Best 15 Backpacking Beds Of 2024

Picking a backpacking bed can be really tough. It is not the same as picking an ordinary mattress. We have to consider the weight, the dimensions, packed size and so on. Since the bed has to be lightweight, it cannot be as comfortable as our mattress at home. The first time I used a backpacking bed, the first thought I had was that, this is not as comfortable as I am used to. It takes some time and some adaptation to be more comfortable.

Best Backpacking Beds – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Backpacking Bed

Types Of Backpacking Beds

Open Cell Foam

Open cell foam mattresses are very comfortable. They are often lightweight enough that people can bring them for backpacking purposes. Unfortunately, open cell foam mattresses are not very compact. They are often memory foam mattresses that tend to retain their shape. You may get a very comfortable mattress but it may not be compact enough for your backpack.

Closed Cell Foam

Close cell foam mattresses are like yoga mats for example. The bed is still somewhat comfortable and it is also very light in weight. The item isn’t very compact but it can be rolled to minimize the size of the bed. This type of bed is still pretty good for backpacking. I often see them attached at the bottom of a backpack.

Self Inflating

People love to carry self-inflating beds for their camping and backpacking trips because these beds are very light in weight and very compact. Mine can fit into a very small pocket size sack. This is the type of bed that a lot of backpackers bring. It provides decent comfort and people can sleep on top of it.

Air Mattress With A Pump

This type of bed is often used for car camping. These beds are very comfortable and very large. Even when deflated, the item is very heavy, bulky and not very good for backpacking. The comfort that these items provide is amazing. I love to use these beds whenever I am going car camping.

Hammock Pads

Hammock pads tend to be sleeping pads meant for hammocks. They will often have wings or rails on the side to offer more comfort to the user. There are not a lot of hammock pads that are sold right now but since hammocks are getting more popular, I expect to see more of these in the future.

Outdoor Activity Considerations

Minimalist Backpacking

If weight is a big factor and you want to carry as little weight as much as possible, then getting a self-inflating backpacking bed would be ideal. These beds are very lightweight, compact and they are very easy to carry. A lot of minimalist backpackers would have one in their backpack.

Backpacking

If you are not planning on hiking for a lot of miles and just want to sleep in the outdoors then getting a backpacking bed that is made out of open cell foam might be ideal. Open cell foams are very comfortable. They may not be very compact but they provide a lot of comfort which will help you get a good night sleep.

Winter Camping

Winter camping is a little different in a sense that you will need to protect yourself from the cold ground. The cold ground can take away the warmth and heat from the body. You may end up dying from the cold if you do not have proper mattresses. People will often carry a closed foam cell mattress and an air bed for the winter. They both have to be very high quality with lots of insulation.

Car Camping / RV camping

People that just want to go car camping have plenty of options since they do not need to carry items. They can get the bulky or big air beds that require a pump to inflate. These beds are very comfortable and people often use them for car camping. These beds are way too heavy for backpacking though.

Backpacking Bed Features We Should Consider

Weight

The weight of the bed plays an important role. We do have lots of choices when it comes to backpacking beds. It really depends on what kind of backpacking trip you are going to have. If you are going to be hiking a lot of miles then something light would be better. If you are not hiking for a lot of miles and you just want to spend your time on a peak, take pictures and enjoy the scenery then you can carry bigger and better camping beds.

Comfort

Not all beds have the same comfort. It depends on the material and design of the bed. Air mattresses are often the lightest in terms of weight but the foam beds are often more comfortable. If you really need to sleep well at night then carrying a heavier bed made out of foam is a wiser or a better choice for you. We should always think about the weight but having a good night sleep in my opinion is a lot more important.

Pack Size

Pack size is also very important. We all have a limited backpack space. The capacity of our backpacks are not infinite. We still have to carry a tent, or hammock, tarps, mess kits and water. We have lots of things to carry for the backpacking trip. We all have a limited backpack capacity so having a very compact item does help a lot.

Dimensions

So not all beds have the same dimensions. Some beds cannot handle a lot of weight also. So this is something we need to think about also. You may like your whole body in a bed and you ended up with one that is a little short. Your bed burst or got broken because you are a little big heavier. This is something we should all consider also when we are going to acquire an outdoor bed.

Inflation

How easy it is to inflate and deflate a backpacking bed is something that we need to consider. After walking for miles, you just want to setup a nice place to sleep as quickly as possible. A bed that is very hard to inflate can be very annoying and you may end up not using the bed if that is the case also. Once it is very dark, it is hard to setup items. In the morning, you have to cook, and pack also. So having a bed that deflates easily or folds easily is something that we should look for.

