What to sleep on?

[hellymelly]

Tried inflatable mattresses, but I think the PVC makes me wheezy. I felt so strange that we had to give up and go home! Am keen to camp again, but have a really bad back and need a bit of padding, the self inflating mats are not PVC I don't think, but they look very thin. Is there any alternative?

SIM like a Thermarest.

Self inflating mat on top of a camp bed is the PERFECT solution for a super night of comfy sleep :-)

Either on their own is fine too - my self inflating mats are 10 cm deep, no PVC involvement.

Thermarests do oretty thick ones plus you can pay extra for a memory foam topper from them.

10cm thick sounds ok, what make are they? I am off to google thermarest.

My 10cm is a Skandika. Look on Amazon for free delivery.

Am actually on process of looking at a some sort of thick cozy fitted covering for it to make the surface softer IYSWIM? The mattress it's is fab - can sleep only side with comfort.

Here is a 10cm Thermarest: www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/camp-and-comfort/mondoking/product

I have this: www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/camp-and-comfort/basecamp/product
I would like the memory foam topper to make it perfect though!

Here it is: www.amazon.co.uk/Therm-Rest-DreamTime-Comfort-Cover/dp/B003EFKMSS

Instock here: www.actionoutdoors.co.uk/outdoor_gear/info_CAS_01997-Thermarest-DreamTime-Comfort-Cover-Regular.html?source=googlebase

I have looked at them, they look good, they are a lot of dosh though- we would need two doubles I guess, as we are 4.

Of this might suit you: www.facewest.co.uk/Thermarest-NeoAir-Dream.html?gclid=CNuM_Jib3L8CFWT4wgodjnAAhg

That does sound very comfy! It is so expensive though, as it looks like a single. I suppose I wouldn't mind shelling out if I knew we would use it a lot, but the groundsheet in our bell tent is also PVC (wouldn't have bought it if I had known that, I assumed it was PU ) so it might have been the combined fumes I suppose. PVC off gasses for the whole of its life so it isn't going to get less fumey. I will give it another go but it might still be an issue.

Apparently the neo air is a little noisy when you turn though. The basecamps are silent.

we have 3 thermarest (or the decathlon equivalent) per berth so that the whole ground is covered.

I have read that about bell tent groundsheets, I have one too. I figure I'm not camping all year round though. I wish they did an alternative groundsheet though as I would buy it.

I think I might buy a topper for my Basecamp tomorrow!

Yes, I would buy a PU sheet if they made one. I complained to SoulPad as at the time it didn't say on the website what the groundsheet was made of, just that it was high quality. I stupidly assumed that it wouldn't be PVC as it is so horribly toxic and environmentally unfriendly, (it is normally used because it is so cheap) and they make a big deal of caring about the environment. Anyway they were really rude about it, and really patronising. My dds were very small at the time, and even if I hadn't felt so strange in the tent , i didn't really want them inhaling toxic fumes all night long.

I think I remember you doing a thread about it on mumsnet? Probably where I had heard about it from!

We sleep with fleece blanket on top of self inflating mattress.

Yes I did post about it at the time, I was so annoyed with the Soulpad response! I would buy an alternative groundsheet like a shot if there was one available. In fact I think I will email them about it again, suggesting they produce one. I am going to get a couple of the mats suggested here, then if we also leave the sides rolled up at night (there are mesh panels), hopefully it won't be too fumey. I am allergic to all sorts of stuff, ( have chronic hives), and something in the tent made me wheeze and feel sick and faint, have assumed it was likely to be the PVC, as there was so much of it (we had two double airbeds). Then I looked online for info on PVC and it was so horrifying that I wouldn't have wanted the girls sleeping on it even if I had felt fine!

My 10cm ones are the Costco ones - had them about 5yrs now.
Well used and still like new.

Goodness, now I'm thinking about getting the Exped Mega Mat 10 LXW Camping Mat (Megamat) on next day delivery, the reviews are AMAZING. it's right thrown a spanner in the works!
www.alloutdoor.co.uk/sleeping-gear/mats-airbeds/exped/exped-mega-mat-10-lxw-camping-mat.htm?gclid=CJeC08bS3b8CFTMftAodPS4A8Q

That does sound really good, must be amazing to have something in a tent that feels as comfortable as a proper bed.

The reviews are great for it, I'm seriously considering buying it today. It would be that or the comfort cover for the Thermarest Basecamp I already have but to be honest, I'm leaning towards the Exped Mega Mat 10 LXW. Getting a good nights sleep is important for me, I'm in remission from cancer and suffer from fatigue. With two children that's not good!

Just bought it from here: www.trekitt.co.uk/advancedsearch.aspx?Term=Mega%20mat and payed £5 extra for next day delivery.

Can't wait to try it out now! Bit nervous about inflating/deflating it first time!

I am intrigued by the SIMs! We have a bog standard cheapo double air bed and although it has a flocked top it gets kind of sweaty and strange if the tent is warm. We just take our duvets rather than use sleeping bags because we are both the stick-your-leg-out type of sleepers. Are SIMs actually comfy? I have memories of camping mats from my Girl Guide days and they were not especially comfy. I assume a SIM takes up less room in the car than an air bed?