A well-chosen camp bed can change the feel of your whole holiday. Instead of sleeping on uneven ground, you get a raised, stable surface that’s easier to get in and out of, and you also keep your bedding away from damp grass and chilly drafts. At Outwell® we design camp beds to be simple to live with: quick to unfold, easy to pack back into the vehicle, and supportive enough for repeat nights. If you like the idea of a bed-height sleep setup that still folds down neatly, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find the key things to look for, and how to match the right size and features to the way you camp.
Start with how you actually camp: Are you staying in one spot for a week, or moving on every couple of nights? A longer stay often rewards a roomier, higher design, while a touring-style break might put more emphasis on quick pack-down. Then think about your sleep style. If you turn a lot, a wider frame can feel more settled. If you wake up warm, look for breathable materials that help air circulate.
Outwell camp beds are built for ease of use and practicality, so you can spend less time setting up and more time enjoying the day. Models like Laguna Hills and Posadas focus on fast unfolding, supportive frames, and details that make your sleep system easier to manage, especially when you pair the bed with a mat.
A folding camp bed gives you height, and that height brings real benefits. You’re less affected by lumps, stones, and minor slopes, and you avoid the cold sink that can come from ground contact. It also makes morning routines simpler—getting dressed, putting on shoes, and organising your kit feels less like a floor exercise.
Our designs are made to open and fold in seconds with no assembly required, so your first night doesn’t start with fiddly parts. Take Laguna Hills as an example: it uses a durable steel frame and a padded cushion with soft mesh to improve comfort and ventilation. It also includes elasticated corner straps to help secure a sleeping mat, plus a carrybag for storage. If you want more space and a taller feel, Posadas XL adds extra width and a higher bed height, along with stability features designed for reassuring support.
If you’re choosing for one person, a single camp bed keeps packing straightforward and fits neatly into most tent bedrooms. Laguna Hills measures 66 x 192 x 45 cm and packs down compactly (12 x 15 x 96 cm), which is handy when vehicle space is tight. For taller campers or anyone who likes more room to move, Posadas XL offers extra length and height at 80 x 208 x 50 cm, while still folding down to a manageable pack size.
If you prefer to sleep side by side, a double format can feel much closer to home. Posadas Double is designed for two, with a 2 x 125 kg maximum load, and the same fast setup approach and mat-holding corner straps. After you’ve compared sizes and pack dimensions, you can browse our dedicated range of double camp beds to find the best fit for your layout.
Camping beds for adults often come down to two priorities: steady support night after night, and a comfortable height that makes life easier. Look at the frame material, load rating, and whether the bed surface is designed to stay comfortable when you change position. A padded top with soft mesh can also help if you sleep warm, because airflow matters more than people expect.
For families, it’s worth thinking about bedtime logistics. A dedicated sleeping spot helps keep bags, torches, and shoes organised, and a raised bed can feel more “settled” for younger campers. If you’re planning a family layout, or you want a practical spare bed for friends joining the trip, explore our camping beds for kids and choose a size that leaves enough room for night-time movement in the tent bedroom.
A camp bed mattress setup is really about creating a complete sleep system. The bed frame gives you height and stability; the mat adds insulation and cushioning. If you often wake with cold hips or shoulders, a thicker mat can make a noticeable difference, and it also smooths out any pressure points from the bed surface. For many campers, a self-inflating mat is a practical match because it packs away neatly and is quick to deploy.
Details matter: elasticated corner straps help keep your mat in place, which means less re-adjusting during the night. When you’re building your pitch for longer stays, it also helps to think beyond sleep alone—chairs, tables, and storage all add up to that “Home away from Home” feeling. You can round out your setup with our camping furniture range and make the whole living area feel easier to use from morning coffee to bedtime.
The right camp bed should feel simple from the moment you lift it out of the vehicle. Check the packed length first—this decides whether it fits alongside cool boxes and luggage. Then look at how the frame stays secured when folded. Features like hook-and-loop straps can stop the bed opening while you carry it, and a proper carrybag makes transport calmer, especially if you’re walking from the car park to the pitch.
If you’re prioritising minimal bulk, a lighter option can be the difference between bringing a bed and leaving it at home. That’s also useful when you camp for shorter breaks and want fast turnaround between arrival and dinner. Once you’ve decided your comfort-to-pack-size balance, you can compare options in our collection of lightweight camping beds. Ready to sleep higher and pack smarter? Choose your camp bed in our shop, or contact Outwell for help matching the right model to your next trip.
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