Get your back prepared for a camping trip
When you are planning a camping trip, you need to be sure to take every precaution to prevent yourself from experiencing any back pain whatsoever. Obviously, the biggest factor in your prevention plan should have a high-quality mattress packed and ready to use each and every time that you settle down for the night. A good mattress will provide you with the support you need to make sure your back pain doesn’t flare up on you. A good mattress will also prevent you from feeling any rocks, roots, or other ground debris during the night, which will allow you to wake up pain-free.
While having a good mattress packed for your camping trip is a great way to lessen your back pain, there are a couple of other things that you can do to help eliminate all of your back pain. You should also be certain to pack an orthopedic pillow. These specialized pillows will help to take the pressure off of your back while you sleep. You can also get different pillows to provide extra lumbar or even knee support to feel refreshed after each camping night.
Features to consider while choosing a camping mattress for a bad back
As you might have guessed, there are several different factors that you need to consider when you are looking for the best camping mattress for bad back pain. In this section, we will take you through every important consideration so that you can make an informed decision. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding camping mattresses.
Type of camping
The very first thing that you are going to want to decide upon is the type of camping you are going to be using this mattress for.
There are two basic types of camping, which are backpacking and site camping. While both of these camping types are similar in many ways, they also have some stark differences that will guide you towards the proper type of mattress to alleviate your back pain.
Site camping is usually a much less strenuous form of camping. It involves going to a permanent site to set up your tent. These sites are usually accessible from a road, so the weight of your mattress won’t play a big role here. You can also go for a much larger mattress, even if it doesn’t collapse. The Etekcity Camping Air Mattress is a perfect example of a great bed for site camping.
Backpacking is an entirely different scenario. Unlike site camping, where you can store all of your gear in your car, backpacking forces you to carry as little as possible so that your pack doesn’t weigh a ton. To that end, you will want to look for a smaller mattress with a lighter weight, such as the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Ultralight Backpacking Air Mattress, which barely weighs anything at all.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the mattress you select are going to be based on a couple of different factors. Aside from choosing a mattress that fits the style of camping you intend to do, you need to make sure that you get one that fits into your tent. The size of the mattress you pick will also depend on how big of a person you are, and how much you move in your sleep.
Weight
The weight of any mattress for camping is going to determine what type of camping it is good for, with heavier mattresses being perfect for site camping, and backpacking mattresses being extremely light. Heavier mattresses tend to offer more support while you sleep. Of course, some lighter models, like the WELLAX Ultralight Air Sleeping Pad, still provide plenty of support, despite their lightweight design.
Materials used
The most common materials that are used to make camping mattresses are polyester and nylon. Both of these materials work well for this purpose, though nylon is usually a bit more durable. Polyester mattresses are easier to clean, though, making them ideal for use with a family with small children. Polyester mattresses are also more water resistant than nylon ones.
Warranty
As with any purchase, you need to be sure that you get a good warranty on your mattress. This is especially true if you get one that comes with an air valve, like the Last Lake Camping Sleeping Pad. That way, should any part of the seal or mattress fail, you will be able to get it fixed without a ton of extra cost on your end.
You need to be careful when getting a warranty, however, as the most company will offer a long term without covering the whole mattress.
Extra features
One of the most important features you can get in any camping mattress, but especially one that is designed to reduce back pain is a textured base. A textured base will keep the mattress from slipping and sliding all night long, which in turn will help you to get the support you need. The valves for inflation and deflation should have large, easy-to-use seals as well.