Backpacking Bed Accessories

Rails / Wings

If you move around too much, you may want to get backpacking beds with built in rails or built in wings. These wings will provide more comfort and prevent people from moving around too much.

Pillows

If you are like me, then it is very hard for you to sleep without a good pillow. Luckily for us, there are a lot of very lightweight and compact pillows that are available that we can use for backpacking. A good pillow can help us become more comfortable and help us sleep better.

Air Pumps

There are also air pumps that can be bought that are very light in weight. If you do not want to put any effort inflating your backpacking bed then a good air pump can definitely help. Most of the time, this is not needed though.

Patches

Extra patches are great for sealing a hole or puncture from a bed. If your bed gets a tear then sealing it up with high quality patches would be a good idea. Patching up your inflatable bed is often a lot better than getting a new one.

Understanding R-Value And Insulation

The higher the R-value, the more it can resist that cold ground. You will want a very high R-value if you are planning on camping in the cold weather. Backpacking beds will often have a layer that will resist the cold ground and keep your body insulated. So always check the R-value of a backpacking bed before getting one.

Best Backpacking Beds

Here are some amazing backpacking beds that are very comfortable. All product links are affiliate links.

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: This is an amazing company, V-chamber design, great for the body and feels comfortable, amazing design that allows for easy inflation and deflation, ingenious design from an amazing company

Short Review: I love this backpacking bed and many people love it as well. This is a pretty awesome air bed. This is very easy to inflate and deflate. I was actually surprised at how easy it is to inflate this item. I thought it would take 10 minutes or so but it is really just a few seconds or less than a minute. It can deflate into a very compact item. Storing it is not a problem. Space saving design is amazing because items that are compact are easily organized. This is a multipurpose outdoor item which I highly recommend. This is very lightweight also. I do not see a problem with people carrying this. This is pretty resilient as well. We should acquire items that are durable and not items that fall apart easily. All in all, this has been an enjoyable and fantastic experience for me and a great deal of people.

2. Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 14.5 oz
Material: 20D Ripstop tear resistant nylon
Inflation: 10-to-15 breaths
Packed Size:
Feature Summary: Super sturdy and extremely comfortable, great for any sleep position, tough, durable, large and comfy sleeping pad features a lifetime warranty, lightweight sleeping pad is made of super strong waterproof and camping grade ripstop nylon fabric

Short Review: This magnificent light inflatable bed will fulfill your needs. It is true that I only recommend high quality items such as this mainly because I want men and women to be happy with their order. This is one of the most comfortable beds that I have ever tried. I can easily fall asleep on this. Compact design allows you to carry more stuff or put more stuff in your backpack. It is not as compact as the first one I mentioned though. The outdoors is a lot more fun if you have a good item like this because this makes sleeping easier. This feels good on the skin and I love sleeping on it. The material feels very durable as well.

3. OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 16 oz
Material: 20D Ripstop Woven Nylon
Inflation: 10-15 breaths
Packed Size: 8″ x 3.5″
Feature Summary: Ultralight sleeping pad can roll up to 8×3 and weighs only 14.5oz – similar to a water bottle, perfect for backpackers who want to pack light and compact, R-value of 2.2, you can stay nice and toasty camping out in temps all the way down to 40 F (4 C)

Short Review: This is certainly top-of-the-line backpacking beds that I know of. This is among the most low-priced items out there and it has lots of great reviews also. I see a lot of items with the same design as this. The design is pretty popular. This is actually pretty comfortable.. This provides lots of comfort to help you fall asleep so that you will have more energy tomorrow. Ideal item to have for the outdoors and backpacking. This air bed has a lot of good reviews as well. It is very easy to inflate, and deflate. It is pretty compact and I really do not have any complaints or anything negative to say.

4. Gear Doctors Self Inflating Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.2 Pounds
Material: Polyester, Foam
Inflation: Self-inflating
Packed Size: 8″ x 12″
Feature Summary: Specialized thermo-insulation 4.3 r-value foam of our fully self-inflating compact sleeping pad units, inflating and deflating our sleeping pads is as easy as 1-2-3, twist the pad’s leak-proof valve and unroll your pad, air starts filling up the pad’s open cell foam

Short Review: This outdoor bed is extraordinary and I know you will definitely love it. ALPS is a pretty popular company that manufactures hiking, camping and basically a lot of outdoor gear. I have a lot of their items and use them all the time. This is very comfortable. It is more comfortable than most air beds I have tried. This has a few problems though. It is not very compact. I have to attach this at the bottom of my backpack to carry it. It takes too much room if I put it inside. It is a little bit heavy as well. Other than that, this is very good and very comfortable. This feels good on the skin and this is very comfortable which is why this is very popular. Sleeping at night is a lot easier if you have a good item like this and this is very useful as well. A few of the things I like about this item is that the design is both exquisite and functional. This item came from an incredibly popular company which explains why I know that you will be incredibly happy with this item.

