A foam-air mattress includes a mattress housing, including a top layer and a bottom layer; a plurality of air chambers, disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, wherein the plurality of air chambers are configured to be connected to a pumping system via a tubing assembly; and a plurality of compartments formed by the mattress housing and the plurality of air chambers, configured to accept foam inserts. The plurality of air chambers, when inflated by the pumping system, are configured to compress foam inserts disposed within the plurality of compartments so as to increase the density of the foam inserts. This arrangement has applications in both the consumer and medical airbed contexts, as well as in other support system contexts, such as seat cushions for chairs.