How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp Sleeping Pad
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For cozy nights when you're car camping, the top-rated Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp sleeping pad provides luxurious warmth and comfort in the frontcountry.
Shop newer versionKey Details
Insulated
Yes
Pad Thickness (in.)
2 inches
- Light, soft fabrics make this mattress exceptionally comfortable
- 2 in. (5 cm) of thickness provides a high level of warmth and support
- Premium foam creates a warm and stable sleeping surface; compressible foam core expands when unpacked for easy self-inflation
- Sturdy, classic design provides durability and an outstanding value
- WingLockâ„¢ valve maximizes air flow for easier inflation and quicker deflation; wings toggle for one-way inflation to save energy
- Stuff sack included
Made in USA.
View all Therm-a-Rest Self-inflating Pads| Best Use | Camping |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Self-inflating |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Insulation Type | Open-cell Foam |
| R-Value | 6.0 |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 2 inches |
| Gender | Unisex |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Meets expectations in Dome tent
Mar C4 years ago
The ground has robbed my body heat but this pad kept me warm and comfortable in my mummy bag.
I purchased the regular size. This works well for me
Mar C
Flower mound tx
13 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Received defective pad.
Resan4 years ago
I received this pad today. I unpacked it, rolled it out, and added a bit of inflation to it to test it out. Then, following the instructions exactly, I proceeded to try to deflate it and put it in the nylon bag. I opened the valve exactly according to the instructions, progressively rolled it up as tightly as I could from the end opposite from the value, and put my weight on it to try to push the air out. Air did come out of the valve, but only in a small stream. I repeated the rolling and deflating several times over a period of 30 minutes or more. But this thing just doesn't want to deflate the way it should or as fast as it should.
I called REI and spoke to a young lady who said that I should watch the deflation video, and that that video instructs to roll it up and unroll it and roll it up again several times to deflate it. But in fact, the video doesn't say that.
The first young lady patched me through to a second young lady, who said that the pad should deflate quickly. We agreed that the pad is apparently defective, and she was very helpful in arranging to send a replacement to me very quickly. Hopefully, the replacement will not be defective.
If the second pad works the way it should, I'll change my rating to 3, 4 or 5 stars. But time is both life and money, and life and money should not have to be wasted dealing with defective products or other glitches because a manufacturer doesn't do adequate quality control or doesn't provide accurate descriptions or instructions for its products.
Resan
Republic of Texas
10 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
JoelB
San Diego, CA
4 days of use and it loses air :(
3 years ago
I used it for four days. I just came back home and inflated it again before storing it. It doesn't hold the air as well as when I bought it (I inflated it and kept it full for some time, as per the manufacturer's instructions). There is no discernible loss by the valve or at any other place. It seems to be losing it very slowly. It is noticeable after left inflated during the night (and not sleeping on it). It is a pity as the pad is great, a bit big but it worked great during the hike. Good self-inflation and you can make it former with just blowing air in a few times. You don't need Olympic swimmer lungs. Unsure if I would recommend it though...
Age:35–44
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'7"
pfary
Car camping sleeping pad
4 years ago
This sleeping pad is comfortable and stays consistently inflated even over continued use. Fits easily into the back of an SUV. I paired this with a 0 degree sleeping bag and slept warmly and comfortably in the car with temperatures as low as the teens. I ordered the regular size, which gave me a perfect amount of length at 5'7. Packs lightly and easily - I imagine this would serve backpackers very well.
Age:25–34
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'7"
Yes , I recommend this product
Mar C
Flower mound tx
Meets expectations in Dome tent
4 years ago
The ground has robbed my body heat but this pad kept me warm and comfortable in my mummy bag. I purchased the regular size. This works well for me
Age:65–74
Weight:250–275 lbs.
Height:5'11"
Yes , I recommend this product
Bobo
Laguna Hills, CA
Long Lasting
2 years ago
I've used several different Therm-a-rest products over the years for backpacking. My highlight was hiking the John Muir trail. I was tentless so often my sleeping pad was out in the elements or in a moist bivvy sack. These pads last! I just went to pack and I went to pack a almost brand new pad from another brand and the valve fell out. I then grabbed a 20 year old therm-a-rest and it was still good. This is probably the pad I took over 20 years ago on the John Muir.
Age:45–54
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
Anonymous
Super comfortable
8 years ago
I gave my old (well used and fantastic) thermarest mattress to a friend in need (his budget mattress had collapsed!) and decided to treat myself to a Basecamp mattress as I mostly take my car when I go camping these days. So glad I did because this mattress is super comfortable (like my old thermarest was) but has just that bit of extra thickness that means that it helps keep me nice and warm from the cold ground when I'm winter camping. It's perfect cosy comfort means I get a great nights sleep whatever the ground conditions or weather conditions. Would 100% recommend this mattress as long as weight isn't an issue for you.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Anna
Works well
4 years ago
Great sleeping pad, works well and is comfy to sleep on. Pretty long too, just barely fits into the tent, so make sure to measure
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Yes , I recommend this product
Mara
Car camping, base camping, grandma camping-this is it!
4 years ago
I bought this for my mom originally. She's 90 and still loves camping, but can't backpack anymore. Then I bought one for my husband and finally wised up and bought one for myself! My husband and I put our 2 together, put on a fitted sheet, top sheet, & down comforter and we are styling!Mine is the newest and has the new valve that you twist to release the air so your not losing air as you take another breath to blow it up. Yeah, I make sure that I have marked that as mine. Makes it easier and faster to blow it up.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
PH CIB
IOWA
Excellent for Car Camping
4 years ago
I have this pad in the Large Size it is Great for Car Camping large and comfortable, however it is Heavy and does not pack Small so I would not recommend it for Backpacking.
Yes , I recommend this product
Anonymous
Love this mattress
4 years ago
This is a great mattress. Will last a lifetime. I have had one from thermarest that is 30+years old. Still works great. I use them for morning yoga on a daily basis.
Age:65–74
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Yes , I recommend this product
MovinMarty55
Port Townsend, WA
Better sleep than on any other bed
2 years ago
I think I bought two of these in 2015 or 2016 to replace the queen size traditional mattress in my 5th wheel Rv. We have slept on it continuously since then in the 5th wheel for several years and since February 2022, every night in our house. I use these air mattresses together along with a memory foam topper. My husband and I sleep wonderfully and he has a bad back. Prefer this over a traditional air mattress.
Age:65–74
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'3"
Yes , I recommend this product
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