Ultimate camping bed set-up

[idontknow54789]

How can I make the most comfortable camping bed? I read that a SIM is necessary. Do I also need a camp bed below this? Or are they uncomfortable/squeaky? I'm willing to invest this year. I already usually take a proper duvet/pillows just need to sort out the bed now. Please let me know your recommendations/tips!

The only bed I could sleep on when camping was a double height airbed.

We don't use camp beds because they take up too much room in the car. Dh swears by a sim, but I need an air bed. Some people say airbeds are colder, but I don't agree! You can also put one of those reflective ground blankets underneath though. I take 2 pillows, a seriously thick sleeping bag and an extra blanket but no duvet. Very warm pyjamas and thich bed socks. If I get really cold I wear a hat in bed too!

I have a camp bed with a SIM on top which I found much better than an airbed as there's no risk of punctures or slowly deflating in the night. It also makes a bit of space underneath for bags etc.

We changed to a SIM a couple of years ago but after two weeks we went out and got an airbed again. I have two knackered shoulders and I found the mat really affected them. DH said the same about his hip.
It's best to have an airbed each, I think. A double mattress gets a bit like a trampoline when the OH turns over...
It also pays to put an extra blanket on an airbed and not just a sheet – as the air you are sleeping on can get very cold and transfer that coldness to you!

I have a megamat and I love it!

I found 2 options that worked well:

1. The thickest SIM I could find, with some of those interlocking foam mats underneath for insulation. Duvet folded in half, me inserted into the middle, like a sandwich

1. A fold out foam bed with a blanket underneath it. Same duvet set up. But it's very bulky for the car (I'm not a good camper and can easily fill an entire car with kit for 2 nights, and me as the only person in the car )

DS (teen) has a double height double sized air bed bought from Tesco last year for about £30. Rug on the floor underneath, big duvet, blankets and pillows on top and has a fantastic set up. Bulky in the car though.

Considering whether to take his electric blanket (we have hook up) this year too, although this shouldn't be in direct contact with the air bed itself.

@theMoJareajoke

I have a megamat and I love it!

Wow they're expensive - are they worth it? I'm willing to invest but there's just such a difference between a SIM and a double height air bed it's hard to make that leap

@Strangekindofwoman

The only bed I could sleep on when camping was a double height airbed.

Good to know - that's by far the cheaper option. Any you recommend?

@UnbeatenMum

I have a camp bed with a SIM on top which I found much better than an airbed as there's no risk of punctures or slowly deflating in the night. It also makes a bit of space underneath for bags etc.

This is what I'm thinking - do they take up a huge amount of space in the car though between them? How thick is your SIM?

Fishing beds, although they are huge and take up on much space.

I have found extreme comfort in a double air bed (it's an ntex one) with a double sleeping bag just for me. My husband has the same. Co-sleeping when camping is a complete no for me.

I have one of the Vango 10cm SIMs then a 2ish cm memory foam topper on top with a memory foam pillow. Soft, warm and snuggly but certainly not space saving!!

@MirandaMarple

Fishing beds, although they are huge and take up on much space.

I have found extreme comfort in a double air bed (it's an ntex one) with a double sleeping bag just for me. My husband has the same. Co-sleeping when camping is a complete no for me.

You have two double beds in your tent?? I like the sound of a double to myself but not sure DP would appreciate having to take a second tent

We used to have air bed but I found the colder outside it was, the colder the air in the bed is. We've now got camp beds and take a pillow each, thick sleeping bags and a fleece each

Decathlon inflatable bed base, with 10cm SIM on top. Bliss!

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/inflatable-camping-bed-base-camp-bed-air-70-cm-1-person/_/R-p-309887

I use an air bed, thick mattress topper, sleeping bag and double duvet. Pretty cosy!

Yoga mat on tent floor for insulation, good quality double sim on top. Then unzipped sleeping bag plus duvet if needed. I always sleep well when camping.

@idontknow54789 yes! It's a 6 man vis-a-vie with bedroom pods either end and a living section in the middle. We even have separate bedrooms, there's just the two of us (but we do have a Labrador each to keep us warm!)

If you have the car space, take 2 double duvets, then have one underneath you on top of a double air mattress, then a sleeping bag each and another double duvet and blanket over the top. We always do this when we camp at festivals and it’s super cosy and comfortable.

It's a matter of personal preference.

I much prefer a SIM to an airbed, and am quite happy with a SIM on the floor. 7.5CM, too.

Air beds are colder - because there is no insulation between the ground and you. Unless you add mats or blankets underneath or on top.

Space / foil blankets don't insulate: they reflect (a small amount of) radiant heat.

Some people like a SIM on a camp bed, or a SIM on a Decathlon inflatable camp bed.

If you prefer a duvet to a sleeping bag, do consider that sheets in top of the surface of a SIM or air bed can be a bit sweaty. I like the underside of my sleeping bag to sleep on. But blankets or another duvet would be OK.

I have a thermarest Dreamtime and it’s like sleeping on my own (admittedly rather firm) bed. I camp a lot though, so it was worth the investment. I spent a lot of time obsessively researching the R values of different self-inflating mats.

@Namechangedyetagainandagain

I agree! I have the bed bases and a vango 10cm sim. Then you need a blanket before adding the sheet. It’s so comfy.

The mega mat is amazingly comfortable. You add extra air for firmness.
Much warmer than an air bed, thicker than a sim, lighter and smaller than blowup or camp beds.

I never found an air bed that didn't require pumping up all the time, they'd loose air and sink in the night.

Fishing chair/beds. We've had SIM and inflatable together over the years but decided sleep was more important than anything, so bit the bullet and bought fishing beds.
They are big but so worth it.
We've got the car space for them but if we didn't, I'd be getting rid of everything else before getting rid of the beds!

My SIM is 5cm. We did need to use a roof box to get all the gear in and the children and DH have camp beds without SIMs which helped on space as they weren't particularly uncomfortable on the previous trip.