If you are a side sleeper or simply want a very comfortable camping bed, you will want to check this list with very thick sleeping pads for camping.
First thing first: what I mean by a thick sleeping pad
When I say ‘thick pad’ I mean really thick. So none of the sleeping pads here in the text is thinner than 3.9 inches (9.9 cm). Such a thick layer is good enough even for side sleepers. You will see that the thickest pads are over 16 cm thick.
My list of the thickest sleeping pads for camping
The pads in the list below are ordered by the thickness from thinner to thicker:
- Exped MegaMat Outfitter 10 LXW
- Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad
- QOMOTOP Ultra Thick Self-Inflating Camping Mattress
- Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D Self-Inflating Camping Pad
- NEMO Roamer Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
- Exped Synmat Mega 12
- ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed Queen Sleeping Pad
- Exped MegaMat Max 15 Duo Sleeping Pad
- Kelty Kush Queen Air Bed with Battery-Powered Pump
- ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Self-Inflating Double Air Pad
- ALPS Mountaineering Oasis Air Pad
- Sierra Designs 2 Person Queen Camping Air Bed
- HEST Sleep System Sleeping Pad
Regarding the construction, you will see the following two main types here:
- Inflatable sleeping pads.
- Self-inflating sleeping pads.
The latter type always implies insulation so these are pads for all seasons, and you will see a variety of R-values here. Even inflatable pads can be insulated, and you will see some examples below. Note that all of them are presented in detail in my separate texts, so follow the links for more information.
1. Exped MegaMat Outfitter 10 LXW
This is a very popular and award-winning camping pad, a great option for side and stomach sleepers, it is 3.9 inches (9.9 cm) thick.
The pad is insulated and its R-value is an impressive 9.5, one of the highest in the list. Note that this is a self-inflating pad so you have foam inside. This is reflected in its weight which is 6 lb 15.5 oz (3.16 kg).
2. Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad
As the name suggests, this is a double-wide pad, so it is suitable for couples or simply for solo use if you have space and want comfort. This is also a very thick pad, the number 10 describes its thickness, so you have 3.94 inches (10 cm) of an open cell PU foam, which is Oekotex 100 certified.
This pad comes with an impressive R-value of 9.5, so this is an insulated sleeping pad suitable for the most severe conditions. You have vertical sidewalls here and an absolutely level sleeping surface. A Mini Pump is included. The dual valve system is very efficient, and adjustment of the firmness can be achieved by simply tapping on the one-way flap of the inflation valve. The pad is heavy, it weighs 163.3 oz (4.63 kg).
3. QOMOTOP Ultra Thick Self-Inflating Camping Mattress
This QOMOTOP Ultra Thick Self-Inflating Camping Mattress is double size and its dimensions are 80 x 52 inches (203 x 132 cm). It weighs 13.6 lb (6.2 kg), and it is 4 inches (10.2 cm) thick. So you realize why it is here in the list.
The pad is with 9.5 R-value so it is suitable even for extremely cold weather. As the name tells you, this is a self-inflating pad, and its stuff sack doubles as an inflation sack in the case you need to blow more air in.
4. Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D Self-Inflating Foam Camping Air Mattress
This is an insulated sleeping pad suitable for all seasons, and with an impressive R-value of 11.4. It is built in two sizes and they both are big. The pad is 4 inches (10.2 cm) thick.
The fabric is a very soft and pleasant 75D reverse diamond polyester on the top and the same durability polyester is on the bottom. You might want to know that the pad is built in the USA.
5. NEMO Roamer Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
As you realize from the name, this is a pad with foam inside. This gives it great insulation and the temperature rating for this pad is -30 F (-34 C) and this is close to a 7.5 R-value. So you have a camping bed for all seasons.
They build it in two sizes and they both are 4 inches (10.2 cm) thick. So this is an incredibly comfortable sleeping pad, great even for side sleepers. The larger version (XLW) is with dimensions 80 x 30 inches (203 x 76 cm) so it is suitable even for very tall people. It weighs 5 lb 4 oz (2.38 kg) and it is surprisingly well packable.
6. Exped SynMat Mega 12
Here you have an inflatable pad, it is insulated and its R-value is 5.3, so it is suitable for 4 seasons and for very low temperatures. The number 12 in the name is the thickness so you have 4.72 inches (12 cm) thick pad.
They build it in 4 different sizes, so you can choose a proper size for you and your family members or your partner. The pad is presented in detail in my separate review so please check the link below for more.
7. ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed Queen Sleeping Pad
This ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed Queen Sleeping Pad is an inflatable type, and the dimensions are huge, 80 x 56 inches (203 x 142 cm). It is very stable and supportive with its inner coil structure. It comes with a rechargeable pump included. Note that it is incredibly thick, no less than 6 inches (15 cm).
