The Best Car Camping Sleeping Pads (Review) in 2023 | Autance

There’s nothing like a little adventure to get the blood pumping and the inspiration flowing. Whether you’re car camping for just a weekend or for an extended period of time, one thing you’ll want to make sure to pack is your car camping sleeping pad. Let’s face it: You’ll spend roughly 30 percent of your time asleep while you’re off adventuring.

No one wants to return feeling completely depleted from either poor sleep or lack of sleep altogether. There are some key considerations you’ll want to keep in mind. Make sure to measure the length, width, and vertical depth of your car’s backseat or trunk. This will help you narrow down the sleeping pads that will fit into your car.

You’ll want to consider the material that the pad is made out of and make sure it will fit your needs. If you anticipate a cold climate while you’re camping, you may want to go with a foam pad to make sure you’re warm enough through the night. Here are some of the best car camping sleeping pads to fit your car camping needs.

Best Car Camping Sleeping Pads Buying Guide & FAQs

If you enjoy camping but don’t want to commit to a backpack adventure in the middle of nowhere, car camping is a great alternative. You can sleep either inside your vehicle, outside on the ground, or in a tent nearby, and you get to bring all sorts of gear you wouldn’t be able to carry in a backpack alone.

One essential item you should put on your shopping list is a car camping sleeping pad. It serves several purposes, but overall will make your adventure much more comfortable and enjoyable.

In our buying guide below, we go into detail about the different types of car camping sleeping pads and the features you should consider before making a purchase. We also answer some commonly-asked questions about the item.

Benefits of a Car Camping Sleeping Pad

There are basically two types of car camping. One type of camping involves sleeping inside your vehicle, and the other involves transporting your camping gear in your car but sleeping outside. You can camp either in a designated camping spot or in places where camping in the wild is permitted.

Compared to a backpacking sleeping pad, car camping mattresses are typically much more comfortable. That’s because you don’t have to worry as much about their weight or portability. You can focus on their comfort and thickness instead of how convenient they are to carry on a 10-mile hike.

Also, how you sleep can directly affect the way you feel the following day. If you sleep well, you wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day’s tasks. If you sleep poorly, it’s harder to get motivated and fully enjoy the day’s activities. A good car camping sleeping pad can make a huge difference when it comes to your mood and energy levels.

• They’re suitable for use both inside and out of your vehicle.
• They’re comfortable.
• They provide a good night’s sleep.

The Most Common Types of Car Camping Sleeping Pads

When you’re shopping for a camping sleeping pad, you will notice that there are a lot of options, and there’s no one-size-fits-all product. Each has its pros and cons. The three types of pads are: self-inflating open-cell foam pads, closed-cell foam pads, and inflatable air pads. Below we examine the differences.

• Self-Inflating Foam Pad

This type of sleeping bad is self-inflatable and made of foam. When you unfold the pad, it decompresses and the foam’s open air cells draw in the air. It typically takes between 12 and 15 breaths to reach a desired level of firmness. Self-inflatable sleeping pads are very comfortable, popular among campers, and quieter than fully inflatable mattresses.

Also, because they are made of foam, they are more insulating, which makes them quite versatile: You can use them both in the car or in a tent. One downside is they are heavier and bulkier than inflatable air pads. They can also be a little pricey, depending on the brand.

• Foam Pad

Some campers opt for closed-cell foam sleeping pads. Basically, they are a durable strip of foam, and they can have a variety of texture designs to provide cushioning and to keep heat in. This type of sleeping pad is the cheapest and typically lasts the longest because you don’t have to worry about punctures like you do with an inflatable sleeping pad.

Some users have held onto their foam sleeping pads for decades, particularly if they’re not used very often. Another benefit is that you can use a foam sleeping pad as one of several layers for added warmth and comfort.

• Inflatable Air Mattress

An inflatable air pad requires either a hand pump, an electric pump, or your lungs to reach full capacity. Many products are lightweight and compact and include either synthetic insulation or a layer of down. This makes them a popular option among backpackers.

If you plan on sleeping in your car, you may not need a sleeping pad that’s heavily insulated (unless you’re camping in a really cold climate). The air alone should be enough to provide a good night’s sleep. One drawback with this type of sleeping pad is that it’s very susceptible to punctures, so you have to be careful with it if you want it to last. They can also be expensive.

