HEST Foamy Sleeping Pad Review

The Hest Foamy is the closest thing to an actual mattress in our review. However, it has features that make it portable and more functional for camping, including compression straps, a carrying handle, and waterproof material underneath. It is large and heavy, especially compared to the other mattresses in the test, so it is best suited for those who sleep in or close to their vehicle.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Foamy is a layer cake made of equal parts of different density foam welded together to create a super comfortable mattress. The top layer is soft and plush memory foam, while the bottom layer is denser and more supportive. The total thickness is just under four inches.

The foam is housed in a zippered case made of soft nylon on top and durable waterproof material on the sides and bottom. The surface next to the skin is a stretchy material that flexes with your body as you sink into the memory foam. It is quiet and soft to the touch. The fine-knit material does allow dust to get into the foam, so if you are camping in a dusty area, you may want to keep the mattress covered and off the ground when not in use.

Our testers found this foam combo to be truly comfortable. No air can be added for additional support, so if you prefer a firmer mattress, this may not work for you. But after a full day of hiking and exploring, we argued over who got to sleep on it. It protects well from lumps and sharp objects on the ground below and offers notable relief from pressure points.

Keep in mind that this camping mat is offered in two sizes: regular or wide. We tested the wide version, which is 30 inches wide and 78 inches long, because if you are going deluxe, why not get as much space as possible? However, if you are sharing your tent or sleeping area, make sure to measure first to get a proper fit.

Ease of Use

If ease of use was only about set-up, the Foamy would get a perfect score for this metric. Readying it for use involves unsnapping two plastic buckles and watching it unroll. No inflation is required, and it took only four seconds to have the mattress open and ready for sleep.

Like most of the mattresses we tested, this one gets rolled up for storage. Unlike those other mattresses, however, rolling it up took some coordination. Because you do not release any air to make the mattress smaller, you have to compress the foam with your body weight as you roll. The waterproof material is pretty darn slippery, and it tends to slide out of the roll. Each time we packed up camp, it took two or three tries to get the Foamy into a somewhat reasonable size. Once you do get it rolled, however, the fabric harness helps to hold the shape, and the buckles are easy enough to snap close and cinch tight.

The Foamy features a heavy-duty metal handle to make carrying easy. There is also a pocket in the front of the mattress that is sized perfectly for a phone and is handy for storing a headlamp or keys. The bottom surface is polyurethane-coated nylon, which we found to be rugged and durable, perfect for lounging riverside. Unless you are in the snow, camping is a dirty business, and our testers found that the soft nylon sleeping surface got dusty and dirty quite easily. That said, the entire fabric cover can be zipped off for washing, making it easy to clean.

Warmth

With an R-value of 8.8, the Foamy is one of the warmest models in our test.

We camped out in Central Oregon in late winter, when temperatures can change dramatically. On the frozen ground, this mattress was incredibly cozy and insulating. Even in the back of a truck bed — cold steel on top of really cold air— the foam stayed supple and soft. We were able to test the Foamy down to about 25 degrees Fahrenheit without any chill creeping in. With nearly 4 inches of high-quality foam, we anticipate that this mattress would be insulating in all but the harshest conditions.

Versatility

We have to admit that the Foamy is not a versatile mattress. It is heavy and large even when rolled up. You really need to have a big vehicle to carry it and your gear, and storing it takes up quite a bit of space. Two of these mats are probably too big for most tents, though they come equipped with metal linking clips, so you can join two (or more!) together.

You are definitely not carrying this mattress into the backcountry. Ideally, the Foamy can live on your vehicle's dedicated sleeping platform or rooftop tent and not have to get hauled around. But this would be a fine choice if you are looking for a super comfortable guest bed that is easier to store and move around than an actual mattress, with no inflating required.

Packed Size

The Foamy is not a shrinking violet. While the foam is pliable and willing to roll, the fact that only a minimal amount of air can be squeezed out of it means that it can only get so small. Rolled up and cinched as tight as we could get it, its packed size is still larger than every other mattress in the test, including those intended for two people.

If you have space galore, no problem. But if you carry a ton of gear, have a smaller vehicle, or don't have a lot of storage space at home, this mattress could get in the way. And while having more than one sounds delightful, storing them will take up a pretty massive amount of space.

Should You Buy the HEST Foamy Sleeping Pad?

This is not an inexpensive mattress, but if getting a fantastic night's sleep with a super fast set-up is important, you may consider it to be an excellent investment. Finicky sleepers who like to dial in the pressure, or those with limited storage space, may want to look at other options. But if you often camp in cold places and appreciate a cozy, full-body hug at night, you will not be disappointed with the Foamy.

What Other Camping Mattresses Should You Consider?