Airelax Sleep Pad Review - 5 Stars

Is It Worth It for Camping?

Camping is a favorite of mine and I like to camp as much as possible. When you are out in the wilderness getting a good night sleep is key to a great day. After putting the Airelax inflatable sleeping pad to the test on a recent urban camping adventure, I’m giving it a solid 5-star review—and here’s why.

📺 Watch My Full Review: Airelax Sleeping Pad Review on YouTube
🛒 Shop the Pad: Airelax Sleeping Pad

Jeep Momma testing out the Airelax Sleeping Pad

Why I Recommend the Airelax Sleeping Pad

• Quick and easy inflation (no mouth blowing)

• Built-in pillows for extra comfort

• Soft, durable fabric unlike standard air mattresses

• Excellent insulation and support

• Packs well for primitive camping or backpacking

My Real-Life Experience with the Airelax Sleeping Pad

As an avid camper and off-road enthusiast, I know how important a good night’s sleep is after a long day on the trail. Airelax sent me their inflatable camping mat to try, and I put it to use right away during an overnight tent camping trip.

Let me tell you—it didn’t disappoint.

The pad was easy to inflate with the included pump sack, and once set up, it offered impressive comfort, support, and warmth. I’ve used it both in my Jeep tent setup and at home in the guest room—versatile and reliable in every situation.

Key Features & Benefits of the Airelax Sleeping Pad

1. No-Fuss Inflation & Deflation

The Airelax pad includes a high-capacity pump sack—no need for extra tools or exhausting mouth-blowing. The dual-layer air valve ensures fast deflation in seconds and prevents leaks, so you don’t wake up on the ground by morning.

Manual blowing up the Airelax Sleeping Pad

2. Supportive Comfort for Better Sleep

At 3.54 inches thick, this sleeping mat keeps you elevated from cold, wet, or rocky ground. It’s firm enough to support your back yet soft enough to sleep on your side. Bonus—it doesn’t make that crinkly noise common in other sleeping pads.

3. Built-In Pillow Design

No more packing an extra pillow! The Airelax has integrated air pillows that support your neck and head. Combined with its wavy air bubble design, it adapts to your body whether you sleep on your back or side. I still bring my pillow though for my Glamping Experience. 

4. Durable, Soft Materials

This pad is made from tear-resistant nylon, peach suede, and eco-friendly TPU. What I really love is how the fabric feels—soft, suede-like texture instead of that sticky plastic feel of traditional air mattresses.

Who Should Buy the Airelax Sleeping Pad?

This sleeping pad is ideal for:

• Primitive campers who need compact, durable gear

• Jeepers and overlanders looking for packable comfort

• Families hosting overnight guests

• Backpackers needing lightweight, efficient gear

Final Verdict: Is the Airelax Sleeping Pad Worth It?

Absolutely. From quick inflation, silent comfort, and built-in pillows, to backpacking-friendly durability, the Airelax sleeping pad is a fantastic option for any camping setup.

If you’re looking for a reliable, comfortable pad for your next outdoor adventure or sleepover guest, this one should be at the top of your list. Plus, check out my other post Things you must do when you are camping! 

SPONSORED CONTENT DISCLOSURE

Occasionally Jeep Momma partners with brands and PR agencies to review products on this website and promote them via my social media accounts for which I receive free products and /or compensation. All views and opinions are my own. Please know I only post about products I believe would be helpful and useful. 

The Birth of Jeep

Where It All Started

How a rugged 4x4 became an American icon

The "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" Jeep began as a military solution to a wartime problem then became a symbol of freedom, adventure, and American ingenuity. Before the Jeep was an off-roading legend or a beloved civilian vehicle, it was a battlefield hero that carried Allied soldiers across rugged terrain in the 1940s. Today, Jeep stands as an enduring American icon with an unmistakable silhouette and a culture all its own.

The U.S. Army’s Urgent Need

In 1940–1941, the U.S. Army needed a lightweight, low-profile, powerful reconnaissance vehicle with four-wheel drive. It had to be fast to produce, simple to repair in the field, light enough for troops to maneuver, yet rugged enough to survive war.

