I think we all understand the difference a good night sleep can make. And whatever that effect is should be multiplied by ten in the outdoors. For years I suffered horrible nights of sleep while camping. Somewhere along the way I decided to do something about it. We now have cots and comfortable bedding for everyone in the family. I’m no longer dragging on the last day of camp. Everyone is much happier. The Hest Sleep System has been a big part of finding sound sleep while camping.
Hest is known for making high quality sleep products for overalnders and van lifers. Their Sleep System has an inflatable base, connected to the same memory foam topper you’ll find on their other sleeping pads. The dropstich base feels similar to an inflatable paddle board. The memory foam topper zips to the base, ensuring everything stays connected and stable all night long.
Hest has plenty of information on their site. They answer most of the technical questions you might have right on their website. This is not a technical review of fabrics and materials. I’m just going to tell you what my real-world experience has been using the Hest Sleep System.
The Hest Sleep System is pretty close to a luxurious night sleep in the outdoors. I’m all over the map when I sleep – on my side, belly, and back. I usually inflate the base a little less which makes the overall system on the softer side, allowing comfort in all position. It’s pretty easy to make the base too firm. So be prepared for a little experimentation. There’s plenty of insulation in the memory foam which eliminates everyone’s biggest complaint when sleeping on other pads or air mattresses – cold air under you. The Hest System is responsible for some of my best night’s sleep while camping.
I use the Hest camping, in my truck bed on solo trips, in hotels, and on any open floor space. Anywhere where you can fit the 25” x 78” base works for the Sleep System. Because the base is inflatable, uneven ground and rocks aren’t a problem. If you don’t want to fuss with the base, you can unzip the memory foam and just use the topper on its own. Last winter my son was sick for a couple days. He was up and down throwing up for a few days. I slept on the Hest in his room. I knew that sleep was going to be a struggle and the Hest was my best option to find a few hours in between…..exits.
The Sleep System comes with a pump that packs in the included carry bag. Simply roll it out, inflate, and experience the glory of a good night’s sleep. If you’ve ever pumped up a paddle board or kayak, you’ll have no problem inflating the base. Instructions are stitched on the inside of the bag. Setup takes a couple minutes. Putting the Hest away is also easy but not quite as simple as setup. Release the valve on the base and either use the pump to remove air or let it deflate on its own. Rolling the Sleep System up does take some focus. Keep in mind you’re rolling up both the dropstich base and the memory foam topper together. Keeping the roll tight and even makes everything easier. The entire process of putting it away takes approximately 5 minutes. Integrated compression straps help make sure you can easily move the entire roll into the bag.
One of the few criticism we have is durability of the straps. After many setups and roll ups, the straps on the carry bag haven’t held up and the buckles on the integrated compression straps aren’t great. Easy replacements, but worth noting for a $500+ purchase.
That amazing night of sleep does come at a cost. The Sleep System is not compact, despite what the Hest site says. It’s one of the bigger pieces of gear in our camp kit. Rolled up in the carry bag, it’s closer in size to our Yeti Tundra 65 cooler than a sleeping bag. Car campers who have limited space might struggle to find room for the Sleep System, especially if you already have a bulky cooler and bins And, there’s the cost – $549 at the time of this review. That’s a lot to spend on a tend bed. Not everyone has the extra cash to spend on a system like this. The price point is prohibitive for a lot of campers. Comfort comes at a cost.
This is a tough one. I love the Sleep System. My family and I use it a lot. And, we use it for more than camping. Have you struggled to find a good night sleep while camping? Are you tired of cold, uncomfortable, and noisy air mattresses? Is sleep a priority for you while on the road? Do you have room to spare in your kit? If so, the Hest Sleep System might be your new best friend. Just keep in mind that you’re going to pay over $500 for that comfort and you’ll need the space to haul it around. You’ll have to decide if a comfortable night sleep is worth the dollars and space to store and carry the Hest Sleep System. What makes it worth the downsides for us is how frequently we use it.
Hest makes a lot of great sleep products. They’re high quality and comfortable. The company absolutely understand why sleep is such a crucial part of existing in the outdoors. I don’t blame anyone for just dealing with a rough night or two on pads or cheap air mattresses. Sometimes that’s what people can afford. But, when my kids got a little older and day drinking the day away was no longer an option, finding a better way to sleep became more of a priority. The Sleep System is an expensive way to get a really solid night of sleep when you’re away from your bed at home. It took me suffering through a lot of years of bad sleep to finally appreciate the investment.
For years I suffered horrible nights of sleep while camping. Somewhere along the way I decided to do something about it. The Hest Sleep System has been a big part of finding sound sleep in the outdoors.
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