13 Best Camping Mattresses for Bad Back

Camping is a fun experience that you can share with all your family. Parents can relax while camping, children can play to their heart’s content, and everyone can have a good time! However, your camping trip can take a toll on your back. That’s because not all camping mattresses offer good back support. And if you have back issues, we’re sure you’d want to go back home quicker. To avoid this, it’s best to look into the best camping mattress for bad back that offers appropriate back support and comfort. That said, we’ve compiled this list so that your next camping trip will be enjoyable! Here are some of the best camping mats for bad backs! Oh, and if you’re not a fan of air mattresses, relax! We have plenty of alternatives to air mattresses for camping as well. Have fun reading!

Outdoorsman Lab Sleeping Pad for Camping (CU)

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Apart from the best wood stoves, a comfy mattress is also a crucial part of your camping gear. But if you have a bad back, this one is worth your attention. The Outdoorsman Lab Sleeping Pad for Camping is a compact companion for all camping trips. It leverages a combination of convenience and comfort to become a mainstay on the mountain or trail. It’s quick to inflate with a user-friendly valve that gets the job done in just 10-15 breaths. Plus, the patented design lends itself to optimal support and temperature regulation.

When we say this mattress is comfortable, we mean it. This is one of those best camping mats for bad backs that allow you to sleep on your side without having your arms dig in and hit the solid ground underneath. Moreover, the deflating process is quite straightforward and effortless as well!

• What We Love:
  • A compact and simple mattress that gets the job done.
• Pros:
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to inflate and deflate
  • Rolls up to the size of a water bottle
  • Highly comfortable
  • Optimal support
• Cons:
  • Too small for some people

Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Mat

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Are you on a limited budget but still want to get one of the best camping mats for bad backs? If so, the Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Mat is the go-to option. This mattress is adored by many people as it keeps the temperature regulated and doesn’t leak air even after being inflated and deflated several times and changing locations. Sounds pretty good, right?

On top of that, this mattress is suitable for all seasons. Since it’s insulated, it stays cool in warm weather and stays warm in cold weather. Plus, we fancy the 2.5 inches thick ultra-supportive cushioning, making it the best thing to sleep on when camping, especially if you have back issues. The mattress’ support system also makes it perfect for all sleeping positions.

• What We Love:
  • A reliable all-season camping mattress.
• Pros:
  • Quick to inflate
  • Ideal for all seasons
  • Perfect for all sleeping positions
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Durable
• Cons:
  • The mattress is somewhat narrow

King Koil Queen Air Mattress

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The King Koil Queen Air Mattress is the best camping mattress for bad back that combines convenience and comfort for an uninterrupted night of sleep. With this product, you can wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day! Even better, there’s no need for bulky boxes. That’s because this mattress comes complete with a travel bag.

Many campers love this mattress because of its enhanced coil design. This cutting-edge technology offers superior support to the spine. The coil is filled with air, and the bed’s internal layers let it conform to support your body naturally and keep your backbone straight. Another thing worth mentioning is the extra thick waterproof quilt top that gives superb comfort and enhanced support to the spine. For other waterproof camping gear, check out the best dry bags for camping!

• What We Love:
  • A highly recommended mattress made by a big banrd that never disappoints.
• Pros:
  • Enhanced coil technology for back support
  • Highly durable
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in pump system
  • 350lbs of weight limit
• Cons:
  • Slightly heavy to carry

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Air Mattress

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When it comes to lightweight camping mattresses, this beauty wears the crown. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Air Mattress weighs only a tad above half a pound, and it employs over a hundred cells of air to maintain equalized air distribution. Thus, it’s able to provide incredible stability and back support.

Moreover, this best camping mattress for bad back is integrated with a patented Triangular Core Matrix, which is sandwiched between alternating layers of air and foam. This protects you from the cold hard ground and preserves your body heat for a warm and comfortable night of sleep.

• What We Love:
  • The go-to option for those who want to travel light.
• Pros:
  • Incredibly lightweight
  • Available in several sizes
  • Patented Triangular Core Matrix
  • Inflates super fast
  • Durable
• Cons:
  • Lacks color options

Etekcity Camping Air Mattress

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The best camping mattress for bad back that offers comfort and a good night’s sleep doesn’t have to cost you hundreds of dollars, and the Etekcity Camping Air Mattress is proof. This amazing product comes with a rechargeable pump with AC/DC adapters, allowing the mattress to reach full inflation in 90 seconds.

Whether it’s supporting overnight guests or keeping the family comfy during movie night, you can always rely on this one. That’s because it can fit more than one person, and the maximum capacity that it has is 650lbs. This weight capacity is even higher than some of the best camping chairs for big guys! Even better, it has a 20% thicker PVC and flocked top than traditional air bed surfaces, which helps it to remain firm without leaking.

