Best 10 Backpacking Air Mattresses Of 2024

We often need to find a good backpacking air mattress if we are planning on a multi day backpacking trip. We are all looking for something comfortable, works well and pretty good. If you ever go backpacking without a mattress, it is not very comfortable sleeping on the ground. I can do it but when other people do it, I find that their enjoyment suffers a lot. Some people they have problems sleeping or getting comfortable when they are not sleeping on a good mattress. Some beginners, they do not want to go camping anymore because they have problems sleeping. Finding a good air mattress for backpacking is very important. I hope I can help you with that.

Best Backpacking Air Mattresses – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Backpacking Air Mattress

Types Of Backpacking Mattresses

Closed Cell Foam

There are a few closed cell foam mats that are used for backpacking purposes. There is not a lot of them out there since most backpacking mattresses are now inflatable. Closed cell foam mats are like yoga mats that we used at home. They provide comfort, protection from the ground and we can roll them up to make them more compact.

Open Cell Foam

Open cell foam mats are more popular. These are the memory foams beds and mattresses. They are very comfortable to sleep onto and they provide a lot of benefits. However, memory foam beds are not that compact. It is even hard to roll them. These mattresses are not that popular for backpacking but there are a lot of them for camping purposes.

Self Inflating / Breath Inflation Mattresses

The most popular backpacking mattress has to be the ones that self-inflate. You can also blow on them or breathe air into them to inflate them. They do not require a lot of effort to set up or pack up. They are ideal for backpacking because these items are very compact and very light in weight.

Air Mattress With A Pump

There are also lots of air mattresses that come with a pump. These air mattresses are often too heavy for backpacking. The pump adds a lot of weight also. These mattresses are more suitable for car camping. They are very comfortable as well. Some can even compete with your beds at home.

Hammock Pads

There are not a lot of hammock pads. These are the mattresses that have wings or extra padding on the sides. They provide a lot of comfort but are meant for hammocks instead of tents. There are not a lot of them because you can use ordinary backpacking mattresses for hammocks as well.

Outdoor Activity Considerations

Car Camping / RV camping

If you are going car camping or RV camping then you will have more options and you can get the more bulkier and more comfortable mattresses. You can get air mattresses that are very wide, very heavy and take time to inflate. They will be very comfortable and will provide a better sleeping environment than most mattresses.

Backpacking

If you are going backpacking, you may want to get foam mattresses which are more comfortable compared to inflatable mattresses. However, they are also a little bit heavy. If you are new to backpacking, you may not like sleeping in the outdoors with an air mattress so it is best to get a foam mattress for more comfort.

Minimalist Backpacking

You will definitely want the lightest and most compact item if you are a minimalist backpacker or if you want to go backpacking as light as possible. I highly recommend air mattresses for this type of backpacking since air mattresses are very light and compact.

Winter Camping

Winter camping is very different compared to the other season. You will need to protect yourself very well from the ground. The cold ground can take away a lot of the warmth and heat from your body which can make you sick or kill you. People often get a very good closed cell foam mattress and a very good air mattress then combine them together. You have to pay attention to the R-value of the mattress that you are thinking of getting.

Backpacking Air Mattress Features We Should Consider

Weight

Every backpacker knows to consider the weight of the item that they are carrying. The lower the weight, the better. Carrying too much while walking for miles can be treated more as a punishment rather than something you do for fun. It is just not a pleasant experience to be carrying tremendous amounts of weight. Even a pound can make such a difference. There is also a limit to how much we can carry. Weight needs to be considered always.

Comfort

Comfort is very important as well. We are getting a backpacking air mattress to provide us with comfort. The more comfortable we sleep at night, the better our attitude will be in the morning. The better our attitude, the more fun we will experience. Experiencing fun is what we all want. We will have more energy also and be happier. If we have a hard time sleeping, then it is highly likely we will be grumpy in the morning. We try to bring as much comfort in the outdoors as we can.

Pack Size

Not as important as weight but we should also consider the pack size. We have a limited amount of backpack space and the more compact the item, the better. Although due to innovations in backpacks and the ability to attach items on the outside of the backpack allows us to be more flexible with the compactness of an item. It is still something we need to consider as our backpacks may become too bulky.

Price

Unless you are very rich, price is not something you consider. But most of us are working very hard for our money so we have to worry about the price. Not all expensive items are very good and not all affordable items are not good. There are actually a lot of inexpensive items that are very comfortable. The innovations and intuitive designs allow us to have more choices.

