How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking

This product is not available.
Featuring a built-in foot pump for quick inflation, the Nemo Cosmo Insulated Air sleeping pad offers comfortable cushioning and a layer of PrimaLoft® for a warm night's sleep while backpacking.
Shop similar productsBest Use | Camping |
---|---|
Sleeping Pad Type | Air |
Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
Insulated | Yes |
Insulation Type | Synthetic |
Repair Kit Included | Yes |
Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
Gender | Unisex |
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
The specifications for the 25L pad at REI and other outlets show a thickness of 3.5-4" but the pad is mostly 3"-3.12" fully inflated. The pillow section is about 5" thick and the actual inflated width is just under 26", not including the welded seams. The extra thickness would have been nice to allow for more range of adjustment, but as-is the pad is comfortable and has nice features. The foot pump works very well and the two one-way inlet valves open easily. No concerns of the pad losing air as you inflate it. The twist, push-pull adjustment valve at the corner of the pillow is very handy and easy to use. Even half asleep in the dark it is easy to adjust/release some air in about 2 seconds if you find your bed is too firm. I'm 5'11" 175lbs, a side-sleeper, and find that after fully inflating the pad I can lower the pressure to a more comfortable level without my hip bottoming out. If it had the extra thickness I'd soften it even more. I would have rated it 5 stars if the specs had been accurate. Overall, it is comfortable, well made, has nice features and was worth the sale price I paid.
I purchased this for my 12 year old Boy Scout. He was having a hard time deflating his self-inflating pad, so he was just sleeping on the cold, hard ground. The salesperson suggested this one. I had my 10 year old try out the inflating and deflating of it to make sure that it was kid friendly, and it was a success. My older scout tried it out last weekend on a campout and loved it. Even though it was only 30 degrees out, he was warmer than when we camped at 42 degrees. Easy to set up, easy to take down, easy to pack... I will be getting one for myself too. :)
Let me preface this review by saying that I have a lot of trouble finding comfortable things to sleep on, including many bed mattresses. That said, I slept like a log on this pad. I'm a side sleeper but the pad is thick enough that my hip doesn't touch the ground. Insulation factor seems pretty good relative to other pads I've used. My one issue with this pad is the noise it makes. Every time I moved on it or turned over, it was loud. Loud enough to wake me up, and, I fear, other people sleeping near me.
I got lucky and was able to pick this up at an REI garage sale for a considerable discount, it had a leak which was patched. I haven't tried it out camping yet, but was very comfortable on the hardwood floors in my living room. I left it inflated on the floor directly under our AC unit for several hours while we were out, then took a nap on it and there were no issues with it leaking or losing air. I mostly sleep on my side and this kept my hips off the floor, very important for a restful sleep. I'm looking forward to finally getting a good night's sleep on my next camping trip. Like another reviewer mentioned, this was a bit difficult to get back in the stuff sack due to the pillow/foot pump. I made it fit, but it was a struggle. That won't prevent me from picking up another of these for my son.
The foot pump definitely adds some girth to the pad when rolled up, but it hardly adds any weight. I have found the insulation works well, but I’ve only slept in it down to about 23 degrees. The horizontal baffles are comfortable and the pressure release is nice to fine tune your pad for optimal comfort. The extra height at the head of the pad helps so I don’t loose my pillow off the edge in the middle of the night. The materials are very durable. NEMO is a fantastic company to work with for warranty claims too. One of my other pads had a problem with the valve so they sent me the newest and updated model! Great pad hands down.
My three teenagers purchased these as upgrades to our closed cell RidgeRests that we take into the Boundary Waters each year. They wanted a little more comfort and splurged. They have absolutely loved them, and six years later, they're still going strong. They each use them for several camping trips a year, and one daughter has used hers for two 8-week road trips as well. Pumps work great, and pads are durable and comfortable for them. I used one of them several times, and found it workable for my old body, but not ideal. I'm a queen airbed woman, and the Cosmo was either a little too hard for me, or deflated too much so my hips would be on the ground. For the average body, I think these are superb, but for me, not quite enough loft.
Long time camper, but with the family in tow, comfort is a must. We have always used queen air mattresses for the comfort factor, but got tired of always being cold, and the hassle of air pumps. Tried a buddy's Cosmo XL, and was very impressed. Ordered 2 Cosmo Insulated Long Double's, and the family loves them! Did a 2 night trip in the California Sierras @ Lake Faucherie, well above the tree line and on a very rocky ground, and was super comfortable and warm! We kayaked into our spot, so the super packable size was very much appreciated!
Purchased a double, because my adult kiddos love theirs so much. It takes a LOT for my body to be comfortable, and this wasn't quite it. The single was doable, but took a little dialing in for the right firmness, and some getting used to, so I was hopeful, but with two of us on the double, it was just too firm for me. My husband weighs more than me, so when he laid down, my side was automatically at it's max firmness, which is too much. I think Cosmos are great pads, but not great enough for my old body!
I chose a good nights sleep over shaving off 1 pound on pack weight. I chose wisely. I slept great on my back, on my side...I felt great and ready for more mileage in the morning. I just wish it came in a shorter but wide version and without the foot pump.
Easy to inflate and deflate. Top nozzle makes it very easy to fine-tune the firmness. Bought this to pair with the Strato Loft. If doing the same, order the size Long Wide (25"). Regular is 20" wide.