Bad back and camping - can anyone advise a mattress?

[PercyPigPie]

I love camping and normally just sleep on a decent airbed in sleeping bag, but my back is really killing me after last night's camping trip. Has anyone found a decent mattress for bad backs?

Thanks

[overthemill]

ooh me too, usually use air bed that is fine but now need something decent. have a shoulder injury and was not greatly comfortable - wondered about a camp bed?

[dobby2001]

I have three prolapsed discs in my back plus am overweight and neverfound airbeds a comfy sleep - too much cold air rising and rolling around. I then discovered self inflating mats (minimum 5cm but preferable better!) and have found them to be much much better. Trick is to get them inflating in the car on journey down so they are at full puffiness before you get to sleep on them.
I founf the first night would be the night all my knots andcricks would get ironed out, so sometimes painfull, after that it got gradually better - if i managed 3 nights plus i was having better sleep than at home [glad]

[PercyPigPie]

Thanks Dobby - tho not sure what you mean by self inflating mats - is there a brand you can recommend? We've only every been camping for one night at a time so far [wimps].

Sorry to hear you are suffering too Overthemill.

[zanz1bar]

Can recommend self inflating mats, just back from a week in Dorset and slept really, really well, like a firm bed and warm, no cold air bed.
I got mine from lidl, but aldi have some this week. The best I have seen are called thermarrest and are £££££. The aldi ones are about £12 so you could always stack them for extra comfort.

[Glitterknickaz]

My fat airic is great, but I still need to see an osteopath when I get back.

[bilblio]

I have a Dozer from Alp-Kit, my back hasn't been so bad in recent years but I was always stiff after sleeping on an air bed. I spent a week on the Dozer last year and had no problems at all. It's warm and you can adjust it to your personal preference really easily. I like firm beds, DH likes soft ones, I've considered sleeping on the dozers permanently :o

It will have it's true test in the next month though (weather permitting.) I'm 20 weeks pregnant, the back problems have returned with a vengance. But I've taken very early mat leave from the job that causes the back pain so I'll be doing 3 day weeks all through summer and spending as many weekends camping as possible.

[Glitterknickaz]

I need to get me a dozer. The kids can have my fattie

[missmakesstuff]

I am interested too - we have been through about 5 airbeds in our years of camping, they keep getting punctures, and are so unreliable. I have a terrible back and need to sleep on a firm bed - last years camping trip nearly crippled me - DH wants to go to cornwall for two weeks this year!
The Dozers look good - torn between those and an aerobed though - had anyone tried one of those?

[FunnysInTheGarden]

We have just been camping and slept really well. We all had the good big inflatable matresses from Millets. DH and I have a double one each, and so very comfy. Not sure of the make, but I hate being uncomfy at night and I slept really well.

[overthemill]

i've found best way to stay warm on airbed is to put towel under sheet (if you use one) but still want something that might be better for my back

[PercyPigPie]

Thanks all. I think it is the lack of support from an inflatable mattress, rather than the cold, that is the problem, so those self inflating mats look good .

[Selks]

Check out the Dozer (made by the company who used to make the Fat Airic - what I would have recommended but they've been discontinued in favour of the Dozer)

the Dozer

This will offer you all the comfort and support that you need. I have one and it was money well spent (that and a pod sleeping bag = guarnteed comfort and warmth)

[dobby2001]

My mats are Lidl ones but i am hankering after a fatter one - the 5cms of the lidl one is fine i just want more so am being greedy

[fatsatsuma]

selks can you explain pod sleeping bags?

I'm following this thread with interest because I am re-thinking our tent sleeping arrangements. We have always slept on airbeds with our winter duvet on top but last summer I was FREEZING for two whole weeks We have also just bought an Outwell Hartford XXL which suits us well as we are a large family, but the bedroom pods are tiny and DH and I hardly fit into our pod with two airbeds . Am about to start a separate thread on this...

So I'm wondering if a combination of dozers plus good sleeping bags will work better in terms of warmth and space taken up in the pod.

[PercyPigPie]

The Dozer looks good Selks. A bit expensive, but I guess it is the same cost as an after camping ostoeo appointment!

[PercyPigPie]

UPDATE: thanks all. Got a Vango 5cm one for £35 & it's really comfy. Just need a sunny week-end now!