HarrisonFamily Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 Each year I seem to have to buy a new blow up bed for camping - last year i bought a cheap one as the other expensive one went flat half way through the holiday, it squeaks and is very noisy and uncomfortable. Somewhere I read a self inflating sleep mat is more comfortable...can anyone please say if they are more comfortable....and if so recommend one. The only advice I have had so far is book a hotel !!!! Thankyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 Yes, yes and yes - get a Thermarest, I think that's what they are called. Surprisingly comfortable, they don't bounce around like an airbed and offer much better insulation as well as not needing to be pumped up. EEk - I just Googled Thermarest and they are expensive! There are lots of others (put 'self-inflating sleeping mat' into Amazon), I can't remember what make mine is but it's a much cheaper model; I see Vango do a reasonably priced one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 I had a self-inflating, admittedly a cheap one (can't recall the brand), which I immediately gave away as it was rubbish. It was like sleeping on the floor I've had a campinggaz inflatable that I bought in the argos sale many years ago which has been great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 A Caravan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 I have a go out doors ordinary blow up double and it has always been comfortable, needs a top up of air every 3 days but i thought thats what the grandchildren are for .... to go and blow them up...( supervised with car adapter ofcourse) Although this year if i found a reasonably priced caravan rental i could be tempted to hire one, after the last two wet summers i don't find camping appealing this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 We bought two of these from Cotswold camp shop as they were half price - £50 each I think. They are very good. Don't keep them rolled up so they can be problematic to store. Ours are behind our wardrobe. They do self inflate to a point but you might need to top it up a bit. I preferred sleeping on them to a normal air bed. Much warmer and less water bed seasick feeling. Plus when your oh gets up in the night, you don't end up almost of the floor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Leia Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Firstly, I don't camp. If it hasn't got mains electricity, water and room service, I ain't interested... OH does camp occasionally at his motorcycle club national rallies. He has gone through several airbeds as they never seem to last. But he's 6ft 5in tall - you try getting an airbed over 6ft long! The self inflating ones can be even shorter, but do have the advantage of not lifting you right up into the apex of the tent (assuming it's a standard 2-3 man). If you happen to have a branch of Go Outdoors near you, give them a try. Ours (Loughborough) has set up areas of different ground "textures" so that you can try the beds out first - I assume most of their branches do the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey68 Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 We have self inflating Thermarest matresses they are light, you can get various thickness, and they dont deflate over night!! :) I love mine.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted June 27, 2013 Author Share Posted June 27, 2013 Thanks for the input...I think I'll try a self inflating mattress...so now to go shopping... Thanks everyone We are camping near the sea and my daughter informs me we are swimming in the sea everyday....so where can I order some sunshine and increase the sea temperature.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey68 Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Good luck with the sunshine quota!! I use my thermarest at the beach too or as a cushion if you need to sit on stone benches (minack theatre) they are pretty versatile :) Hope you have a fab holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Leia Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 We are camping near the sea and my daughter informs me we are swimming in the sea everyday....so where can I order some sunshine and increase the sea temperature.... You need one of these... http://www.mustangsurvival.com/recreational/neoprene-cold-water-immersion-suit-harness-adult-universal?division=recreation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted June 27, 2013 Author Share Posted June 27, 2013 You need one of these... http://www.mustangsurvival.com/recreational/neoprene-cold-water-immersion-suit-harness-adult-universal?division=recreation That does look just what I need..now will the bikini fit on top...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 I don't like blow up beds - they always seem to go soggy in the night and catapult you into the air if the lump next door rolls over. Thermarests are brilliant, though I've never had to buy one... Depending on your type of camping and tent, I'd also recommend those folding beds with springs round the edges. When I was little, we used to camp by the sea each summer, (abroad I hasten to add). They are very comfy, (but singles only I think), with a foam mat on top for insulation. They don't get the condensation problems of the others as they are raised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 We've given up with blow up mattresses - they always develop a puncture. Next we got camping beds but I like to move around a lot when I sleep (not helped by having a 'mummy' sleeping bag and find the poles at the side uncomfortable. Hubby has a thermarest mat and says its brilliant. We're all going to get one now, the roll up really small so will be ideal for quick weekends camping whilst at tournaments. Can't help with the weather unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I bought a thermalite self inflating mat from here http://www.outdoorvalue.co.uk/itemlist.html when I went to Mongolia. First time camping, not the best ground to sleep on and one night got down to -4 but was very comfy. I did need to top it up with air by blowing into it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
