As someone who has logged a lot of nights camping at festivals and on outdoor adventures, I understand the impact of a poor night’s sleep. Most of the time, I’ve had to compromise and force myself to sleep on my back, which is almost always a huge failure, resulting in a lot of tossing and turning. As technology improves and camping options become more bountiful, there are more choices than ever to get a great night’s sleep no matter what your camping setup is.
With shoulder season in full swing, there is no better time to be outside with mild weather, fewer crowds, and plenty of open camping spots. In this roundup, I tested different mattresses, one sleeping bag, and a blanket which are linked to the left of this text.
Each of these setups has a specific type of camper in mind, and they are perfect for the mild to sometimes chilly fall season. They all deliver differently for various types of campers. Below, I get into the details of each setup and who it’s made for, and hoperully this will help you make the best choice for your camping needs.
Space Acacia Single Air Mattress ($159)
First, I’ll start with the Space Acacia Single Air Mattress—this easy-to-inflate sleeping pad is not just another piece of camping gear; it’s a game-changer for anyone who values comfort, durability, and convenience in the great outdoors. I got the chance to test out their Space Acacia tent system, and I’ve been a huge fan ever since.
Read the Space Acacia Tent Review HERE.
Who is it for? This mattress is on the larger side for a single. It is designed to deliver superior comfort, insulation, and ground clearance for what is the most portable of these three mattresses. If you are a car or festival camper with a large SUV or a decent-sized tent but still need a bit of portability, this is the perfect choice.
Comfort: One of the standout features of the Space Acacia air mattress is its 4 inches of plush comfort that provides ample support and insulation. This mattress made it easy to find a comfortable position, giving me plenty of support and a solid night’s sleep. This mattress is a luxurious upgrade for festival-goers used to sleeping on thin, uncomfortable mats or even directly on the ground in a flimsy sleeping bag. For any of you who have used a traditional camping air mattress, you have to sleep on your back to find any zen, so for you stomach and side sleepers this is a bit of sleep nirvana. The mattress balances softness and support, ensuring you won’t feel anything beneath you, and if you do, it’s probably a small boulder.
Materials: The Acacia air mattress is made with high-quality, durable materials designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. The top layer is crafted from a soft yet robust fabric that feels pleasant against the skin, while the bottom layer is reinforced to prevent punctures and abrasions. Inflating the pad is quick with the included mini pump or the included pump sack should you run out of batteries on your mini pump. Both methods are relatively fast, although the pump is much quicker for both inflating and deflating.
Packability: For festival campers, packability is essential—after all, you want to enjoy the music, not be weighed down by bulky gear. The Space Acacia air mattress can pack down to roughly 20% of its size so that it won’t take up too much room in your vehicle. The included stuff sack with compression straps makes it even easier to pack and carry, saving you valuable space. This is not a sleeping pad designed for backpackers as it is still too big to hike with or take any significant distance.
The Luno Portable Air Mattress: Sleep inside your SUV, Truck or Camper Van with ease ($329) – 2024 Editor’s Choice Award Winner
I’m not ready for a roof tent just yet, but I still like the safety and convenience of just opening up the back of my Jeep Wrangler and making a nest out of it. The custom-sized Luno Air Mattress systems (available for various trucks, SUVs, and camper vans) have made sleeping in your vehicle simple, convenient, and quite comfortable. In fact, Luno has an entire ecosystem of products that are worth a look, from pillows to wood carriers. Need some camping advice? They’ve got you covered with a ton of excellent guides filled with tips.
Who is it for? These systems are for people who want the ease and safety of sleeping in their vehicle and are a great alternative to a roof tent. So, if you have a camper van, SUV, or truck, this could be your dream system.
Comfort – Sleeping in your vehicle usually means compromising on comfort and convenience. The Luno is custom-shaped to fit the contours of most major vehicles on the market, which means no awkward gaps or deflated corners. The single mattress design lets you inflate only one side if you’re solo, or you can zipper them together if you have a co-pilot along for the ride or just want more room to stretch out. The mattress is thick enough to smooth out the bumps of your vehicle’s cargo area, so you can get a better night’s rest. It feels much more like a bed than I anticipated, with just enough firmness to keep you from sinking to the hard surface below. The kit even comes with hanging storage sacks to attach to your front headrests with enough room for essentials like phones, cords, shoes, and flasks.
Note – If you are taller than 6’2″, you will dangle off this mattress and you will need a large , so it’s just something to keep in mind before buying. In the Jeep, my head was at the very end and my feet hit the tail gate, and I’m 5’11”.
Pro tip or don’t be a dummy tip– When installing the mattresses, make sure the seats are pushed all the way forward and folded forward as well, allowing them to fit perfectly. I biffed this the first time around.
Materials: The Luno air mattress is made from heavy-duty 300-Denier fabric and customized for various types of vehicles, and strikes a great balance between durability and comfort. It’s tough enough to withstand the rigors of car camping—whether that means the occasional sharp object in your cargo area or just the general wear and tear of constant use. Despite its durability, the fabric is soft, making it comfortable to lie on even without extra bedding.
