Best Sleep Pad

for car camping ? Weight doesn't matter - but comfort and durability is a must. There is two of us plus a 90 pound Lab that will be sleeping on it. Getting too old and brittle and need a bit of comfort and really like bringing my dog on our outings. Any suggestions appreciated-Thanks

How big a tent do you have? Maybe one of the airbeds is the answer. We got one at REI to use as a "guest bed" at home. It's queen size and didn't cost as much as some of the backpacking inflatables, including its battery-powered air pump. The air pump can be recharged from the included cigar lighter plug (although I suspect you need the car running to keep from depleting the car's battery). It is a bit bulky and heavy, but for strictly car camping, it might work. Too big for a 2 or even 3 person backpacking tent, though it would fit in our Eureka WindRiver 4-person tent that we sometimes use for car camping.

Great idea Bill-I have a 6 man Alps that isn't top of the line- but it works. I'll take a peek- any other ideas folks ? Thanks to all!

If you are just car camping and space/weight is not a major concern, just get one of the budget full/queen air mattresses at REI. Heck, even the 'cheap' Coleman one's from Walmart will work for you.

That's a good idea for our storm-proven Hilleberg Atlas - it is a really big tent, that we use when weight is of no concern:

http://estore.websitepros.com/1764795/-strse-69/Hilleberg-Atlas-Basic-Tent/Detail.bok

My wife and I have matching Alps Mountaineering Summit series XXL air pads for our everyday beds, that we also use for car camping. They measure 77" x 30" x 4," and have a raised pillow section 5" thick. They weigh about 8lbs. each, and provide me a night's rest as good as any bed. They seem to be made with durable fabrics. I got them at Sierratradingpost.com for $70 apiece.

When backpacking I use a combination of a basic closed cell foam pad and a big agnes iron mountain air pad.

Depending on when and where you camp, I think the closed cell foam pad is a necessity - it reflects heat back up to you that would otherwise be sucked into the ground - unfortunately, air mattresses don't do that.

The only issue with basic foam pads is that they provide no comfort. So on top of that I use the big agnes pad which inflates to 2.5 inches thick with about 20 breathes, and folds up tiny in my back when deflated.

This is what I currently use for solo trips in the colder seasons.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=20351014YPWMRLAQBBKSCO3MCAEFAIWE?id=0066780518888a&type=product&rid=0123456789&cm_mmc=PPC-_-MSN%20Non%20Brand-_-cam_Cots,%20Pads%20Airbeds_Pads-_-down+exped+mat+sleeping&_requestid=41580

Oh I didn't realize the size needs. I just woke up, sorry.

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