Three companies responded to the Army’s call:

• American Bantam Car Company

• Willys-Overland Motors

• Ford Motor Company

All three were invited to design and build a pilot vehicle essentially a military prototype to compete for the final military contract.

The Birth of an Icon

After multiple rounds of testing, design revisions, and evaluation of each company’s strengths, the U.S. government selected Willys-Overland as the primary manufacturer in July 1941. However, because production needed to be massive and fast, the Army blended the best features of all three designs.

This combined design became the Willys MB, the unmistakable Jeep silhouette we know today flat fenders, slotted grille, folding windshield, and go-anywhere capability.

Fun fact: Much of the drivetrain expertise came from Bantam, while Ford contributed production efficiency and design refinements especially the iconic stamped grille.

For deeper insight into the origins, check out the Off Road Insiders Podcast:  Who Created the First Jeep

Related: The Birth of an Icon 

The Three Jeep Prototypes

Designed by Willys-Overland Motors in Toledo, Ohio, the Willys Quad stood out for its power. It was equipped with the now-famous “Go Devil” engine, capable of approximately 61 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque—impressive numbers for its time.

This engine gave Willys a decisive advantage, contributing heavily to their winning the Army contract.

There is still debate over how to pronounce Willys. I break it down in my post: How to Pronounce Willys. 

Willys Quad

Bantam Reconnaissance Car (BRC) – “Blitz Buggy”

American Bantam, based in Butler, Pennsylvania, built the very first Jeep prototype. Their design—nicknamed the Blitz Buggy—was lightweight and agile. Bantam collaborated with Spicer to develop axles and transfer-case components that continued influencing Jeep designs for decades.

Although Bantam lacked the manufacturing capacity to handle full-scale wartime production, their design DNA lives on in the Jeep lineage.

Blitz Buggy

Ford GP – The “Pygmy”

Ford’s prototype, called the Pygmy, offered strong production efficiency and refinements that the military appreciated. Two Ford pilot vehicles were built, both of which eventually ended up in museums. Unlike the Ford prototypes, the original Bantam and Willys pilot models are believed not to have survived.

The Ford designation GP is commonly misunderstood as meaning “General Purpose,” but it actually came from Ford’s internal coding:

• G = Government contract

• P = 80-inch wheelbase reconnaissance car

Pigmy

Learn More

Check out my Jeep Culture and History page for more stories, facts, and deep dives into Jeep heritage. 

FAQs About the Birth of the Jeep

1. Who actually invented the Jeep?

The Jeep was not invented by a single person or company. The first prototype was built by American Bantam, but the final production contract went to Willys-Overland, with additional manufacturing from Ford. The final Jeep design combined features from all three.

2. Why did the U.S. Army choose Willys for the final design?

Willys offered the most powerful engine the "Go Devil" and submitted a design that met the Army’s durability and performance standards. They also agreed to share their design with Ford to meet wartime production demands.

3. What does “Jeep” stand for?

The origin of the term “Jeep” is debated. Many believe it came from the slurred pronunciation of "GP" used by soldiers or from the cartoon character "Eugene the Jeep." Regardless of the story, the name stuck and became iconic.

4. What was the first civilian Jeep?

After the war, Willys released the CJ-2A in 1945. The “CJ” stood for Civilian Jeep, marking the start of Jeep’s transition from battlefield machine to everyday workhorse and recreational vehicle.

5. Did Ford really create the Jeep grille?

Yes, Ford introduced the stamped steel grille that later became a Jeep trademark. Willys adopted it because it was cheaper and faster to produce.

6. Why didn’t Bantam get the final contract?

Bantam created the first prototype but lacked the manufacturing capacity for large-scale wartime production. The Army needed hundreds of thousands of vehicles quickly, which required Willys and Ford’s facilities.

7. Did any of the original prototypes survive?

The two Ford Pygmy pilot vehicles survived and now reside in museums. The original Bantam Pilot and Willys Quad prototypes are believed to have been scrapped after testing.

8. What engine powered the first Jeep?

The Willys MB used the Go Devil 134-cu-in inline-4 engine. Reliable, simple, and easy to fix in the field, it delivered around 61 horsepower—small by today’s standards but exceptional during WWII.