Inflation

Inflation is also very important. How we inflate the air mattress matters. There are mattresses that require a pump which also adds weight. There are mattresses that you only need to inflate by blowing air into it. Some mattresses require lots of effort to inflate and deflate and some do not. This is something we need to consider as well. We are already tired from hiking or walking for miles while carrying a heavy backpack. We do not want to put a lot of effort inflating and deflating our beds.

Backpacking Air Mattress Accessories

Rails / Wings

There are a few air mattresses with built in rails or wings. If you tend to move a lot or planning on using the mattress with a hammock, then getting a mattress with built in rails or built in wings would be a good idea.

Pillows

If you need more comfort or just cannot sleep without a good pillow, then getting a backpacking pillow might a good idea. There are a lot of pillows that are very lightweight and compact that are specifically made for backpacking.

Air Pumps

There are a lot of air pumps that are very heavy but there are also a few that are light in weight. You may want to get air pumps if you don’t like to blow into or breathe air into the air mattress.

Patches

There are a lot of times where your air mattress will get holes or get a puncture. It happens from time to time because the outdoors is not that friendly. Wear and tear happens also. You don’t really want to get another mattress all the time. If you have patches, you can repair your air mattress rather easily.

Understanding R-Value And Insulation

The R-Value of an air mattress is how much the mattress can resist the cold ground. The higher the rating, the better it is for resisting the cold ground. Most of the backpacking sleeping pads that you will see will have this R-value. It is important to get as high as possible so that you can be very comfortable while sleeping in the outdoors.

Best Backpacking Air Mattresses

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1. Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 18.6 Ounces
Material: 75D Polyester
Inflation: 10-15 breaths
Packed Size: 3″ x 8″
Feature Summary: Compact design, quick inflation and deflation, V-chamber design, amazing design that allows for easy inflation and deflation

Short Review: One of the best backpacking air mattresses is this. This is the best one I have ever tried and suits my needs very well. It is very lightweight, compact and very easy to inflate and deflate. I love that this has exceeded my expectations and this can create a comfortable place to sleep. If I was trekking through mountains, high elevation and hiking lots of miles then this is the sleeping pad that I will take. It is not the most comfortable air mattress but it is the most comfortable if we take into account the weight of it. So lightweight and comfortable enough for me to sleep on.  The meticulous planning and development of this gave it an exceptionally functional and one of a kind design. I love this item! It works. This is a wonderful item. This item is made use of by me and a friend of mine. We both love it.

2. Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 14.5 oz
Material: 20D Ripstop tear resistant nylon
Inflation: 10-to-15 breaths
Packed Size:

Short Review: One of the greatest things I have ever tried is this outdoor inflatable mattress. Amazing item that is ultra-light and super-portable sleeping pad will fit in any backpack and won’t cause backaches from its weight. This inflates to an impressive size of 74″ X 22″ and will give you the comfort you need. This durable sleeping air pad is constructed out of super strong, waterproof, camping-grade ripstop nylon fabric. This is just very comfortable and well made item that will surely give people lots of satisfaction. This has an exceptionally amazing design and really splendid craftsmanship. This incredible company created another unbelievable item which is the reason why I keep recommending their items to my website visitors.

3. OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 16 ounces
Material: 20D Ripstop Woven Nylon
Inflation: 10-15 breaths
Packed Size: 8″ x 3.5″
Feature Summary: Strong and durable construction, no more sore back, ultralight, ultra-compact, interconnected, self-adjusting air-cell design

Short Review: You will be very satisfied with this particular outdoor sleeping mattress. This is constructed out of durable ripstop 20D Nylon that works well for the outdoors. This features an air valve that offers quick inflation with 10-15 breaths and deflates in seconds. Very compact air pad that can roll up to 8×3 and weighs only 14.5oz – similar to a water bottle. This is very light and very comfortable as well. Easy to inflate and deflate. There are plenty of things I love concerning this high quality item and a large amount of men and women love this item too. This is one of the most wonderful and versatile items that you can obtain.

4. Gear Doctors Self Inflating Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.2 Pounds
Material: Polyester, Foam
Inflation: Self-inflating
Packed Size: 8″ x 12″

Short Review: I am fortunate enough to have been in the position to try this backpacking air mattress considering that it is impressive. This features 75d micro coated green polyester stand up to the test of time thanks to its resistance to water and U.V. rays. This is constructed out of unique thermo insulation foam technology with it we could achieve an outstanding r-value of 4.3. This is a high quality item and another very comfortable sleeping pad that is great for backpacking. If you want a item that is very durable and is made from high quality materials, then this is a good choice. There are a lot of men and women that are content with this superb item judging from the amount of positive consumer reviews that it has. I like that this is extremely sturdy.

