while there isn’t a single camping pad that will suit everyone out there, we’ve broken them up into categories to help you find the right camp pad for you. And our picks aren’t skin-deep, either — in total, our team has put in over 250 hours of slumber over the seasons, testing sleeping pads from across the market and seeking out the best for every conceivable camp situation.
We’ve unfurled our bedrolls across the country toward this end, from the foothills of the Appalachians to the basins and ranges of the desert Southwest, and have a pretty good idea of what it means to be a great camping mattress.
During all of our testing, we tallied weights, timed inflation rates, and stuffed these mattresses mercilessly into the backs of our rigs, comparing each against the other in our search for the best. Packed size, comfort, warmth, ease of use, and durability were all considered, and we tested just about every mattress we could get our mitts on. These are the sleeping pads we recommend to just about anyone looking for a good night out in the wilderness.
Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys that span the camping mattress spectrum. At the end of our list, we’ve included a buyer’s guide that spells out the ins and outs of camping mattresses, ensuring you can key in on the one for you. We’ve also included a product spec table for easy comparison. And, if you still have questions about camping mattresses, there’s an FAQ for that.
Editor’s Note: We updated this guide on October 13, 2023, to include more detailed information on our testing history and practices, as well as anointing the NEMO Roamer XL as our pick for the Best Basecamp Camping Mattress, and adding additional information on camping mattress designs.
When you first lie down on the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D ($240-275), you realize what you’ve been missing. There’s room to spread out, all the warmth you could need, and tons of foam padding. The vertical sidewalls enhance the sleeping space by 20%, which means you can roll around without falling off.
The dual valves make inflation easier. And we like the way it completely opens up for a faster deflation. It will take a couple of times rolling it up tightly to fit in the carrying bag, which was one of our only issues with it, but it is possible.
On top of comfort and warmth, what really made this pad stand out is its long-term durability. We’ve used it for more than 200 nights, and it’s still going strong.
It’s withstood a rowdy, jumping toddler, lying directly on gravel and other variable surfaces, and constant adult weight-bearing through the night. Through it all, it’s maintained perfect inflation and comfort.
At $240 for the large, this pad falls in between the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap and NEMO Roamer in price, matches them in comfort, and beats them in warmth and longevity. So, you’ll have to decide which factor is most important to you.
If you go with the MondoKing 3D, rest easy knowing you’ll be ultra cozy all night long, and can bank on comfort for future trips you’ve yet to imagine. Overall, it’s the best camping mattress. Available in large and XXL sizes.
Newly revamped for 2023, the REI Co-op Camp Dreamer XL ($179) is back, still sporting all of the large and in-charge camping pad energy we loved in its previous iterations. At a plush 4 inches, this comfort-to-cost ratio on this budget pad is off the charts, and it lands itself high on our lists for not only ultra-comfortable, but also affordable, camping mattresses. With an R-value of 6.6, it’s got the warmth to keep you going far into the shoulder seasons.
Gone is the previous foam-filled pad pump that doubled as a pillow, and in its place is a new pump sack, which in testing we found to be an improvement in terms of speed and packability. The reversible high-flow valve is simple, and deflating the pad at the end of a trip is quite easy. If you want something that rivals the comfort of the MondoKing 3D or NEMO Roamer XL but clocks in for a few dollars less, this is the pad for you.
All of that plush comfort has to come at some cost, and here it’s packed size. Though certainly not as much of a concern with car campers, you should remember to leave space for the mattress when you’re playing packing games to get everything to fit.
Best for those who want a comfortable pad but don’t want to part with an arm and a leg for it, this mattress from REI has all the luxury with little of the cost typically involved.
Anyone who’s ever called their car home will appreciate the NEMO Roamer XL ($250). This is the ultimate adventure mobile mattress. It’s thick, warm, and it’s seriously comfortable. With 4 inches of open-cell foam, you can sleep soundly wherever home happens to be. If you’re settling in for the long haul at a remote basecamp, the Roamer XL is the mattress to do it with.
As with most self-inflating pads, you’ll need to top it off for maximum comfort. But the micro-adjust valve makes it easy to add air without worrying about losing any. And we liked how the one-way valves make quick work of deflating the pad fully when it’s time to pack up camp.
Traditional air mattresses are thin and more susceptible to tears, but with the foam construction and a 75-denier polyester bottom, the Roamer XL is truly built to withstand camping outside. As an additional perk, the loops and toggles on the side allow you to connect two Roamers to create a two-person mattress.
While it’s not ultralight by any means, it packs down fairly small for the added comfort it offers (about the size of a winter sleeping bag, or 10 x 16 inches).
We put this sleeping pad through extensive use, and after more than 150 nights it finally stopped holding air. The valves developed a slow leak that left us needing to top it off every night. For a permanent van or car dweller, it may not be ideal. But, for someone who car camps when exploring, we’d highly recommend it.
