Mattresses, Airbeds, SIMs

[MorelloKisses]

Hi all,

Looking for a bit of advice. DH, DD and I only really camp once or twice a year and our annual festival is looming. Last year we threw out both mattresses (punctures). Question is should I replace like for like, or are there better options?

Main consideration is comfort and weight/size. As it is a festival it isn’t drive up to your pitch, to there is a schlep involved and also our car is pretty packed to the rafters with our current kit, so I can’t afford to upsize, in that sense.

We want one double and one child’s, we take duvets and foil covered foam mats aswell.

Previously we had the Coleman double chambered (3.7kg) and the Kampa airlock junior(1.5 kg).

Thanks in advance

We ditched our air beds completely and now use this SIM. Like you, we don’t camp very often, but we’ve used it as a guest bed too. It’s really comfortable.

I have heard rumours that SIMs are the way to go. What thick was did you get?

We have SIMs from Aldi. They are good. Warmer than regular air mats. We put three inside a double duvet cover. This ends up being nice and wide plus the fabric of the cover means I don’t slip about in a sleeping bag.

We use SIMs. Used to have double vango 7.5cm which we have now replaced with 2x single vango 7.5 grande (put together equals more width than the double). Also bought new vango single 5cm ones for the kids. Best investment ever. We all sleep well 😀

I think I’m sold on this.

Are they a nightmare to pack down?

Should I still take the foil backed ism mats?

The double was a nightmare to roll up and the worst job of packing up especially in the heat. The singles are a doddle

I didn’t find our double to roll up, but we ditched the bag it came in (is never get it back in there!) and just used the straps. We have a huge car, so aren’t pushed for space. Not overly fussy about how small we get it rolled down to.

I hated rolling up our double SIM so we also all use singles. I prefer the ‘mound to your body squashiness’ to the bounce of an air mattress. We use 2.5Cm but are quite ‘hardy’. Most adults prefer 5Cm+ . 2.5Cm should be fine for kids though, their weight doesn’t squash them to the ground at hip and shoulder.

Go sim and ditch the roll mats: you just won't need them. Get as thick as you can fit into the car. Store them flat at home for longevity.