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Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Camping

Airbed or Self inflating mats?

16 replies

nobodysfool · 09/07/2011 20:01

I am buying my first tent and have read pros and cons on both.I really want to be comfy and warm.
What in your opinion is better?
I have heard that airbeds are better with the silver reflective sheet thingy underneath and a thermal sheet ontop of the airbed.
Thinking of just using duvets for us all and transporting them in vacuum bags....good idea?
Oh dear im such a novice...

OP posts:

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zonkin · 11/07/2011 23:00

We used to take our king size Aerobed (which we had anyway as we bought it to use at home when people came to stay). We put the standard mats underneath to help with the insulation when camping.

This year, as we didn't have a hook up on one of our holidays and I wanted to save some space in the car we splashed out on some Alpkit Dozers (got their standard version for the kids). I would NEVER go back to anything else. We slept really well. Couldn't believe how well we slept.

DH had been against the SIMs when I got them and kept muttering about overdoing the downsizing in camping kit but is completely converted now. So the Aerobed has been retired to being used when people stay.

nobodysfool · 11/07/2011 22:12

wow thanks for all your replies i will be looking into a lot of the ideas.
Ephiny- re vacuum bags on camp site i was going to suck the air out with the electric pump....we have one that can blow or suck.

OP posts:

Ephiny · 11/07/2011 13:44

I tried an airbed for the first time a couple of months ago - was the first time I've even been cold at night on a camping trip. I think it's a good point about them being full of cold air.

Haven't tried SIMs (always just used a cheap foam mat in the past which was fine) but have heard nothing but good things about them, and planning to try one for next time.

Mammonite · 11/07/2011 13:31

I think SIMs are much of a muchness for sleeping on, the more you spend either you get more thickness or the smaller/lighter they pack down , which is more of interest for backpackers.

A big advantage is they are self-insulating so help you keep warm.

HerbWoman · 11/07/2011 12:44

How would you re-pack the duvets in the vacuum bags on a campsite?

Much prefer SIM over airbed - we went for the Alpkit Fat Airics which I think have been superseded by their Dozers. The kids sleep really well just on the foam camping mats (about £5 each when we bought them) and you can cover the whole sleeping area with those so the kids don't roll onto cold ground.

NettleTea · 10/07/2011 21:17

how about 2 aldi SIMs on top of each other - would that be good??

chocolatespiders · 10/07/2011 13:22

Will go to Aldi tomorrow to see if they have any left. bought a windbreak in there a few weeks ago and looked at the mats but didnt purchase

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 10/07/2011 10:56

I always championed airbeds, until I bought an Aldi SIM out of curiosity as I had heard such good things.

Omg I have never slept so well, so for me even a cheapy SIM beats a top of the range air bed hands down.

Unless you have the space and the ££££ for an Aerobed and the means to insulate it properly, in which case I would go for that.

pictish · 09/07/2011 21:46

I've had both...and at the top end of the range too...I say go for airbed myself.

mummywilko · 09/07/2011 21:45

We were very fortunate and came accross an Aldi deal where they were £12.99 but this was last year. I know my sister got some similar ones in Jysk a few months ago though.

chocolatespiders · 09/07/2011 21:44

vary lots in price to.. more you spend the better?

Amaretti · 09/07/2011 21:42

Sodding autocorrect - MILLETS

Amaretti · 09/07/2011 21:41

Millers

chocolatespiders · 09/07/2011 21:40

Where did you buy the mats from? I just googled and it is a bit of a mine field...

Very interested in these after any cold nights spent on airbeds

Amaretti · 09/07/2011 21:37

My kids have 2.5cm inflating mats which they say are very comfy. I think most kids are happy on them. My DH prefers an airbed. As you would never get me in a tent, I have no personal opinion, but I do know a lot of campers

mummywilko · 09/07/2011 21:34

We now have a brilliant tent (after a cheap one which got us wet!) but the main thing is sleeping. We have 5cm self inflating mats which make a huge difference to having a good nights sleep. I have tried every airbed going and they are nightmares. Cold as they are full of cold air, damp, when the cold hits the warm body and if they stay up all night you're lucky!!
I would never go back. I would also highly recommend musuc bag sleeping bags which is probably the best thing I have ever bought.
Enjoy x

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