Why you'll love it: Nemo's Roamer pads use open cell foam for an incredibly plush feel and the Jazz bag with its soft and cozy interior will make you feel like you're in a hotel and not out on the trail.
If I had to guess, I would say most camping gear purchased never makes it more than 50 yards from a car, and that's fine. If you're getting your gear out of the garage and sleeping under the stars, then you're experiencing the outdoors. Call it glamping if you like, but we each have to find our own happy place with sleeping outside and there's no reason to do anything that makes you uncomfortable just to try and live up to an ideal of what adventure should look like.
That logic applies to what you sleep on as well as where you sleep. Nemo's Roamer and Jazz pairing aren't going to get you far on the PCT, but they will make your car camping experience supremely comfortable and enjoyable. With Nemo's lifetime warranty, you'll be camping in more comfort more often as you won't have to fret about punctures or waking up sore.
The Roamer pad uses lie-flat valves, one for putting air in, and one for letting it out. We prefer these to the previous generation of pads with a two-way valve that could be difficult to inflate. The roamer rolls out and inflates itself in a few seconds and, thanks to the dedicated dump valve, deflates and packs up fast. Two individual roamer pads toggle together to create a queen size mattress.
We found that the generous depth meant that we could lay these pads on rocky surfaces or a ridged truck bed and still get a great night's sleep. Gear Patrol loved this pad so much the reviewers called it a "significant upgrade" for car campers.
The Nemo Jazz is a 20°F synthetic bag that is designed for comfort. The collar of the bag features a blanket-like flap and integrated washable sheet that really does feel like you're sleeping at home. The soft interior feels great against your skin if you prefer to sleep without a long sleeve base layer. There's plenty of space in the bag, even for the tallest of couples and a zipper on each side so that you or your partner can get up at night.
Amazon reviewers love the durable and quality construction. Thanks to the synthetic fill, this bag can stand up to getting wet much better than a down alternative. Our only complaint would be that couples who move a lot might find they dislodge the integrated sheet, as one Backcountry Edge purchaser noted.
The whole system comes in a spacious duffel that can store both pads and bags with ease, making it that much easier to roll out on a spur of the moment adventure. You might want to check the width of these pads compared to your tent, they are spacious enough for supreme comfort, but might not fit in a tent designed for minimalist bags.
A pad this plush is designed to be used for luxury, not lightweight, and will most likely find its way into much larger tents. If you're a first-time camper, or you simply want to have the best night's sleep you've ever had under the stars, this Nemo duo is well worth your investment.
Pros: Incredible comfort, feels like sleeping at home, washable interior, lifetime warranty, and synthetic fill make this system along term investment
Cons: Pad sleeve could be improved, may not fit in lightweight tents
Buy the NEMO Jazz Luxury Duo Sleeping Bag at REI for $349.95
Buy the NEMO Roamer Self-Inflating Pad at REI for $209.95-$229.95