• What We Love:
  • A heavy-duty air mattress that’s perfect for heavy campers.
• Pros:
  • Reasonably priced
  • Puncture-resistant
  • Waterproof
  • 650lbs of weight limit
  • Can reach full inflation in 90 seconds
• Cons:
  • Not ideal for tall campers

BETTER HABITAT CertiPUR-US SleepReady Memory Foam Camping Mattress

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Are you looking for some alternatives to air mattresses for camping? Then you should consider getting the BETTER HABITAT CertiPUR-US SleepReady Memory Foam Camping Mattress! As the name suggests, this is a memory foam mattress, and it comes in 3 sizes: Twin, Single, and Kids. When choosing the size, adults can choose the Twin, as the single is a bit too small.

One of the main perks of this best camping mattress for bad back is that it can be set up and ready for a great night’s sleep in mere seconds as there’s no inflating needed. Simply unclip the straps and roll the mattress out! Yep, it’s as simple as that! Plus, the memory foam layer is 3 inches thick. This means it provides a lot of back support and is great for treating back pain. With this item, you can finally stop searching for the best alternatives to air mattresses for camping!

• What We Love:
  • The go-to option for campers who love sleeping on a memory foam bed.
• Pros:
  • Thick memory foam layer
  • No inflating required
  • Available in several sizes
  • Comes with a waterproof cover
  • Available in 3 sizes
• Cons:
  • Heavier and pricier than other best camping mats for bad backs

SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress

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There are so many best camping mats for bad backs available out there, but this one from SoundAsleep shouldn’t be ignored. The SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress is a quality option that’s available in 5 different sizes, which include Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and King. The weight limit of this item is 500lbs, making it the perfect option for heavy campers too.

What we love the most about this best camping mattress for bad back is its patented 1-click internal pump. It ensures quick and easy inflation as well as deflation. Plus, the PVC material is puncture-resistant and waterproof! Comfortable and long-lasting, what’s not to like about this mattress?

• What We Love:
  • A luxurious air mattress that provide both comfort and durability.
• Pros:
  • Available in 5 different sizes
  • Patented 1-click internal pump
  • Waterproof
  • Puincture-resistant
  • Has a weight limit of 500lbs
• Cons:
  • Some air leaking problem

LaidBackPad Memory Foam Camping Sleeping Pad

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Say hello to the LaidBackPad Memory Foam Camping Sleeping Pad, another memory foam mattress that we’re sure you’ll love. This is one of the most popular alternatives to air mattresses for camping, as no inflating is required. Not to mention, it’s as close to a real bed as you can get while camping in the woods!

When laid flat, it provides plenty of room to help you stay comfortable throughout the night. When rolled up, it can be carried around easily. As the best camping mattress for bad back, the memory foam pad is pretty thick. Thus, it feels so comfy sleeping on this mattress, and it can provide great support for your entire back. Protecting that memory foam is a removable polyester cover that’s not only durable but also water-resistant and machine-washable!

• What We Love:
  • A nice all-rounder that provides both comfort and back support.
• Pros:
  • Thick memory foam padding
  • No inflating required
  • Water-resistant polyester cover
  • Can be rolled up effortlessly
  • Perfect for both indoors and outdoors
• Cons:
  • Expensive

Willpo CertiPUR-US Memory Foam Camping Mattress

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Up next is the Willpo CertiPUR-US Memory Foam Camping Mattress. This is one of our favorite options, and there are so many reasons why. First of all, this best camping mattress for bad back is very comfortable and provides a ton of back support via two layers of high-quality memory foam. This also makes it one of the top alternatives to air mattresses for camping.

It’s pretty big, giving you enough room to move. When not used, it can be rolled up into a convenient travel bag. Meanwhile, the removable cover of the mattress can be zipped off and quickly thrown in a home washing machine. Additionally, the waterproofing will prevent any liquid from reaching the foam layers and causing permanent damage to the mattress.

• What We Love:
  • An ideal option for those whose priority is to have tons of back support.
• Pros:
  • High-quality memory foam
  • Tons of back support
  • Comes with a travel bag
  • Removable and waterproof sheet
  • Easy to clean
• Cons:
  • On the heavier side

Legit Camping Sleeping Mat (CU)

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After digging for a long time using the best camping shovel, your back might hurt. For someone with back pain, the Legit Camping Sleeping Mat is one of the best camping mats for bad backs that money can buy. It features unique air support cells that offer excellent support and comfort. No matter when kind of terrain your campsite is on, this mattress will have you sleeping like a baby. Not to mention, it’s small and lightweight, making it a super portable option.

One of our favorite things about this mattress is that it’s super easy to set up. It only takes a while to inflate, and you don’t have to use an air pump. When it’s time to pack up the mattress, all you have to do is open the air valve! Made from 20D rip-stop nylon with a TPU layer, it’s also extremely durable. As the camping mattress for bad back, it’s able to withstand all sorts of everyday stuff that would puncture other mattresses.

• What We Love:
  • This is a simple but seriously comfortable option that makes camping a lot more enjoyable.
• Pros:
  • Easy to set up
  • Durable 20D rip-stop nylon with a TPU layer
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Available in 6 color options
  • 100% money-back guarantee
• Cons:
  • Sometimes it doesn’t hold air well

TRIPHUNTER GEARS Quiet Self Inflating Sleeping Mattress

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One of the biggest issues that many campers have with the best camping mats for bad backs is that they have to be inflated. This mattress, thankfully, does all of the hard work for you. Yes, as the name suggests, the TRIPHUNTER GEARS Quiet Self Inflating Sleeping Mattress doesn’t need your help at all! To inflate the mattress, all you have to do is unroll it from its bag. Once fully enrolled, this waterproof mattress will inflate on its own magically!

