Camping beds

[PH5121]

It is getting to that time of year when amateur campers (like me) start digging their stuff out of the garage/loft/shed ready for our annual camping trip.

We are off camping for a week at the start of the kids holidays, and I have a question for more experienced campers about camping beds. I must admit I hate air beds, perhaps because I suffer from pie retention so am rather hefty, but I find them uncomfortable and don't enjoy sleeping on them.

Space is not an issue as I have a large vehicle and large tent, is there a better camp bed alternative for a decent nights sleep that anyone could recommend?

Thanks.

[Watchman]

Air beds are fine if you pump them up properly. If you only rely on a 12v pump, then they are always going to be soft and wallowy. Get a manual stirrup pump for them, and give them some proper pressure and they're fine. Like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yellowstone-Double-Action-...

I'm a fat knacker and I can make do with an air bed.

Alternatively, folding camping beds - loads out there - but most are too narrow for my liking. Some more expensive "fisherman" types can be wider - there's even a high quality double but it's over £400. Bit of an expense when compared to a £20 double air bed. However, it does look nice:

http://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/nash-indulgence-air...



... and everything in between.

[PH5121]

I too am wide and long as well as hefty, so thought some beds looked flimsy.

Yes I have been using a 12v compressor to blow the air beds up with. I am camping in the garden this weekend with my kids and their pals so will see if it is any better blown up extra rock hard, thanks.

[jep]

Try a double height Intex air bed. A quick re-inflate before bed works for me, and I'm a pie-loving "powerfully built company director" too.

[PH5121]

Unfortunately I am not a powerfully built company director, just an oppressed wage slave, hence the camping as a holiday.

[Watchman]

I concede that, despite being a fat knacker, at 5'6" I don't overhang the top or bottom of a typical air bed.

[LordHaveMurci]

We replaced our hateful double air bed with a self inflating mat last year, wish we'd done it sooner!

Warmer & more comfortable, a slight faff to pack away but no (or very little) inflating

Ours was about £100, I'm sure there are cheaper ones, no idea whether they'd be as good.

[rambo19]

I go camping every year.
I have 6 long weekends away, thur/fri/sat/sun.
I also have 8 days away in july and 8 days in sept.

Ive tried nearly every bed there is, and these are the best;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-British-Army-Hea...

A foam roll mat on top and your sorted.

[AndrewEH1]

rambo19 said:

I go camping every year.
I have 6 long weekends away, thur/fri/sat/sun.
I also have 8 days away in july and 8 days in sept.

Ive tried nearly every bed there is, and these are the best;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-British-Army-Hea...

A foam roll mat on top and your sorted.

I wouldn't say so! Spent almost a week on one before working out that sleeping directly on a carpeted concrete floor was more comfortable for my back.

[Foliage]

Airbeds aren't for camping, they don't provide the right type of insulation.

2 factors need to be considered when buying a 'bed' comfort and thermal insulation, if your using an airbed you will need to put something under it in order to stop the ground sucking the heat from it.

My advice is to either get a therma-rest style product, which is a thin open-cell foam in an airtight package and a reflective layer or a bed that lifts you off the ground and provides a open or closed cell foam insulation layer.

something like http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/qiuck-comfort-cot-p152... if you have a big tent is ideal or perhaps http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/slumber-campbed-p32188...

If you decide to use an airbed its best to put it on top of a foil blanket or a picnic blanket with a foil lining.

[smifffymoto]

Thermarest,the only air mat you will ever need. There are loads of cheaper replicas but none the same quality. You get what you pay for.

[PH5121]

I have been to Go Outdoors tonight, the camping beds all seem to have a maximum load of 100kg, which unfortunately I exceed.

So I bought a manual pump and will see how camping goes at the weekend.

[Watchman]

Foliage said:

Airbeds aren't for camping, they don't provide the right type of insulation.

You don't need insulation in the summer.

[jep]

Seriously, just get a decent air bed and see how it goes. I have this one, and I can get a good nights' kip on it.

If you don't have an electric hook-up, then an inverter running from the car is a cheap alternative.

Edited by jep on Wednesday 1st July 11:26

[Foliage]

Watchman said:

ou don't need insulation in the summer.

Its not that simple, especially in the UK. The weather here is mild but turns quickly & it always rains. It also depends if your a hot sleeper or a cold sleeper. I can sleep on the ground no insulation and no bag, and still get a good nights sleep.

Its better to have it and not need it, than get a bad nights sleep and have a terrible holiday because grumpy.

Sleep is the most important thing to consider when camping.

Edited by Foliage on Wednesday 1st July 10:23

[PH5121]

Foliage said:

Sleep is the most important thing to consider when camping.

Edited by Foliage on Wednesday 1st July 10:23

Sleep is my main stumbling block when camping, (as I don't sleep very well when in my own bed), so in a field with birds singing from 4am and the sun shining in I struggle to get more than 3 or 4 hours kip.

Maybe a trip to the chemists for some Nytol is needed!

[jep]

What sort of tent do you have? If it's a polyester tent, then I would respectfully suggest looking to change it for a polycotton tent. Yes, ok this is a big investment, but you will find that the temperature is a lot more consistant.

I made the change a year or so ago, and the difference it's made is unbelievable. No more oven-like temps, and the nighttime chill is also kept at bay.

[PH5121]

Our tent is a cheapo Go Outdoors Hi Gear one, but my wife bought it and we have only used it a couple of times, so getting rid isn't an option this year.

But thanks for the tip, and I will bear it in mind should the chance arise to upgrade.

[tenohfive]

Watchman said:

You don't need insulation in the summer.

Yes you do. The temp drop overnight is huge and when you're laying still all night generating little body heat then most people will start to suffer.
Insulation doesn't need to be expensive though. A closed cell foam roll mat layered with the airbed can make a world of difference and only costs a fiver.

Personally I'm a fan of self inflating mats for the right mix of insulation, comfort and convenience though. A good 7.5cm+ deep SIM is very comfortable.
I've also heard that the angling style cots are supposed to be comfortable, if pricy.

[Output Flange]

I took a double height Intex blow-up matress to Le Mans this year. Even with mid-30C temps in the day and a blanket between me and the matress, I woke up cold in the night. It also deflated as the temp dropped.

One night of little sleep is one too many when camping, so I went to the local Decathlon the following day and bought a folding camp bed for about 45 Euros and a thin self-inflating matress to go on top. Slept like a baby after that (woke up crying because I'd st the bed, etc).