The Roamer also comes as a double ($400).
Therm-a-Rest followed the winning formula of their NeoAir XLite and XTherm pads to produce their most luxurious NeoAir pad yet: the NeoAir Topo Luxe ($180-230). At 4 inches thick, it’s also easily the most comfortable, and fills an interesting niche between camping and backpacking better than any pad we’ve slept on thus far.
When we initially tested the Topo Luxe during an overnight in North Cascades National Park, we had reservations. Typically, when a pure air mattress reaches a certain thickness it suffers from waterbed syndrome — an ailment where any movement translates into a bouncy ride.
Our fears, thankfully, were unfounded, largely thanks to Therm-a-Rest’s use of their Triangular Core Matrix: a double-stacked layer of baffles that stabilize the pad across its length. It even performed admirably when used atop a campsite of loose alpine rock. Now 2 years into our testing, we can confidently say that the Topo Luxe is tough enough to hang.
Because it’s the same recipe as other NeoAir pads, it doesn’t sport vertical sidewalls, which can make for less usable space for sleeping on. The pad also uses 50-denier polyester across the top and bottom, which is a thinner material than some of the pads on our list, and it’ll need to be treated as such.
No one-trick pony, this pad even slipped into our packs on shorter backpacking overnights where we can indulge in a few luxury items. As a real master of two domains, the NeoAir Topo Luxe would make an excellent pad for those who split their time between the front country and the back, or who want to simplify their gear closet.
The Topo Luxe is available in a number of sizes, including regular wide, large, and X-large.
When comfort is your main concern, the MegaMat ($350-490) is your answer. What it lacks in packed size and affordability, it more than makes up for in size and comfort.
The open-cell polyurethane foam insulates and cushions. And while some double sleeping pads perpetually send one partner for a ride when the other moves, the MegaMat Duo is stable and quiet.
As with all self-inflating pads, expect to top it off after heavy use. But instead of having to blow into it, you can use the included mini pump, which simplifies inflation and minimizes effort. It also includes a repair kit should you ever get a tear (although we’ve found it impressively durable).
One of our favorite things about this pad is how level it is. Some camping mattresses pop up in the middle when filled, but thanks to the 3D construction, this bad boy stays flat even when fully inflated and being slept on.
At 77.6 inches long and 52 inches wide, the MegaMat is large enough to snugly fit two adults or spaciously sleep one. For reference, a double-size fitted sheet fits almost perfectly.
The durable sidewalls provide support, and as our tester noted, “The vertical sidewalls increase the usable sleeping surface. This small addition compared to other sleeping pads is instantly noticeable.” Apart from adding comfort and space, these impressive sidewalls also help keep you dry in really bad weather.
“During one stretch, Mother Nature pounded us with rain for 3 days straight. The bottoms of the tents were soaked. The height and larger surface kept me dry and warm even over wet ground.”
Not lightweight, you’ll certainly notice the heft of the MegaMat among your camping supplies — it’s easily one of the heaviest we reviewed that isn’t a full foam mattress design. Along with that will be a bulky packed size, which makes this a camping mattress best suited for close-to-the-car endeavors.
Durable, comfortable, and stable — this is the ultimate sleeping pad for two people. It’s also available as a single. If you don’t mind the weight, it’s one of the best camping mattresses you can buy.
Read Review: Mega Size, Warmth, & Comfort: Exped ‘MegaMat’
For quick and easy setup, it’s tough to beat the convenience of a good air bed. With no internal foam, air beds like the ALPS Mountaineering Vertex ($180) pack away into much smaller packages over their self-inflating cousins, and when it comes to the best of the best, the Vertex is just about on top.
To be sure: Full air beds like the Vertex are better suited to warmer weather camping when the lack of insulation won’t be as much of a concern, but for summer nights when you’re tossing up camp in a hurry, the Vertex makes the grade in our books.
While the air mattress you might roll out for the in-laws is likely twice as thick as this mattress, we’ve found that these domestic versions fare poorly when taken outdoors. This is because, while they boast a very thick build, all of the air inside is particularly difficult for even a pair of campers to warm up. At 6 inches thick, the Vertex Air Bed from ALPS balances the issue well — providing enough comfort and warmth during our testing.
Gone are the D-cell-powered pumps of the past, too, as the Vertex comes with a rechargeable pump that cuts the cord and simplifies deploying the pad. While not the leader in warmth or comfort, the Vertex Air Bed does make a strong case for ease of use in a camping mattress.
The Hest Dually ($549-599) is an incredibly comfortable mattress that sleeps two and folds in half for travel. But its remarkable comfort and durability are matched only by its hefty price tag. Despite the price, the Dually Mattress is an excellent purpose-built truck bed sleep system.
