air beds or mats?

[gordyslovesheep]

Hello

sorting out all the bits and bobs again as we are off for the first camp of the year next weekend. It's me and 3 smalls (10,8 and 4) and currently I have a bed and they have single airbeds - but I have been considering inflatable mats as they seem less bulky

Are the comfy enough for small kids or will they be all stiff and cold and wake up early!

Also anyone know where I can get cheap thermal 'carpet' from for underneath?

thanks x

[Haplesshacker]

Hi.

The thin style foam and air beds that are about 10mm thick are okay, but not as comfortable as I would of hoped. Old fashioned style air beds are hopeless. They never stay hard for the whole night and deflate.

The ex and I had one of those 'posh' mattress type air beds for camping and visitors at home. Much better than a traditional airbed, but did still deflate a bit over night. For £100, I would of expected better.

Honestly, I like those wire frame 'army' style beds. Especially when you put a thin foam mat on them. The beds are about £20 or £25 each. Okay, they only sleep one, and may not suit you and your partner. A word of warning though. Those beds are not ideal if you are of the bigger hip variety. They can be a bit narrow.

Hope it helps.

[MousyMouse]

I personally prefer self inflating mats.
comfy enough and not so cold from the ground.
for the dc we just cover their tent compartment with them, so there is no rolling down.

[fossil971]

Self inflating mats don't pack down so small (unless you splash out on backpacking ones) but are much more warm and comfortable than you expect. They are insulating so you don't need anything over or under them at all. 4cm thick or so should be fine for children, 8cm is glorious. e.g here.

We normally put a blanket over them as a sort of "carpet" so the DCs can play in the bedroom bit of the tent during the day if its raining.

[gordyslovesheep]

Thanks guys - no partner so I have a lovely army style bed to myself - however it doesn't fit in the sleep bit so I sleep in the outside of the tent (I have an awning as well so it's still inside if you get me) but with 3 cheap airbeds the 'sleeps six' bedroom is full

I love the idea of turning it into a den Fossil

Yes airbeds always deflate so I think I will invest in some self inflating mats - thanks for the advice x

[hz]

Yes, Self inflating mats are the way to go. Get decent ones though. Air beds are the devils work IMO. Cold, uncomfortable AND a bugger to inflate.

[fossil971]

Quite a lot of tents have angled sides or corners cut off the bedroom sections which makes it hard to use airbeds I don't reckon the designers think it through.