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Camping

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

Original poster

Sleeping set up for newbies

24 replies

milkshake85 · 18/05/2022 16:53

Hello, we just booked our first camping trip for August in Sussex. I am lost with regards to the sleeping set up.
What do we lie on? a blow up bed? whats a camping mattress? looks like a yoga mat? Whats a self inflating mattress?
I feel like we will be like the princess and the pea if I buy lots of random stuff and make a huge pile!
We are 2 adults and 2 school age (4,7) children.
I am always cold so I guess I need to buy a very thick sleeping bag or bring duvets?
I'd rather not spend too much in case we don't enjoy it and never do it again, but also I would like to be comfy.
Thank you for any advice !

OP posts:
Fivemoreminutes1 · 19/05/2022 07:39

SIMs (self inflating mattresses) are far more comfortable and warmer than airbeds. I have a vango 7.5cm one - I've used it on the floor but this year I've bought a campbed and put the SIM on top and the combo is brilliant, just as comfy as my bed at home.
I hated rolling up our double SIM so we also all use singles. Most adults prefer 5Cm+
but 2.5Cm should be fine for kids though, their weight doesn’t squash them to the ground at hip and shoulder.
To stop you getting so cold, make sure you get one which has reflective detailing to help reflect your body heat back towards you rather than letting it escape to the ground. Also, put a layer of insulation between the SIM (or air bed) and the ground. There are all sorts of things you can use for this: fleecy blankets or throws, picnic rugs, and even some old foam roll mats if you still have any.
If you have space in the car, use sheets, duvets and pillows as you would at home. They’re less confining and will feel familiar.

Original poster
milkshake85 · 19/05/2022 15:07

Fivemoreminutes1 · 19/05/2022 07:39

SIMs (self inflating mattresses) are far more comfortable and warmer than airbeds. I have a vango 7.5cm one - I've used it on the floor but this year I've bought a campbed and put the SIM on top and the combo is brilliant, just as comfy as my bed at home.
I hated rolling up our double SIM so we also all use singles. Most adults prefer 5Cm+
but 2.5Cm should be fine for kids though, their weight doesn’t squash them to the ground at hip and shoulder.
To stop you getting so cold, make sure you get one which has reflective detailing to help reflect your body heat back towards you rather than letting it escape to the ground. Also, put a layer of insulation between the SIM (or air bed) and the ground. There are all sorts of things you can use for this: fleecy blankets or throws, picnic rugs, and even some old foam roll mats if you still have any.
If you have space in the car, use sheets, duvets and pillows as you would at home. They’re less confining and will feel familiar.

Thanks so much. I think the SIM option sounds really good. My only worry is that many manufacturers say not to store them rolled up. I haven't got space to store 4 single SIMs flat in my house.. how bad is it to store them rolled up?

OP posts:
Fivemoreminutes1 · 19/05/2022 18:00

It’s not too bad, after all, they’re kept for ages in the shop tightly rolled in cellophane. Just make sure the valve is kept open

Original poster
milkshake85 · 19/05/2022 18:55

Fivemoreminutes1 · 19/05/2022 18:00

It’s not too bad, after all, they’re kept for ages in the shop tightly rolled in cellophane. Just make sure the valve is kept open

Thank you, you've been a great help

OP posts:
user375242 · 22/05/2022 00:16

Another option for sleeping bag is to buy a fleece liner. This will make a grade 2 sleeping bag into a 3 but is cheaper. Take a hot water bottle or those hand warmers if you are worried about being cold, thick socks, fleece onesie. Tights work well as thermals, a hat even in August. Fleeces are warmer than jumpers. I'm the only one in my family who ever feels the cold though. Take lots of spare socks, the grass is always wet in the morning and evening even in August, and kids are rubbish at remembering to put their shoes on before running out.

Beamur · 22/05/2022 00:21

If you don't want to spend a lot, take duvets from home. Buy decent SIM's - advice already given is spot on.. Something underneath for insulation makes a huge difference. I use cheap roll mats, you can get some which are thermal too.
Warm pj's and socks to sleep in. Plus spare blankets. It can get cold at night but there's something very cosy about tents.

