Best 10 Backpacking Inflatable Mattresses Of 2024

I highly recommend that people get a good night’s sleep when they are on their backpacking trip. One of the best ways to get very comfortable at night is by getting a very good backpacking inflatable mattress. There are many styles, and innovative designs to choose from. However, I recommend getting something very light because you are going backpacking. I have listed a few fantastic backpacking inflatable mattresses below. I am sure that you will be glad with the backpacking mattresses that I have recommended.

Best Backpacking Inflatable Mattresses – Quick Chart

How To Choose An Inflatable Mattress For Backpacking

Types Of Backpacking Mattresses

Closed Cell Foam

Closed cell foam mattresses are not as popular as they used to be but I still see a lot that are comfortable. Closed cell foam mattresses are not breathable, they do not allow air to pass through their membranes. A good example of this type of mattress is a yoga mat. Yoga mats provide cushioning against the cold ground and can be rolled to minimize its size.

Open Cell Foam

Open cell foam mattresses are very comfortable. These mattresses allow air to pass through which makes them breathable. A good example of an open cell foam mattress is a memory foam mattress. Memory foam allows air to pass through, likes to retain its shape, and are very comfortable.

Self-Inflating

Self-inflating mattresses are very popular. Most of the backpacking mattresses that are sold right now are inflatable air pads. These mattresses can inflate on their own but if you are impatient, you can also blow air into them. These are easy to pack, light in weight and very compact.

Air Mattress With A Pump

These mattresses are very heavy and bulky. When they get inflated, the bed becomes rather big and thick. These mattresses are perfect for camping but they are not very good for backpacking since these mattresses are very heavy and not compact at all. These mattresses are very comfortable just make sure that they are made for the outdoors.

Hammock Pads

Hammock pads are very distinct in the sense that they will often have rails or wings. These rails or wings provide more comfort. There are not a lot of hammock pads since a lot of people will either use an inflatable mattress or none at all.

Outdoor Activity Considerations

Car Camping / RV camping

If you are going car camping or RV camping, you do not have to carry a lot of weight. You can put all of your stuff in your car. With this in mind, you can bring very heavy mattresses that are very comfortable. You can bring very heavy and bulky air mattresses for camping. They will provide the most comfort.

Backpacking

If you are going backpacking and not planning on hiking for a lot of miles then you can bring an open cell foam mattress. This type of mattress is very comfortable but they are not compact. Since you do not need to hike a lot of miles, you can bring this item. This type of mattress will provide the most comfort for your backpacking trip.

Minimalist Backpacking

Most minimalist backpackers don’t really bring a mattress most of the time. A lot of minimalist that I know of will only bring a tarp. If they will bring one, it will be an inflatable mattress since these sleeping pads are very light in weight and very compact.

Winter Camping

Winter camping is very different because you will have to think about the cold ground. The ground can suck or take away all of warmth from your body. You can get sick or die from the cold. A good way to prevent this from happening is using a closed cell foam mattress and combine it with an inflatable mattress. If the R-value is high enough, you will be protected from the cold.

Backpacking Inflatable Mattress Features We Should Consider

Weight

The weight of the backpacking inflatable mattress matters. An air bed is one of the most important items that you can bring. It can also weigh a lot especially the very comfortable ones. So always pay attention to the weight of the bed that you are thinking of getting. Just remember that the more comfortable the bed, the more it will weigh. Usually, it is like that for outdoor beds.

Comfort

It is important to pick comfortable items especially for a bed. A good night sleep is very important. A good night sleep can reenergize the body, allow the body to rejuvenate and so on. You will have more energy in the morning if you have a good night sleep. Comfort plays a big role in our sleeping habits. Always remember that comfort will allow the body to fall asleep faster and better.

Pack Size

The pack size of the bed matters. We all do not have infinite amounts of backpack space. We have a limited amount of space in our backpacks. It is a good decision to have a bed that is very compact and easy to carry. We need to make space for other things also like survival gear, tents, foods, cookware and so on.

Durability

Durable inflatable beds are great. We have to think about the material, design and how much weight that the bed can hold. We don’t want an inflatable bed that starts leaking air while we are in the middle of the wilderness. The bed will not become comfortable and we basically packed more weight for nothing. So we should often check the durability of the item before getting it.

Inflation

Inflatable beds are very good but some require a heavy pump for the bed to work. It is important that we check how the air bed is going to be inflated. If it is too much work or too much effort, then we should just get another one or a different item. Inflation is very important and it is something that we should all consider before getting a bed.

Backpacking Inflatable Mattress Accessories

Rails / Wings

There are a few inflatable mattresses that offer rails or wings that are already built in. These rails prevent the user from moving around. So the user will stay inside the mattress and will not navigate their body outside of it.

Pillows

I have known a lot of people that cannot sleep comfortably with a pillow on their head or between their legs. Fortunately, there are a lot of backpacking pillows that are available today. Some are inflatable while some are made of foam. We have plenty to choose from.

Air Pumps

If you are not very satisfied with the air pump, then you should get a new one from a third party company. Some air pumps are very powerful and can inflate or deflate a mattress rather easily. The air pumps are not expensive but not cheap either.

Patches

There are a lot of inflatable mattresses that include patches in case their mattress sprung a leak. These patches are great since they allow you to repair the mattress rather than buying a new one. If your inflatable mattress didn’t come with one, I recommend getting patches from another company or in an online store.

