The Big Agnes also gets extra eco-friendly points for its incorporation of post-consumer recycled polyester. We happily backpacked for multiple nights at a time with this bag but noted we needed an extra blanket to stay warm when temperatures were in the 15-to-25-degree range, despite its 20-degree rating. Multi-season campers should keep this in mind when putting together their packing lists. For side sleepers who don’t like a traditional mummy-style bag, this bag’s helpful jacket-style hood is insulated and keeps a pillow in place.
So if you have taller kids coming over, you may need a twin option instead. This 19-inch-tall queen air mattress has 40 internal air coils to evenly support the weight. A flocked top adds to the nice appearance and comfortable feel of this mattress. It’s also equipped with a built-in pump that assists with inflation and deflation functions, but it should be noted that the pump could have worked more quickly.
However, given the fact that the twin-size mattress has less surface area in contact with the floor, we weren’t surprised to see it shift a little. Convenient enough to store or transport it for camping, this air mattress folds into a bag with handles when deflated. The Ivation EZ-Bed features dozens of support coils and adjustable firmness levels, including plush, medium, ozark trail sleeping bag and firm. When inflated, the frame gives the bed a substantial look worthy of a temporary set-up in a small guest room. It should be noted that this mattress may move a little bit under shifting weight, and it has the potential to lose some air overnight. After testing many different models in our lab, the popular King Koil Air Mattress is our best overall air mattress.
Whether you’re using it for overnight or multi-day hikes, the bag stuffs down well and includes a compression storage sack for easy packing. The Marmot Sawtooth 15 tops our list for its quality, comfort, innovative design features, and accessible price. The brand also makes a minus-40 degrees Fahrenheit version for extreme ozark trail sleeping bag summit expeditions to the likes of Mt. Everest or Denali, but this bag is better suited for summiting 14k-ers or cold-weather backpackers. It’s filled with 850-fill down insulation, which provides optimal warmth, comfort, compressibility, and packability, and the 10D recycled shell is both lightweight and durable.
Other, possibly more rugged campers may suggest that a mattress or pad is unnecessary, especially if you’re sleeping in a hammock. We tend to side with the former group, because an extra layer of cushioning — and insulation — is likely to help you get some shut-eye. If you’re car camping and have no concerns about additional weight or space, do yourself a favor and get a camping pad or air mattress, as well.
The first pump is used to inflate and deflate the bed and has an automatic shut-off when the mattress is full. The second pump stays on all night and automatically adjusts the air pressure to keep it fully inflated. In addition, Serta’s model allows you to select from three firmness levels prior to inflation for your personalized comfort. The circular coils and 18-inch height help make it feel more like a real mattress, and the flocked finish means you won’t notice any plastic underneath your sheets.
When you’re ready to pack up this air mattress, simply turn the dial to deflate. This Mac Sports wagon folds up to about the same size as the beach-wagon version of the Mac Sports. But because of how tightly this one folds, it seems more compact and easy to carry than any of the other wagons we tested. When folded, the Mac Sports wagon’s dimensions are approximately 29½ by 20 by 8 inches. It comes with a small cover, which squeezes the accordion folds together tightly and makes the wagon easier to lift and carry with the included strap. The material is easy to wipe clean, and during our testing it didn’t grow any mildew when stored damp.
It scored high marks for having an attractive price point, as well as having fabric that could be easily removed for washing (which the other wagons did not have). But it didn’t turn or pull as smoothly on sand as the Mac Sports beach wagon, and its smaller wheels seemed to sink. When we awoke, we could roll back one part of the vestibule, make coffee, and watch the sky lighten even though it was still raining.
However, a warm bag may render you sweaty and uncomfortable in warmer months. Decide whether you’re looking for an all-season bag or whether you’re more likely to go camping only during the summer, and then shop accordingly. The manufacturer promises a quick and easy setup, taking only three minutes to inflate and deflate. It also automatically opens and closes by itself, allowing for a largely hands-off experience. The dial on the side of the mattress controls the pump’s operation, and you can adjust the firmness level through the amount of air you let in.
Additionally, some air mattresses that have frames will retract as they deflate, making the cleanup process after overnight guests truly stress-free. While our best budget pick, the Coleman GuestRest Double High Air Mattress, may not come with all the bells and whistles of premium models but will still do the trick for short-term sleepover guests. The bag’s mummy cut fits close to the body and features a shaped draft collar and adjustable down-filled face gasket to keep warm air in and cold air out. A nifty glow-in-the-dark zipper with an anti-snag slider allows for easy entry and exit.