My Review of REI Camp Bed 3.5 Self-Inflating Pad - Large

Originally submitted at REI

With an ultra-cushy 3.5-inch thickness and soft-touch fabric, this space-saving deluxe camp bed provides plush comfort for base camping.

REI Camp Bed 3.5 Self-Inflating Pad - Large

Saved my Trip

By IL adventurer from Carbondale, IL on 11/6/2008

 

5out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Easy To Inflate, Lightweight, Durable Design, Comfortable, Non Slip

Cons: Bulky Roll Up, Difficult to roll up

Best Uses: Car Camping, Weekend Trips, Extended Trips

Describe Yourself: Casual Adventurer

What Is Your Gear Style: Comfort Driven

I bought this in the middle of a 33-day camping trip to the deserts of the southwest U.S. It was an emergency replacement for a Coleman queen-size inflatable bed that developed a slow leak. After spending 3 or 4 nights sleeping on hard ground, I'd had enough. I finally found a REI in Henderson, Nevada, and got this pad because of the good reviews I read online and because my traveling companion had a similar type pad. I was not disappointed. The pad material is sturdy. The plastic inflation gaskets (?) are secure. It inflates quickly. Only a few quick puffs and you've got a fully inflated pad. The 3" of lift keeps you off the ground and offers enough barrier that the ground temperature does not affect you. (I used it in nighttime temperatures ranging from about 42-90 degrees.) While the Coleman was about a 5-6" pad, this pad was infinitely more comfortable. I preferred the rectangular (versus mummy) outline but I was worried that the pad was too narrow and I would roll off it in the night. I needn't have worried.

I have also taken this to a family reunion where I slept on a relative's basement floor. It sleeps as well on concrete as outdoors.

I do think it is a hassle to deflate and roll up. I generally had to re-roll it at least once to remove all the air and get it tight enough to fit in its travel bag. I wish that the velcro ties were attached to the pad itself. I was forever misplacing them. Rolling it up can feel like a workout. But, after a good night's sleep, I wasn't going to complain about a minor aggravation. The only real problem I had was keeping the dog off of it. He thought it was fantastic.

(legalese)