The Best Double Sleeping Pads for Camping (2025)

Last Updated on September 3, 2025 by Audrey

What to Look for in a Camping Mattress

When you or your family are heading out on a camping trip, one of the first questions you’ll have is “How will we get a comfortable night’s sleep?” Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to making a camping trip a positive experience, especially if you are introducing your kids to camping. I’ve found that sleeping well at camp and having a comfortable sleeping pad go hand in hand. The last thing you want to do is wake in the middle of the night with a flat air mattress and find yourself lying in a deflated heap, directly on the cold ground. Take it from experience, that’s the absolute worst way to camp!

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Types of Sleeping Pads

There are several types of sleeping pads that range drastically in quality and price point. These include options that are best for car camping and those that are more versatile for both car camping and backpacking.

Closed Cell Foam Pad

These sleeping pads are typically more cost-effective than other options. They’re a single piece of thin, rollable foam that provides a barrier between the camper’s body and the ground. Personally, I can’t sleep on them! They’re just too uncomfortable for me as a side sleeper. However, I know there are plenty of people who like their simplicity and durability.

Closed-Cell Foam Pads

Air Pads

Self-Inflating pads are the most popular options, but even these have some differences. Air sleeping pads are lightweight and packable, and typically include some sort of reflective insulation. These are the best option for backpacking or for people looking for single pads. One con for these types of pads is that they can be easily punctured, and some are not well insulated.

Self-Inflating Air Pads

Self-Inflating Pads

These inflatable sleeping pads are the most popular option for camping mattresses. From single to double pads, they’re the perfection option for campers. There’s a wide range of weights and sizes, from versatile options that work for both front country and backcountry adventures to large double pad options that have extra weight. These are more suited for car camping.

Self-inflating mattresses typically include a combination of open-cell foam and air to provide the most comfortable sleep for campers. Personally, I find these to be the best camping mattresses in terms of durability, comfort, and packability. They’re a great option for everyone in the family, from young children to adults.

Single Self-Inflating Single Pads

What is R-Value and Why a High R-Rating Matters

R-value is a measurement that determines how well a material can hold heat. The higher the R Value, the better it can provide warmth and insulation. In camping, a higher R-Value rating means a warmer product that’s better suited for keeping you cozy on cool nights outdoors. Your needs will determine what level of an R-value you need, but the majority of sleeping pads range from 1-7, while thicker foam mattresses can reach double digits.

Be sure to choose a sleeping pad that provides enough warmth for your camping conditions. We camp in three seasons, and our double sleeping pad has a higher R-Value to facilitate comfortable sleep in cooler conditions. Our young kids use older self-inflating air mattresses that we double up on, plus a wool blanket to increase the R-Value on extra chilly fall camping trips.

Self-Inflating Pads vs. Traditional Air Mattresses

We spent YEARS sleeping on cheap traditional air mattresses that we’d replace after they were inevitably patched beyond use. Granted, they weren’t the best sleeping pads, but for our tight budget, they worked alright. We would use wool blankets and sandwich the air mattress between the blankets to increase the R-Value from 1!

However, there were some serious downsides to using cheap air mattresses. They were bulky and cumbersome to store, they easily tear, and provided no additional comfort to keep us off the hard ground when they popped in the night. They weren’t built to last long, so we were always patching or throwing them away after a season or two.

With a self-inflating double pad, we’ve found a much more comfortable way to sleep while camping that’s warmer and more durable.

Why Choose a Double Mattress Pad

Double mattress pads provide space for a couple to sleep comfortably side by side. I prefer to sleep near my husband under sheets and a double quilt while camping, rather than using a sleeping bag. It makes the camping experience feel more like sleeping at home. We upgraded to a double self-inflating pad after years of using a cheap air mattress, and the difference was dramatic! We were able to get much more comfortable, more restful sleep while camping. This, honestly, is really important to me as I entered my mid-thirties. As a side sleeper, I haven’t always found thinner self-inflating pads to be comfortable, and air mattresses can be disastrous! Side sleepers can rejoice that many of the double sleeping pads on the market are built for comfort!

