**If you are in a hurry I recommend the Best Choice Products Portable Mattress as the best camping mattress for bad backs for its thick foam padding and its convenient carrying case.**
Imagine camping overnight and not having to spend the first 15 minutes of your morning working out that pain in your back.
Finding a comfortable camping mattress for the outdoors removes all the soreness you get from roughing it on cots and sleeping bags.
While all the mattresses below support back pain, you’ll want to know which one balances comfort and portability so you don’t strain your back moving the thing around.
In this blog post, you’ll learn all my tips after searching for hours looking through the different features of each camping mattress on which one is best to buy.
Choosing the Best Camping Mattress for Bad Backs
When you’re choosing the best camping mattress you want to look for comfort but you also want some stability for your posture.
Below are some guidelines you can follow when you’re trying to get some relief from your back pain while camping outdoors.
The Different Types of Camping Mattresses
Camping mattresses come in several different styles that are more helpful depending on the type of camping trips you like taking.
Camping Air Mattress
You’ll find air mattresses that are the size of two stacked on top of each other and then you’ll see very low inflating options that are closer to the ground.
With the larger versions that can fit two, you’ll have more space underneath you so touching the ground due to deflation is very unlikely.
The best camping air mattress usually combines a good surface design that helps to distribute weight with built-in pumps so you don’t have to do all the work yourself to inflate it.
Just remember the bigger your camping mattress is, the heavier it will be to carry which could put more pressure on your bad back.
Memory Foam Mattress
When you think of a camping mattress for bad backs you should be considering a memory foam mattress.
It doesn’t matter what kind of camping trip your own or if you’re using camping cots or camping beds, the memory foam topper fits all occasions.
They are usually about 3 inches thick and completely contour to the shape of your body. They are pretty soft but should provide enough support when combined with a cot or the ground to keep your back pain at bay.
Self Inflating Pads
The best camping mattress doesn’t have to come in big sizes, these self-inflating pads can help your back pain even if you’re planning a backcountry camping trip.
Camping mattresses in this style tend to have a combination of self-inflating properties but it also has a small memory foam in the middle. You’ll have just enough support using the memory foam and air to help ease your back pain.
The best camping mattress even has a built-in pillow that is slightly elevated from the rest of the pad to keep your posture in line as you sleep.
Thickness of the Camping Mattress
When you’re looking for a camping mattress for bad backs one of the most important decisions is going to be the thickness of the camping beds.
Generally, you’ll want to look for something that is at least three inches thick but depending on the severity of your back pain, you may need something even thicker.
The best camping mattress should also be able to contour to your body so you’re not just resting on a hard surface.
This can cause your body to become unaligned while sleeping because there isn’t enough give at the places your body touches the camping beds.
When you have a bad back, every little bit of support and cushioning helps to ease the pain.
Quality of Materials
The best camping beds use the best materials to provide you with the best support for your back but they also are more functional.
Some of the best camping mattresses on this list have covers that are machine washable so you can clean them up as they get more use.
It’s also important to look at the Denier rating for some of the self-inflating and air camping beds. This will tell you how thick the material is so you’ll have an idea of how easily it will rip or puncture the outdoors.
Portability
Having back pain in the outdoors can make setting up and tearing down a literal pain.
The best camping beds will come with their over carrying cases and make it easy for your to transport from your car to the site.
You’ll also want to find something that doesn’t weigh a ton so that it won’t put stress on your vulnerable back.
Best Choice Products Portable Mattress
This Best Choice Products Portable Mattress might not be as portable as some of the other top camping mattresses on this list but when it comes to memory foam camping mattresses, there’s none better.
You’ll get a full four inches of support in this memory foam and it folds down to the width of just one of the panels.
Put this cozy camping bed in your camping cot or sleeping bag and you’ll be amazed how much better your back pain feels in the outdoors.
