How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking

With plush padding and a soft supple surface, the REI Co-op Campwell self-inflating sleeping pad offers a comfy spot to catch some zzz's while you're off on car-camping adventures.
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Imported.
View the REI Co-op Campwell 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 | Open-cell Foam |
R-Value | 7 |
Repair Kit Included | Yes |
Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
Packed Size | XL: 9 x 30 inches Regular: 6.25 x 26 inches |
Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
Pad Thickness (in.) | 2.5 inches |
Dimensions | XL: 78 x 30 x 2.5 inches Regular: 72 x 25 x 2.5 inches |
Weight | XL: 4 lbs. 8 oz. Regular: 3 lbs. 8 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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Worked perfectly for us! Bought the “ Quickflow Sleeping Pad Pump” which helped us fill here up in about 4 pumps each. Held the air, easy to deflate. Also had no issues with them staying attached to the Campwell Cots - actually felt both the cots and pads were well designed to be integrated together.
Knocking off one star because the valve is poorly designed and the toggle buttons don't hold it securely to the campwell cot. You need to move the baffle out of the way to inflate it and I'll make some straps to hold the mattress to the cot. That said, it did inflate nicely and I laid on it for a while watching TV to give it a test ride since I won't be camping on it for a while. I liked the feel more than the thermarest. Deflated as expected.
This pad has no business being as good as it is! I've essentially kept this in my car since buying it. I've used it in hotels, friends houses, in tents and on bare ground. It's not the easiest to keep clean but not impossible (hence keeping it from a perfect 5 star...its really a 4.75!). I've purchased a top sheet for a twin mattress that I keep rolled in the bag and not only does it keep the pad clean, it makes it feel a little bit more like home! It's easy to forget that it's not 4 times as thick when you are laying on it because it's so darn comfortable. Stellar product!
This is my first sleeping pad purchase and I have to say I am very happy with it. For reference I am 6’1 and 205 so the XL option was absolutely necessary and having that 30” width is awesome to have as I roll over often in my sleep. The pad material is pleasant and I cannot feel the ground while laying on it. Inflating it took about 2 minutes with 25-30 breaths so I would honestly skip a pump especially if you’re trying to lighten your pack. Material feels durable so hopefully it stands the test of time, cheers.
A definite yes! You should purchase. I bought this in the XL size as I’m a side sleeper and it works great! Easy to inflate and easy to deflate. It is extremely comfortable, keeps you off the ground and warm. It fits in the carrying bag nicely after use. I’m in my sixties and tent camping on the ground was getting uncomfortable, but this self inflating pad is a game changer! It is super comfortable and I highly recommend! I’ve used it twice and it’s worked out great! Just bought a second one for my husband who’s also in his sixties. Very happy with this purchase!!
These are very comfortable mats. They are inflatable, but they also have foam so they are more comfortable than air mats. I have a family of 3, (me, my wife, and 4 year old daughter). We use this to make a combined sleeping mat. This helps a lot because my daughter moves a lot in her sleep. With the other individual mats she ends up inbetween the mats and it is a lot of trouble to fix it when she gets under the mat. This way the mats are connected and there are no gaps. It's much more comfortable this way. Great product :)
So far so good, but have only laid on it while watching tv to test. The little buttons to connect to the campwell cot do not work worth a darn, the slightest shift unbuttons them. Will make a 1 inch strap to tie the mattress to the cot. To inflate you need to move the baffle out of the way, breath through your nose and blow into the mattress to inflage- way easier than trying to blow into it.
When new, it self-inflated quickly twice, trying it out at home. When I took it camping, it would not self-inflate. I had to manipulate the inflation valve to get air to flow in. It has a check valve on the fill port to only let air in, and it stopped letting air in long before the pad was fully inflated. I returned it to the store and got another one shipped to me. I'm hoping it was just a one-off problem. I do like the pad for comfort. I'll hold off on recommending it until I see the replacement one inflates reliably.
I bought 2 of these to check them out for family trips (car camping or short hikes when minimizing weight and bulk is not an issue). I was hesitant to buy because it had no reviews. So, here I am reviewing it. First impression, they are solid quality and very comfortable. The self inflating capacity is good, even if maybe a little slow (it doesn't really matter if you are not in a hurry). I put it to the test: I left it 30 mins to self inflate and then it took only12-13 full breaths to fully inflate it. You can speed up inflation with a little hand pump or more lung exercise. In terms of comfort, the fabric is soft and does not feel as synthetic as other mattresses do. Definitely the softest, nicest to the touch mattress that I have ever owned. When you move on it, it doesn't make any noises. I weigh 180 lbs and either lying on my back or my side I do not feel the hardwood floor of my home underneath it on pressure points, which is awesome. Now it just needs to pass the test of time and durability. I really hope it does because I really like the quality, the size and the comfort it provides. Yes, a bit on the heavy side and bulky if you are a multiday backpacker or a minimalist, but I don't think it was intended for that purpose.
Just ordered my 3rd one of these. I sleep on one about 50 nights a year, both backpacking and car camping. They hold up really well for two years on average before dying of leaks that I cannot seem to repair. Most are mystery leaks; only one looked like I punctured it. They inflate easily.