Size: 30 in x 80 in x 4 in
Weight: 5 lb 8 oz
Thickness: 4.25"
R Value: 7
Price: $240
I'm a big fan of Seattle-based Therm-a-Rest. As the brand's largest mattress, the MondoKing is a best-in-class sleep system that maintains a compact and durable design that's easy to inflate and deflate. It features an R-value of 7.0, a compressible foam core, and a speedy dual-valve design to bring the comfort of home to the outdoors. It also comes with a stuff sack air pump, so you can avoid all that huffing and puffing.
SHOP from Backcountry
Size: 82 in x 38 in x 3 inches
Weight: 9 lbs
Thickness: 2.5"
R Value: NA
Price: $130
The Outfitter bedroll system uses a quick setup to make a camper comfortable while sleeping out of home. Just roll out the pad, let it self-inflate, and off to bed you go. The air mat fits in a variety of cars or truck beds, though it's also perfect for the tent or, heck, right on the ground for cowboy camping if you get down like that. With its 300D brushed polyester canvas and two-and-a-half-inch thick open-cell foam, the Outfitter is durable enough to last a lifetime of comfort under the stars. (Also, it integrates perfectly with Teton Sports' cots, if you'd rather sleep outside or in a tent).
SHOP from Teton Sports
Size: 25 x 72 x 1.75 inches
Weight: 2 lbs 7 oz
Thickness: 1.75"
R Value: 5
Price: $129
Zenbivy’s sleeping platform is a cult favorite in the camping community, particularly by those who pick quilts over sleeping bags. The Motobed 35 Synthetic fits any 25x78 inch Zenbivy mattress (or any camp mattress up to 26 x 78 x 3.5 inches) and features 200g UF-M SM Polyester batting in the quilt. The Motobed 35 Synthetic includes a quilt, sheet and pillowcase — but the mattress is sold separately.
I picked the Flex Mattress from Zenbivy’s selection to pair with my Motobed. The Flex Mattress is made with a 4-way stretch top and horizontally-cored foam insulation to provide a warm, comfortable sleep experience, and has an R-value of 5. At just over two pounds with a modest packed size, it’s easy to throw in the car and head to the campsite without a second thought—and will be easy to lug around in case your site is a bit of a trek. Offered in two sizes for single-person sleeping, the MotoBed and Flex mattress is the most efficient sleep system on this list.
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Size: 6 ft 2 in
Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz
Thickness: 4"
R Value: 6.6
Price: $279
Looking for a simple sleeping mat setup, the REI Camp Dreamer is a solid choice. It's perhaps the most similar to the blow up air beds you might find at big box stores (which, for the record, you should avoid—they always pop). It's a fast self-inflating pad that’s large enough to fit two people, has welded seams for robust durability, and comes with a pump that doubles as a padded pillow, and an included carry bag. With an R-value of 6 and a four-inch thickness, the Deluxe Bed is no slouch in cold weather either. Just toss your sleeping bag on and you're good to go.
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Size: 79 L x 63 W x 2.5 inches
Weight: 11.2 lbs
Thickness: 2.5"
R Value: NA
Price: $260
If you’re the type of car camper that can’t stomach the thought of blowing up one more camping mat, you’re in luck, there are options for you! If you’ve got the space and don’t mind some extra weight, some Reddit users have recommended bringing a Japanese futon mattress along for your next car camping trip. Sure, at 11 pounds it’s much heavier than other options on this list, but it never deflates, takes almost zero effort to set up, and won’t suffer from rips, punctures, or tears. Sure, it’s a little bougie, but isn’t that what car camping is all about, Captain Comfort? This ain't no ultralight backpacking sleeping pad, after all.
SHOP from Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need An Air Pump For A Camping Mattress?
Although many car camping air mattresses are designed to self inflate — and many of them come with mini pumps or pump sacks to help along the process — sometimes it’s still a real pain to get your mattress to your desired inflation level. If you’re the type that likes to cut down on hassle, and you have the space to pack another piece of gear, an air pump will save you time and energy, and keep frustration levels to a minimum. Here are a few we’d recommend:
If you're looking to add more gear to elevate your overlanding experience, check out these camping kettles.