Self inflating mattress - tell me more!

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Just on our way back from 4 night camping trip and my back is in bits from sleeping on an air bed. Last night I ended up on the floor as I just couldn't get comfy. We are meant to be going again next week and I need to sort this as next trip is 6 nights. What should I get? A SIM? Are they preferable? And how much do I need to spend? Can anyone recommend a particular brand? Thanks!

If you have the space in the car for it, I can highly recommend the Vango Comfort Grande 10cm.

I also have an Outwell Dreamcatcher 7cm and that's comfy too but a little narrower.

The best combo is the Vango Comfort Grande and an Air Bed 70 from decathlon. this It's like sleeping at home. Only drawback is that you need a high pressure pump for the base so only really works if you have an air beam tent or take a footpump.

This week we bought an Outwell Dreamboat 12cm. The day it was delivered it took 15 mins to inflate itself. Since then we've rolled and reinflated it a couple of times and it's working really well. It is like sleeping on a normal mattress. We had vango before which I loved but after years of use it just wasn't inflating fully any more. The dreamboat has straight sides so reaches the full advertised depth.

...I should say that it cost as much as the tent...like you though I had an awful experience recently and it will be worth every penny!

Thankyou both, I'll look at these. I can't face another camping trip with sleep like that!

we have exped megamat 10s and they are the business! probably more comfortable than a normal bed. they

Another vote for Vango Comfort 10.

I bought mine in the Decathlon sale. It's so good that despite graduating to a caravan, I've kept it for emergency guest bedding.

They do take a bit of time to put down on your own though!

... as i was trying to say before attack of the fat fingers, they are just supremely comfortable - and very expensive but i justified it to myself on a sort of reverse 'buy cheap, buy twice' theory, having already had plenty of rubbish inflatables over the years! the 7.5cm version is nearly as good, just not quite so luxurious.

oh, they are straight-sided and have a coupler strap so u can turn them into a perfect doubler with no gap in the middle

Just the thread I needed! Thanks everyone. On the last trip my SIM was deflating every night and realised it's about 15 years old. SIM's have moved on, it seems. checking all these on Amazon. Also, "buy cheap, buy twice" will be my new mantra.

Thankyou all so much, I didn't even know about SIMs til I was browsing on Mumsnet and I'm so grateful for all your advice , especially when I need to justify the cost! Can't put a price on sleep

They are an investment and a decent camp shop will let you try them out before you commit (and some will price match the internet so have your facts ready!).

Thanks twistme, that's v good to know

We have a Vango one and it's great but we might go for one of the new thicker ones as we've had it a few years and it didn't seem as comfy this time round.

Be warned, rolling it back up is worse than getting the tent down! There is a very good reason for the split in the side of the bag!