Beamur · 22/05/2022 00:22

Airbeds are hellish. Cold and deflate in the night.

PandaOrLion · 22/05/2022 04:33

Look on FB marketplace or free cycle and get stuff second hand. Then if you don’t enjoy it you can sell it again.

Ive got a £££ inflating mattress from Vango which I love and use a sleeping bag with a liner and a blanket over the top. I find I’m warmer with this than a duvet and it takes us less room in the car. Def too old for roll mats but often children are fine on them and I was as a student.

Original poster
milkshake85 · 22/05/2022 07:35

user375242 · 22/05/2022 00:16

Another option for sleeping bag is to buy a fleece liner. This will make a grade 2 sleeping bag into a 3 but is cheaper. Take a hot water bottle or those hand warmers if you are worried about being cold, thick socks, fleece onesie. Tights work well as thermals, a hat even in August. Fleeces are warmer than jumpers. I'm the only one in my family who ever feels the cold though. Take lots of spare socks, the grass is always wet in the morning and evening even in August, and kids are rubbish at remembering to put their shoes on before running out.

Good idea about the socks I didn't think of that.
I was thinking of bringing duvets with us instead of buying sleeping bags, would this work out warm or should I buy the sleeping bags to be warm?

OP posts:
Original poster
milkshake85 · 25/05/2022 10:54

user375242 · 22/05/2022 00:16

Another option for sleeping bag is to buy a fleece liner. This will make a grade 2 sleeping bag into a 3 but is cheaper. Take a hot water bottle or those hand warmers if you are worried about being cold, thick socks, fleece onesie. Tights work well as thermals, a hat even in August. Fleeces are warmer than jumpers. I'm the only one in my family who ever feels the cold though. Take lots of spare socks, the grass is always wet in the morning and evening even in August, and kids are rubbish at remembering to put their shoes on before running out.

Many good tips thank you, I’ll add to my list.

OP posts:
Original poster
milkshake85 · 25/05/2022 10:56

Beamur · 22/05/2022 00:21

If you don't want to spend a lot, take duvets from home. Buy decent SIM's - advice already given is spot on.. Something underneath for insulation makes a huge difference. I use cheap roll mats, you can get some which are thermal too.
Warm pj's and socks to sleep in. Plus spare blankets. It can get cold at night but there's something very cosy about tents.

True I dont want to spent a lot, so would you say it’s better to invest in SEM and use cheap sleeping bags? Or better to invest in a good sleeping bag? I think we won’t be able to fit 4 duvets in the boot of the car with all the gear.

OP posts:
Original poster
milkshake85 · 25/05/2022 10:58

Beamur · 22/05/2022 00:22

Airbeds are hellish. Cold and deflate in the night.

I do feel inclined to avoid the air bed. All the ones I owned always leaked after a few uses even the pricey ones.

OP posts:
stairgates · 25/05/2022 10:59

My tip is you and dc on one air bed and DH on another😂sorry that was light hearted, but honestly my DH takes the entire air bed and I sleep on the cold floor at the edge of it, then he moans that I have got in with one of the children to try and get a bit of heat!

Original poster
milkshake85 · 25/05/2022 11:00

PandaOrLion · 22/05/2022 04:33

Look on FB marketplace or free cycle and get stuff second hand. Then if you don’t enjoy it you can sell it again.

Ive got a £££ inflating mattress from Vango which I love and use a sleeping bag with a liner and a blanket over the top. I find I’m warmer with this than a duvet and it takes us less room in the car. Def too old for roll mats but often children are fine on them and I was as a student.

If I go for the SEM idea, would you think it is possible to get 4 decent ones for under £200? 2 adults 2 kids. Any suggestions?

OP posts:
ReviewingTheSituation · 25/05/2022 11:13

SIMs are indeed comfy - but only if you get thick enough ones, and they are expensive! If you already own an airbed, I'd take that for your first trip. I'd say cheap SIMs are a false economy. The key to being warm in an air bed in a tent is to have something underneath it (I use a picnic mat and a blanket) and something else under your sheet (I always have a sheet and duvet as I think sleeping bags are the work of the devil). Kids will be fine in sleeping bags, but blanket underneath and blanket over the top (and sleep in a onesie).
I take a hot water bottle too.

