Well-versed campers are comfort specialists, and one item they don’t compromise in is certainly a sleeping mattress. Unlike backpacking where excess fat and packed size happen to be limitations, camping mats put reduced on plush cushioning and support with heavy foam and soft touch resources. Below are the very best camping mattresses and pads of 2019, which range from functional self-inflating mats and weather pads to magnificent airbeds and cots. For backdrop information, see our comparison desk and buying advice. Also, to finished your camping kit, we’ve as well tested and written about tents and sleeping bags.
1. Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D
Type: Self-inflating Mat
Dimensions: 77 x 25 x 4 in. (L)
Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz.
R-value: 11.4
What we like: Pure camping luxury.
What we don’t: Heavy and not everyone needs this much cushioning.
The formula isn’t revolutionary-a self-inflating mat with a polyurethane foam core-but the effect is definitely pure camping deluxe. Many of all, the MondoKing 3D is normally a substantial 4-in. thick and the vertical sidewalls allow you to enjoy every part of the tender 77 simply by the 25-inch program. The polyurethane foam is normally plush and supportive, and the solid fabric is soft to touch and remarkably rip resistant. A lot more, the pad’s extremely high 11. four R-value does an outstanding job of insulating you from the frigid ground. The MondoKing certainly is expensive, nevertheless, the high examples of convenience and the best quality are what established it near to the top of our list.
Given the choice between air and self-inflating pads, we find ourselves coming back to the tried-and-true original Therm-a-Rest design for its ease of use while car camping. Self-inflating pads mean no pump to bring along, and with the MondoKing it only takes a few breaths to get it just right. Yes, this mat is heavy and doesn’t pack down small—get the NeoAir Dream below if those are important considerations. But you won’t look for a much more comfortable or better-built camping pad. Keep in mind that the MondoKing comes in both a “L” and “XXL” size, with the latter measuring a whopping 80 x 30 inches.
2. REI Co-op Camp Bed 3.5
Type: Self-inflating Mat
Dimensions: 72 x 25 x 3.5 in. (Regular)
Weight: 4 lbs. 9 oz.
R-value: 6.0
What we like: Excellent price to comfort ratio.
What we don’t: One (small) step down in comfort from the MondoKing.
A favorite camping mat of ours for an amount of years, the Camp Bed 3. 5 from REI wins you over with heaps of air and foam. While it is a step down from the truly luxurious MondoKing that took our mattress crown, with 3. 5 inches of thick cushioning and dual valves to expedite the self-inflating and deflating processes, it’s no slouch. Soft-touch fabric both holds you well and is comfortable enough to lie on directly if you’re camping in a hot environment. The normal size’s 25-inch width—when most at this price are 20-inches wide—is sprawl out ready.
Unless you need the full 3. 5 inches of cushion thickness, there is a 2. 5-inch Camp Bed for about $30 less expensive that should suit most campers quite well. Both are great values, and the $50 price difference between the Camp Bed and MondoKing was enough to give us some pause in which to give our top ranking. Truth be told, you can’t make a mistake with either.
3. Alps Mountaineering Comfort Series
Type: Self-inflating Mat
Dimensions: 77 x 25 x 2 in. (L)
Weight: 4 lbs. 1 oz.
R-value: 5.0
What we like: Great value and decent comfort.
What we don’t: A bit thin for side sleepers.
It is tough to locate a good self-inflating sleeping pad to get under $80, but the Alps Mountaineering Comfort Series accomplishes that with a wide margin. Blending foam, atmosphere, and a tough polyester shell, the Comfort Series, true to its name, provides good warmth and enough comfort for camping. A distinctive feature is the maze of plasticky dots on the bottom of the mat, which help to continue to keep it from sliding about during the night. The trick functions and the suede surface finish on the topside does an equally good job keeping your sleeping bag in place.
Intended for the price, the Comfort and ease Series’ self-inflating technology works well and the mat is durable enough to last for a lot of seasons. It is a little bit thin at 2 inches for the 25-inch model (avoid the regular-sized 20-inch pad that’s only 1. 5 inches thick), so side sleepers will probably need to look elsewhere. For the periodic camper, budget seeker, and back sleeper, this is all you’ll need for a good night’s rest under the stars.
4. Klymit Static V Luxe
Type: Air mat
Dimensions: 76 x 30 x 3.0 in.
Weight: 1 lb. 10.5 oz.
R-value: 1.3
What we like: Fantastic value for a lightweight and comfy pad
What we don’t: Minimal insulation.
Klymit broke into the sleeping pad scene with their own wild looking Inertia patches that appealed to minimalist trekkers, but, more impressively, they really hit a cord using the mainstream recreational camper and backpacker with the Static V series. These are pure air mats, with no foam in the construction. A benefit is a much smaller packed size, but it does lose some of the inherent structure and support when inflated. Klymit addresses this with a wide build with the “Luxe” model (30-inches vs. 25-inches for most camping pads) and side rails that keep you securely in place. The V-shaped air channels are very comfortable, but we still give the edge to the foam options above.
Exactly what really pushes the Stationary V Luxe up the list—leapfrogging pads like the particular Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Trekker plus Nemo Cosmo—is the cost. At $85 for the particular Luxe model, it’s lengthier, wider, and $45 plus $75 cheaper compared to Trekker and Cosmo, respectively. When you don’t need a lot of insulation from the surface (the R-value of one. 3 is for summer only), it’s an amazing deal. For the exact same design but with an increased R-value, check out the particular Insulated Static V Luxe.
5. SoundAsleep Camping Series
Type: Airbed
Dimensions: 78 x 60 x 9 in. (Queen)
Weight: 14 lbs.
What we like: Airbed convenience along with a durable build.
What we don’t: Takes up a lot of space in your tent.
The particular mattresses above are made for a single camper, yet springing for a full-on airbed is ideal for couples, family members, or people who just such as the extra space. The most popular outdoor-ready design is through SoundAsleep: their Camping Series airbed has proven to be durable, easy to inflate with a rechargeable pump, and impressively comfortable and supportive for the price. The fabric is strong enough to stand up to rough use (although it’s always a good idea to take good care of your mat), and the 9-inch height of the Camping Series is great for getting you off the ground without interfering with most camping tent walls. Additionally, it’s a solid value at under $100 for the queen version.
Exactly what are the downsides of the SoundAsleep Comfort Series? To get one, in spite of the name we all think overall comfort falls a little in short supply of a pad with built-in polyurethane foam like the MondoKing over (adding a foam mattress topper can help solve this). And if you do happen to obtain a puncture, it can end up being a real pain attempting to locate and repair a leak (again, this really is unlikely to happen provided the solid build). The Camping Series is provided in both a two or queen size—we propose springing for the queen in the event that you have space as it’s only $10 more.
