What Is the Best Material for a Van Mattress?

Your Complete Guide to Building the Perfect Custom Van Bed

When you're living out of a campervan, your mattress isn't just for sleeping. It's your sofa, your dining bench, your recovery zone after a long hike or surf session. And when your space is tight and your bed needs to pull triple duty, the question isn’t just what fits , it’s what feels amazing to sleep on.

So, what is the best material for a van mattress? Let's find out , and help you avoid the saggy foam, awkward gaps, or sweaty nights that come from picking the wrong one.

Start building your custom van mattress now

Quick Answer – What’s the Best Material for a Van Mattress?

Here’s the short version: the best material for a custom van mattress is usually one of three:

• Memory Foam – Great for full-time vanlifers or anyone who values comfort above all.
  

• Reflex Foam – Durable, firm, and lightweight. Perfect for weekend campers or tradespeople.
  

• Hybrid Foam – Combines support and comfort for the best of both worlds.
  

The right mattress material depends on how you sleep, how often you're in the van, and the layout of your bed platform or campervan conversion.

Use our custom mattress builder to find your ideal fit

Camper Van Mattress Materials – Pros & Cons

Memory Foam

 Exceptional pressure relief, hugs your body, ideal for side sleepers and cold weather.

• Best for: Full-time vanlifers, digital nomads, anyone who wants luxury sleep.
  

• Watch out for: Heat retention (but breathable covers and gel-infused foam can help).

Explore memory foam options

Reflex Foam

• Pros: Lightweight, firm, holds shape well, more breathable than memory foam.
  

• Best for: Weekend adventurers, tradespeople, or hot sleepers.
  

• Watch out for: Not as plush as memory foam, but more supportive for back sleepers.
  

Browse our reflex foam van mattresses

Hybrid Foam

• Pros: Balanced comfort and support, customizable layers (reflex base + memory top).
  

• Best for: Couples, combo sleepers, or anyone wanting all-in-one performance.
  

• Watch out for: Slightly more expensive, but well worth it for versatility.
  
  

Pocket Sprung

• Pros: Springy feel, good airflow.
  

• Cons: Heavy, less shape-flexible, harder to custom cut.
  

• Best for: Static caravan beds, not small van conversions.
  
  

What Makes a Van Mattress Different From a Regular Mattress?

Most regular mattresses are too thick, heavy, or inflexible for van life. Van mattresses need to be:

• Shaped to fit corners, curves, or cut-outs

• Lightweight enough to avoid overloading the van
  

• Moisture-resistant and well-ventilated
  

• Built to match your bed platform or slatted base
  

That's why DIY mattress trimming usually ends in regret , and a bin full of foam offcuts.

Get the right fit from the start

Matching Foam to Your Vanlife Needs

💬 Ellie, full-time vanlifer:

“After weeks of waking up sore, I finally ordered a custom hybrid mattress for my Vivaro. Best decision I’ve made.”

How to Measure Your Van for a Custom Mattress

Creating the perfect campervan bed starts with great measurements. Here’s how:

1. Measure the maximum width and length of your bed platform or sleeping area. Include any odd angles.
   

2. Account for corner cut-outs or curves. We can replicate radius corners or chamfered edges.
   

3. Choose your depth. Most van mattresses are 3", 5", or 7" depending on your ceiling height.
   

4. Send a sketch if needed! You can upload a drawing through our mattress builder.
   

Upload your van layout and start building your mattress

Do I Need a Mattress Cover for My Van?

Yes , and here’s why.

Campervans get humid, especially in winter or when cooking inside. A removable, waterproof cover helps:

• Prevent mould and moisture buildup
  

• Extend the life of your mattress
  

• Make cleaning easy (especially after muddy adventures)
  
  

At Custom Mattress UK, you can choose from:

• Waterproof zipped covers
  

• Soft-touch breathable fabric
  

• Hypoallergenic or organic cotton blends
  

Add a cover when building your mattress

Van Mattress Thickness – What’s Right for You?

3”: Great for micro campers, pop-tops, or minimal builds.

• 5”: Our most popular thickness , balances comfort and headroom.
  

• 7”+: Ideal for fixed beds or static setups.
  

You don’t need to sacrifice comfort to save space. A good 5” reflex or hybrid foam mattress can outperform a 10” budget option.

 

Custom Campervan Toppers – Quick Comfort Upgrades

If your existing mattress is too firm, flat, or thin, a custom memory foam topper can change the game.

• Fits your existing mattress size perfectly
  

• Adds comfort without needing a full replacement
  

• Options: memory foam, cool foam, reflex foam
  

Browse our custom toppers here

Ready to Build Your Custom Van Mattress?

Let’s wrap this up:
If you want better sleep, better fit, and zero trimming required, a custom size van mattress is the only way to go.

Why choose us?

• ✅ Handcrafted in the UK
  

• ✅ Made-to-measure for your exact van setup
  

• ✅ Premium foam options only (no budget fillers)
  

• ✅ Fast turnaround & free delivery
  

• ✅ Trusted by vanlifers, tradespeople & families
  

Start building your custom campervan bed now

FAQs – Van Mattress Buying Advice

Can I add a mattress topper later?
Yes! It’s a great way to soften a firm base without replacing the entire mattress.

Is memory foam too hot for van life?
Standard memory foam can retain heat, but we offer breathable covers and cool foam blends that regulate temperature.

Can I use a regular mattress in a van?
Technically yes , but it likely won’t fit, won’t breathe well, and will sag fast without proper foam density.

How do I clean a van mattress?
All our covers are removable. Just unzip and wash (cold cycle). No harsh scrubbing or spot treating needed.

What’s the difference between a campervan and motorhome mattress?
Motorhome mattresses are often larger and fixed, while campervan mattresses must be more flexible, space-conscious, and lightweight.

Do I need to flip or rotate my mattress?
 Not really! Our high-resilience foam is built to last without flipping , but rotating every few months is good practice.

No more foam cut fails. No more folding guest beds. Just custom comfort, built to fit your space and your life.

Build your custom van mattress today
 Custom size. Perfect fit. Fast delivery. That simple.