This is a sponsored post brought to you by REI.
The Trek is a hiking website, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the fun of a car camping trip done right. Car camping is a great way to get away and enjoy a few days of recovery in a beautiful setting without the hassle that a backpacking trip can bring.
As with backcountry camping, having the right gear is essential to having an enjoyable car camping experience. Fortunately, putting together a functional gear setup doesn’t have to be difficult. In this post, we’ll cover some of the best car camping gear you can find at REI, focusing on the essential parts of your sleeping system (think tent, sleeping bag, etc.).
Bonus: You can get discounts on many items below with REI’s 4th of July Deals!
Shop Camping Gear at REI
Our Favorite Camping Gear from REI: Sleeping Systems
REI Co-op Westward 4 Tent
- MSRP: $449
- Floor area: 68 square meters
With 68 square feet of interior space and just shy of 6 feet of headroom, the Westward 4 is a palace that can easily accommodate your family (or tramily). Windows, front and back doors, a charging port (for passing cables outside the tent) and an open balcony mean this shelter is designed for comfortable living in all weathers.
Rumpl Roll Up Sack Sleeping Bag
- MSRP: $249.95
- Type of insulation: Artificial
Rumpl’s Wrap sack takes a unique approach to camping. We all know the feeling of being trapped overnight in a sleeping bag that is either uncomfortably warm or not warm enough.
Rumpl solves this problem with a three-way wrap design: unroll to cover in just one layer on warm nights when you don’t need much insulation, or piled between two layers of insulated goodness to stay cozy on cooler nights. Thanks to this design, you get both 20-degree and 30-degree in one.
REI Co-op Westward Dreamer Inflatable Bed
- MSRP: $199-219
- IR-value: 6.7
This 4-inch thick pad comes in two width options: 25-inch and 30-inch, both of which are generous by camping standards. The pad is self-inflating, and only requires a few pumps from the included pump pouch to inflate to your preferred firmness.
The bottom and side walls are made of durable 75-denier polyester, so you can rest easy even if your campsite doesn’t look great, and the top is a soft polyester fabric for next-to-skin comfort.
HEST A camp pillow
- MSRP: $79-129
- Pillow filling: Memory foam, polyester
Don’t fall into the trap of focusing so much on your tent and sleeping bag that you neglect the humble, but no less important part of your sleeping system: your camp pillow.
With a curved design and a combination of cut memory foam and polyester filling, this offering from HEST promises as much support as your pillow at home.
REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag
- MSRP: $149-159
- Type of insulation: Artificial
After a long day outside, every camper looks forward to sleeping in a warm, soft bed at night. This rectangular hooded bag is perfect for three-season travel: warm, but not. again warm, and generous cuts won’t leave you feeling cramped.
The bag has an interior stash pocket to keep track of small items (think flashlight, phone, contact case, etc.), and the full-length, two-way zipper has an anti-snag lining to prevent it from catching on sight.
Empire Monstabed Single Air Bed
- MSRP: $250
- IR-value: 10.5
Why skip it when you don’t need to carry your entire camp on your back all day? If you’re looking to get out on your next camping (or backpacking) trip, the aptly named Zempire Monstabed deserves a place in your kit.
Product image says it all, really. This luxurious air mattress is 16.5 inches thick and has an R-value generous enough to keep you cozy even on really cold nights. The upper part is self-inflating, while the lower part can be inflated with an air pump.
It’s purpose-built for camping, but it’s luxurious enough to use as an air mattress for guests back home.
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow Cinch
- MSRP: $34.95-49.95
- Pillow filling: Artificial
Light, soft, and cute as hell, this is the perfect travel pillow for outdoor travelers. The design is simple: just use the cinch cord on the back to adjust the tightness.
The pillow is filled with compressed foam left over from the Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad manufacturing process, meaning it’s both super soft and an environmentally friendly choice.
REI Co-op Wonderland Comfort Cot
- MSRP: $249/95
- Unfolded dimensions (L x W x H): 82 x 31.5 x 14 inches
Who says camping means you have to sleep on the ground? This bed folds down small enough to be easily carried and packed in the back of your car for transport, but when unfolded, it provides a luxurious, sturdy bed space that rises 14 inches from the ground. It is sturdy, even when set up on an uneven surface, and can support up to 300 pounds.
A slightly curved, plush surface will help you feel secure — even though the bed’s 31.5-inch width is already generous on its own, the raised sides will give you extra peace of mind that you won’t roll over in the middle of the night.
Don’t forget to check out REI’s full (and extensive) collection before your next summer trip.
Shop Camping Gear at REI
Featured image: Graphic design by Mackenzie Fischer.
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