NEMO Flyer Cloud Sleeping Pad Review

Bottom Line

You won’t confuse the NEMO Flyer Cloud with the most expensive camping mattresses we recommend, but it’s plenty comfortable and costs about $100 less than our luxury picks. We recommend it for car campers who want a value pick that falls between the cheapest and poshest sleeping pads.

A relatively new-ish sleeping pad, the Flyer Cloud is a self-inflating pad that’s 3 inches thick, with a combination of air-core cells and solid foam segments. We like how this construction blends comfort and support. Still, it’s not as thick as the cushiest camping mattresses we tested, and we’re not quite sure what to think of its wavy sleeping surface — even after months of side-by-side comfort tests. 

Since it’s lighter and thinner than most sleeping pads made for camping, the Flyer Cloud inflates and deflates faster than the competition. Plus, it takes up less space in our gear closet and vehicle. Its 5.2 R-value makes it appropriate for four-season camping. 

Overall, the NEMO Flyer Cloud didn’t make it to the top of our rankings because it’s not as thick or as plush as our favorite camping mattresses. But there’s plenty of value here because it costs a hundred bucks less than our top picks.

Comfort

Priced well below our premium picks, the Flyer Cloud didn’t crush our comfort tests. But it’s clearly a step up in comfort from budget sleeping pads, air mattresses, and most ultralight backpacking pads. 

Like most of the camping mattresses we recommend, the Flyer Cloud is a self-inflating sleeping pad that combines air core cells with solid foam segments. The air component adds support while decreasing the weight and packed size. The addition of foam makes it softer than the ultralight, inflatable pads we prefer for backpacking. 

At the same time, this 3-inch thick pad is not as plush as our comfort favorites, which are 4 to 5 inches thick. If you want more cushion — or a better night’s sleep — we recommend a camping mattress that’s at least 4 inches thick. For our testers, that’s the sweet spot for comfort in this category.

We also weren’t sure about the Flyer Cloud’s wavy sleeping surface after our field tests and home tests. Some campers might find that ribbing has a slight massaging effect that’s comfortable, similar to the effect that ribbed recovery slides can have on runners’ feet. Others might find those foam ridges and valleys unnecessary, if not uncomfortable. We recommend testing it at home first, so you can return it clean if that texture’s not your thing.

After giving the Flyer Cloud a go at a campground in the Gila Wilderness, we found it comfortable enough. But it’s not a comfort splurge like several of the camping mattresses at the top of our list.

Ease of Use

The Flyer Cloud’s thinner profile does pay off a bit in terms of ease of use. Since it’s not overly thick or supersized, NEMO’s newest sleeping pad inflates and deflates relatively quickly. We found the valves straightforward to use — especially since NEMO has printed instructions on the outer edge of the camping mattress

We also found the versatile stuff sack easy to use. While it takes some wrestling or gymnastics skills to stuff some camping mattresses into their storage sacks, we found the Flyer Cloud an easy fit. Bonus: The stuff sack is also the pump sack that you can use to fill the Flyer Cloud to its capacity. That’s one less piece to lose or blow away at camp — as long as you remember that the stuff sack doubles as the pump sack (which we forgot in our field test in the Jemez Mountains). 

As with several mattresses we tested, the trick is to roll it from the foot end to the head end with the valve open to squeeze out the air. Then plug the valve, fold the mattress in half, and repeat the foot-to-head roll to squeeze out as much air as possible. If you roll it twice — once unfolded, once folded — the Flyer Cloud compacts down nicely. 

If you’re confused about the valves — or the inflation/deflation steps — NEMO has printed the directions on the pad next to the valves, on the outside of the stuff/pump sack, and on the label inside the sack. That’s a solid ease-of-use feature, especially if you don’t take the Flyer Cloud out regularly to camp.

Warmth

With an R-value of 5.2, the NEMO Flyer Cloud is a 4-season camping mattress that’s warm enough for winter camping (with an appropriate sleeping bag). 

Honestly, it’s misleading to use the word “warmth.” The Flyer Cloud’s air bladder and foam core trap warm air beneath your body. This insulating layer slows the transfer of body heat from the warm side of the mattress to the cold side on the ground. The mattress itself is not a source of heat or warmth — the warmth comes from your body. 

The Flyer Cloud’s R-value is technically lower than most mattresses we recommend. However, 5.2 still qualifies as a high R-value (much more insulation than most campers need). By most companies’ estimates, an R-value of 5.2 should allow campers to retain adequate body heat down to nearly 0°F. You won’t need a pad with a higher R-value unless you’ll be sleeping on the ground in below-zero temperatures.

On the flip side, you don’t need to worry about the Flyer Cloud’s high R-value if you’re primarily a summer camper. Since a sleeping pad with a higher R-value isn’t technically “warmer,” you generally can sleep on it in warmer weather without cooking in your own sweat. You might be a little more comfortable on a mattress with an R-value of 1 to 2 in summer — especially if you sleep warm. But we found the Flyer Cloud to be fine in our indoor and outdoor tests, which ranged from 75 degrees to 25 degrees.

Packed Size

One benefit of the NEMO Flyer Cloud being a thinner, less expensive camping mattress is that it packs down smaller than other mattresses we recommend. If you’re short on storage space at home or on the road, it’s one of the best options on our list. 

When it’s packed and stowed, the Flyer Cloud isn’t much bigger than some backpacking pads we own, at 12 (length) by 8 (diameter) inches. (We tested the regular wide size.) That’s less than 10 liters of volume, which is slightly wider than the average kayaking dry bag.

Speaking of dry bags, NEMO’s “stuff sack” is also a pump sack and a roll-top dry bag! You can connect the valve at the bottom of the stuff sack to the mattress’s valve and use its roll-top to trap and push air into the Flyer Cloud. This eliminates the need for a separate pump sack while saving a little space.

Should You Buy the NEMO Flyer Cloud Sleeping Pad?

If you’re comfortable paying top dollar for the most comfortable camping mattresses on the market, you should pass on the NEMO Flyer Cloud and pull the trigger on one of the top five mattresses on our list. They’re thicker and softer — and significantly more expensive. 

On the flip side, if you’d prefer to spend $100 less and still score a comfort upgrade for the campground, the Flyer Cloud clearly qualifies as a good buy. It’s noticeably more comfortable than most backpacking pads, air mattresses, and budget picks. Plus, it’s lighter and more packable than most of the other camping mattresses we recommend. If you prioritize price or packed size, the new NEMO Flyer Cloud should be on your short list.

What Other Camping Mattresses Should You Consider?

If the Flyer Cloud isn’t in your wheelhouse, consider some alternatives from our camping mattresses guide: 

Sea to Summit Camp Plus+ Review: If you want to save money on your campground sleep system, we found the Camp Plus to be the best bargain we tested and reviewed.

ExPed MegaMat Review: For the classic campground comfort choice, check out the pioneer of self-inflated luxury camping mattresses — the MegaMat. 

NEMO Roamer Double Review: On the other end of NEMO’s lineup, the Roamer is extra-thick, super-soft, and sized up for two people. It’s the brand’s best comfort pick in this category.