REI Campwell Sleeping Pad Overview

Backside Line

The REI Campwell is a brand new addition to our finest tenting mattresses information. It proves you don’t must lay our a fortune for a heat evening beneath the celebrities. This mannequin is a part of REI’s new line of budget-friendly tenting gear that’s extremely purposeful and straightforward on the pockets. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer drooled via ten glorious nights on this mattress, and he was impressed by its no-frills design and dependable consolation. The soft-stretch polyester cloth feels superior in opposition to the pores and skin, and we appreciated the quick inflation time.

Horizontal foam shaves each weight and bulk, however that doesn’t imply it’s not snug. At 2.5 inches thick, this one is a more sensible choice for stomach and again sleepers. The Campwell additionally delivers severe insulation for year-round tenting – even in frigid situations. Particulars like built-in toggles allow you to join a number of pads collectively, excellent for {couples} or anybody who hates the dreaded “hole” between pads. It’s additionally pretty light-weight and packs down a bit smaller in comparison with most, making it extra moveable than bulkier options.

That stated, sturdiness isn’t its sturdy swimsuit. We encountered a small leak on our first use. It was patchable however ultimately required a alternative. We discovered the two.5-inch thickness didn’t work properly for facet sleepers, resulting in strain factors and bottoming out. It additionally lacks a pump sack for quicker inflation, and the valves could be a bit finicky to dial within the firmness. Nonetheless, for such an reasonably priced possibility, this pad is a strong entry-level mattress that will get the job carried out with out breaking the financial institution.

Consolation

The Campwell delivers good consolation for the value. At 2.5-inches, it is among the thinner pads on our information. However don’t let that flip you off. This depth works very properly for abdomen and again sleepers, and we discover that the froth and air core nonetheless feels indulgent and soft. It has loads of give and glorious help for glorious relaxation on most surfaces. REI makes use of a soft-stretch polyester cloth for a comfy, skin-friendly really feel that’s noiseless and easy with out feeling slippery. Our evaluation is of the XL model – we like numerous room to unfold out. However it additionally is available in a Common model that’s 6 inches shorter and 5 inches narrower.

That stated, we do have a couple of small gripes in the case of consolation. Our testing discovered the Campwell’s thinner profile didn’t provide sufficient help for facet sleepers. This lowered the pad’s general rating in comparison with thicker, cushier choices. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer is a tosser turner, and although he discovered the Campwell snug on his again and abdomen, his hips and shoulders bottomed out on his facet.

Moreover, the valves sit flush with the mattress however are positioned within the high corners. That meant we brushed in opposition to them throughout the evening. We seen the double toggles on the perimeters as properly. Nonetheless, these aren’t main points. We’ve slept properly on this mattress tenting, on highway journeys, and at a competition.

Ease of Use

Of all of the mattresses in our information, the REI Campwell is among the quickest and best fashions to arrange. It solely takes about 5 minutes for this mattress to self inflate – all we needed to do was open the valves, and wait. The customized REI valves pace issues up with fast inflation and easy one-way deflation, so packing up is simply as simple. 

We particularly admire the built-in toggles, which allowed us to connect two pads collectively for shared house (and a double sleeping bag) with a associate or canine bff. This design not solely eliminates the hole between mattresses, but it surely provides a method to connect the mattress to the REI Campwell Cot (and most different cots) for these need to get fully off the bottom. 

Regardless of its comfort, the Campwell isn’t excellent. The valves could be a bit finicky – we discovered the caps are liable to sticking contained in the valves, particularly when the pad is new. The caps also can pop open in the event that they aren’t absolutely pushed in, quickly dumping air. There’s additionally no pump sack included, so that you’ll must inflate it manually if you wish to fill it additional.