It’s a little heavier than some of the other camping mattresses but the Best Choice does come with a convenient carrying case and it’s the best camping mattress you’re going to find for bad backs.
Coleman Camping Cot, Air Mattress, and Pump Combo
If you’re looking for an entire camping bed setup then this Coleman camping cot, air mattress, and pump combo are exactly what you’re looking for.
Even some of the best camping cots for bad backs need more support and this double-wide design helps anyone with back pain get some relief.
It’s big enough for two people and it comes with a queen-size camping air mattress that helps provide more support.
The Coleman Cot comes with its own battery-operated pump too so you don’t even have to work a sweat blowing up your comfortable air mattress.
INVOKER Camping Sleeping pad – 3inch UltraThick Memory Foam
You’ll see Invoker a couple of times on this list because they make a great sleeping pad but they also make this 3-inch thick memory foam camping mattress.
You can use this soft bedding for car camping or tent camping and it’s a great camping mattress for bad backs.
It basically creates a camping bed anywhere you lay it down and memory foam will allow you to sink in while still getting enough support for your back.
The Invoker memory foam camping mattress also rolls up and comes with a carrying case, making it a great option in the outdoors.
Powerlix Sleeping Pad – Self-Inflating
Having a bad back means you’ll want as much support underneath you as possible and the 3-inch Powerlix Sleeping Pad gives you what you need.
It’s self-inflating so you don’t have to run out of breath getting it set up and there’s a slightly elevated pillow design built into the sleeping pad.
The elevated head is important at night when you’re trying to relieve pressure off the lumbar area and it’s great to use for car camping or laying on a camping cot.
The Powerlix feels more like a memory foam camping mattress than it does an air mattress so it will surround your body while still providing some support.
It’s the perfect way to create more support for your camping cot or sleeping bags.
INVOKER Camping Sleeping pad
Very similar to the Powerlix, the Invoker Camping Sleeping Pad combines self-inflating technology with a comfortable memory foam pad.
The middle of this camping pad is made from memory foam but the outer layers have some insulation room you can fill with air.
You’ll get a combines 3 inches of thickness when it’s fully inflated and you also get the elevated built-in pillow design.
It’s another great option to use if you’re car camping because you can through it in the back without any space issues.
The Invoker is the kind of sleeping pad that works well when you’re car camping or just trying to get a good night’s sleep in your tent.
Clostnature Self Inflating Sleeping Pad for Camping
Using the same self-inflating tech that some of the other sleeping pads on this list utilize, the Clostnature Sleeping Pad separates itself with the fully air-inflated pillow.
instead of building the pillow into the sleeping pad itself, Clostnature makes it a separate element where you have to blow it up with air to inflate.
The added elevation compared to the built-in pillows is slightly better for your posture and you can control the height better too.
The Clostnature even has a few buttons on the side of the pad so you can connect a second one to have even more space to stretch out your back pain.
Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort Plush Air Mattress
If you’re looking for one of the best pure air mattresses for bad backs, the Intex Dura-Beam is it.
The Intex utilizes a uniform beam design for its air mattress that helps create more even support for your body rather than sagging in the hip and shoulder area causing you more back pain.
You even have a built-in pump for your air mattress so you don’t have to spend all afternoon getting it set up.
Although air mattresses are a little heavier than sleeping pads the Intex Dura-Beam comes with its own carrying case for easy transportation.
Elegear Double Camping Sleeping Pad
Instead of getting yourself one tiny camping mattress that you’ll be falling off of and ruining your posture, get the Elegear that provides twice the amount of room.
It’s one of the best camping mattresses if you have the room and it even sneaks in a foot pump that’s built into the pad you can use to inflate it.
If you’re looking for a lot more room so you can fidget around all night till you find the right spot, the Elegear camping mattress is a great option.
DEHUMI Camping Sleeping Pad – with Built-in Foot Pump
The Dehumi camping mattress is built pretty similarly to the Elegear except it doesn’t have the automatic double wide design so you don’t get as much room.