The Best Double Sleeping Pads

We’ve tested three of the most popular double mattress pads available. For this article, I’m focusing on the two that stand out in popularity, quality, and durability. The Nemo Roamer Double and the Exped Megamat Duo are at the top of the list for the best double sleeping pads. Both are self-inflating mattress pads with thick and comfortable open-cell foam. Both also have rave reviews across the internet. However, my favorite may surprise you! It’s typically been the runner-up for most reviewers, but you’ll see why I chose the one I did.

Nemo Roamer Double vs. Expad Megamat Duo

The Nemo Roamer Double and the Exped Megamat Duo both have a lot of similar features, including an easy-to-use stuff sack, inflation assistance, and similar R-Value, warmth, and ease of use. There are a few major differences between the two sleeping pads, which make one of these sleeping pads the best value and our top choice for a good sleeping pad.

Nemo Roamer Double Sleeping Pad Features

The Nemo Roamer is an open-cell foam inflatable pad that’s perfect for car camping or front-country trips. It’s so comfortable that it can even double as a guest bed if you’re tight on space in your home.

Nemo Roamer Features and Specs:

4 inches of thickness provide a cushioned and supportive night’s sleep.
High-volume air channels help make self-inflation and deflation easy
Dimensions: 78 x 52 x 4 inches
Weight: 7 lbs. 8 oz.
Repair kit, stuff sack, and inflation bag included.
R-value: 6
Storage size: 11 x 26 inches

Nemo Roamer Experience

We’ve used the Nemo Roamer as a couple for several camping trips. The 78-inch length works well for my husband and I (5’10” and 5’3″), and we fit comfortably side by side on the 52-inch wide mattress. The insulation was sufficient to keep us from feeling the hard ground under heath us, and it kept us warm on cooler nights, with an r rating of 6. We did need to top it off in the middle of a longer camping trip, but I think it had more to do with the cooler temperatures that night than any leaks.

The Nemo Roamer is very easy to self-inflate, with micro-adjust valves. The pump bag that’s provided is easy to use by breathing into it, and it works well to fill the inflatable mattress. However, even though it was easy and intuitive to use, I still ended up preferring a low-cost battery-operated air pump.

We’ve only had this new pad since summer 2025, so I can’t speak to how durable it is over years of use, but it does include a repair kit, which I appreciate. Overall, the Nemo Roamer is an excellent choice for campers in the market for car-camping pads.

Pros vs. Cons of Nemo Roamer Double

Every piece of gear has its pros and cons, and the Nemo Roamer is no different.

Pros:

This wide version is big enough for two adults to sleep on comfortably
4 inches of foam keeps campers comfortable while car camping
Easy to inflate and deflate compared to other options.

Cons:

Takes up a lot of storage space, but this is a factor for all wide sleeping pads
It’s expensive. At around $400, it’s our most expensive piece of camping gear.

Exped Megamat Duo Features

Exped pads are known for their high-quality design and comfort. With 4 inches of open-cell polyurethane foam, campers won’t be feeling the hard ground underneath! The Megamat Duo also features unique air core-channeled foam insulation, which allows faster and easier deflation.

Exped Megamat Duo Features and Specs

4 inches of open-cell foam
One way self-inflation valve
Dimensions Medium Duo (what we tested and own): 72 x 41.3 x 4 inches
Weight Medium Duo: 7 lbs. 5.8 oz
Repair kit, roll-top stuff sack, and top up pump included
R-Value: 8.1

Exped Megamat Duo Experience

We tested the Exped Megamat Medium Duo, and I have to say, it is not really a two-person sleeping mat. The fit was comically tight for my husband and me, and ultimately, we couldn’t make it through a night sharing the Medium duo. Neither of us is a large person at 5’10” and 5’3″, but we were literally on top of each other with the Medium Duo.

We decided to test it with our two elementary-aged kids. After one night, my son said that he couldn’t sleep on it because his sister was too close to him! Granted, they typically sleep alone and we have a king bed at home, but we’ve been able to comfortably sleep on other double air mattresses together for years. I’ve even had times where I’ve slept between both kids on our former double sleeping pad. I’ve used it on my own one night and slept very comfortably, and my daughter has been using it as her personal sleeping pad (what a princess!!).

