The REI Co-op Campwell Sleeping Pad ($129) delivers impressive warmth and durability for its price, but—unsurprisingly—there are tradeoffs you’ll need to reckon with. It’s the thinnest car camping pad we’ve tested, and side sleepers especially may find themselves better acquainted with the ground than they’d like. Still, the 7.0 R-value is excellent for cold-weather use, and the fabric quality feels far more premium than its budget-friendly price tag suggests. If you can work around the relatively low comfort, this is a solid mat for value-focused campers.
Comfort
Warmth
Durability
Ease of Use
Weight & Packability
Sustainability
Dimensions
72 x 25 x 2.5 in. (R)
Type
Self-inflating mat
R-value
7.0
Weight
3 lb. 8 oz.
Pros
Cons
REI Co-op Campwell Sleeping Pad
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Mattresses.
I won’t mince words: The REI Co-op Campwell is the thinnest car camping pad Better Trail has tested, and that’s pretty obvious once you lie down on it. It measures 2.5 inches thick—far below average for this gear category—and during my testing, I consistently felt the ground when sitting, kneeling, or side sleeping on it; I even woke up once with a sore shoulder from bottoming out. This pad might be fine for back sleepers who don’t toss too much, but if plush support is a priority, other pads like the 4-inch-thick Nemo Roamer or the Zempire Monstamat King (also 4 in. thick) are in another league. Both of those pads insulate better against pressure points and offer a noticeably more luxurious night’s sleep. Having said that, neither of those models is a true budget pad. The Roamer costs twice as much as the Campwell ($250), and the Monstamat will run you $180.
Additionally, while the Campwell’s dimensions—72 by 25 inches—are about average for a single-person pad, the usable surface area feels a bit more limited than that due to the gently sloping sides. (The pads I mentioned above both have vertical sidewalls.) While I appreciated the soft, stretchy top fabric and how the pad’s foam conformed slightly to my back, the comfort level dropped off when I shifted to a side-sleeping position. Overall, you can sleep on the REI Co-op Campwell if the ground beneath you is quite soft, or you’re someone who can doze off just about anywhere. Campers who are sticking to a strict budget may even sleep better, given the money they’re saving. But comfort is where the Campwell’s value-oriented design makes the most concessions, so be aware of that before you bed down.
With a 7.0 R-value that’s high enough for winter camping, the Campwell punches well above its price point when it comes to insulation. I used it in temps as low as the 40s in California’s San Gabriel Mountains and again in the low 50s at June Lake, paired with 20- and 30-degree sleeping bags. Each time, the mat retained heat well, and I never felt cold air leeching through the bottom, even when the air was brisk and the ground was cold. In fact, the rest of my body stayed warm enough that the only discomfort came from an unprotected face (and I’d rather have a cold nose than a cold core, of course).
Compared to similarly budget-oriented alternatives like the Coleman Silver Springs (5.0 R-value) and the Sea to Summit Camp Plus (4.3 R-value), the Campwell clearly outperforms its price tag. It isn’t the warmest camping mattress we’ve tested—models like the Exped DeepSleep (9.0) and the Monstamat (10.5) offer more extreme insulation—but for the vast majority of three-season campers, the Campwell is more than enough. Winter users who aren’t venturing into truly arctic conditions will find it a dependable and cozy option.
This is another win for the REI Co-op Campwell’s price-to-performance ratio. Despite its budget-friendly status, this pad feels reassuringly rugged. While the 30-denier top fabric is soft and only moderately durable, the 75-denier polyester bottom—which is where the majority of pad failures happen—held up well to a handful of rocky and twiggy campsites without any damage.
After four nights of use (and two photoshoots), there were no punctures or valve issues, and the build quality feels on par with premium pads like the Nemo Roamer, which also has a 75-denier base (ditto for the Silver Springs). I did wish that the Campwell’s included repair kit was easier to identify—it may have just been a fabric swatch, as my sample didn’t seem to come with a full kit—but I felt confident that the pad could stand up to extended use, especially if handled with a bit of care.
Inflation is fairly straightforward for this self-inflating pad: open the inflation valve and let it sit. After a few hours, the REI Co-op Campwell self-inflated to about 80%, and I finished it off with around 15 breaths. Topping the pad off isn’t the easiest, though: The inflation valve sits flush with the pad surface, which looks clean but makes breathing into it a bit awkward—it’s simply not easy to position near your mouth.