To achieve great comfort at just 3.9 inches thick (open), the mattress uses two layers of high-performance polyfoam. It cradles your body for sleeping while providing effective insulation against the cold truck bed below you. Our tester has enjoyed wonderful nights of sleep on this mattress, and would recommend it for anyone looking for a permanent, portable truck bed mattress.
The bottom and sides of the Dually mattress use heathered nylon woven with a polyurethane backing for durability. It’s a tougher fabric that can handle jostling around in the back of a pickup truck with other gear. We packed lots of gear on top of the mattress when folded, and it showed no signs of wear.
Due to the seamless center-fold design, there’s also no noticeable seam where the mattress folds. Other cool features include phone pockets on each side and handles for easy carrying.
Read Review: Sleep in the Bed of Your Truck? Try the Hest Dually Mattress
Comfort, ahoy! The new Captain Comfort Deluxe Camp pad ($250-350) from Big Agnes is the warmest and coziest from the brand to date, pumping out an 8+ R-value and 5 inches of foam-core comfort.
We absolutely loved kicking back on this pad during a recent testing trip to Joshua Tree National Park, where cold desert nights sent us running to our bags once the sun went down. Luckily the impressive warmth of the Captain Comfort bounced our body heat right back at us, ensuring a toasty night.
Constructed with a foam-core construction, this self-inflator will keep you a full 5 inches off the ground, and thanks to the vertical side walls you can use every inch of the sleeping surface. We also truly appreciated the dual pull-tab valves during inflation and deflation, as well as the oversized side-opening stuff sack — no more fighting to stuff it back in!
Compared to other similar mattresses like the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D or the NEMO Roamer XL, the Captain Comfort does edge both when it comes to warmth, but at a tradeoff when it comes to weight. At similar dimensions, the Captain Comfort is roughly 1 pound heavier than both.
Perfect for cooler nights when you need an edge against the chill, the Captain Comfort is high on our list of camping pads to bring with you into the shoulder season. And for those who are looking to outfit the back of their truck for a slice of the #vanlife, the 41″ x 72″ size is a few inches shorter than both the single and double versions to accommodate typical 6-foot-long truck beds.
Like a number of other mattresses on our list, the NEMO Quasar 3D Pad ($160-200) is comfortable playing double-duty as a camping mattress turned backpacking pad. Compact, lightweight, and simple to set up, this pad covers the range for whatever you’re looking to get into.
Stacked up next to the Therm-a-Rest Neoair Topo Luxe, the Quasar takes the edge on a few facets, most notably the 3D baffling that creates a gentle curve to keep your body centered while sleeping, and slightly lifts your head. During testing our campers certainly noticed this feature, which helps make up for any inconsistencies in the ground you’re sleeping on.
At 3.5 inches thick, the Quasar is a bit thinner than the Topo Luxe, although we found that pretty much anything over 3 inches thick feels about the same. The regular/wide version we tested provided ample sleeping space at 72 inches long and 25 inches wide, and other versions exist as well, including a long wide, and a double.
Compared to the pump sack provided with current Therm-a-Rest mattresses, we did take a liking to the Vortex sack ever so slightly more, as its narrow fill neck makes rolling down the bag an easier affair. We will note, however, that due to the design of the Quick Dump valve on the Quasar, if you overinflate the mattress with the pump sack, the valve will eject on its own! This is the single reason that keeps this mattress from taking the crossover camping and backpacking title, and we hope that later iterations will come up with a new way to inflate/deflate.
The Quasar comes in both insulated and non-insulated versions (we tested the insulated), although both are a bit under-gunned when it comes to warmth compared to other pads on our list. At an R-value of 3.3 (and 1.8 non-insulated), the Quasar will likely be relegated for summertime use. Comparatively, the Topo Luxe specs out at 3.7.
Value warmth and weight over all else? The Topo Luxe is probably your pad. But if you’re looking for packable comfort that cradles you as you sleep, it’s hard to beat the NEMO Quasar 3D.
Do you like a good memory foam mattress? Let us introduce you to the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap Sleeping Pad ($180-240), with 3 inches of air and engineered foam that provide plenty of cushioning for a good night’s sleep — all at a palatable price. And with an R-value of 6, it will keep you warm on chilly summer nights (and into the shoulder seasons with the proper sleeping bag).
The horizontal core foam is designed to pack up easily and (as you can see in the above image) is mapped out in such a way as to provide more support in the areas that will see the most weight. We learned the hard way one night that these foam baffles make for a lumpy, uncomfortable surface if not fully inflated. When topped off, however, this pad rivals any hotel bed for comfort.
At 3 inches thick, this mattress has become one of our favorites to pair with a camping cot, as it isn’t too tall to make us feel off-balance when stacked atop a cot. Compared to the Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp Sleeping Pad, which is 2 inches thick, it’s fairly impressive just how much more comfortable an extra inch can be, and we’ll say confidently that this is just about the sweet spot for thickness when it comes to camping pads.