As a single pad, the Megamat Duo feels luxurious and will provide a fantastic night’s sleep. However, if you’re considering purchasing the Megamat Duo for two people be sure to upgrade to the Long-Wide Plus Duo or the Queen size.

The Exped Megamat wasn’t as easy to self-inflate as the Nemo Roamer. It features a gusset that makes self-inflating difficult. I noticed in the product description that there should be a valve pin, but I honestly didn’t see one in my kit. I also found the Top-Up pump to be useless. It made very little difference in filling the sleeping pad. However, once I broke out the battery-operated air pump, the mattress filled quickly. Where the Duo really shines is in deflation. It’s quick and easy to deflate this air mattress, and the roll-top stuff sack works well for storage. As a single sleeping pad, this thing is great! However, I wouldn’t classify the Medium Duo as a double version.

Pros vs. Cons of Exped Megamat Duo

Pros:

Comfortable, warmer pad for car camping
Easy to deflate and store
Because of its smaller size, it packs down nicely for loading in the car and for storage.

Cons:

This is another pricey item, especially considering that it’s more of a larger single sleeping pad. The cost of the queen or long wide-plus would make me consider a different product altogether.
There isn’t enough room for two people to sleep comfortably on the Medium Duo. Even my kids were tight when they tried to use it together.
The provided pump doesn’t really work.

Self-Inflation After 5 Minutes Comparison

Here’s a quick look at how much the two sleeping pads inflated on their own after five minutes. As you can see, the Exped is still pretty much airless, while the Nemo is on its way to filling up.

Best Double Mat for Couples

After testing these two popular double air mattresses, my favorite was by far the Nemo Roamer Double. At over ten inches wider than the Exped Megamat, my husband and I were able to get many great night of rest while camping. With an easy-to-inflate system, easy to deflate, extra space, and a plush, cushiony 4 inches of foam, the Nemo Roamer is the ideal sleeping pad for couples looking for a comfortable sleep camping.

Other Camping Mattress Options

Here are some other products to consider when shopping for a double sleeping pad. Some we have tested, while others just meet the requirements I would look for in a double sleeping pad.

Stoic Double Cloud Camp Bed LUX

We used the Stoic Double Cloud Camp Bed LUX for over two years. At a significantly lower price point, it was a good entry point for us to upgrade from an air mattress. However, after two years, it had so many holes and were so challenging to patch that it’s become useless. I’ve had Wal-Mart air mattresses last longer than this bad boy! IT was also difficult to deflate and absolutely massive when stored! We could never fit it back in the stuff sack and had to use a Sterlite tote to store it. With that being said, if you’re an occasional camper, this could be a good option for you.

Hest Dually Mattress

If money weren’t a barrier, I’d totally go with the Hest Dually Mattress. This sleeping pad is the most like your bed at home, with two layers of foam to keep you comfy and supported. However, it’s absolutely massive and doesn’t pack down into a stuff sack. I could see it being stored under a bed at home and definitely used as a guest bed. Without relying on air, the mattress doesn’t have a risk of deflating on you, and the removable mattress cover has a moisture-wicking top and polyurethane-coated bottom. Oh, it’s also super heavy, at between 20-26 lbs. BUT it’s the closest thing you can find to your own bed.

Zempire Twin Air Mattress

With an R-Value of 10.5, this open-cell foam mattress is perfect for keeping you warm in the cooler months. It also features heavy-duty polyether film-laminated base to prevent punctures. At 4 inches of foam, you’ll be off the ground and supported. It’s also significantly cheaper than the Nemo Roamer or the Exped Megamat.

Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Tent Floor Sleeping Pad

At only 2 lb. 11 oz., this is the perfect double sleeping pad for backpacking trips or for people looking for a lighter weight, smaller storage double sleeping pad. This air mattress also features a thick, quilted sleeping surface to provide warmth in three-season camping. With an R-value of 4.8, it will keep you cozy on cool nights. A tapered design allows it to work well in two-person backpacking tents.