The Fat Girl's Guide to Living

Chilling in Camp Dining Room moments before the kids kicked me off and took over

We realize that roughing it isn’t for everyone, but camping is an affordable and fun way to travel. Camping also offers the chance to disconnect from email and text messages while reconnecting with the natural world. And sleeping on the ground needn’t mean the end of all creature comforts, even if you’re on the fuller size of full-figured.

If you’ve never been camping before, you might wonder why more than a sleeping bag is necessary. First, it’s not like you’ll find grandma’s neon orange shag carpet out there–without a proper barrier between you and Mother Earth, rocks, roots, and twigs will go bump in your night. Some campgrounds even require that you pitch a tent in a designated area, which is often covered with gravel. Second, a camping mattress also provides insulation from the cold–and sometimes wet–ground. Third, depending on the type of activity you’ll be doing, like backpacking or hiking into a remote campsite, the bulk and weight of the mattress itself might matter.

But finding a bed away from home isn’t always easy given the array of choices, not all of which are geared toward girls of a certain size. Here’s our guide to finding that sweet sleeping spot that won’t leave you feeling like you’re dozing on top of a marshmallow.

Get to know the types of camping mattresses and pads.

Foam pads – You may have used the ancestral version of these pads (which remind me of the stuff they use to make Crocs) for Girl Scout campouts. Designs and materials have evolved since then; there’s some spring to these pads, there’s nothing to inflate (or leak), and the insulating properties are decent, but I’d put these at the lower end of the comfort scale for most users.

Self-inflating pads – The term “pad” and “mattress” are sometimes used interchangeably here because self-inflating pads combine the best of many backpacking and camping worlds: portability, durability, and comfort. Self-inflating pads come in a variety of lengths, widths, and thicknesses depending on your needs. Backpackers often use shorter, narrower, and thinner pads to save ounces on the trail, but car campers can afford a bit more luxury, which is what I’m all about at this point in my outdoorsy life.

Air mattresses with pumps – These look more like the mattress on your bed or the Aerobed you have stowed away for overnight guests. Pluses: they come in a range of sizes (including queen and king) and are widely available at big box retailers. Minuses: these tend to have a “waterbed effect,” which I prefer to leave in the 1970s where it belongs. Add a sleepmate to the mix and if anyone moves, it feels like you’re riding on a raft in the ocean awaiting rescue. This type of mattress tends to be more vulnerable to leaks and punctures (more surface area means more can go wrong) and they often require a separate foot or battery-operated pump. The technology is always improving on these things, so read reviews of recent models to see if stability and durability improve over time.

My personal pick – I use a size large REI Camp Bed 3.5 Self-Inflating Pad, pictured above. First off, it’s much smaller and therefore more portable than traditional air mattresses, and it’s a snap to set up (”self inflating” pretty much means what it says). Second, it’s thicker than a backpacking mattress (for a good suggestion on those, check out this glowing review of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir by the gear testers at Backpacker magazine) and I find it super-comfy for my size 20 bod. My husband feels these are just a bit too narrow, but he’s 6′1″ with a rib cage like a linebacker, so we probably should have purchased an extra large for him (REI lists the specs for each mattress on their web site). Finally, it doesn’t slide around on the tent floor, it feels luxurious, and I sleep really well using it.

Take one for a test roll. Find a reputable retailer who will let you try out a mattress first. REI is renowned for their excellent customer service, so if you have one in your area, check them out. Check the return policy to make sure you can return the mattress or pad if it doesn’t work out. Again, companies like REI, L.L. Bean, and even some independent shops (ask around!) will accept returns of used items, while big box retailers might be less likely to do so. And don’t forget about borrowing gear from friends to see if a particular pad or mattress might work for you.

Now that you have some of the basics down, what are you waiting for? Get shopping for that next overnight under the stars!

Let us know your favorites! This guide is based on my over twenty years of camping and backpacking experience but it’s by no means exhaustive. If you have a favorite camping pad or mattress–or hammock or cot–share what works for you in the comments section.