Sleeping comfortably in a tent - is it possible?

[spokette]

We went on our first camping trip for bank holiday weekend and despite the torrential rain, howling winds and cold for part of the trip, DTS (4yo) had a great time.

The main issue DH and I had was discomfort and feeling cold whilst sleeping. I had bought two season sleeping bags (Vango) because according to the blurb, they were warm. DH and I still had to donn a jumper and socks because we were anything but warm. In addition, we used a blow up mattress which, by the 3rd night, we had had enough of because it was so uncomfortable.

We would welcome any advice from season campers about staying warm at night and recommendations for sleep mats/mattresses that actually afford a comfortable night sleep. Unless we can solve this problem, DH will give up on camping because not getting enough sleep really tainted his enjoyment (even the bad weather did not put him off).

TIA

We tried out both thermarests and fat airics before buying. I actually found the fat airics slightly more comfortable. Going by the name I'm wondering if maybe the thermarests have better insulating properties? I'm very happy with my "Fat Eric"

Agree with those who say you need more underneath you. I put a groundsheet under the internal sleeping tent, it helps keep the cold from the ground out, plus easier to pack up inner tents if it's been raining. In the kids sleeping tent they get a picnic rug under their beds also. They've often been on cheap Ready Beds.

Air mattresses can be freezing and circulate cold air. I used one last summer, when it wasn't that hot, it was like sleeping on an ice block. After a couple of nights I borrowed a roll mat from friends we were camping with and put it under the air matress, the difference it made was incredible.

Since then I invested in a 3 season mummy bag and a Thermarest, one of the mid price trek ones. Havn't had a problem with cold since then, even in September. I've just bought 2 Fat Arics and they're comfy. The Fat Airics do look good quality, better than a cheap self inflating matress we have. They are the same thickness as the really expensive Thermarests, but less than half the price.

With the thermarests you get a life time guarantee and they'll replace valves etc for free. I've spoken to several camping shops and they've all said they're the best, if you want something to last for years, with great insulation, then go for Thermarests. I wanted something nice and thick for my husband, but couldn't justify spending loads, so thought we'd try FA's

Many thanks.

I think we are going to invest in the Thermarests and add layers underneath to provide additional insulation.

We will be camping again in August so hopefully we will be able to sleep with more comfort.

The "Fat Airic" website link provided by Lubyloo has got a useful comparison of the different products - thermarests etc. The Fat Airics look good value for money compared with thermarests.

Thanks for that. I did not see that. The Fat Airics are highly rated and great value for money!!

If you are looking to keep the costs down, Decathlon do a very good self inflating mattress range - two different thicknesses and much cheaper than the branded ones. Also, spreading one of those insulation blankets - those ones that look like foil that they wrap around marathon runners - on the floor before anything else will help keep the tent much more toasty.

OK hoping this will be warm and comfortable enough - will report back after the weekend.
Layers for us all from ground up

DS (3yrs): double thickness Foam mat, large felecy blanket folded into 4, toddler 2.5 tog growbag, Flannel PJ's, Cot duvet, hottie
spare fleece blanket

Me: foil backed thermo Camping mat, self inflating mat with pillow built in, Single adult sleeping bag (underneath), 2 season mummy bag, jogging trousers and long sleeved Tshirt, hottie
spare blanket

DH: 2 camping mats (for extra width), single adult sleeping bag (underneath), 4 season mummy bag, PJ's, spare blanket, pillow

My god our car will be packed! I've decided I'd rather take too much stuff this time (first time with DS) and use it as a learning experience. Alternativly if I have not enough stuff its only one night.

DH thinks i'm going overboard but i plan on packing the care while he's at work and not telling him how much 'comfort zone' stuff I'm taking!

This is pretty weird but this is what we do.

I googled 'foam' and emailed companies that supply foam for replacement chair seats etc.

We managed to get a 2m X 2m off cut of dense 2in foam (from the top of a block) that has a waterproof backing for £25. This acts as our matttress.

We roll it up and put it on top of the roofbars. We arrive and the campsite to very strange looks with what looks like a roll of carpet on the roof.

Just unroll, stick a sheet on top and then have a duvet over us. Also take two pillows each in those vacumn seal bags so that they compress really thin. We have cut the foam to fit the bedroom of our Wynnster Sattelite 12 and it's fab!

we use
those partially self-inflating mattresses [ they don't deflate, they pack up quite compactly, they mould to your body quite well]
a fleecy blanket underneath us
a duvet cover over this - fits perfectly over mattresses
a duvet on top of us
a toddler in the bed for added warmth

nikki please put a link to the foam company cos we are wanting something like that

Oh no!! Im getting worried now!

does it really get that cold?!!!

theres me thinking off we go in our tent and sleeping bag lol

We took our Ikea memory foam mattress topper with us on our last camping trip but even that did nothing to alleviate the pain in my hips!! At about 4am I went and slept in the back of our car!

Mind you DH slept well enough.

Anniebear, we just got back from our first camping trip. Friday night there was no cloud cover at all and yes, it was a little chilly when we went to bed, but we soon warmed up. Admittedly we have an EHU and heat for our youngest who feels the cold badly, but I think the warmth mainly came down to having enough layers under/on top of the bed.

As for sleeping, we have a double airbed and I slept fine bearing in mind I am 28 weeks pregnant too.

DH and I take two guest beds for us (he has a bad back and I am a very big girl ) We have the Ikea ones £29 and they are sooo comfy and warm. I have never been cold at night since we switched from air beds.