A soft, stretch-knit surface is comfortable next to the skin, which means this pad won’t need any sort of sheet to be cozy. The two TwinLock high-flow valves are simple, and deflating the pad at the end of a trip is quite easy. If you want something that rivals the comfort of the Exped MegaMat but clocks in for a few dollars less, the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap is the pad for you.
Like the NeoAir Topo Luxe, this pad shines in the spaces between camping and backpacking, with an added twist. The Klymit Klymaloft ($160-270) adds a supremely soft foam topper to the upper two-thirds of the pad, and we aren’t lying when we say this pad just felt good to sink into.
By using a combination of air and foam construction, the Klymaloft sleeping pad straddles the line between comfort and packability — compressing down to a respectable 8-inch x 11.5-inch cylinder. We greatly appreciated being able to bring along such a small package, without sacrificing any comfort to do so.
Since it’s an air mattress first, the pad won’t self-inflate much and you’ll need to do some of the heavy lifting. Thankfully, the pad is compatible with Klymit’s USB Rechargeable Pump ($60), a little device that we’ve come to love for quick inflation while setting up camp.
There was one issue, however: the R-value of 2.3, which keeps this pad firmly on the summer side of a three-season designation, and on the lower end of all the pads we tested. You’ll need to bring a bit more insulation to stretch this pad into shoulder season use. Since our initial season of testing with the Klymaloft pad, we’ve now relegated it to camping trips in the middle of summer, where it seems perfectly happy performing.
At $160, this pad is an affordable and compact way to bring along a good bit of comfort on your next camping foray. It’s available in regular, extra large, and double sizes.
The Sea to Summit Comfort Plus SI has a lot to offer. It’s priced under $200 ($180 for the regular version) and provides 3 inches of self-inflating comfort. We’ve now tested this pad over multiple seasons of camping, and overall, we’re highly impressed.
Although it’s not quite as plush as a thicker pad like the MondoKing, it’s incredibly comfortable. Even the side sleepers among us like it.
The 4.1 R-value means you’ll stay warm and could even use this camp mattress year-round (paired with the right sleeping bag). This upgraded mat is noticeably thicker and more comfortable than the previous models.
The Comfort Plus SI also scored top marks for next-to-skin comfort. The 30-denier knitted upper fabric is soft to the touch — but is a bit thin when compared to other mattresses we’ve tested. We have used this pad directly on the ground and in tents without a ground cloth, and so far it’s been holding up.
We also appreciate Sea to Summit’s flip-over valve system. It creates a one-way flow for inflation, and then you can pull it completely out for quick deflation. At nearly 3 pounds in the large size (our preferred), this pad is better suited to car camping, but you could conceivably use it for short backpacking stints if needed.
And if you have an Aeros Camp Pillow, you’ll appreciate the “Pillow Lock” system. It’s really just a bit of hook and loop on the pad and pillow, but it does help keep your pillow in place.
The Comfort Plus SI is available in regular and large versions, as well as double-wide, rectangular wide, and even a rectangular large.
If the 4 inches of comfort of the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 doesn’t quite do it for you, don’t stray far: The Exped MegaMat 15 Max ($350) bolsters the brand’s thickest camping mattress to a luxuriant 6 inches, and we’re here to say that bigger often is better.
With a thickness often only seen in purely air mattresses, this sleeping pad can be soft-inflated for the maximum in body cradling — and it avoids the typical bounce with the inclusion of channeled foam throughout the pad.
During testing, our reviewer had to often arm wrestle their tent mate over who would get the ‘big mattress’ that evening. Such a large pad does take a while to fully expand, and once the foam has done its thing we needed to top it off with the included mini pump. Alternatively, Exped does offer its Widget Pump ($50), an ingenious little electric pump that speeds up the process significantly.
When it came time to roll we greatly appreciated Exped’s inclusion of a roll-top style stuff sack that opens on the long bias. This made storing the pad a breeze, which is saying something — this pad is a beast in its stored form. Easily one of the largest in our testing, you’ll want to ensure you’ve got space set aside to bring this one along.
When comfort is king (and money is no object), the Exped MegaMat 15 Max reigns supreme.
This self-inflating sleep mat ($125-139) gets high marks for durability and reliability. Year after year, night after night, it keeps inflating and providing plenty of warmth and cushion.
With an R-value of 6.8, it will keep even cold sleepers warm all summer long. And for most, it’s even enough insulation for winter camping. In addition to warmth, the open-cell foam provides a boost of comfort.
To inflate, simply unroll, open the valves, sit back, and relax. The foam will expand, and the pad will partially inflate. From here, you can top it off with a few breaths to reach your desired firmness.
For the easiest inflation, we recommend fully inflating your pad before your first camping trip. This will allow it to expand and prepare it for self-inflation.