What to Consider When Buying a Car Camping Sleeping Pad

Don’t get trapped into purchasing the cheapest car camping sleeping pad you encounter. There are several things you should consider besides just the price. Comfort is critical for a good night’s sleep, and you also want a product that lasts for several years. Also look into its insulation properties, size, versatility, and ease of use.

• Comfort

Hiking and backpacking sleeping pads are designed to be lightweight, compact, and portable. If you plan on car camping, you can choose a product that is more luxurious and comfortable because you don’t need to be concerned as much about its weight or packability. After all, you’re either using it in your car or in a nearby tent, so portability isn’t as crucial.

Car camping sleeping pads should be a little thicker compared to a pad you would take on a backpacking trip. There’s no reason to scrimp on comfort if you plan on keeping the sleeping pad in your truck bed or simply taking it from the car to a nearby campsite.

• Durability

Whether you’re buying a car camping sleeping pad or another type of camping gear, you want it to last, especially if you spend a lot of money on the item. Sleeping pads are prone to rips, tears, and holes if you don’t take care of them properly.

One way to stack the deck is to choose a pad that is thicker with a high-denier fabric. Sleeping pads range from 20 denier, which is thin and light, to 70 denier, which is much thicker. Also, check to see if the inflatable air pad or self-inflating pad comes with a repair kit.

• Size

Sleeping pads are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Bigger is typically better, but you need to choose a product that is comfortable and not too heavy, particularly if you also plan to use the pad for backpacking. Also, you need to choose a pad that will fit in your vehicle if you plan on sleeping inside of it. Some vehicles are small and can not accommodate larger pads.

In addition to the length, you need to choose either a single or double pad. The latter provides more space and comfort for a solo camper but is also suitable for two sleepers. Some sleeping pads are as small as 72 inches long, but many are 77 inches long or up to 80 inches long. Backpacking sleeping pads are typically 20-inches wide, but you probably want one that’s at least 25 or 30 inches for a car camping sleeping pad.

• Insulation

Sleeping pads have an R-value, which is a measurement of the product’s insulating power or the material’s ability to prevent heat from escaping. The higher the R-value, the warmer the pad is. Outdoor companies determine the R-value of their own products, and it’s not regulated by the government.

Since it can be challenging to determine what’s inside a sleeping pad by just looking at it, make sure you read the description about its construction. Some are made of synthetic or down insulation, while others are designed specifically to provide insulation. If you choose to sleep both inside and outside of your vehicle, an insulated sleeping pad is a good idea to keep you warm.

• Ease of Use

Many people enjoy camping because it helps them relax and unwind. So, it can be frustrating to struggle with a sleeping pad that is difficult to inflate, deflate, and pack up for storage. You want a product that is easy to set up and break down when you’re finished using it. It’s not that critical if you only use the pad once a year, but if you’re a frequent camper, it should be easy to roll up and store.

If you choose an inflatable sleeping pad, it’s important that it’s easy to inflate and deflate. Check to see if it comes with a pump or whether you need to supply your own. Also, check if the pump is battery-operated. In addition, some pumps are louder than others, which can be irritating to some users (or nearby campers).

• Versatility

If you only plan on using a sleeping pad for car camping, its versatility is less important. However, if you want to use it for backpacking or a sleepover guest at your home, it should be versatile enough to accommodate various seasons and various activities. Some sleeping pads, for example, can even be connected with another one to make a larger sleeping pad.

Heavier and bulkier sleeping pads are not as versatile and are usually designed for certain conditions. Sleeping pads that aren’t insulated are also limited in their use. Plus, some pads are too big for smaller cars, standard truck beds, or small tents.

Best Car Camping Sleeping Pads FAQs

By now, you know a lot about car camping sleeping pads and what sets one type apart from another. Since they are designed to promote better sleep, they can make a trip in the wilderness much more relaxing. We answer commonly-asked questions about sleeping pads, such as how to clean them, in our FAQs below.

Our Top Pick

Our pick for the best car camping sleeping pad is the AirExpect Camping Sleeping Pad. While it’s a little on the small side, it’s great if you don’t have a lot of space in your vehicle. It comes with a built-in pillow and can be connected to another sleeping pad if you want something a little bit larger. It also has a built-in pump and is easy to inflate and deflate.

Final Thoughts

While the AirExpect Camping Sleeping Pad is our top pick, we also like the Sleepingo Sleeping Pad for Camping. It takes less than 15 breaths to inflate and decompresses to the size of a water bottle when you’re not using it. It’s made of tear-resistant nylon, is waterproof, and comes with a repair kit in case it gets punctured.