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Being able to sleep well when camping is a crucial factor that ensures longevity in your outdoor adventures.
One of the best ways to get a great sleep is, of course, by using a quality mattress.
Regardless of your type of camping, there are always choices out there that will make sure you sleep well.
So, in today’s article, we go over some of the best camping bed options for activities such as backpacking and even RV overlanding.
Table of Contents
- What to Look for in a Comfortable Camping Bed
- Best Camping Bed for Backpacking
- Best Camping Bed for Tents
- Best Camping Bed for Rooftop Tents
- Best Camping Bed for RVs & Campers
- Final Thoughts
- Check Out This Awesome Camping Gear
What to Look for in a Comfortable Camping Bed
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Most importantly for people who are into hiking, a camping bed needs to be lightweight. No one wants to carry a heavy mattress on their back for days.
Size and portability will also go hand in hand with weight. When hiking, the amount of space we have to store stuff is very limited.
The above factors may not be as important for truck camping, but the size and portability factor should again be considered.
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A camping bed that takes up the whole trunk of a wagon is no good to any overlander as it will hinder storage space for other gear.
The process required to assemble the mattress is also important. Most campers need something that sets up quickly. Being around camp is about relaxing – not setting up camping gear.
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Finally, you need to consider the material the mattress is made of and the size and comfort it can provide. You will need something durable that can withstand being set up and taken down every day for multiple days. You also need a mattress that is thick enough and large enough to provide adequate sleeping comfort.
So, as you can see, choosing a camping bed is no easy task. Therefore, let’s dive into what we think is the best option for each category.
Best Camping Bed for Backpacking
A camping bed for backpacking must be lightweight. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite should be the perfect candidate.
It comes in a range of sizes from small to large, is 2.5 inches thick, and the largest option only weighs 16 ounces.
The NeoAir will also comfortably fit in your backpack because it only takes as much space as a 1L water bottle when it’s folded.
It is also relatively well insulated and includes heat capturing technology, so it can keep you warm, even in colder temperatures.
Due to its small size, it won’t be the most comfortable option. However, this is a sacrifice every backpacker must make as storage space is hard to come by.
Best Camping Bed for Tents
Camping out of a truck requires much less sacrifice. Therefore, we can easily take a larger and more comfortable camping bed with us.
The Exped MegaMat 10 is thick enough to ensure a great night’s sleep without leading to a sore back or neck.
Furthermore, its insulated design will keep you warm even during those cold winter camping nights.
The mattress is 3.9 inches thick, and the larger option weighs 5lbs. When folded down, it takes roughly the same space as a small camping chair, so carrying it along in your truck should be no issue.
The product comes with an inflation pump and a repair kit.
Best Camping Bed for Rooftop Tents
Rooftop tents usually come with their own mattress. Therefore, the question of which camping bed to choose may sometimes be irrelevant.
However, in many instances, you will find that the mattress in some rooftop tents isn’t all that comfortable, so choosing a product that ensures the best quality tent and mattress is crucial.
The SMRT Tent Summit Suite is the perfect example of what’s possible for comfortable rooftop tent camping.
This tent features a 2.5-inch high-density EPS open-cell foam mattress for comfort and airflow. At 59” wide and 81.5” long, you have plenty of room for yourself, or if you have a loved one along, they’ll fit nicely, too!
The mattress is firm to the touch but adaptive to your body, so it will support your weary bones after a long day of exploring.
The mattress also comes with a polyester cover for durability. The cover is easy to clean and quick-drying, too.
This being a top-of-the-line tent, it offers plenty of other great features, such as the ability to mount accessories on top of the tent. Furthermore, it is one of the slimmest designs on the market with a profile measuring at just 6.3”.
If you need a very comfortable, durable, and slimline rooftop tent, then the Summit Suite is the way to go!
For more details about this tent, check out my first impressions review. Spoiler alert – I love it!
Best Camping Bed for RVs & Campers
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An RV is the ideal space to have a comfortable camping bed. In fact, camping bed may be the wrong word here. In most campers, you can get a proper-sized bed with a normal mattress.
Because of this, we thought that the best suggestion would be a good quality mattress topper that will make your existing setup even more comfortable.
The Saatva Mattress Topper is made from naturally breathable organic cotton thoughtfully designed to elevate your sleep experience.
Memory foam instantly limits motion transfer as it contours to your body for pressure-point relief.
A graphite layer draws heat away from the body for a cooler, more refreshing sleep.
Finally, a breathable organic cotton cover provides additional cooling comfort.
As overlanders, we use RVs to get maximum levels of comfort. Therefore, the topper from Saatva Mattress should lead to a great night’s sleep even in the most remote of areas.
Final Thoughts
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Regardless of your type of adventure, there is a camping bed to suit your needs.
All the choices mentioned above should provide a comfortable sleep according to the circumstances while also lasting a long time. After all, they are all high-quality products.
If you have any further questions regarding camping bed choices, leave them in the forum section of our page.
Check Out This Awesome Camping Gear
- First Aid Kit
- Camp Grill
- GMRS Radio
- Camp Chair
- Camping Lantern
- Waterproof Tarp
- Camping Table
- Small Axe
- Solar Shower
- Camping Cookset