There’s so many things to love about camping, but sleeping on the ground isn’t one of them. The older I get, the more I value a good night’s sleep, whether I’m sleeping at home or under the stars somewhere fabulous.
I added REI Co-op’s Camp Dreamer Double Self-Inflating Deluxe Bed to my collection of camping gear early this spring. It’s been used in a variety of conditions from hot nights in the Mojave desert to downpours in California’s Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. I’ve slept well, and I’m a happier camper as a result.
Designed to sleep two people, the bed measures 78 x 55 x 4 inches when inflated. I typically roll it out in my tent and forget about it for a half-hour or so. Though the bed self-inflates, I’ve always found it needs a bit of extra air to achieve the firmness my husband and I prefer.
REI’s Camp Dreamer comes with what’s called a pump sack, and I’ll admit I was more than skeptical when I first put my hands on the lightweight bag, but I’m impressed by how well it works. The pump sack naturally catches air and you roll the bag down onto itself to move the air into the bed. Three or four times is typically all it takes to get the bed to our desired level of firmness.
The top of the bed is soft to the touch; I throw a fitted queen sheet on, followed by sleeping bags. Even when camping in the rain, I stayed warm. The pad has an R-value of 6.6; the higher the R-value, the more insulated the pad. With a little research you’ll find a variety of pads that range from 1.0 (with little insulation) to 5.5 (well insulated for cold conditions) or more.
Deflating the Camp Dreamer is really a two person job, but it’s a double size pad, so chances are you’ll have an extra set of hands around to help fold and roll. I’m partial to folding it lengthwise and then kneeling on the pad as you roll to get rid of any remaining air. So far, no problems getting it to fit back into the carry bag, which runs about 13 x 27 inches when packed.
The REI Camp Dreamer Double Self-Inflating Deluxe Bed comes in one color, Thunder Blue. Cost is $279 on the Rei Co-op website.