Deflation is rather quick thanks to the high-flow valves, but it can take a couple of tries to get it rolled up tightly enough for packing. The polyester upper has a soft and comfortable fabric feel.
Once deployed, we comfortably laid directly on the sleeping pad and appreciated its furniture quality. With a 150-denier bottom, this pad has ample durability, and we didn’t worry about sticks or rocks when lying down.
At more than 3 pounds, it’s not the best camping mattress for backpacking, and is best used for car camping or short hikes into camp.
While there are thicker pads on this list, we found the Camp Bed to be a top pick thanks to its affordable price, ability to last through years of heavy use, comfort, and softness.
Rounding out the family of Exped camping mattresses, the Exped DeepSleep Mat ($160-180) is the budget choice of the bunch — but don’t count it out too quickly. It’s still got all of the excellent Exped tech baked in, just at a shorter stack height of 3 inches.
Something we really appreciated was the retention of Exped’s 3D construction in this sleeping pad, giving it a full-length sleeping area that doesn’t give an inch to seams. The upper fabric is also a brushed 75-denier polyester, meaning it’s both more durable and softer than the 50-denier nylon used in the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 and Exped MegaMat 15 Max.
Compared to other mats of the same thickness like the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus SI Sleeping Pad, we’d far rather be atop the DeepSleep, although for only a few more bucks, the Therm-a-Rest Neoair Topo Luxe offers a thicker and lighter pad, all in a more compact package.
The cost savings had to come from somewhere, and besides being a thinner pad than the other MegaMat offerings, the DeepSleep also doesn’t come with a pump or repair kit. Thankfully the pad self-inflates well enough, but it’ll be a sad day when we inevitably poke a hole in it.
For the money, the Exped DeepSleep Mat offers an easily obtainable slice of the good life, and is available in a dizzying number of sizes to fit any body type.
Finding the perfect camping mattress isn’t always a cut-and-dry affair, and we aren’t the types to take bad advice lying down. That’s why we’ve spent hours researching and field-testing sleeping pads for this guide over multiple summer seasons.
Our selection comes service of input from backpackers and campers across the country, and during testing, we consider all facets of a proper camping mattress, including packed size, comfort, warmth, and ease of use. We also looked at long-term durability, as well as the value you’re getting for your money.
And because a good night’s sleep is subjective, we also shove off sleeping pads into the packs of talented gear testers and friends — ensuring that we have input from all types including the tall to petit, side or back sleeper, and thru-hiker to weekend warrior. These camp mattresses have traveled in the backs of overlanding rigs to lofty pullouts above Colorado, been unfurled in the high-alpine fire lookout towers of the Pacific Northwest, and toted to campgrounds across the country.
Leading our current testing efforts is Senior Editor Nick Belcaster, an intermittent wilderness guide based smack-dab between the mountains of the Cascades and the waters of the Salish Sea in Washington State. Belcaster has spent entire seasons sleeping outdoors while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and has years under his belt equipping outdoors-goers to bed down in some of the most challenging terrain.
These days, he’s got his nose to the ground most nights seeking out the comfiest camp pad available for what’s on tap — be it a pre-climb trailhead-bivy in his truck or stealing away to a Montana campground for a flyfishing excursion.
To date, we have saddled up for sleep atop more than 20 different sleeping pads and have nearly 250 hours of shuteye logged in our search for the best of the best for any circumstances. We know that every camping trip may look a little different, which is why we’ve scanned the spectrum of options and tested everything from lightweight pads that’ll do double-duty in backpacking and camping, to mondo-sized 6-inch-thick mattresses that’ll rival your own at home.
At the end of the day, we’re confident these are the best camping mattresses available today. And as new pads hit the market, we’ll fold them into our testing to ensure our line-up is hip to the latest trends in backcountry bedding.
Before reading our buyer’s guide, take a few moments to think about how you plan to camp and sleep.
Will you be driving up to a camp spot, sleeping in your vehicle, hiking a mile or so in, or heading out on a weeklong backpacking trip? Do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach? Is extra cushioning important, or do you care more about saving weight?
Understanding your sleep preferences will help determine the best sleeping pad. Read on for the most important factors in choosing a camping pad. For this particular roundup, we focused specifically on pads made for car camping and similar applications. We did not test pads or mattresses designed to fit into a backpacking pack. If you’re looking for a backpacking pad, check out our favorite products here.
Self-Inflating: Laid up with a hybrid air/foam construction, a self-inflating camp mattress is filled with open-cell foam that can be compressed and expanded with the turn of the valve. Once open, air fills the chamber and expands the mat to its full volume, with all of the benefits of the added cushion of foam. This foam does make these mats a good bit less packable and heavier, but for most campers who don’t have very far to travel, a self-inflating mattress makes the most sense. Consider the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D as the standard bearer for self-inflating mattresses.
