8 Best Car Camping Sleeping Mattress Pads

At the end of a long day -hiking and exploring the outdoors while camping- you want to come back to your car, mini-van or  campsite and lie down on a comfortable mattress.

There are many car-camping mattresses to choose from and the decision on which sleeping pad to buy ultimately boils down to comfort, reliability, and quality.

In this article, we’ve hand-picked the very best car camping sleeping pads based on the experience and recommendations of hardcore campers, who know full-well the kinds of advantages they can offer when you hit the road summertime or winter camping.

Car camping in a forest campground
Image via Instagram

Best Car Camping Mattress: Our TOP Picks

1. The Exped MegaMat Duo 10 (Editor’s Choice: Best Product)

Camping Equipment Sleeping PadsThis is probably one of the best mattresses for couples. It has thick 10-cm open-cell foam that expands to about 4 inches of thickness.

This is a self-inflating mattress that will keep you comfortable irrespective of the weather and temperature outside the car. The mattress is made of polyester material that has been laminated to become waterproof.

A very worthy investment for any serious camper.

Despite its large size, the mattress comes packed in a sack that is adjustable and easy to carry on your shoulders. You will also get a small pump with this mattress. The pump quickly and efficiently inflates this mattress making it ready for use within minutes. The weight when deflated and packed is just 163 ounces.

Check current price on Amazon »

2. ALPS Mountaineering velocity air bed

ALPS Mountaineering Velocity Air Bed

This is another lightweight mattress that is ideal for couples. It contains a coil system that allows the mattress to be firm after inflation.

The pad comes in either twin or queen-sized options, with a carrier bag for easy storage and transportation. You also get a pump when you purchase this mattress.

The pump differs from other pumps you will find in the market in that it can continue working while you have plugged it into a power source. You can also use this mattress indoors very comfortably.

Check out ALPS Mountaineering velocity air bed on Amazon »

3.  ALPS Mountaineering self-inflating double mattress

ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Series Air Pad - Double

The most unique thing about this mattress is that you can either use it as a double pad or if you are alone, fold it to attain one thick mattress.

It has a Velcro hookup in the middle that allows for this transformation. You can split this pad right in the middle to gain two separate single pads.

The whole package weighs just 4.28 kilos.

Check out Alps Mountaineering Self-Inflating Pad at Amazon »

4. Klymit insulated double V sleeping pad

Klymit Double V Sleeping Pad

Klymit prides itself on manufacturing quality outdoor products and this is one of the flagship products from this company. This is an all-season mattress that utilizes the body mapping technology to provide the ultimate level of comfort and stability to campers.

It is an ideal pad for both couples and solo campers and the carrier bag also doubles as an air pump, allowing for easy use while preventing moisture from accumulating inside the mattress.

Check out Klymit Double-V at Amazon »

5. LightSpeed self-inflating mattress: Best Budget Pick

Outdoor camping gear

This is a PVC-free, odorless, and self-inflating mattress. The mattress comes in one size only and although it can accommodate a couple, it is not as large as the other mattresses discussed in this article.

The integrated pillow is a nice idea as it takes away the problem of having to shop around for a pillow. The only issue with the mattress is that it is a bit heavy and takes a long time to inflate.

If you can get over that, it is a good mattress for the money.

Check out the Lightspeed Inflating Mattress on Amazon »

6. NEMO Cosmo 50L Mattress: Best For Cold Weather

Best Car Camping Mattress for Couples

This is a large (50 inches wide) insulated mattress that is ideal for use in cold weather. It is built for two people and it has long dips similar to those found on an inflatable mattress. These dips prevent your body from sliding when you lie down.

The 3.5 inches thickness the mattress achieves when inflated allows you to have absolute comfort and relaxation when you are trying to unwind after a long day.

It also contains an integrated foot pump.

Check out the NEMO Cosmo on Amazon »

7. Sleepingo Sleeping Pad

sleeping pad for minivan

If you are looking for a sleeping pad that offers value for money without compromising on quality, this is the one you should consider buying. The pad comes with a lifetime warranty and its lightweight feature makes it a go-to mattress for backpackers.

You can easily fold and pack it neatly to the size of a water bottle.

At 2 inches thick, it might not be the largest here but it still provides a level of comfort and stability that can rival other expensive car mattresses. The material is made from camping grade rip stop nylon fabric that is tear-free and perfect for any kind of terrain.

Get the Sleepingo Sleeping Pad at Amazon »

8. Coleman Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

Coleman Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad with Pillow, 2.5in Thick Camping Sleep Pad, No Air Pump Required, Compression Straps Included for Easy Deflation

This is one of the best and most reliable companies that manufacture outdoor products. Their products are said to be of high quality but affordable and they have applied the same concept in the production of this sleeping pad.

It is a self-inflating mattress, providing maximum comfort within minutes and without the need to use an air pump. It also comes with a built-in pillow for added convenience.

The upper part is made of soft polyester with a tufted design to allow absolute comfort when sleeping on this mattress.

Check out the Coleman Sleeping Pad on Amazon »

Where’s the best place to go car camping?

Check out our campsites guide – there, you’ll learn where you can find free campsites in the USA.

If you enjoyed this post, check out Best Portable Toilets for Camping and Van Life

Happy Travels!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *