People in increasing numbers are hitting the road these days, flocking to attractions and hiking trails during the day before curling up for a good night’s sleep in the comfort of their own… car. This trend has become so popular that it has even spawned its own term – overlanding – and it refers to the experience of both traveling the countryside by day in your car, and then using the same car to sleep in at night.
Using your vehicle as a home base can save you a ton of money when you travel via the overlanding approach, but you will give up a lot in terms of comfort when you forgo a hotel room. One area you should not have to give in on is a good night’s rest, and you can easily achieve this by buying the right mattress for your car.
Finding the ideal mattress that will fit both your sleeping style and your particular vehicle can be a bit of a treasure hunt in and of itself, however. This guide will cover everything you will need to know – from car mattress materials and sizes to their construction, insulation R-value, and maintenance – to map out the perfect sleeping environment for your next overlanding trip.
What Is A Car Mattress?
The term itself is pretty self-explanatory: a car mattress is a mattress that you place in a car for sleeping purposes. These mattresses are often used by people who like to travel yet don’t wish to pay the cost of a motel/hotel room, or often even a campsite. While a car mattress may share similar traits with a more traditional mattress that you would use on your bed at home, there are also a variety of factors that you will need to take into account when shopping for one. For instance, not only will it need to fit into your car when fully deployed for sleeping, but you will probably also want to focus on finding a car mattress that can be easily deflated or folded up so that it can be stored out of the way when it is not in use.
A car mattress should not be confused with a thinner mattress like a hiking mattress, however. While you are probably not going to be able to go with a too-thick mattress, you are still going to want one thick enough to provide you with the comfort and support you will need after a long day on the road.
3 Customizable Mattresses For Your Car
Let’s face it: the interior of a car was not made with a mattress in mind. As such, finding a mattress that is a perfect fit for your particular make and model of car can be a frustrating experience.
If you are having a difficult time finding a mattress that will comfortably and safely fit within your car, you may want to consider purchasing an affordable custom mattress. These mattresses can be made to just about any size or shape, meaning you can have one made to fit the back of your car. We took the liberty to list a few below:
What We Love:
The East Hampton came out as the clear top pick of expert reviewers. At 4.5” high, it works perfectly in many vehicles and comes with a long-lasting 10 year warranty. Some of the features reviewers love are the temperature regulating gel memory foam, superior pressure point relief, and extra support (at 6′ tall and 190lbs, our tester did not come close to bottoming out on the East Hampton).
As an added benefit, one side is a bit firmer than the other, so you can take your pick depending on which you prefer! Oh, it’s also 100% made in the USA AND can be customized to whatever size or shape you require. Awesome.
Specs Overview
- Type: Gel Memory Foam
- Thickness: 4.5″
- Customizable: Yes
- Feel: Medium-Medium Firm
Features Overview
- Impressive pressure point relief
- Customizable to virtually any size or shape
- DUAL sided mattress featuring a soft plush side and a firmer side ideal for those who need additional support
- Generous 10-year warranty
- 100% USA Materials and Made
- CertiPur-US certified foam
What We Love:
The Ovation is the best affordable solution for a car mattress. It’s the option you choose when you want high quality in a simple design, without all of the extras. Reviewers love that it’s finished with an upgraded cover made of breathable soft cotton fabric and is made from multiple layers of soy-based foam constructed in a way that reduces painful pressure points, offers full body support, and maximizes airflow.
This mattress doesn’t need to be flipped or turned, and it comes with a 5-year warranty. Similar to the East Hampton, it can be customized and is 100% made in the USA.
Specs Overview
- Type: High Density Foam Mattress
- Thickness: 4.5″
- Customizable: Yes
- Feel: Medium
Features Overview
- Customizable to virtually any size or shape
- Contouring rapid recovery foam
- 5-year warranty
- 100% USA Materials and Made
- CertiPur-US certified foam
What We Love:
Did you know you can have a custom mattress made for your car that matches exactly what you need? Since every car will be different, and each person might want to take a different approach, why not customize the entire mattress? Instead of spending hours shopping for the perfect bed, Mattress Insider can customize your mattress. When we say customize, we mean it all – layers, size, and even hinges for easy storage! It certainly deserves a place on our lineup, especially considering the level of customization available and the very affordable pricing.
Specs Overview
- Type: You choose from a large variety of innovative foams and options
- Thickness: 3.5″-16″
- Customizable: If you can dream it, Mattress Insider can probably make it.