Packability: One of the standout features of the Luno mattress is how easy it is to pack and unpack. Deflating it is a breeze—open the valves, and it quickly shrinks down to a manageable size. It comes with a storage bag that fits easily in the back of your vehicle, leaving plenty of room for the rest of your gear. Setting it up is equally simple; with the included pump, it only takes a few minutes to inflate the mattress fully. The whole process is so straightforward that it doesn’t feel like a chore, which is a huge plus when you’re tired and want to get your Zzzz’s on after a long day.
SylvanSport Cloud Layer Self-Inflating Camping Mattress ($229)
Who is it for? The SylvanSport Cloud Layer system is for those with plenty of room in their vehicle/tent and who want a bit more of a glamping experience. The mattress and sleeping bag combination is cozy, comfy, and almost as good as your bed.
Comfort: The name “Cloud Layer” pretty much sums it up—this mattress gets you as close as you will probably get to a real bed. It is 4 inches thick and provides a plush layer of comfort that keeps you well above the rough, uneven ground. The 7.3R insulation value is perfect for chillier temps in what I would call a three-season rating. The mattress self-inflates in about a minute and can be firmed up with a small pump or the included stuff bag. It perfectly balances support and cushioning, which means you’re not waking up with sore hips or a stiff back. Whether you’re a side sleeper like me or prefer to sleep on your back, the Cloud Layer mattress delivers.
Materials: SylvanSport has done an excellent job with the materials used in the Cloud Layer mattress. The top surface is made from a soft yet durable stretch fabric that feels incredibly comfortable against the skin. It’s also quiet—no annoying crinkling sounds every time you move, which is a massive plus for light sleepers. The bottom layer is made from a tougher material that is resistant to punctures and moisture, making it ideal for use directly on the ground or inside a tent.
Packability: If you are rolling with the whole kit, meaning two large mattresses and the Cloud Layer sleeping bag for two, you need to have some room in your vehicle. The large mattresses come as singles and can also be attached to create a queen-size double bed; if that’s not glamping, I don’t know what is. They are quick to inflate, deflate, and easy to roll up and get into the stuff bag when packing up camp. The sleeping bag portion is the bulkiest, more on that below, but hey, you are glamping, baby, so make the room and get ready to snuggle. Just make sure the person next to you is into that, or things could get really weird real quick.
Cloud Layer Double – 3 Season Sleeping Bag ($349.95) – 2024 Editor’s Choice Award Winner
The Cloud Layer Double sleeping bag is kind of a must if you are going all in on the Cloud Layer system. The bag is designed with layers to cozy up or cool off, suitable for 20° nights and 60° summer evenings. Designed to work with two of the Cloud Layer Large air mattresses tethered together, you have a bed that is slightly bigger than a queen mattress, giving you plenty of room to roll around. There is even an organic cotton sheet layer inside for that homey feeling. Its multiple-layer combinations can dial you in perfectly temperature-wise, and there is even a double zipper to let your feet hang out if you need those toes to get some fresh air.
Features:
- DRAW-TIGHT HOOD: Wraps you in warmth during cold weather.
- CUSTOM INNER POCKET: Holds your device and helps keep you organized.
- QUILTY AS CHARGED: Removable quilt layer for use as a cozy camp blanket.
- FLANNEL LINING: Flannel lining and durable poly-fill designed for comfort and warmth.
- DOUBLE ZIPPER: Allows open ventilation for your feet. Fold back either side or fully remove.
- SIDE BAFFLES: Generous side baffles create extra height from bottom to top for maximum roominess.
- REMOVABLE OUTER LAYER: Great for all-season use
- ORGANIC COTTON SHEET: Removable for easy machine washing.
- THE PERFECT PAIR: Bottom sleeves nest with 4″ SylvanSport Air Mattress (sold separately).
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket – Cactus Flower ($99)
The first time I saw a Rumpl blanket at REI years ago, I knew they were on to something. They are easy to pack into a stuff bag, compact, warm, and made from a material that can take a little beer spillage, and perfect for chilling just about anywhere. It’s like a sleeping bag had a love child with a blanket; the rest is history.
The 2.0 version of this blanket adds some nice features, including a durable VersaWeave
shell for debris (Doritos, beer caps, beer, pine cones, etc.) and weather resistance. The new corner staking loops help you secure it like a picnic blanket, and there are now clips, aka hands-free Cape Clip®, should you want to rock a superhero look while crushing cans on your head (No one is impressed). This is your new best friend for shoulder season, so grab a few for your fall adventures and accept that one of your homies will “borrow” one for life.
Specs:
- Designed for all-around outdoor recreation
- PFAS-Free DWR for stain and water resistance
- 100% post-consumer recycled shell, liner, and insulation made from plastic bottles
- Roll-top stuff sack included
The post The Best Sleeping Setups For Camping: Get a Great Night’s Sleep Wherever You Roam appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.