Foam Pads: Large and in charge, all foam mattresses are made with different densities of polyfoam to support and cradle you as you sleep — just flop it down and you’re good to go. While most foam mattresses today, like the Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite or NEMO Switchback, are oriented more for backpacking, there are others still that bulk up on the foam and forgo the portability in favor of comfort. The greatest benefit of a foam mattress lies in its simplicity and ease of use, along with the guarantee that it won’t pop when in contact with any errant pokies. The Hest Dually was the only all-foam design to gain high marks from our testing, but it did so with ease.
Air Mattresses: The most simple of all camping mattress designs, air mattresses are completely suspended by the volume of air they trap. This means that you’ll need to inflate them, either courtesy of your lungs, or with a pump sack or electric air pump. The payoff for your effort comes in the form of packed volume, which is often much more compact compared to their self-inflating and foam counterparts. Of course, an all-air mattress will need to be cared for a bit more since it can deflate if punctured. On the car-camping side of the spectrum, the ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed goes up easy, and if you need a sleeping pad that can do it all, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe or NEMO Quasar 3D are both equally at home in a backpacking pack or the back of your truck.
The difference between a sleeping pad and a mattress is a gray area. Consider the terms to exist on a continuum, with sleeping pads being more of your standard backpacking fare and prioritizing compressibility, and mattresses being thicker, cushier, and less portable. These mattresses also very often incorporate more foam in their builds, and this can be a sure sign that a mattress prioritizes comfort over all else. At 32 pounds, the HEST Dually is definitely in the “mattress” category.
Sleeping pads are relatively thin, light, and portable. Though this list mostly focuses on car camping products, certain camping sleeping pads are portable enough to bring along on river trips and short backpacking missions. The Sea to Summit Comfort Plus SI Sleeping Pad is a prime example of a versatile sleeping pad.
Then, there are some options that buck convention and exist comfortably in between titles. A pad like the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe is relatively thick at 4 inches, but due to its full air-pad design, compresses down to a size that rivals many through-and-through backpacking pads. The Klymit Klymaloft, with its hybrid half-foam, half-air design also lands in this category.
If you’re mainly car camping, you can maximize comfort by going with a more padded, inflatable option like the NEMO Roamer or a deluxe foam mattress like the Hest Dually. The tradeoff is that these don’t pack down as small and are too heavy for backpacking.
If you plan on hiking into the backcountry, a pad that packs down small and weighs less is ideal. Just how small and light you want to go is up to you. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle and weighs just 1 pound, 7 ounces.
Consider also how you’re going to be transporting your camping mattresses around. Many manufacturers today are getting wise to the issues caused by tube-style stuff sacks, which while they may work the first time, good luck returning a mat to its nylon sleeve after you’ve used it. Many camping mattresses today now come with side-opening stuff sacks, which feature a wide mouth for easy storage, as well as compression straps to cinch down the whole affair for easy transport.
In general, the thicker the pad, the more comfortable it is. Additionally, having a bit of foam or extra insulation increases the comfort factor and decreases the noise (see below).
Since camping sleeping pads don’t need to often be carried far, they can afford to bump up the thickness in many cases. The average thickness across the pads we tested was 4 inches, with the thinnest of the bunch being the REI Co-op Camp Bed Self-Inflating at 2.5 inches and the thickest being the luxurious Exped MegaMat 15 Max at 6 inches.
Pads that rely on air alone for their structure can sometimes feel a bit bouncy if underinflated, which is why many will incorporate closed-cell foam in their construction. This gives the pad a self-inflating quality as the foam bounces back. We have found through our testing that around 3 inches is about the minimum we’re comfortable sleeping on a mattress that features no foam at all — while a mattress with foam has the ability to keep us comfortable down to below this thickness.
If you’re a side sleeper, you understand the need for plenty of cushioning under your hips and shoulders. For a better night’s sleep, you’ll want to consider a thicker sleeping pad.
Denier is a unit of measurement used to describe textile strength. The higher the denier, the thicker and stronger the fabric. When it comes to sleeping pads, this is mainly important for puncture resistance.
On one end, the lightweight and packable Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe is made with 50-denier nylon. On the other end, consider that the NEMO Roamer is made with 75-denier polyester. As you can imagine, there’s often a tradeoff between durability, weight, and packability.
Consider also the durability of the components used elsewhere in the pad, such as the interior closed-cell foam, or the inflation valves. As in most things, the maxim of getting what you pay for applies here as well. We have used certain sleeping pads for entire thru-hikes and have been impressed by their tenacity and ability to shoulder abuse. As always, take care of your equipment and it will pay dividends in longevity.
Repairing your camp mattress can be a stressful endeavor, but being prepared for the situation can greatly alleviate that. Many pads today will ship with a small patch kit, which can be utilized in the field to repair small leaks. For more serious issues, consider a more total solution like the Therm-a-Rest Permanent Home Repair Kit, which features a long-cure epoxy and fabric patches. Even certain valves today are user-replaceable.