- Feel: 100% your choice!
Features Overview
- Virtually any size or shape can be made
- Custom mattresses are made with a soft Organic Cotton Cover
- Generous 10-year warranty on most builds
- 100% USA Materials and Made
- CertiPur-US certified foam
Factors To Consider For A Car Camping Mattress
When shopping for a car mattress, you will face many of the considerations you would when buying a more traditional mattress, as well as some factors that are more unique to this particular type of mattress. Everything from the materials used and the size of the mattress to the vehicle you drive and even your own lifestyle can have a bearing on the specific mattress you should be aiming for.
The following are some of the biggest factors you will face when you are in the market for a car camping mattress.
Type Of Vehicle
The type of car or other vehicle you drive is going to have a big impact on the specific car mattress you buy. Something like an SUV will typically have a lot more space for a mattress than a compact car. In fact, some manufacturers specifically make mattresses to fit SUVs.
If your car has fold-down seats, you will probably have more options available to you in terms of the size of mattress that you can use.
Size
Unless your car or vehicle is very large, you are probably going to be limited in terms of what size mattress you can go with. Even something like a twin-sized mattress is going to be a stretch with most car types.
A mattress specifically designed to work in a car space is likely going to be your best and most comfortable option. Before setting out to shop for a mattress, you should fold down the seats in your car as much as possible, clear out any objects in the available space, and measure carefully so you know the exact size of mattress you should be looking for. Go smaller if you comfortably can, as any mattress that you use will still need to be deflated and/or folded up and stored away when not in use. A smaller mattress will take up less space in your car when it is not in use, and it will typically cost and weigh less, as well.
Your Car Mattress Size Will Depend On Your Backseat’s Area
The bottom line in terms of size is: if the mattress won’t fit your car, you won’t be able to use it. In addition to measuring both the available length and width of your backseat area, you should also note the general shape of the area. Is it a straight rectangle, or do some sections of the car molding stick out more, affecting the shape of the mattress that you can use? If the latter is the case, you will be better going with a mattress that can be a bit forgiving in terms of squeezing into areas (ex. a softer foam). Another option is a custom built mattress, which we will cover in more depth in a bit.
Your Lifestyle
Elements of your lifestyle can affect both the mattress you buy, and the overall sleeping environment of your car. If you hike extensively or are otherwise on the go for much of the day, something like a self-inflating air mattress or one that uses an electric pump may be your best option. With both of these mattress types you can quickly and easily set up your bed for use, which can be a real plus at the end of a long day.
Conversely, if you are the type of person who likes to stay up late and sleep in, then you are probably going to want to also invest in something like window shades to help block the early morning sun from waking you. Close fitting car window shades can also help to provide you with a bit of privacy in your four-wheeled “tent.”
Mattress Material
The type of mattress you purchase will often dictate what type of material it is made from, as well as how comfortable it is. A mattress made from memory foam will usually be a more comfortable option, whether it is constructed from straight foam or used with air chambers in a hybrid. Straight foam car mattresses will also usually last longer, as they are not susceptible to the punctures and other leaks that can take out an air mattress.
While less comfortable, the PVC that usually makes up an air mattress will usually be lighter in weight and more waterproof and easier to clean than foam. PVC can also produce odors that some may find objectionable. Something like a polyester cover can help here, and can also be used on foam car mattresses to provide an easy-to-clean layer of protection against spills.
Construction
Because you’re taking it on the road, a car mattress will typically experience more wear and tear than a traditional mattress. As such, the durability of the mattress will be a key consideration when buying it. As mentioned, foam mattresses will usually edge out air mattresses here.
Another element you should take note of is the thickness of the mattress. You might be tempted to go with a thinner mattress due to the fact that it will cost less and take up less space, but be careful about going too thin, as this can really cut into comfort, particularly for side sleepers. You should also take note of any height issues you might have in your backseat (ex. low molding in areas, limited hatchback height), as this can limit how thick you can go with a car mattress.
Ease Of Maintenance
We have talked about the importance of keeping a patch kit around if you decide to go with an air mattress, and it is worth mentioning again. While a traditional mattress will spend all its time safe and sound in your bedroom, a car mattress is often subjected to much more wear and tear as you travel from one destination to the next. Something like an air mattress can easily rupture on a piece of metal within your car, or develop a worn area that leaks. This can leave your mattress uncomfortable or even unusable if you have no way to patch it.
The road can also be a dirty place, so having a cover on any kind of car mattress can be key to keeping it clean of everything from dust and dirt to grime.
Preferred Car Sleeping Mattress Material
Not all types of mattress will work in a car environment. For example, an innerspring is impractical for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that you will never be able to fit it in the door or hatchback of your car.
When considering car mattresses, you largely have three different mattress types that you can choose between: foam mattresses, air mattresses, or a hybrid/combo of the two. All three have their strong points (and weak points), so you should give careful consideration to each before deciding on a specific mattress type for your car.
Foam Mattress
If comfort is your primary consideration, you won’t go wrong with something like a memory foam car mattress. In addition to being more comfortable than an air mattress, a foam mattress is more durable (i.e. no puncture/leak problems with foam), and typically provides more insulation, a real plus if you like to do your overlanding in the spring or fall. Add a decent fire retardant cover, and a foam mattress will also be easy to clean.
One area where a foam car mattress may lag behind an air mattress is in ease of storage. With an air mattress, you simply deflate the mattress and fold it up. While foam mattresses will not deflate, some do fold up, often into thirds. This can make a folding foam mattress a much better option than a non-folding one, particularly if you are storing it away in a car with limited space.
Inflatable Air Mattress
Inflatable air mattresses are a classic camping mattress type, and for good reason. They are easy to set up and break down, and when deflated are relatively lightweight and small enough to fit into a compact space. The same features that make an air mattress a good choice for camping also make it a good choice for use as a car mattress.
There are a couple of downsides to using an air mattress in a car, however. For one, an air mattress is generally not as comfortable as a foam mattress. Some air mattresses do provide you with more inflation control, though, so you can more easily select how firm or contouring you want your mattress to be.
Which brings up another downside: inflation. You are going to need some way to blow up your mattress every night, and the method of doing so will vary, mattress to mattress. Most air mattresses will include a pump, either manual or electric. A manual hand pump will probably lower the cost of the mattress, but will require more effort from you every night before you go to bed. While electric pumps will add to the cost of the mattress, you will be able to more easily and quickly inflate the mattress. Whichever way you go, a pump is going to take up its own space, meaning you will have less room to pack other items.
While less common, some air mattresses will include a self-inflation feature that will largely inflate the mattress for you. Note that you will still probably need a pump of some sort to finish inflating the mattress.
The biggest downside of an air mattress is its durability. Whether the mattress gets punctured by a sharp item or angle within your car, or it simply develops a hole through wear, a puncture can quickly turn your mattress into a flat piece of plastic. An air mattress made up of chambers can help limit the potential for problems here, but you should always keep a patch kit handy just in case.
Hybrid Mattresses
Some car mattresses combine both air and foam mattresses into one hybrid mattress, which will provide you with both the benefits and limitations of both. While you will still need a way to inflate the air part of the mattress – and punctures will still be a potential problem – a hybrid mattress will still be more comfortable than a straight air mattress. And while a hybrid will not fold up as well as an air mattress, when you are ready to store it away for another day, it will usually take up less space when partially deflated than an all-foam car mattress.
Are Inflatable Airbeds A Better Choice For A Car Travel Mattress?
While foam mattresses have much about them to love, they probably aren’t the best choice when you are trying to decide on a car mattress. For car use, an air mattress will often be a better choice. Air mattresses can be deflated and stored away in a smaller area than a foam mattress, providing you with more “day space” in your car. Air mattresses can also be easily inflated using a manual or electric pump, and you can often select your own preferred firmness level by either increasing or decreasing the amount of air in the mattress. An air mattress can also be considerably less expensive than a comparable foam mattress.
Travel Comfortably With The Best Mattress For Your Car
Overlanding can be a rewarding way to see the country, particularly if you are on a budget. Having the right type of car mattress that both fits your comfort needs and your car can be the key to getting the most from this unique travel experience.
We will leave you with just a few additional safety tips that you should observe while overlanding:
- Never leave your engine running when you are sleeping.
- Always crack a window for ventilation
- Be sure to park in approved areas
- Beware of dangerous areas. These can include areas with high crime, wooded areas with dangerous wildlife, or locations prone to bad weather situations such as flooding.
Looking for a mattress that can sustain you while you’re on the move? Feel free to contact us if you need help!