The pad weighs 4 lb 12 oz (2.15 kg) so this is a camping pad, not a piece to carry long distances in the pack although it is indeed portable. You will want to know that it comes with a great price tag.
8. Exped MegaMat Max 15 Duo Sleeping Pad
This Exped MegaMat Max 15 Duo Sleeping Pad is one of the thickest on the market, you have 5.9 in (15 cm) of a comfortable foam that insulated you from the cold ground. The R-value is very high 10.6 and this is with the ASTM F3340-18 approval. The corresponding temperature rating is -70.6 °F (-57 °C).
As you realize, this is a double-wide pad, and with such a thickness it cannot be light, so it weighs 216.8 oz (6.15 kg). It comes with a mini-pump included and also with a great warranty.
9. Kelty Kush Queen Air Bed with Battery-Powered Pump
The Kelty Kush Queen Air Bed with Battery-Powered Pump is extra thick, you have 6 inches (15 cm) of cushion here. This is an inflatable and double-wide sleeping pad, best suited for summer camping.
It is lightweight for its size, the weight is 4 lb 15 oz (2.24 kg), and its dimensions are 79 x 55.5 inches (201 x 141 cm). Note that you have a pump included, and the pad is PVC-free. It is also very affordable.
10. ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Self-Inflating Double Air Pad
This is a quite unique pad, note that it is a double sleeping pad and it is only moderately thick. You have 3 inches (7.6 cm) its standard thickness. However, it can be split into two separate single pads, or you can simply fold it and use it as an incredibly thick solo pad, and in this case you will have 6 inches (15.2 cm) underneath you. So you realize that I have very good reasons to include it here.
The R-value of 6.9 is such that you can use it in all seasons, and when you fold it, the R-value is higher by factor 2 so you have the total R-value of 13.8 and you can use it in the harshest conditions. The pad weighs 9 lb 7 oz (4.28 kg).
11. ALPS Mountaineering Oasis Air Pad
This ALPS Mountaineering Oasis Air Pad is incredibly thick, you have 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) layer underneath you. The pad is also very large, the dimensions are 80.5 x 31 inches (204 x 79 cm). So this is almost the same as sleeping in your bed at home.
The pad is inflatable and they have made it easy to inflate with its integrated pump. The fabric is very durable, and the pad is also very affordable. The weight is 2 lb 12 oz (1.25 kg).
12. Sierra Designs 2 Person Queen Camping Air Bed
The Sierra Designs 2 Person Queen Camping Air Bed Mattress is inflatable and incredibly thick. You have 7 inches (17.8 cm) throughout the pad, but in the head section, you have an integrated pillow so the thickness is 10.2 inches (26 cm).
The pad needs lots of air to inflate, this is why it comes with a battery-operated pump. As you realize from the name, this is a pad for two adults, so the size is appropriate 77.9 x 55.9 inches (198 x 142 cm). It weighs 6.07 lb (2.75 kg), and you will want to know also that it is incredibly affordable. I have included it also in my list of best inflatable sleeping pads.
13. HEST Sleep System Sleeping Pad
This Sleep System includes a foam pad and an inflatable pad, so the combined thickness is 18 cm. The total R-value is equally impressive, you have it 11.8. This makes it suitable for the coldest weather camping.
The mentioned inflatable pad is detachable, and the cover of the upper foam pad is removable and machine washable. It also comes with a unique compression straps system and a carry bag. The weight is 26 lb (11.8 kg), and the dimensions are 78 x 25 inches (198 x 63.5 cm).
How to choose
Weight: After seeing all these thick sleeping pads for camping you realize that although many of them are portable, they are not really to be carried in the pack. This is normal, they are built for comfort. Accepting this as a fact, you can focus on their other features that may be more important.
Packed size: This may be important if you plan to transport the pad on a bicycle, motorbike, or in a kayak. In the case of car camping, this is probably not very important, you will want to provide space in the car trunk for such luxurious outdoor items.
But quite generally, inflatable sleeping pads pack better. Note also that some of the pads here are double-wide and this affects the packed size of course.
Insulation: You have some truly great options here, and all of the pads will insulate you from the ground. But here are differences in their R-value by a factor of 2 or so, so make sure you choose what suits the environment where you plan to camp.
Price: There are big differences. Some of the brands are traditionally less expensive, and this holds in particular for Alps Mountaineering, so check their pads if you are on a budget.
This list will be updated whenever I find something that deserves to be included here. So bookmark this text and check it occasionally. Let me know if you have questions or comments, there is a comment box below. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.
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