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″
Feature Summary: V shape air cells ergonomically support all of your pressure points, no matter lying flat or on side, sleeping pad made of extra thick non-toxic 40d nylon provides a unique balance between low weight & durability

Short Review: You must check out this outdoor bed since it might be the item that you are looking for. I have a few items from REDCAMP as well. I like their mess kits. They are a pretty good company. This is very comfortable and very durable. It works well and has an inexpensive price. I just love how this feels good and very comfortable which is why this should provide you with lots of sleeping time. I see this a lot with people who love the outdoors because this makes sleeping at night easier. The only drawback is that it is pretty heavy. 2.2 pounds is not exactly light for backpacking purposes. I wouldn’t take this if I have a long backpacking trip.

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″
Feature Summary: Equipped with a dependable and rugged winglock valve, the pad inflates 3 times faster than a standard valve and features lightning-fast deflation, 4.2 r-value means the xlite can keep backpackers and campers warm

Short Review: I have tried, and evaluated this backpacking bed. This is one of the most comfortable items that I have ever tried. However, it is pretty heavy. It is also one of the heaviest that I will ever recommend. This is good for a short backpacking trip. This is very comfortable and should help you sleep comfortably. This fantastic company continues to exceed my expectations considering that this item is amazing. Compact design allows you to carry more stuff and be able to use your backpack space more wisely. Ideal item to have for the outdoors that works very well. This item is really good and really durable. They say that everything has a cost. Well, you are fortunate given that this item has an exceptionally affordable price.

7. EcoTek Outdoors Hybern8 Ultralight Inflatable Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 18.0 oz
Material: 70D woven polyester material
Inflation: 10-15 breaths
Packed Size: 10″ x 3″
Feature Summary: Innovative rapid one-way valve design makes both setup and stow a breeze , with 2.5 inches of loft and an r value of 2.2, the hybern8 provides 3 season warmth and comfort you can count on to help get you the shuteye you deserve

Short Review: This lightweight bed is amongst the greatest that I know of. This item has an incredible design that allows it to be extremely effective and inexpensive at the same time. The positive customer feedback of this item are correct because I find this item to be amazing. The comfort that this brings is amazing that I am actually looking forward to sleeping with this. Having a great item like this is great for the outdoors because this makes sleeping on rough a lot easier. This is one of the finest that I have ever bought and I love it a whole lot. This has surpassed my expectations and a large amount of men and women are happy that they ordered this as well.

8. IFoRRest Sleeping Pad – with Armrest & Pillow

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.3 lbs
Material: Waterproof 190T Polyester
Inflation: Self inflating
Packed Size: 17.70″ x 6.30″ x 6.30″
Feature Summary: This camping foam air mattress is made of strong waterproof 80d polyester, will protect you from the wet rough ground in all extreme conditions, a true 4-season camp bed with an R-value of 4.9

Short Review: This is one of the greatest backpacking beds. The design is pretty crucial because it plays a huge role on how the item will look and how effectively it will work. The arms and pillow are pretty good and pretty comfortable. This is great for a hammock also. Just like plenty of people, I know you will be very satisfied with this item. The amazing compact and space saving construction should provide us with more room in our bags. The outdoors is a lot more fun if you have a good item like this because this works well. If you look at some items, they are pretty inexpensive however they are also really fragile which explains why I love that this is pretty durable.

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

Technical Specs
Weight: 17 oz
Material: Nylon
Inflation: Pump Sack
Packed Size:
Feature Summary: Silent ergonomic design with 5.2 R-rating, 4 step anti leak valve system, to store just vertically trifold it after deflation then roll towards the valve direction and it’ll perfectly fit into it’s carry pouch, water-resistant hexagon shield 40d nylon fabric with e-last coating makes Apolloair camping mattress 2.5 x times stronger than current market standards

Short Review: If you do your research, you can certainly realize that many people like this backpacking mattress. Term-a-Rest is a pretty good company that makes pretty good mattresses for the outdoors. I read all the feedback on this item, and am delighted that it works incredibly well for a lot of people. This has been a terrific experience and I am happy that this is also very comfortable. It is a little bit heavy but it is worth it. This feels very comfortable and a must have if you want to sleep very well. I am really satisfied with this item so far. This is exceptionally durable and I haven’t had any problems with it. The quantity of positive customer feedback that this item has is fantastic that I know you will almost certainly acquire one.