Our greatest gripe, although, is with sturdiness. On our first inflation of the Campwell – indoors and away from any sharp objects – ours developed a pinhole-sized puncture alongside a side-seam. This was simple to patch, however we ultimately wanted to exchange the mattress as a result of it not held air. Nonetheless, our market analysis discovered that this was uncommon, and we haven’t had any sturdiness points with our alternative mattress.

Heat

Chilly floor can suck the warmth proper out of your sleeping system, however the REI Campwell stored us critically toasty regardless of the season. Despite the fact that it’s solely 2.5 inches thick, it has a really excessive R-value of seven – making it one of many warmest fashions on our mattresses information. Horizontally cored foam traps heat successfully whereas nonetheless protecting the load cheap.

Ian has examined this mattress down to fifteen°F on automobile tenting journeys from November to February within the Colorado Rockies and the Wyoming Wind River Vary. It held up in opposition to subfreezing temperatures, providing a comfy barrier between us and the frozen floor.

That stated, the two.5-inch thickness isn’t as plush as some, and it might really feel a bit chilly for facet sleepers who find yourself urgent into the pad. Additionally, the froth is comparatively skinny in comparison with thicker and bulkier fashions, so when you’re a particularly chilly sleeper, you would possibly need to pair it with one other foam pad for further heat. We additionally seen that as a result of it’s foam-based, it will possibly take some time to totally regain its insulating loft after being compressed. When you want absolute most heat, a thicker pad may be a greater wager.

Packed Measurement

Packing up camp is simpler when your gear doesn’t take up half the trunk, and the REI Campwell mattress does a strong job of protecting issues extra compact than different giant mattresses. Measuring 30 by 9 inches when rolled up, it’s about an inch narrower and shorter than most. It’s additionally one of many lightest, at solely 4 and a half kilos. Whether or not we had been stuffing it in a automobile or stashing it in a gear bin, we appreciated that it was simpler to maneuver. If house may be very tight, think about the Common measurement. It has a a lot smaller packed measurement and weighs a pound much less.

On the draw back, the stuff sack is a plain top-entry bag and doesn’t have a shoulder strap. There’s a easy deal with at one finish, and it’s a bit awkward to hold beneath one arm – although it’s by no means stopped us from bringing it alongside.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Campwell XL Tenting Mattress?

Automobile campers, budget-conscious campers, and chilly sleepers will get essentially the most out of the REI Campwell mattress. Its self-inflating design is quick and straightforward to arrange, and a easy dump valve makes it quick to roll up as properly. It’s impressively heat because of a mix of froth and air, and the lower-profile design makes it a sensible choice for again and stomach sleepers. The Campwell is compact sufficient for simple storage, and it’s one of the crucial reasonably priced picks on our information.

Nonetheless, when you’re on the lookout for essentially the most sturdy and comfy mattress on the market, the Campwell isn’t our first alternative. Its polyester cloth is liable to punctures. Plus, at 2.5 inches thick, it is probably not as snug for slide sleepers. Moreover, the valves could be a bit sensitive when attempting to dial within the firmness and let the air out. Nonetheless, when you want a no-frills, heat sleeping pad with out spending a fortune, the Campwell delivers strong worth.

What Different Tenting Mattresses Ought to You Contemplate?

Head over to our information to the most effective tenting mattresses when you’re on the lookout for a unique kind of tenting mattress: 

Paria Recharge XL Overview: Just like the Campwell, the Recharge has a lower cost level. Nonetheless, it’s a lot lighter and packs lots smaller, so it sacrifices heat and ease of use. It’s glorious for many who automobile camp and backpack. 

Therm-A-Relaxation Luxurious Map XL Overview: The Luxurious Map shares an analogous packed measurement and light-weight design because the Campwell. It provides higher consolation with a softer floor – and it’s half an inch thicker – though prices extra.

REI Camp Dreamer XL Overview: The Camp Dreamer is one other REI mannequin with a extra reasonably priced price ticket and respectable heat and luxury. We love that it’s a lot thicker, coming in at 4 inches, however will not be as sturdy.