REI Camp Dreamer XL Tenting Mattress Evaluation

Backside Line

On the lookout for an inexpensive however snug tenting mattress? The REI Camp Dreamer XL is your key to a refreshing night time of relaxation. Whereas there are many nice choices on our greatest tenting mattresses information, this one is a strong finances decide that will get the job executed.

Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has introduced the Camp Dreamer on 10 tenting journeys throughout Colorado and southern Wyoming from late winter by summer time. He loves its plush really feel, with 4 inches of thickness and a comfortable outer materials that stops bottoming out and accommodates any sleeping place.

This one earns its maintain with a spacious design and better R-Worth, so it’s a strong choice for year-round automotive campers. It fills up shortly – and we love that it dumps air quick, too. REI features a pump sack, and an outsized storage stuff sack is large enough to get the mattress inside and not using a struggle.

Nonetheless, it does include some drawbacks. The Camp Dreamer XL is nice for budget-conscious campers, however you’ll sacrifice sturdiness for that cheaper price level. After solely a handful of makes use of, Ian discovered it started to leak alongside the seams subsequent to the valve. It’s additionally on the heavy and ponderous facet in contrast with many of the competitors, and it’s a little bit of a process to roll up – normally two repetitions to get all of the air out. We additionally discovered the pump sack a bit awkward to make use of. Nonetheless, for the value, this mattress is a snug selection that’s price a better look.

Consolation

If consolation is your precedence, the REI Camp Dreamer XL delivers. It’s 4-inches thick – which is common for our automotive tenting listing. However because of horizontal foam and glorious structuring, it feels even thicker. The Camp Dreamer is supportive and plush. Whether or not we slept on our stomach, facet, or again, this mattress successfully alleviated stress factors for a snug night time of sleep. Gear Analyst Ian might be choosy in regards to the facet seams on mattresses once they stick out an excessive amount of. The Camp Dreamers are rounded, so we barely observed them. We additionally discovered the velvety polyester face cloth felt lavish towards the pores and skin. It didn’t snag or catch on base layers, both. 

We choose the one-person model of the Camp Dreamer for its comfortable really feel and respectable portability, however it additionally is available in a double model. The double is bulkier and heavier, however when you choose cuddling up with a accomplice, liked one, or canine bff, it might be price paying extra for the shared house.

Nonetheless, the Camp Dreamer XL doesn’t have the identical adjustability as different mattresses. Many have a small button on the consumption valve to set free miniscule quantities of air to get a exact adjustment on the firmness, however this one doesn’t. You possibly can manually set free a bit extra air by sticking your finger into the valve and transferring the bit of fabric blocking airflow. Nonetheless, the nuance is misplaced, which limits the general customization.

Ease of Use

The REI Camp Dreamer XL is without doubt one of the fastest-inflating tenting mattresses we examined, and we extremely suggest it when you like a fast, low-effort setup. We timed the self-inflating system to a bit lower than 5 minutes. It required solely two to a few pump sacks of air to high it off – or about 60 seconds of breath. The valve caps keep closed all night time, and the pad gives loads of house to unfold out whereas accommodating the largest sleeping baggage. The massive storage sack design is amongst our favorites, too, so despite the fact that it’s a bit heavier than most mattresses, it’s nonetheless extremely moveable.

We do have just a few complaints for usability, although. Our greatest situation comes all the way down to sturdiness. Within the first few makes use of, Ian’s mattress developed two pinhole-sized leaks – one alongside a high side-seam and one other subsequent to the dump valve – places that might not be patched. Our analysis exhibits this downside isn’t essentially distinctive to our expertise, which is why this mattress ranks close to the underside of our listing. Fortunately, REI has a year-long return coverage, so we had been capable of swap it out for a second mattress. The alternative mattress hasn’t had any sturdiness points.

Moreover, we like that the pump sack is included, however it isn’t as simple to make use of as others. Its opening is a bit slender, and the nozzle might be finicky to connect to the valve. We additionally discovered rolling the mattress up might be time-consuming. Usually, one roll isn’t sufficient to get all of the air out, so we find yourself rolling it up twice to get it to suit into the bag. Regardless of these challenges, this mattress continues to be very simple to make use of.

Heat

This REI mannequin lands squarely in the course of the pack for heat with an R-value of 6.6. That was greater than heat sufficient to maintain us cozy between 30° and 80°F, so it’s a strong choice for spring, summer time and fall. Our testing discovered the built-in foam insulation helped retain and replicate warmth that prevented frigid air from seeping by.

Nonetheless, Ian has examined this mattress in severe winter circumstances. He took the Camp Dreamer for a spin on a week-long journey to southern Wyoming’s Vedauwoo Climbing space in January the place temps dropped as little as 18°F. Used along with a toasty-warm sleeping bag, the Camp Dreamer saved him lots heat. That stated, 18°F is on the intense finish for this pad, and we’d principally reserve this one for journeys that keep above 20°F. It’s nice for delicate to reasonable circumstances, however it is going to really feel chilly with out layers.

Packed Dimension

Regardless of its heavier weight – the Camp Dreamer is 6 kilos, 6 ounces – this mattress is barely extra moveable than most. It measures 30 inches by 11 inches, which isn’t fairly so long as a lot of the competitors. Its carrying case opens lengthwise, so we aren’t making an attempt to slip the entire mattress by a small high opening. Two big buckles act as compression straps to maintain the mattress contained, and a thick nylon shoulder strap frees up your fingers to hold different gear. 

Nonetheless, this factor is just not small. You’ll must finances house within the trunk for this mattress, despite the fact that it isn’t fairly so long as some we examined and reviewed.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Camp Dreamer XL Mattress?

The REI Camp Dreamer XL is a strong decide for campers who need the consolation, heat, and ease of use of a premium mattress with out the steep price ticket. Its thick, 4-inch design and spectacular heat make it well-suited for year-round circumstances. Its comfortable polyester floor additionally punches above its class for a refreshing night time’s sleep. We discover the spacious dimensions and tremendous quick self-inflating function are a slam-dunk for informal automotive campers who desire a hassle-free setup. This one is a wonderful worth with out compromising on consolation or efficiency.

Nonetheless, the tradeoff you’ll make is sturdiness and adjustability. We had a problem with our first Camp Dreamer leaking – though we’ve had no situation with the alternative. This one additionally isn’t as adjustable as others in terms of firmness, and we discover the pump is a bit awkward to connect and fill with air. Lastly, the Camp Dreamer is just not as dreamy to roll up, both. That stated, these aren’t dealbreakers for us. For those who’ve bought an eye fixed in your pockets, the Camp Dreamer XL is an effective selection for a comfy, thick tenting mattress.

What Different Tenting Mattresses Ought to You Take into account?

If the REI Camp Dreamer XL didn’t catch your eye, see different high picks on our greatest tenting mattresses information:

Therm-A-Relaxation Luxurious Map XL Evaluation: The Luxurious Map shares the Camp Dreamers value level, making it a wonderful finances choice as effectively. It’s not fairly as heat and a bit lighter, however this one has superior sturdiness. 

REI Campwell XL Evaluation: Positive, the REI Campwell isn’t practically as thick because the REI Camp Dreamer – it’s solely  2 and a half inches off the bottom – however you’ll get a hotter pad that’s lighter and packs smaller. 

Sea To Summit Consolation Deluxe LW: The Consolation Deluxe lands in our high three favorites of the 12 months because of its good all-around efficiency, together with a smaller packed dimension, lighter weight, and comparable heat.