However, there are buttons on the side of the camping mattress you can use to attach another pad, giving yourself more room.
It also has the same built-in foot pump as the Elegear so you don’t have to strain your back blowing it up yourself or using an air pump.
If you want a camping mattress that is affordable, reliable, and easy to use the Dehumi air mattress is a great choice.
ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed
Alps is a well-known mountaineering store that provides high-quality equipment for tackling some of the world’s toughest terrains.
That’s how you know their air bed is going to hold up for your bad back while you’re in the outdoors.
This quality air mattress comes in a queen size so you’ll have plenty of space to roll over in the middle of the night.
The six inches of height when the Alps Vertex Bed is fully inflated should also give you more support than some of the other memory foam pads.
Sierra Designs Queen & Single Camping Air Bed Mattress
Sierra Designs is no stranger to camping gear as they have an entire line of reliable products but the queen size air bed is what well help bad pain the most.
The inflatable camping mattress even has a built-in elevated pillow to help with your posture as you lay down for the night.
You’ll get extra room with the queen size so you never feel too stiff from sleeping in the same position all night.
The Sierra Design is one of those air mattresses that are perfect for the camper who needs something light and portable but still wants the blow-up air mattress style.
KingChii CertiPUR-US Memory Foam Camping Mattress
The KingChii Memory Foam Camping Mattress is another options that is great for car camping or tent camping with a bad back.
It’s probably one of the best memory foam camping mattresses with the most features. It has a buckle that locks it into a place when storing it away and it has a couple of velcro patches on the side for attaching multiple camping pads.
The KingChii has 3 inches of thickness which is pretty standard for memory foam camping pads and it’ll make a comfortable camping bed wherever you put it.
Coleman Quickbed Airbed
Coleman doesn’t make it fancy with their Quickbed camping mattress.
This queen size air mattress is great for putting over a double-wide camping cot or just laying on the ground inside a tent to get some back pain relief.
The coil construction is pretty popular with camping beds of this style because it helps distribute your weight more evenly, helping your back from contorting.
If you’re looking for a solid and reliable camping mattress for bad backs then the Coleman is your go-to.
Intex Dura-Beam Series Pillow Rest Raised Air Mattress
Whereas most air camping mattresses try to go bigger and bigger, the Intex Dura-Beam Raised Mattress takes the opposite approach.
It still gives you plenty of height off the ground but the camping mattress is only wide enough to fit one person.
It’s probably the best camping mattress for its size since you don’t get many air mattresses only built for one.
The Intex Dura-Beam is obviously a lot lighter than most of the other air mattresses so it’s a great option for solo campers trying to get a great night’s sleep.
EnerPlex Air Mattress with Built-in Pump
If you’re trying to sleep comfortably with back pain air beds might be your best option because they provide enough support while still being flexible.
The EnerPlex camping mattress uses a coil design to help your weight distribution throughout the night so you shouldn’t wake up feeling stiff.
It also has a built-in pump so you don’t have to waste your camping trip blowing up your camping mattress.
FAQ
How thick should a camping mattress be for a bad back?
A camping mattress with at least three inches of thickness is generally recommended for those with back pain. This should provide enough height from resting on the ground and further damaging your back.
Do you want a soft, firm, or hard mattress for a bad back?
Camping beds that are medium-firm will be the best for a bad back. They provide enough support to keep your spine aligned without being too hard and not giving enough space for your body to sink in.
Can you make your camping mattress more comfortable?
You can use a sleeping pad, memory foam, pillows, or blankets to make your camping mattress more comfortable.
Having the Best Camping Mattresses for Your Bad Back
The best camping mattress for bad backs is going to be the Best Choice Products Portable Mattress for its three-inch thickness and adaptability in all camping scenarios. You can throw the Best Choice into the back of an SUV or right on the ground and it will still provide a firm sleeping surface for your back pain.
