NEMO Roamer Double Sleeping Pad Review

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a camping mattress to share, the NEMO Roamer Double is the one. Thanks to its quality construction and all-around top-tier performance, it’s the only double mattress to make our best camping mattresses guide because it feels just like our bed at home.

Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has slept well over 30 nights on this mattress in temperatures ranging from 15 to 80. Its R-Value of 6 makes it feel warm on cold nights. He especially loves the Roamer when camping with his dog since it’s ultra durable. Even after dozens of nights dealing with dirty pup paws and sharp nails, the surface has no damage.

We love the cushy foam layer and soft polyester surface, and relentless testing finds the air chambers minimize bounce for undisturbed sleep when sharing space with kiddos, a partner, or your four-legged friend. Self-inflating technology and the inclusion of a pump sack makes this mattress fairly easy to set up – and deflate. It’s surprisingly compact for a two-person mattress, too, rolling into a manageable size with compression straps. 

However, this NEMO model comes at a premium price tag, making it less accessible for budget-conscious campers. We appreciate that it self-inflates, but this process is slower than we’d like. Plus, the pump sack’s narrow opening makes it a bit tedious to fill up the mattress to your desired firmness. Also, keep in mind this is a large mattress, which might not work for all situations. You’ll need plenty of space in a tent or vehicle to accommodate this one. Still, if comfort and durability for two are your top priorities, the Roamer stands out.

Comfort

The NEMO Roamer Double is incredibly comfortable, making it a top choice for pairs who don’t mind cuddling up. The Roamer has a seriously cushy foam layer on top of a quiet air chamber that offers outstanding cushioning. This design alleviates pressure points – whether you sleep like Dracula or a starfish. Because the mattress is 4 inches thick, we didn’t feel any lumps or bumps, even on the rockiest terrain. The soft 75D polyester surface is quiet with short, non-invasive edge seams. 

The biggest con of double mattresses is they can feel bouncy when shared with another person – but not the Roamer. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer loves that this model almost entirely avoids this issue. No matter how much his dog tossed, flopped, or turned around in the night, he barely noticed.

This mattress offers tons of room for two individual sleeping bags, but we love that it dovetails perfectly with the NEMO Jazz 30 Double – a double sleeping bag which landed on our best sleeping bags for camping guide. The bag and mattress are exactly the same size. Simply tuck the stretchy pad sleeves onto the mattress to prevent any sliding around in the night.

If you don’t want to share, consider picking up two single Roamer mattresses instead. We love this version, too, but the Double surpassed our expectations, which is why it made the list. The single-person models have toggles that allow them to attach together for a similar shared feel, but you’ll be able to dial in the firmness and have more space to yourself.

Ease of Use

Setting up the NEMO Roamer Double is a simple and low-effort process – as long as  you don’t mind a slightly slower setup. The self-inflating feature makes inflation a breeze – unroll the mattress, open the intake valves, and wait. We timed the maximum self-inflation out to about 13 minutes, which gave us plenty of time to knock out other camp tasks like setting up our tent and kitchen. NEMO also includes a pump sack, so we weren’t left huffing and puffing. This sack is helpful for speeding along the inflation process. We liked the sensitivity of the small button on the inflation nozzle, which can be pressed to release tiny amounts of air and perfect the firmness exactly to our preferences.

However, the Roamer isn’t without its challenges. Our biggest gripe? It inflates slower than other double mattresses we’ve tested by up to 5 minutes. Situations where we need to fill the mattress quickly, like in poor weather, can make the slower inflation a bit annoying. However, this is not a dealbreaker. Waiting a few more minutes is rarely a problem when relaxing at camp.

We also find the pump sack top opening is small. That means filling the mattress with the pump sack, either by breath or by scooping air, can be a bit more work. This is a very large mattress, too – which means it is a bit unwieldy to maneuver for one person. However, since it’s made for two people, put that partner to work when you’re setting up camp to make setup a piece of cake.

Warmth

Ian has tested the Roamer down to around 15°F over a dozen nights in the Utah desert, and it kept him warm when paired with a quality sleeping bag. The Roamer’s R-Value of 6 is due to the thick layer of foam that helps trap heat within the mattress, retaining warmth much better than many other mattresses in its category. Whether you camp in cool temperatures, sleep cold, or just want some extra warmth on chilly mornings, the Roamer has you covered.

Why did we give the Roamer a lower score for warmth versus other sleeping mattresses we tested? Its R-Value of 6 is still on the lower end. Don’t get us wrong – 6 is still very warm and high enough for 3-season camping in most places – but it’s not the warmest. If you’re regularly camping in colder conditions – or simply want the most insulated option out there – consider other options with a higher R-Value.

Packed Size

The Roamer Double proves that size doesn’t always mean bulk. This thing packs down impressively small for its dimensions. In fact, it’s one of the most compact mattresses on our list, with shorter and narrower dimensions than most one-person models. When rolled up, this model is only 26 x 11 inches.

We love the simple, effective dump valve for getting all the air out. With a bit of added body weight – or two people’s worth of weight – this one compresses small. Luckily, the mattress also comes with compression straps to reduce its size. The storage sack is fairly large, so if you don’t get all the air out, chances are it’ll still fit in the bag.

The downside? This is one of the heaviest mattresses we’ve tested at 7 pounds, 8 ounces. We don’t mind much because the Roamer Double is for two people, and weight is negligible when it comes to camping mattresses since we’re not carrying it far. Plus, the shoulder strap and fairly small packed size balances out its heavier weight. This one is a solid pick for two people with nearly any vehicle, offering an easy-to-pack, no-fuss sleeping pad.

Should You Buy the NEMO Roamer Double?

The NEMO Roamer Double is perfect for couples, families, and dog lovers who want a shared mattress with excellent comfort, durability, and a decent packed size. Its spacious layout, soft sleeping surface, and cushy foam layer make it a great choice for two people who want a good night’s sleep in the great outdoors. The self-inflating feature and compact pack size are perfect for car camping. Its sturdy construction can handle a range of conditions – from rugged terrain to chilly nights. With a reasonable R-Value for three-season camping and mild winter nights, this mattress is a fantastic investment for years of great sleep. Whether you’re sharing the bed with a partner or your favorite furry friend, this mattress delivers.

On the flip side, the NEMO Roamer Double is a bit slow to inflate, and the pump sack design isn’t the most helpful for speeding up the process. This one is fairly large, too, so make sure to double-check the dimensions of your tent or vehicle before you head out for the weekend. Finally, the Roamer is one of the most expensive mattresses on our list, so it may miss the mark for folks watching their wallets. That said, its durability and comfort are top-tier, and our testing shows it can withstand years of rough and regular use without fail. If you like to cuddle up, the Roamer is a posh and cozy choice for comfortable, rejuvenating sleep on car camping trips.

What Other Camping Mattresses Should You Consider?

The Roamer Double is our favorite two-person camping mattress, but check out our list of the best camping mattresses for more options:

Sea To Summit Comfort Deluxe LW Review: The Comfort Deluxe matches the NEMO Roamer Double in packed size, thickness, and solid support. However, it’s more affordable and has a softer, more cushioned surface. 

EXPED MegaMat Review: EXPED MegaMat offers one of our all-time favorite designs with a comparable comfort level and easy setup as the NEMO Roamer Double. It has a larger packed size and a higher R-value, too.

REI Camp Dreamer XL Review: Consider the REI Camp Dreamer if you want similar comfort and versatility to the Roamer, but with an affordable price tag. You’ll pay less, but it’s worth noting this one is not as durable in the long run.