5. MEETPEAK Camping Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.76 Pounds
Material: 40d Nylon
Inflation: Built-in Pump
Packed Size: 11.81″ x 5.51″

Short Review: This impressive outdoor camping mattress will amaze you. This is waterproof and insulated, perfectly fit for outdoor activities. This features a built-in foot press pump makes it easy to inflate, single-layer air release valve design, only need 1s deflate. This has an amazing design that is unique V shape & air cell design with pillow delivering superior support and comfort, with a foam-like feeling. I find this item to be extraordinary and I love recommending this to a large amount of men and women. This is more compact though and and won’t take up much backpack space. This is very comfortable also but weighs a little bit more that most air pads. If you really want a good night sleep then this is a great choice.

6. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Ultralight Backpacking Air Mattress

Technical Specs
Weight: 8 oz to 1 lbs, variable sizes
Material: 30D rip HT nylon
Inflation: Self inflating
Packed Size: 9″ x 4″

Short Review: I can safely state that this is very good camping air mattress. This features a dependable and rugged WingLock valve, the pad inflates 3 times faster than a standard valve and features lightning-fast deflation. This features patented Triangular Core Matrix delivers warmth using a continuous layer of thermal foam nestled between alternating ridges of air and foam. I like the fact that this is pretty sturdy and can handle plenty of outdoor punishments. I believe that this high quality item exceeded my expectations and I am certain it will surpass yours as well. This has a lot of positive customer feedback which should be adequate to give men and women a lot of vital information that they need.

7. EcoTek Outdoors Hybern8 Ultralight Inflatable Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 18.0 ounces
Material: 70D woven polyester material
Inflation: 10-15 breaths
Packed Size: 10″ x 3″
Feature Summary: Rapid inflation valve design, compact, hexagon engineered pattern, FlexCell honeycomb design

Short Review: One of the greatest things that I have ever tried is this backpacking air mattress. This comes with easy-to-use one-way valve makes inflation and deflation simple and fast, allowing you to set up and break camp in as little time as possible without leaving you short of breath. Constructed out of woven polyester blend with some pretty awesome features. This comes with patent-pending FlexCell technology that causes the air passages to constrict and the cells to self-isolate as the pad is inflated. This is very similar to Outdoorsmanlab sleeping pad. Not sure if it is copy though but it is very nice. Very compact, lightweight and feels good to sleep on.

8. IFoRRest Sleeping Pad – with Armrest & Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.3 pounds
Material: Waterproof 190T Polyester
Inflation: Self inflating
Packed Size: 17.70″ x 6.30″ x 6.30″
Feature Summary: Space saver, patent pending, pads include armrests, easy to use

Short Review: There is absolutely no doubt that this outdoor air mattress is rather fantastic. This is constructed with a strong waterproof 80D Polyester, will protect you from the wet rough ground in all extreme conditions. This is made of highest quality durable and waterproof Polyester, this sleeping pad is strong and rugged yet soft and comfortable. Has a built-in armrests and an ergonomic pillow for additional comfort and support. This has a terrific rating and a good amount of feedback. This has a lot of positive customer reviews which should be adequate to place men and women in a great position to either purchase this item or not. This has a pillow and side rails. Very comfortable and provides a nice comfortable bed while backpacking.

9. Ultralight 17oz Camping Sleeping pad- Gear Doctors ApolloAir

Technical Specs
Weight: 17 oz
Material: Nylon
Inflation: Pump Sack
Packed Size:

Short Review: If you want something spectacular then this outdoor air mattress is right for you. This includes a versatile Pump-sack to help you inflate the pad it also prevents moist from getting inside the pad which highly increases the durability. The E-Last Fabric Coating works as perfect insulation achieving 5.2 R-Value which means the ground won’t suck the heat from your body and that makes this ideal for 4 season camping. This was precisely what I was trying to find and this precisely does what it claims to do. One of the best. I still think men and women should obtain this one even though I have tried a whole lot of similar items. This item works well and it is an incredible value.

10. Trekology UL Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.19 Pounds
Material: 40D Nylon
Inflation: Blow air or electric pump (not included)
Packed Size: 7.3″ x 4.7″

Short Review: This backpacking air mattress is among the best that I genuinely love. This is very comfortable and people can adjust the firmness of the pad based on their preferences, while still keeping a good distance off the ground to prevent heat being sucked out of your body. This provides 3.9 inches (10 cm) thickness, providing you with a good amount of support while you sleep. Comes with an R value at 1.6, this pad is great for 3-season camping (35.6F or 2C and above). I like that this is incredibly resilient. find this to be extremely satisfactory for my needs and it is precisely as advertised. This provides lots of comfort for the back and not that heavy also. Not that hard to inflate as well. This is one of the best and simplest items that I am aware of.