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Longer days and warmer nights are on the horizon. So it’s about time to prepare the camping kit for spring. In the midst of heavy snow across the country, it’s clear that winter 2023 won’t go down without a fight.
Still, it’s never too early to plan adventures for the warmer months.
This week, many of our all-time favorite car camping products are significantly discounted at REI. From deluxe rocking camp chairs to the GOAT of sleeping bags, you can’t go wrong with these camping deals.
NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair: $124 (50% Off)
The Stargaze from NEMO offers the kind of weightless luxury typically reserved for hammocks. Aptly named the Stargraze, this portable throne swings forward and backward on two sturdy pivot points.
Lean in and toast a s’more to perfection; rock back to enjoy your tasty treat with an unencumbered view of Cassiopeia.
The Stargaze has been one of our favorite camp chairs for years. An aircraft-grade aluminum base and reinforced monofilament mesh hold up well in the long term. The tall back and thick head cushion provide ample support after a full day of outdoor adventure.
NEMO JAZZ 30 Sleeping Bag: $225 (25% Off)
After testing dozens of sleeping bags of all shapes and sizes, NEMO’s Jazz sleeping bag earned our blessing as the best overall.
If comfort is your priority, few sleeping bags compete with the Jazz. A featherbed-style bottom, plush draft collar, and removable sheet all add up to a glorious night’s sleep. The Jazz nearly perfects the experience of sleeping in your at-home bed.
The only real drawback is that it’s fairly heavy and bulky. Car camping is its best application.
Exped MegaMat Max 15 Duo Sleeping Pad: $367 ($25% Off)
I’ve personally spent more than 50 nights sleeping on an Exped MegaMat, and I’m convinced it’s the most comfortable car camping mattress in existence.
The secret to the MegaMat’s comfort is 6 inches of air-channel-cored, open-cell foam. This thoughtfully mapped combination of air channels and foam makes for a supremely plush and supportive sleeping experience.
Unlike most inflatable mattresses, the MegaMat 15 Duo has a comfortable, non-sticky, quiet surface made from soft tricot nylon. The inflation and deflation valves are effective and durable. Plus, the deflated pad actually fits into its included stuff sack without a frustrating struggle.
Exped Widget Pump: $37 (25% Off)
Exped’s camping pads and mattresses are excellent, but they come with one notable downside: Inflation is a marathon.
To solve this issue, Exped made the Widget Pump, a pint-sized rechargeable pump that can fill up the 6-inch MegaMat Duo in just a few minutes. I’ve used my own lung power to blow up the MegaMat on several occasions, and by the end, I’m out of breath like I’ve just run the 40-yard dash.
Using the Widget Pump is clearly the better way.
My only gripe about the Widget is that it doesn’t have a deflate mode. Deflating Exped pads takes just as long as inflating, and adding this feature would significantly boost the Widget’s utility.
