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

Original poster

Airbeds v what is the alternative?

22 replies

Elf · 22/08/2007 21:07

I was flicking through a camping book the other day and this woman was talking about duvets and sheepskins rather than lilos.

I must say, I don't fancy the sheepskin but something like that would be great - so that it is all cosy and you can all snuggle up together without rolling around on air.

DH says you couldn't use futons because they would get damp. Any ideas anyone?

OP posts:
MatNanPlus · 22/08/2007 21:31

you can get single beds that you construct or that open out like the chairs in a bag.

See Argos 'camping beds' they have 3.

dustystar · 22/08/2007 21:34

My neighbour swears by campbeds but we use airbeds as they take up less room in the car

ejt1764 · 22/08/2007 21:39

self inflating mattresses - pricey, but worth every penny!

Lucycat · 22/08/2007 21:40

You could take out a second mortgage and buy Thermarests then take your duvet.

we are an airbed family I'm afraid but we do take our own pillows.

SuperMonkey · 22/08/2007 21:41

We're fair weather campers - airbeds, sheets, duvets and pillows

magnolia1 · 22/08/2007 21:44

I have just bid and won 2 double self inflating mattresses. Not Thermarest but seem pretty good. Anything will be better than sleeping with dh on an airbed

smugmumofboys · 22/08/2007 21:45

We've just been camping twice in the last few weeks with our Gelert self-inflating mattresses and they were really comfy. I didn't think they would be especially as I am rather, ahem, voluptuous. The mat withstood my weight! I have a large mummy style sleeping bag and just put a fleecy blanket on top. Oh, I took a pillow as well and DH got us a foil energy blanket to put underneath us both. Very snug.

janinlondon · 23/08/2007 09:19

We bought self inflating 5cm thick ones from Decathlon and they're great. Not as expensive as Thermarest!

magnolia1 · 23/08/2007 11:29

Jan, we have 5cm thick ones. Have you used yours yet? We haven't and I am worried they won't be as comfy as they thicker ones. I am really boney so need padding

Blu · 23/08/2007 11:36

I have just sent fro a self-inflating mattess as recommended by JanInLondon - it was £40 for a double mattress.

Elf - they are better than regular lilo type airbeds because as well as being self inflating they also have a layer of foam or something - which is comfy AND provides insulatio0n. Airbeds are cold.

janinlondon · 23/08/2007 11:40

We have used ours Magnolia1 and I was very comfy. My hip bones seem to have trouble with most futons, but I was fine on these!

maureenmlove · 23/08/2007 11:45

DD needed a new airbed this year and we decided to buy her a campbed instead. I know they take up a bit more space in the car, but its much nicer, as you can store things underneath the bed. Our room was and is always a complete mess, with clothes and shoes everywhere. Although dd had a pile of mess in her room, at least it was under the bed and not everywhere else!

miljee · 23/08/2007 12:43

We got a 12 quid campbed for DS2 this time as, ONCE again, an airmattress sprung a leak. I think we've had to replace at least one bed (out of 3) every year so far! And you don't get a lot of choice out in the wilds!

Blu · 23/08/2007 13:04

A futon would be really awkward, heavy and bulky to take camping, wouldn't it?

seeker · 23/08/2007 13:17

We have camp beds for the children because soemone gave them to us and they love them. They have good sleeping bags and a fleece rug and a pillow each and have been fine even in the snow. The camp beds also mean that they can tidy the tent the same way they tidy their rooms - everything swept under the bed! We use a double air bed ourselves but we are thinking about thermarests. Trouble is, dp has a very dodgy back and we know we can inflate the air bed so that he's comfortable.I do worry about forking out for thermarests and finding out that he can't sleep on them. I'm one of those irritating people who can sleep anywhere icluding the floor, so it's only my delicate flower of a dp I'm worried about!

janinlondon · 23/08/2007 13:43

Think a futon would be a disaster. I can never turn over on a camp bed -or is that just me being weird...?

janinlondon · 23/08/2007 13:45

Seeker we lay on the Decathlon ones in stored for a bit before deciding.....must have looked absolutely ridiculous.

Slubberdegullion · 23/08/2007 13:52

We have just invested in thermarests (I have hidden reciept from DH). We have yet to use them (curses upon the chicken pox), however DH and I camped all round Oz on them (we had the thinnest versions then....this time I have gone for the 5cm, need more comfort in my old age).

What I love about them is they really are comfy (don't look like they should be being so close to the floor), they roll up really small, quick to put up, and they are much warmer than an airbed (and quieter as well).

We paid the extra because of our great experiences using them in Oz and for the life time guarrantee.

Blu · 23/08/2007 13:52

Camp beds are prime comedy routine props, are they not? Collapsing, tipping, catapulting, folding you up in them, and general 'oooh missus' Carry-On-Camping malarkey.

PandaG · 23/08/2007 13:54

outwell 5cm self inflating matress good - £40 for a double from Go Outdoors

seeker · 23/08/2007 17:10

Blu - I think that's part of the attraction for my children. Endless fun!

Original poster
Elf · 23/08/2007 21:00

WEll, these 5cm things sound very popular, I'll research that. Thanks for the discussion everyone. Got to go to bed now.

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