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″
Feature Summary: Stay warm and comfortable from cold, wet, and uneven camp floor, larger valve opening for faster inflation and deflation, upgraded 40d material making it super light and ultra durable

Short Review: I am loving this extraordinary light bed. I know that this is one of the greatest because of the amount of positive customer feedback that this extraordinary item has. For the price this is among the best. Amazonbasics has always provided me with decent quality items for a very low price. If you want comfort, then this is a great choice which is why I recommend this to a lot of people. This is a little bit heavy but pretty comfortable as well. I have been using this and I feel it is an awesome one that will last for a long time. I really like using this and this is exactly as advertised.

11. Hikenture Backpack Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 17 oz
Material: 90% NYLON / 10% TPU
Inflation: A few breaths
Packed Size: 10″ x 3.2″ x 3.2″
Feature Summary: For people who need help sleeping, fold smaller, soft and long-lasting light sleeping pad, designed for minimalist, durable item

Short Review: I love this backpacking bed and that’s why I am promoting it to you. This has a head pillow which is pretty comfortable. The design is very similar to Outdoorsman Lab especially with the bubble like pattern. This is pretty comfortable and very light. This is precisely what was advertised and I find it very suitable for my needs. The comfort that this brings is amazing and should replenish your energy the next morning. A very versatile item that gives lots of comfort while in the outdoors which is why I highly recommend this. This is extremely good and the design is wonderful. I would purchase one again if I need another one.

12. ALPS Mountaineering Featherlite Series Air Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.6 lbs
Material: 40D nylon Ripstop fabric
Inflation: built in pump
Packed Size: 11” x 4”
Feature Summary: Gentle on the skin and very comfortable, lightweight, compact, inflation takes just a couple of minutes, small pack size, built in pump, does not take much room, easy to setup

Short Review: If you are looking for an exceptional light bed, then this is a exceptional choice to try. Another backpacking bed from ALPS that I would like to recommend. This is pretty comfortable but it does not feel very durable. There is something missing or not quite right with this. However, this could just be my imagination since when I used this, it is pretty good and comfy. This is among the best items that works well and comes with an unbeatable price tag. I love that the company made this item very light so it will be perfect for us who love the outdoors. This is a very comfortable outdoor bed that is lightweight and compact also. I know that this is one of the finest because of the quantity of positive consumer feedback that this impressive item has.

13. 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″
Feature Summary: Popular company, maximum warmth, tapered design reduces weight, Triangular Core Matrix minimizes heat loss, designed to be compact to not take much room, thermaCapture technology traps radiant heat

Short Review: The high quality components used to create this outdoor bed made it amazing. Another item from Therm-a-Rest that I would like to recommend. One of the most sturdy items is this. You will be really satisfied. I love that this is very resilient. This feels very standard and very average. But it works well and people do like simple items. This is very simple yet it is lightweight, compact and easy to inflate. Easy to carry because of the compact design which means we have more room in our backpacks. The materials are pretty good. Plenty of men and women love this item simply because it provides a comfortable place to sleep.

14. Terra Hiker Ultralight Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Material: 20D TPU nylon fabric
Inflation: Self inflating
Packed Size: 11″ in” x 5.9″
Feature Summary: Outdoor friendly, small cell construction, durable and skin friendly, lightweight, waterproof nylon fabric, outdoor friendly backpacking bed, practically effortless to setup this item

Short Review: You won’t be disappointed with this bed for backpacking. This is a great bed that is also very affordable. I bought it for the price tag but lots of people like it for the reason that it works well. The material feels durable and this is very compact. It is a little bit on the heavy side though. Anything around 2 pounds for me is heavy. This saves a lot of space and will not take a lot of backpack space. A very good item to have if you love the outdoors which is why I highly recommend this. This item has lots of positive consumer reviews which should provide people a general idea on what they are acquiring. I like that this has plenty of positive customer feedback given that it is hard to make a mistake if a lot of people are purchasing it.

15. OutdoorsmanLab Self-inflating Sleeping Pad

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Material: Ripstop 75D polyester fabric
Inflation: Self inflating
Packed Size: 10″ x 6.5″
Feature Summary: Made to last, proprietary anti-slip silicone coating, innovative air valve, durable and super easy to use, soft and gentle material, designed to be compact and space saving

Short Review: There are a good deal of things that I like in regards to this lightweight bed. This is a great deal better than most of the air beds I’ve come across which is the reason this has a great deal of positive customer reviews. The very best information we can obtain is through the positive customer feedback and this has a good amount of them. The comfort that this brings is amazing and this should replenish and give you more energy the in next morning. This is a very versatile item to have for the outdoors as it will provide you with lots of comfort. This is one of the greatest items I’ve ever tried and it is very budget friendly.