Camping Must-Haves: Air Mattress or Sleeping Pad?
- Jul 9, 2024
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Your Summer Sleep & Camping Guide
No two campers are alike and that extends to their sleeping preferences. From car camping to dispersed camping to backpacking and beyond, each scenario requires different gear.
To help you decide if an air mattress or a sleeping pad should be on your packing list, read the descriptions below to see where you fall on the camping spectrum.
For the Comfort-Conscious Kings & Queens:
Are you a “glamper” who prioritizes comfort and convenience above all else? You might prefer car camping over more rough and tough options. And you might appreciate a well-maintained restroom at your designated campsite.
If most of these statements apply to you, and space isn’t an issue, you might opt for an air mattress. Depending on the size of your car, a queen size or twin size air mattress with a rechargeable built-in pump will have you sleeping like a baby in your car, truck or tent. Sweet dreams are made with fluffy blankets, partner pillows and the absence of bugs.
For the Casual Campers:
Are you craving more of a typical camping experience (tent, sleeping bag, campfire, s’mores) but don’t want to sacrifice every comfort? You’re probably not a regular at REI but you do occasionally receive their emails and do appreciate the seclusion of a more private campsite. You might even have a hammock to string up between trees for napping or reading during the day.
If this sounds like it resonates with you, you might opt for a slimmer air mattress with a built-in pillow (one less thing to pack) and a built-in battery-operated pump. The thick material is puncture-resistant and helps retain the air pressure as you sleep and move around during the night.
For the Minimalists/Backpackers:
Are space and weight your biggest concern? Will you be hiking or traveling a significant distance from your car to camp?
If so, you would appreciate a lightweight, camping pad over an air mattress (that can be much heavier depending on the type). Carrying all your gear on your back makes you very particular about what makes the pack and what stays at home. A lightweight sleeping pad with a cross-wing design will give you comfort and a compact design all in one. It’ll fit nicely into your pack but also ensure you get a good night’s sleep before continuing your journey or making the hike back to your vehicle.
If you’re still reading and haven’t found yourself on the camping scale, have you considered that maybe you’re more of an indoor cat? That’s okay! Sometimes the outdoors is a little too “outside-y,” so maybe living room camping is more your style.
In that case, the sky’s the limit for air mattress options. Set your sound machine to crickets, plug in your self-inflating air bed and settle in for a cozy night of camping right in your own home.
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