Have you ever slept on the ground when camping? I have. Did I do it intentionally? Of course not. I slept on an air mattress and throughout the night, it deflated to complete flat nothingness. I left that trip with a renewed connection to nature… and an extremely bad back.
After that, I learnt not to compromise when it comes to camping mattresses and as a result, I took a deep dive into what’s on the market for folks who like to catch their Zs.
Here’s what I discovered.
Coleman All Terrain Airbed
The words “all-terrain” included in the title should already make you feel a little more confident that this air mattress is a winner when it comes to camping. Made from puncture guard bonded fabric, this mattress brings strength, combined ever so effortlessly with comfort. Soft to the touch, the Coleman All Terrain Airbed earns its “all-terrain” stripes by being 47% more puncture-resistant, 25% more stretch-resistant, and 30% lighter than a standard Coleman airbed of the same size.
These camping mattresses come in three sizes: an XL single, a queen, and a double-high queen. I’d personally opt for a queen-sized bed as it’s ideal for a couple or a duo of mates on an adventure. And its stronger material makes it far more capable of supporting more weight. Not to mention, it’s equipped with the Airtight system, which is factory tested to be leak-free.
Things can be a little uncomfortable in a tent, so the double-high height is a sought-after highlight in this camping mattress. It makes getting in and out of bed easier, so you can always start and end your day on a good note.
You may be thinking, “a queen bed is going to take up far too much space”, and ordinarily, I’d agree with you because, as a serial over-packer, I know space is limited in the vehicle (especially after my bags go in). However, the Wrap ‘N’ Roll built-in storage system allows you to simply fold, roll and store. So you don’t need to compromise due to a lack of space.
Darche KOZI SI Series
The words “self-inflating” are perhaps two of the best that can come before the word “camping mattress.” Depending on whether you’re a solo sleeper or you like to cuddle, you have the option to choose between a king single, a double, or a queen. Again, let’s use the queen size as our example because realistically, we all do love to stretch out.
The queen-sized Darche KOZI SI Series camping mattress is 100mm thick and 1480mm wide, providing plenty of room to rest and recover after your adventures. You can trust that it’ll last the distance for many trips to come, considering its base is made from a durable, heavy-duty 150D Oxford polyester. But it feels nothing but soft and comfortable, due to its 75D peached polyester top that may remind you of the feeling of peach skin.
Quick and easy inflation and deflation are guaranteed thanks to horizontally cross-cored PU open-cell foam, while dual 360° flip valves further assist to allow you to spend more time doing what you love – not blowing up a mattress!
Zempire Monstamats
Many reckon the snow season in New Zealand is elite when compared to Thredbo or Perisher. It seems that their mattresses follow suit, given that the Monstamat Camp Mat is made by the New Zealand brand Zempire. There are three mats in the range, including a single, a king single, and a twin, that you can decide on based on your preferences.
Comfort meets durability in this construction, where the surface is made from 30D Super Stretch Ripstop fabric, while the base is a hardwearing 75D Poly Pongee. One of my favourite features about this one is the antibacterial foam that works to prevent moisture from building up inside the mat.
I don’t have to tell you how tedious it is to set up and deflate your camping mattress, we’ve all been there. Which is why I get so excited when I hear of mattresses that have features such as a high-volume valve that lets air flow through easily for simple inflation and deflation. Ever woken up with one hip on the ground? I personally prefer to sink a few cold ones, rather than my hip into the cold tent floor. Thankfully, this mat is fully bonded, ensuring no sinking!
Space is premium, which is why it’s always a bonus when carrying and storing a mat is simple. This is thankfully the case with the Monstamat Camp Mat, as it comes with its own carry bag with an included strap for simple portability.
Wanderer Tourer Extreme 4×4 Mattress
Developed with a PVC base for durability and a soft flocked top to keep you cosy, the Wanderer Tourer Extreme 4×4 Camping Mattress is the perfect mix of tough and nurturing. As we always want to save time, automatic inflation and deflation via five ports are incredibly handy when you’re rushing to get to your next adventure.
Your back will be cradled all night long due to it being an incredible 12 centimetres thick, allowing for a luxurious and comfortable sleep. It also includes a heavy-duty carry bag that ensures easy and secure storage, no matter where you’re headed.
As we know, things happen and all doesn’t always go as planned when you’re on the road. That’s why a repair kit has been included with the Wanderer Tourer Extreme 4×4 Mattress. This ensures you can patch things up while on the move and keep on truckin’ along.
Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad
Perhaps you are very conscious of space (I get it, those cases of Great Northern aren’t going to store themselves), and you’re looking for something that really doesn’t impact your vehicle space. The Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad is a lightweight mattress that is ideal for camping in chilly environments due to its synthetic insulation, which limits air movement and heat loss. It is incredibly lightweight and packs into a very tight 5 x 8 inches, allowing it to hide in plain sight.
With body mapping technology in use, you’ll be relieved to know that the patented V-shaped design doesn’t discriminate. Whether you sleep on your back, on your side or on your stomach, you’ll receive as much support and comfort in any position.
Why shouldn’t you catch great Zs?
So although I can’t give you the gift of good sleep (if I could, I would), I think I’ve done the next best thing and provided you with the means to acquire it. We spend about one-third of our lives sleeping, and you likely have a supportive, high-quality mattress at home. So why shouldn’t you invest in things that are going to make your overnight rest better when you’re on the road?