We love a good value. But even more than that, we appreciate gear that performs well and lasts through several seasons of use.
If you only plan to sleep outside a weekend or two a year, a cheaper pad may get the job done just fine. But if camping is a regular occurrence, it’s worth investing more in a pad. At just above $100, the REI Co-op Camp Bed Self-Inflating is an impressive value, but it certainly won’t be winning any awards for absolute luxury.
We find that pads and mattresses in the $250-300 range are about the sweet spot when it comes to balancing price and features. These include pads such as the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing, Big Agnes Captain Comfort, and the NEMO Roamer.
Toward the upper end of the spectrum are the luxuriously thick and warm pads, such as the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 and MegaMat 15 Max. These pads both will put a bigger hurting on your wallet at $300+, but offer up incredible comfort in return.
This is the foundation of your sleep, and getting enough rest at night will make spending all day outside that much more enjoyable. In general, forking over a few extra bucks will get you some combination of increased comfort, durability, and warmth.
In addition to comfortable cushioning, a good camping pad should provide some insulation from the ground. Enter the R-value: a measure of thermal resistance that can shed some light on just how warm a sleeping pad might keep you.
R-value testing goes a little like this: inside a cold chamber, a sleeping pad is placed between two metal plates. An array of sensors measure the temperature flow between these plates, and provide a numerical value relative to the sleeping pad’s ability to retain and reflect warmth.
Since testing can occur in different ways, many sleeping pad manufacturers have adopted the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) R-value Standard. The higher the R-value, the warmer and more insulating the sleeping pad will be. Notably, the MegaMat and Big Agnes Captain Comfort clock in with whopping 9.5 and 8.3 R-values, respectively, making them both cozy for year-round car camping.
The R-value you need depends a bit on whether you tend to be a warm or cool sleeper, as well as the specific sleeping bag that you’ll be using. In general, you’ll want a sleeping pad with a value greater than 5 for comfortable winter camping. For summer, something in the 2 to 4 range should work for warmer nights.
If waking up with a cold back is a common complaint, consider choosing a warmer sleeping pad or adding a foam pad like the Z-Lite under your normal pad for additional insulation.
Most camping sleeping pads come in regular and long versions. Some also come in short, wide, and extra-long varieties. The length and width you need depend not only on your dimensions but also on your camping goals. The pad you go with will also ultimately depend on the space that’s available to you to sleep in. Consider that typical backpacking tents more often have more space-efficient floor plans, while camping tents will provide more space for larger sleeping pads.
We’ve found that while many backpacking sleeping pads begin at around 20 inches wide, many camping pads start at around 25 inches and expand from there. And while mummy-style profiles are popular in backpacking pads, most all camping mattresses will afford the extra comfort and space that comes with a true rectangle design.
We know tall thru-hikers who happily cut their Z-Lite pad in half to shave a few ounces off their pack weight. And we know some tiny testers who prefer a wide sleeping pad because they like the ability to roll around in their sleep.
The main thing to remember is an increase in length and width almost always corresponds to an increase in price and packed size.
Up until recent years, almost all sleeping pads utilized a twisting plastic valve. Turn one direction to open it for inflation, and (quickly!) turn the other to close and trap air inside.
While this system works, it’s not the easiest to inflate. Because air can freely move back and forth, you need to either create constant pressure while blowing it up or skillfully use your tongue to stop air from exiting the pad while inhaling. It can be done, but we prefer the new inflation technology when tired on the trail.
Luckily, many sleeping pads now use flat valves with dedicated inflation and deflation settings. Best of all, a one-way flap keeps air from escaping during inflation.
While many pads feature separate valves for inflation and deflation, the Klymit Klymaloft has a valve that flips from one mode to the next. This makes achieving the perfect firmness a breeze.
In addition to valves, many pads now come with inflation bags. The Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D comes with an inflation bag integrated into the stuff sack. The Big Agnes Pumphouse Ultra ($35) is sold separately and works as both a dry bag and an inflation bag. Utilizing these pump sacks has multiple benefits, and they are easy to use once you get the hang of them.
Begin by attaching the sack to the valve of your sleeping pad, then expand the bag so that it fills with air. We often find that a light breath will expand the bag quickly. Then, close off the opening and compress the bag so that it forces the trapped air into the pad.
The upside to this system is not only speedy inflation but also that no moisture from your warm breath enters the sleeping pad. At its most benign, warm air will contract overnight and lead to a saggy mattress, but there are also concerns of mildew to be mindful of.
Finally, many manufacturers are now coming out with diminutive electric air pumps to assist in getting your sleeping pad up and running. These include the Exped Widget, the Klymit USB Rechargeable Pump, and the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Micro Pump ($43). Bringing these along may seem trivial at the trailhead, but after a long romp in, we’ve happily borrowed many to get our camp set up quickly.