Of course, this best camping mattress for bad back doesn’t inflate in a blink of an eye. However, it’s still much faster than having to blow it up on your own. Even though it doesn’t have any valves at all, it’s effortless to deflate. Moreover, this item is quite lightweight, but a bit bulky, making it a tougher fit for linger camping trips. This bulk also makes it a super comfortable air mattress to lay on, as long as you aren’t trying to use it in extremely cold weather.

• What We Love:
  • A convenient mattress that can inflate on its own without your help!
• Pros:
  • Self-inflating design
  • Waterproof
  • Incredibly lightweight
  • A breeze to pack up
  • Mending kit included
• Cons:
  • Bulky when compressed

WELLAX Ultralight Air Sleeping Mat

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If you’re in the market for what’s quite possibly the best camping mattress for bad back, then you must check out the WELLAX Ultralight Air Sleeping Mat. One of the best features of this item is its lightweight design. It barely weighs anything, tipping the scales at a minuscule 0.9lbs. This makes it an excellent choice for pretty much any kind of camping. Yes, it also means it won’t add a ton of weight to your camping backpack.

Furthermore, this is also one of the easiest sleeping pads to inflate and deflate. That’s because this mat comes with two valves that are a breeze to operate. They open up nice and wide, allowing you to blow air in very quickly when you’re ready to settle down for the night. As one of the best camping mats for bad backs, it’s thicker than most other models of similar design. And thanks to the dozens of flexing points, it feels comfortable even if you like to sleep on your back or sides.

• What We Love:
  • An incredibly lightweight and easy to use option that every camper would love to have.
• Pros:
  • Great for back sleepers
  • Compact when compressed
  • A breeze to inflate and deflate
  • Lightweight
  • Water-resistant
  • Pretty affordable
• Cons:
  • Not good for cold weather

WELLAX UltraThick FlexFoam Sleeping Mat

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The WELLAX UltraThick FlexFoam Sleeping Mat is another great option for campers with back issues. Generally, the thicker your camping mattress is, the better it’s going to be for your back. That said, with a thickness of 3 inches, this is one of the most padded options available. Plus, there’s plenty of room to move around at night and get comfortable without rolling or sliding off of the mattress, making it the best camping mattress for bad back.

Another thing that we love about this mattress is its awesome self-inflating technology. Seriously, it’s super cool! On the mattress, you’ll find an inflate valve and a deflate valve. Simply open the inflate valve, and the mattress will inflate itself! Best of all, it does a remarkable job of insulating and retaining warmth throughout the night. But if the weather is extremely cold, maybe you need to get the best wool blanket for camping or the best electric hand warmer!

• What We Love:
  • A self-inflating mattress that offers the most comfortable sleeping experience possible.
• Pros:
  • Well-padded
  • Plenty of room to move around at night
  • Self-inflating technology
  • Provides amazing insulation
  • Compact
  • Backed by a one-year guarantee
• Cons:
  • More expensive than some of the best camping mats for bad backs

How To Choose The Best Camping Mattresses for Bad Back

Similar to the best camping chairs for bad back, there are several important features that you have to pay special attention to when you’re buying the best camping mattress for bad back. Those features are:

Height and width

If you have a bad back, you’ll want as much room as possible when you go to sleep so you can stretch your legs and move around freely. Most manufacturers will give you the exact dimensions, including both length and width, so be sure to choose a size that provides you with a bit of extra sleeping room.

Thickness

You should also note that a thicker mattress will be more comfortable during the night. It can support your back and neck fully while also protecting you from anything underneath the mattress itself, like rocks, sticks, pine cones, and others.

Setup time

If you experience back pain, the last thing you want is a camping mattress that takes too much time to inflate and deflate. Memory foam camping mattresses do not require either, making them a better choice if your back isn’t as healthy as it used to be.

Weight

One last factor to look for is the weight of the mattress. If you’re hiking to your camping destination or have to travel a long distance from the car to the campsite, this is an important factor to consider. While memory foam mattresses might be more comfortable, they cannot be deflated and are much heavier and bulkier to carry than air mattresses. 

What do you sleep on when camping with a bad back?

If you have a bad back, consider bringing a memory foam mattress or an air mattress that has enough back support. That way, you can still enjoy your trip.

How do you tent camp with a bad back?

There are several tips that we can give you. First, you need to bring one of the best camping mats for bad backs. You can also bring a camping chair that you can relax in without having pain. However, don’t force yourself out of your comfort zone, and don’t forget to bring a good backpack if you’re hiking.

Is a memory foam mattress good for a bad back?

Yes, memory foam mattresses are the best for relieving back pain. They conform to your body, providing pressure-point relief, reducing aches.