There’s also no pump sack, which further limits convenience, but otherwise setup is relatively hassle-free. Plus, the Campwell’s deflation valve is a different color, which makes things easy for bleary-eyed campers. I also like the pad’s included toggles—two on each side—that you can attach to another Campwell pad to create a two-pad snuggle session, or wrap around the sides of a camping cot to secure the mat.
At 3 pounds, 8 ounces and with a packed size of 26 by 6.3 inches, the Campwell definitely isn’t a backpacking pad, but it's not so bad compared to some other car camping behemoths Better Trail has tested. It’s much lighter than the Monstamat King (7 lb. 15 oz.) and packs away slimmer than the Roamer (16 in. by 10 in.), though it’s still bulkier than an air mat like the Nemo Quasar. I had no trouble fitting it into the included stuff sack on the first roll, and I appreciated the grab handle for hauling it around camp. While the Campwell will take up a bit of room in your trunk or gear closet, it should be manageable for most car campers—and it’s impressively packable for a self-inflating mat with this much insulation.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Repair Kit
Repair kits help extend a product’s lifespan by allowing users to quickly fix issues—like sleeping pad punctures or damaged inflation valve seals—rather than replace the item entirely. A green check indicates the product includes a repair kit, while a red X means it does not.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Coleman Silver Springs ($70): A True Budget Option
Despite the significant drop in price from the Campwell, the Silver Springs has a thicker 3-inch build—though that advantage is somewhat offset by its thinner-than-advertised feel. Both pads also feature durable, 75-denier bottom fabrics that can stand up to years of car camping. Otherwise, the Campwell is the superior mat. It’s 5 inches wider, offering more room to roll around, and its 7.0 R-value will keep you warmer than the Silver Springs’ 5.0 R-value build. Additionally, its soft polyester top feels far nicer than the Silver Springs’ cheap, plasticky surface. Packing the Campwell up is also far easier, and it’s a pound and a half lighter. If you’re on the tightest of budgets (or can sleep just about anywhere), the Silver Springs is a fine choice. But the Campwell is a clear step up, while still appealing to most price-conscious buyers. For more, read our Silver Springs review.
Exped DeepSleep ($170): Thicker and Warmer
If you’ve got extra cash to spend, the DeepSleep offers a noticeable jump in comfort and warmth over the Campwell. At a true 3 inches thick, it makes it less likely you’ll feel the ground beneath you, and its 9.0 R-value keeps you even warmer when temperatures drop. Both pads share nearly identical lengths and widths, but the DeepSleep’s vertical sidewalls provide a truly flat sleeping surface compared with the Campwell’s sloping sides. And the DeepSleep includes a pump sack, making topping off easier. The Campwell, however, is a pound lighter, if you’re thinking of taking a quick jaunt from the car or simply want to lighten your kit. Side sleepers and winter campers should opt for the DeepSleep, but some folks might appreciate the Campwell’s $41 in savings despite the tradeoffs. For more, read our review of the DeepSleep.
The Campwell Sleeping Pad doesn’t offer much in the comfort department, with a thin build that means you can feel the ground beneath you. As a value-oriented car-camping option, though, it delivers impressive warmth, durability, and a few nice-to-have features in an affordable package.
Comfort
Warmth
Durability
Ease of Use
Weight & Packability
Sustainability
The standout quality of this throwback pad is its fantastic price, but the Silver Springs is not a good option for campers who seek even moderate comfort. At least it’s warm and durable enough to last until you get more into camping and decide to buy a better pad.
Comfort
Warmth
Durability
Ease of Use
Weight & Packability
Sustainability
This trimmed-down version of Exped’s popular MegaMat is a little thinner, features firmer foam, and is much more affordable. The DeepSleep’s soft top fabric and high R-value are nice touches, but they can’t match the comfort of heftier pads.
Comfort
Warmth
Durability
Ease of Use
Weight & Packability
Sustainability
If price is the first thing you’re looking at when buying a car camping mat, the REI Co-op Campwell is a pretty decent buy overall. Its warmth, durability, and packability are above-average regardless of cost, which is less than half that of some of the category’s standouts. However, you’ll have to buy this pad knowing that a pillowy sleep platform isn’t in your future, especially if you’re a side sleeper. If you’re a back sleeper, a deep sleeper, or simply don’t rate comfort that highly, though, the Campwell offers great value.
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