The Perfect Backseat Bivy Pad: LUNO AIR Pro Vehicle Mattress Review

We arrived at camp after dark, blissfully exhausted from a long day exploring the magical red rock of Sedona. Our only task was to set up camp and get to bed so we could do it all over again tomorrow. 

After shuffling our gear around, we unrolled our LUNO AIR Pro Vehicle Mattress and started the 12V air pump. Only a few minutes later, we were ready to lay down our weary bodies. I slept so comfortably that night, I truly couldn’t believe it was an air mattress — or that I was sleeping in the back of a car.

I’m so used to bad sleep on air mattresses that either feel too firm or underinflated to the point I’m rolling into the middle like I’m taco filling. The AIR Pro Mattress cultivated a top-notch recovery session. The fabric choice barely makes a peep when moving around, meaning your partner won’t be disturbed, and the baffling creates a supportive surface that almost makes it feel like you’re sleeping on foam. 

Needless to say, the LUNO AIR Pro is now my go-to when heading out for a long weekend of car camping.

In short: The LUNO AIR Pro Mattress is a dream for those looking to convert the interior of their vehicle into a sleeper’s paradise. The Air Pro rolls into a compact storage bag for folks looking to maximize space when not sleeping, is quick to deploy and fill with LUNO’s upgraded air pump, and breaks down in a flash so you get moving in the morning to your next adventure. It’s one to consider if you’re big on car camping.

Looking for a new car camping mattress? Check out how the LUNO compares to the rest of the options out there in GearJunkie’s Best Camping Mattress Buyer’s Guide.

LUNO AIR Pro Vehicle Mattress: Review

While LUNO hasn’t been around long, it is certainly making an impact in the mattress space. The AIR Pro is also an upgraded version of the award-winning AIR mattress (which GearJunkie has reviewed in the past), featuring two key upgrades. First and foremost is the head support bridge attachments, which connect the air mattress’s head to the storage panels that hang off the front seats. 

This not only keeps the head of the air mattress level in that awkward gap between the front and back seats but also provides ample storage for each person. The second update is the solo zipper, which allows you to separate the AIR Pro into two individual mattresses.

This is an amazing feature if you’re going on a solo trip and want more space in your vehicle for gear or simply want to gift the second half of your mattress to your road trip buddy.

There are a lot of options out there for sleeping in your vehicle right now, from pop-up cots like the REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform (GearJunkie has taken it for a spin) to plush foam pads like the HEST Dually, which Editorial Director Sean McCoy found perfect for sleeping in the back of his truck. The AIR Pro is likely the best inflatable version out there, and here’s what I found after a few months of testing it.

Set Up for Slumber

The LUNO AIR Pro is a self-inflating mattress that utilizes your vehicle’s 12V port and an included air pump. With the upgraded pump, inflation to a comfortable level takes as little as 2 minutes, which I found to be an accurate assessment. 

Deflating in the morning is also simple by opening the release valve. I recommend continuing to sit on the mattress to expel most of the air. You can then roll it from the bottom up to get the last little puffs out before stowing it away. As long as you’re organized with the rest of your gear, this process is fairly painless.

The only consideration is your individual vehicle and its nuances. I tested the LUNO AIR Pro in a newer Honda CR-V, and I had to stuff some gear under the foot of the mattress in a dead space to make it level. Be sure to consider this during your first couple of setups so you’re not sliding around when trying to fall asleep. 

Room for Two (Or One)

The ability to split the AIR Pro into two separate pads is a big deal. For one, it allows for a more versatile sleeping system that can accommodate storing gear beside you in your rig when you’re on solo missions. The joining zipper is a chunky slider that runs smoothly, and when divided, the extra pad is compact and easy to tuck away.

The other upside to having a two-in-one system is that both pads are inflated separately. This means that movement is far less translated between campers when the pad is joined up.

It’s also an extra safeguard if somehow you manage to put a hole in one side of the pad. This versatility is unique among car-camping pads, and for folks whose needs (and adventures) change constantly, it’s a huge plus.

Speaking of sleeping support, the updated baffle system (which LUNO calls CloudSupport Plus) makes the grade here. Its supportive feel makes you forget you’re sleeping on an air bed, and there’s little motion translated through it.

A Rugged Build

My AIR Pro received extensive testing in the high desert and mountain alpine environments surrounding southwest Colorado. Despite sand, rock, and even the occasional cactus needle, it showed true resilience with a strong lack of leakage. The 300D fabric used is more durable compared to similar pads that typically top out at 75 denier on the bottom.

That tough fabric is further reinforced with a TPU coating on the underside of the pad, making it even more resilient to punctures. While I (unfortunately) don’t have a lovely pupper to run his paws all over the fabric, I did leave my AIR Pro inflated with hundreds of pounds of gear on top while adventuring during the day. I was pleased to experience the same level of inflation that I left it at originally.

The valves aren’t complicated and are dual-purpose, being used for both inflation and deflation. The headrest support slings also inspire confidence that they won’t drop you during the night. This pad is built tough.

Room for Improvement

There isn’t much LUNO hasn’t thought of with the AIR Pro, but a couple of tweaks for future iterations could raise the bar even more. 

First would be the connection of the pump to the fill valve, as it will sometimes fall out if unattended. When this happens, it really shows how loud the pump can be, as it is not the friendliest sound for nearby neighbors who might already be snoozing. This can be mitigated by making sure your vehicle’s doors are closed or prefilling before you get to camp. 

The LUNO AIR Pro is also vehicle-specific, and while it fits many vehicles, it might not work for some. To be sure, utilize the drop-down compatibility menus on the product page to see if your vehicle is a match. The pad fits my 2021 Honda CR-V like a glove, and it’ll play nicely with many modern trailhead vehicles, such as Subaru Outbacks, Toyota Rav4s, and Jeep Cherokees.

If the AIR Pro won’t fit your vehicle, you can consider the simple rectangular AIR+FOAM PRO, which comes in three different sizes, but also includes the head support bridge system for use in vehicles. The added R-value insulation would also make this a great winter option.

LUNO AIR Pro Vehicle Mattress: Conclusion

The LUNO AIR Pro is a premium vehicle mattress option for those who like sleeping and dreaming in comfort while on a road trip, but don’t want the added expense of staying in a hotel every night. With the ability for a rapid setup and quick deflation, you can spend more time relaxing or adventuring. 

Designed for two, the AIR Pro easily unzips into two separate mattresses, so you can ride solo with a more minimalist setup. The durability is top-notch, and the design leaves little to be desired. There are a few other vehicle-specific mattress options out there at the moment, with the EXPED MegaMat Auto being notable for its supreme comfort.

GearJunkie has also reviewed the Auto and found that it’s an excellent option — if it fits your rig. The lack of support in the foot wells does mean you’ll have to get creative, and since it doesn’t split in two like the LUNO does, it either works or it doesn’t. For those reasons, the AIR Pro looks like the top dog when it comes to inflatable backcountry bivy mattresses.

For those who enjoy road trips and overlanding, the AIR Pro will bring a little extra excitement, knowing you’ll get a quality sleep experience.