The other key to being warm is having something warm to stand on in the tent - a blanket or mat of some description. Standing on just the tent groundsheet is like standing on the ground. I have a number of Ikea blankets which come camping with me - they serve all purposes - under beds, over beds, over duvets, under feet, over legs (sitting out at night) and so on...

Eye masks are also key to a good night's sleep in a tent in the summer.

As for fitting duvets in the car - vac bags are your friend. You don't need a vacuum to use them! You can just put your stuff in, seal it most of the way along and then roll it tightly before fully sealing up. Or you can get them with a mini pump to get all the air out. They are perfect for camping - all the bedding goes in and saves a shed load of space.

ReviewingTheSituation · 25/05/2022 11:14

Just seen your question - no, I don't think it's possible to get SIMs for under £200. Not that would be comfy, anyway!

ReviewingTheSituation · 25/05/2022 11:15

SIMs are also big! They take quite a lot of space in the car (same caveat - if you get comfy ones...)

Original poster
milkshake85 · 25/05/2022 11:28

stairgates · 25/05/2022 10:59

My tip is you and dc on one air bed and DH on another😂sorry that was light hearted, but honestly my DH takes the entire air bed and I sleep on the cold floor at the edge of it, then he moans that I have got in with one of the children to try and get a bit of heat!

my husband once went with his friends to a festival and only on the way there he realised well maybe I should have something to sleep on. They stopped at an Aldi on the way and he bought himself a… dog bed! He slept in a dog bed without a blanket even or a sleeping bag 😂
I think we can get away with a basic set up for him lol

OP posts:
Original poster
milkshake85 · 25/05/2022 11:32

ReviewingTheSituation · 25/05/2022 11:13

SIMs are indeed comfy - but only if you get thick enough ones, and they are expensive! If you already own an airbed, I'd take that for your first trip. I'd say cheap SIMs are a false economy. The key to being warm in an air bed in a tent is to have something underneath it (I use a picnic mat and a blanket) and something else under your sheet (I always have a sheet and duvet as I think sleeping bags are the work of the devil). Kids will be fine in sleeping bags, but blanket underneath and blanket over the top (and sleep in a onesie).
I take a hot water bottle too.

The other key to being warm is having something warm to stand on in the tent - a blanket or mat of some description. Standing on just the tent groundsheet is like standing on the ground. I have a number of Ikea blankets which come camping with me - they serve all purposes - under beds, over beds, over duvets, under feet, over legs (sitting out at night) and so on...

Eye masks are also key to a good night's sleep in a tent in the summer.

As for fitting duvets in the car - vac bags are your friend. You don't need a vacuum to use them! You can just put your stuff in, seal it most of the way along and then roll it tightly before fully sealing up. Or you can get them with a mini pump to get all the air out. They are perfect for camping - all the bedding goes in and saves a shed load of space.

I have a bunch of picnic blankets the type with foil on one side and fleece on the other so I’ll make sure to take those with lots of fleecy throws and blankets.
I don’t currently have an air bed so I need to buy something regardless.. cheap air bed or cheap SEM..

OP posts:
Beamur · 25/05/2022 11:47

Get yourself to Decathlon for decent but cheap gear. No point buying top range stuff if you're just trying it out.
Get better ones for adults, kids will be fine on something thinner as they weigh less. If you have wriggly kids they might benefit from sleeping bags to keep warm. I reckon you can do it for £200.

emmathedilemma · 25/05/2022 13:31

I keep my SIM standing up in the back of the wardrobe!

Wilma55 · 01/06/2022 21:28

Can you do a dummy run in the garden or even sleep on the floor indoors to get a feel of it?

StageRage · 02/06/2022 21:57

I store our SIMs rolled up, and with the valves closed. Otherwise they try and burst open their straps.

SIMS are naturally insulating because of the foam. Blow up beds are just a bag of cold air between you and the ground.

If you use duvets have fleece blankets between you and the mat, otherwise the surface feels plasticky under your sheet.

DeanStockwelll · 04/06/2022 11:08

@milkshake85 sent you a pm 🙂

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