How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking

A self-inflating camp mattress that's plush enough to sleep on at home, the REI Co-op Camp Dreamer XL puts 4 in. of air and engineered foam between you and the cold, hard ground.
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View the REI Co-op Camp Dreamer Product LineView all REI Co-op Self-inflating PadsBest Use | Camping |
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Sleeping Pad Type | Self-inflating |
Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
Insulated | Yes |
Insulation Type | Synthetic |
R-Value | 6.6 |
Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
Packed Size | 11 x 30 inches |
Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
Pad Thickness (in.) | 4 inches |
Dimensions | 78 x 30 x 4 inches |
Weight | 6 lbs. 6 oz. |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials From a Climate Label Certified brand |
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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Received the mattress as part of review. It is larger than I expected for a camping mattress (photo compared to thermarest sleeping pad). Definitely a drive in camp item. That being said, it’s incredible. Almost feels like memory foam. Extremely easy to set up and pack away. Taking the air out and making it as close to the original packed size takes two roll-ups. It’s durable (toddler used as trampoline tested) and could double as a guest overnight mattress indoors. It is in the glam ping category but worth it for a good nights rest. Love that the material is more neoprene like, our packable camping mattresses are more plastic and make squeaking noises all night rolling around. The mattress self inflated by leaving the red valve open, takes about 30min, and gets to a usable full level, you need to top it off to get the best fill. The included pump sack is highly efficient and helps get the last bit of top off air to make it as firm as you like. If you’re in the market for a high quality comfortable luxury portable mattress this definitely is a top choice.
The first trip that I took this sleeping pad on I slept great. I use it inside of a canvas, cowboy bed roll backcountry on horses, and the compactness and comfort was great until. The next time I went to use, it could not keep it inflated came home from the trip and soaked it with water to find the leak and the entire top surface between my sleeping bag and the pad just bubbled Air complete material breakdown.
It's comfortable, but when I took it out for the second season discovered the sidewall fabric had laminated itself so it won't fully inflate.
Took this pad out in January for some lowland, winter camping in the PNW and it really stood up to the test. The pad is warm, very comfortable and fairly easy to inflate. My only complaint is that the inflation "bag" doesnt clip into the pad or lock very tightly, so you have to be careful that it doesn't pop off while inflating. The inflation bag is massive, with the benefit being that you can quickly inflate the pad with few fills, but the downside being that it can be awkward to wield inside a smaller tent, especially with the poor connection to the pad. It seems REI has updated the valves from the older models, so I'm hopeful they endure the test of time. They seem quite sturdy.
This is the most comfortable sleeping pad I have ever car camped with. It fit both me and my dog comfortably, I could sleep on my side without hurting my hips or shoulders, and it kept me warm in the chilly mountains. Unfortunately my dreams were crushed when it stopped holding air and I would wake up on a deflated mattress after only 1 season of car camping, maybe 8 nights of sleeping on it. The timing was just after a year and REI no longer backs their products for more than 365 days, so I am forced to purchase an alternative pad, gotta go with one of the big brands who will stand by a warranty. I'm so bummed REI has changed their policies, I am hesitant to purchase other REI branded equipment :(
I really hoped Camp Dreamer bed would be awesome. Our son bought CP bed and used about 7 times. Then it wasn't used again until by me over a year later. First night was fine. Second day, bed went flat and wouldn't reinflate. REI doesn't stand by it's products- no fix kit, no support. Can't return. Frustrated and disappointed in REI. What a waste environmentally-and financially.
Outstanding sleeping pad. Easy to inflate and easy to adjust the firmness of the pad. REI calls this a bed, but it's really a sleeping pad that rolls up fairly compact. I'm on a wildland fire team and spend 30+ nights sleeping in a tent in some rough terrain. This pad is by far the best I've found and tried. It's one of the widest pads (XL) so you can move around without rolling off the pad. It's takes about 20 minutes for the foam to fully expand and only a minute to inflate to the desired firmness. The included inflation bag works well and is easy to use plus store. I would recommend this pad over the higher priced pads. You get a bigger pad, thicker, and it costs less.
While this is incredibly comfortable, they are not built to last. I found two holes in it after one camping trip. No one at my REI has any idea on how to patch them. I've tried everything they have recommended. I gave up and used super glue which works but if I deflate and roll it up the patch will cut into it and make more holes. If you want to be delicate with this then it could be fine. Otherwise try something else.
We take care of our gear and believe in buying quality products that will last. When purchasing this we were debating between this and the Exped. It’s unfortunate that this pad didn’t last(had it 2 years then leaked). After troubleshooting, in order to find the leak(soapy water/sponge, water submersion, etc.) we found that it was the valve. NOTE: not the material surrounding the valve, but the valve itself. It seemed to be somehow pressing on the release when closed. After contacting customer service, they informed us that issues with the valve are common and tend to happen around the 2 year mark. Unfortunately, nothing could be done as we were well over the 365 threshold. Still believe in the REI products, unfortunately this one is not up to their normal standards.
This pad is pure comfort at the sacrifice of space and function. Once it is inflated you'll sleep like a baby with all of the room in the world. As a side sleeper, I had no problem staying off of the ground throughout the night. It was also a comfortable temperature throughout the night, never too cold even in February. 3 out of 5 stars because of the size of the deflated pad and the deflation process. Bringing two of these would take the majority most vehicles' cargo spaces. One pad is ~2x the size of my packed tent. To deflate the pad is a workout. There isn't a purely open valve so you have to PUSH the air out. Fully understand it is an XL plush pad but there are more packable options on the market.