Understanding R-Value And Insulation

R-value is the rating at which the mattress can resist the cold ground. The higher the R-value, the better the mattress can resist the cold ground. This is great for people who are planning on getting mattresses for the cold weather. The higher the R-value, the better the item can resist the cold.

Best Backpacking Inflatable 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: Affordable lightweight camping pad with v-chamber design to limit air movement and heat loss for better support and comfort, easy-to-use push valve allows for quick inflation and deflation

Short Review: This is an impressive backpacking inflatable mattress. I love this company and judging by this amazing item, they will have lots of people buying their items for several years to come. What I like about this is that it is very lightweight and provides enough comfort for me to have a good night sleep. Compared to most sleeping pads, the weight is very light. This is really resilient and it has a lot of fantastic features. It is amazing that this is very compact which is great because we will have room for more stuff in our backpacks. This is very easy to inflate with just a few breaths. After a day of hiking lots of miles, I am very tired. Last thing I want to do is spend lots of time setting up items. I am very glad that it takes very little effort to inflate this backpacking inflatable mattress.

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 backpacking air bed is one of the greatest that you will discover on the net. This is most likely one of the most comfortable air beds that I have ever tried. It is a little bit heavier that most air beds for backpacking though. If you are not going to be walking lots of miles then I highly recommend this one. I am positive there aren’t many high quality items like this one in the Internet its no wonder that you should at least check it out. It is a good thing that this is very light which allows us to conserve energy. I feel very good whenever I sleep on this. It is very easy to sleep on this especially after trying a lot of other air beds. This has a wonderful design and provides lots of comfort. This is very easy to inflate and deflate as well. Aside, from the weight, I like this a lot.

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: If you want to get a wonderful backpacking air bed then you need to try this out. This backpacking sleeping pad is inflatable, compressible and lightweight, so it becomes very small and compact once you deflate and fold it.  This works incredibly well and this is exceptionally well made. We all love items that are easy to setup like this one so that we have more time for other things. The fabric or nylon feels pretty durable. It does not feel like it will burst or have leaks. This is a pretty good item that can help you fall asleep. It is pretty light also. It is not that heavy and very compact as well.

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: One of the best things that you can obtain is this backpacking air mattress. Gear Doctor is a great company when it comes to backpacking gear. I have a couple of their items. This is constructed out of unique THERMO insulation foam technology with it we could achieve an outstanding R-Value of 4.3 Which prevents the ground from sucking the heat of your body. There are a great deal of people that like this mainly because it is both very good and inexpensive. This comes with premium non leaking valve so you do not have to worry about jagged rocks, uneven ground or air leaks during the night. Pretty good item that works well.

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: If you do your research, you’ll be able to notice that plenty of people really like this outdoor air mattress. I have a couple of MEETPEAK items also. This air bed is not very compact when compared to other backpacking air beds. It is a little bit big but still works and still easy to carry. This can create a comfortable place to sleep and give you the comfort you need to get a good night’s sleep plus the price is also extremely inexpensive. I just love how this feels good and very comfortable which is why this should provide you with lots of sleeping time.

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: This backpacking air bed not only will perform very well, but the effective capacity or capabilities of this item is incredible. Another pretty good inflatable bed from Therm-a-Rest. I like their foam mattress also. This features a dependable and rugged WingLock valve, the pad inflates 3 times faster than a standard valve and features lightning-fast deflation. You should always choose the item that is incredibly sturdy and really easy to maintain like this one. It is very comfortable to sleep on to and very easy to inflate. I love how comfortable this feels on the skin because of the soft material it is made out of. Sleeping in the outdoors is a lot more comfortable with this air bed.

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: I am certain that this is one of the best outdoor inflatable mattress that you’ll ever find. The design is very similar to Outdorsmanlab sleeping mattress with a few differences. This is very compact and very light in weight which makes it perfect for backpacking. I love that this is very compact which is why I can put more stuff in my backpack. If you love the outdoors, then this is a great item to have because this makes hiking more fun. There is something awesome with regards to the design of this item which is why I really like it. This is very affordable and very comfortable at the same time.

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: If you want something unbelievable then this outdoor inflatable mattress meets your needs. This is rather comfortable and comes with wings and head pillow that are built in. The weight is a little bit on the heavy side. You can get lighter items that this one but this one is very comfortable. You do not need to bring pillows because this already has one. The wings are pretty good for backpacking hammocks as well. This is an excellent bargain and it is impressive its no wonder that I find this to be one of the most satisfying items that I have ever tried. Lightweight items like this one are very easy to carry so we have more energy having fun.

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: The way I see it is that this outdoor blow up mattress is a very good deal. This is incredibly well made. This features Water-Resistant Hexagon Shield 40D nylon fabric with E-LAST coating. This comes with horizontal insulating air chambers will effectively distribute your weight on the sleeping pad while preventing the ground from sucking the heat out of your body. The construction is really solid and I’ve had no issues with this whatsoever. I believe that this is high quality and you will too just by looking at the quantity of positive consumer reviews. This is pretty compact and provides a good place to sleep upon when in the outdoors.

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: One of the best items which I have ever tried is this outdoor inflatable mattress. This is made out of 40D material making it super light and ultra durable. Multi-purpose item that makes sleeping in the outdoors a lot easier and a lot more fun. This camp mattress has a unique curvature design that holds your body in place at night. The positive consumer feedback that this item has should please a lot of men and women knowing they are obtaining an item that satisfied a whole lot of buyers. This is pretty good and pretty comfortable. It is a little bit heavy but manageable.