Abstract: An inflatable body comprising an airtight envelope enclosing a core of batting material having tensile elements extending from an upper to lower surface thereof and having the upper and lower surfaces thereof bonded to the envelope. The process of making the body comprises first laying down two sheets of air impervious film with the core positioned therebetween. The tensile elements are bonded to the sheets. Simultaneously or separately from bonding to the core, the edges of the sheets are sealed together and a valve assembly is bonded between or inserted in one of the sheets to allow control of the air volume and pressure within the assembly.