Self-inflating, also abbreviated as ‘SI,’ pads have been around the block for a number of years, and rely on a foam interior to rebound to their original dimensions to inflate the mattress. We have found that given enough time, these generally will get about 75% of the way to fully inflated, and will require a quick few breaths or pumps from a pump sack to fully inflate the pad.
Consider tossing your self-inflating mattresses into your tent early on in your camp setup, to better ensure that it has enough time to fully reconstitute itself. It’s also worth noting that these mattresses are less susceptible to cold contraction overnight, as the air they are filled with is ambient temperature, versus the warm air from your lungs.
The most common complaint about camping sleeping pads is the loud, crinkly noise. While packing less is great, sleeping on a pad as noisy as a potato chip bag is less than ideal. And having your tentmate toss and turn all night is even worse.
Fortunately, brands are taking note and making quieter sleeping pads. On this list, the Exped MegaMat is noticeably crinkle-free. This is largely due to the inclusion of foam in the build, and any pad that utilizes it will see a definite reduction in noise overall.
We find that sleeping pad comfort is very often directly tied to overall thickness, as well as the inclusion of foam in the build. Because of this, hybrid-style designs such as the NEMO Roamer or Exped MegaMat Duo 10 will always be high on our lists of the most comfortable.
If price and weight are no concern, the Hest Dually is a unique foam mattress that provides top-tier comfort. For a more packable camp mattress, the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing is a winner.
This depends entirely on your individual comfort level. Generally, we’d recommend 1.5 inches as the bare minimum.
And if price and space are not a concern, go with something in the range of 4+ inches. This not only offers increased padding, but also greater warmth and protection from the ground. If a sleeping pad is purely suspended by air alone, it will need to be thicker than designs that use air and foam together to support your body.
Finding the right sleeping pad can make or break your camp trip. First consider, where, when, and how often you plan to camp.
Are you camping in the hot, humid South? Or do you camp a lot in the winter? And are you spending a lot of time outside or just getting started with a night or two camped out?
If you’re camping when it’s cold, you’ll want to prioritize a higher insulation (R-value) level. And if you’re just testing it out or on a tighter budget, go with something like the sub-$150 REI Co-op Camp Bed.
The best thing about car camping is that you don’t need to obsess over the weight or packed size. As long as it reasonably fits in your car, you can focus more on comfort.
After more than a year of testing, we found the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing topped the charts for durability, comfort, and ease of use. If you’re looking for a foam mattress, the Hest Dually delivers traditional comfort that will never let you down overnight.
The R-value, generally speaking, is a measure of the ability of a sleeping pad to resist heat transfer. Because a sleeping pad is such a vital part of your camping sleep system, it’s important to match your pad and sleeping bag for the overnight temperatures you’ll be anticipating.
The higher the R-value of your sleeping pad, the greater it will resist giving away your hard-earned body heat to the ground beneath it. R-values in backpacking pads typically range from 1 to 6, while camping mattresses are often warmer, and can sometimes reach double digits. For 3-season camping, consider a sleeping pad with an R-value of between 1 and 4, and for shoulder season or winter camping, you’ll want a pad with a value greater than 5.
It’s important to note that this rating system has only recently become standardized, and is now set in place by the international regulating agency ASTM International. This levels the playing field when it comes to comparing different sleeping pads.
When it comes to side sleeping, having a thicker camp mattress can make or break your overnight experience. Throughout our testing, we have found 3 and 4 inches of cushion to be about perfect for ensuring that our hip bones don’t come in contact with the ground.
It’s important to note that mattresses that utilize a foam and air construction often support side sleepers better than pads that are only supported by air. This is because the foam helps to spread out the pressure points caused by side sleeping. Side sleepers should consider a mattress like the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap, which has body-mapped foam to better support the hips during sleep.
We tested and review the best sleeping pads for backpacking in 2022. Whether you need an ultralight mat or more insulation, we’ve got it.
From versatile camping bags to wallet-friendly picks, we’ve found the best sleeping bags for every use and budget.
Pro Gear Tester Mallory Paige is always up for adventure. Whether motorcycle camping across North America (with her dog in a sidecar!), paddling whitewater in a tiny packraft, or traveling in a van she’s always ready to pivot and turn a challenge into an opportunity. When not busy obsessing about gear, she can be found building an off-grid homestead in the remote mountains of Colorado.
Hailing from the hemlocks and hanging mosses of Washington State, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster is an adventure journalist following threads of stories across the West. Cruelly stolen from the alpine swales of rural Wisconsin at a young age, Nick made do ascending the snows and granite of the North Cascades while completing a journalism degree. A long stint on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018 codified a life bent on sleeping on minor slopes and picking devil’s club out of his shoes.
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