Advice for first-time campers on sleeping comfortably without spending too much

[Sweetdreamsbeautifulnightmare]

We are first time campers and looking to sleep comfortably .. I mean aren't we all! Took blow up mattresses last week and we’re not comfy at all! Don’t want to spend loads but what is the cheapest way to be comfy?! Self inflating ones seem to expensive! Is there a topper for blow up mattresses?! HELP!

In terms of discomfort…was that you didn’t have enough support on the blowup mattresses, not enough padding between you and the ground? I’m also assuming you are travelling by car and not carrying all your gear on your backs?

When we camped in a tent we used to put a basic roll mat under the inflatable mattress, then another, better roll mat on top. Cut the cold, gave a more comfortable sleeping surface.

We never used self inflating mats but at that time there weren’t many to choose from and they were incredibly expensive. There’s more choice now, Decathlon do pretty decent stuff for ordinary holiday type camping and they have a range of self inflating mats starting at £19.99 for the basic. You could put one of those on top of an inflatable mattress. I’m honestly not sure if it will be better than a decent foam mat on top though.

If you had £150 to spend then this might be an answer. It certainly looks comfortable!

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/self-inflating-2-person-camping-mattress-ultim-double-comfort-200-x-136-cm/329980/c3c1m8938397

edited because link disappeared!

Self inflating camping mats aren't all that expensive...?

They are actually much comfier than airbeds, as long as you get a relatively thick one (7cm+)

It depends what you mean by expensive. Alpkit do some good ones relatively cheaply. Always put an extra layer between the mat and the ground, and between you and the mat - it really helps with warmth and comfort. The self inflating mats are better than a standard air bed in my experience because of the way they’re constructed.

Blow up beds give me a bad back. The problem with them is that they just sink at the heaviest point.

SIMs (self inflating mats) have a core of memory foam so it squashes to match your body.

Good thick SIM on the ground, or thinner SIM on a camp bed? Or put a duvet or foam mat on top of your blow up bed?

A memory foam topper on your mattress.

Oooh ok memory foam topper on mattress sounds good! Or a thick SIM that doesn’t cost the earth! I just couldn’t get comfortable, it doesn’t help that I have a pacemaker on my side and it kept going in to the holes of the mattress 😂

I do feel an airbed with a SIM on top is the best balance between comfort but also warmth. Obviously takes up space in the car but worth it.

Take duvets instead of sleeping bags.

I have the perfect sleep set up - decathlon bed base with a sleeping pad on top - trust me this is the one for a good sleep. I also use duvets not sleeping bags and set up bed when th pillows and sheets too . Here are the links :

Bed base;
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/single-person-inflatable-camping-bed-base-200x70x25-cm-camp-bed-air/309887/c70c98m8595949

sleeping pad;:

https://amzn.eu/d/034y0rXI

My best layout for sleeping was a picnic blanket, then sim, then a duvet for the base, with another duvet over us and a blanket if needed. I sleep better in the tent than I ever do at home!

We’ve got folding camp beds with sims on top. The camp beds are good because you’re off the ground plus you can store stuff underneath.

Decathalon sell the equipment for killing song birds https://www.theferret.scot/french-sports-firm-decathlon-profiting-songbirds/

We've got this one, it's amazing!

Fisherman’s bed, though they take up quite a bit of room in the boot.

I second the decathlon bed base, well worth the investment, it's worth it for a decent night's sleep. Mine is as comfortable as my bed at home.

If it's out your price range, avoid a double blow up. Stick to stick to singles as at least you don't roll towards each other.

You can pick up the old army style camp beds fairly cheaply and then stick a yoga mat or self inflating mat on top and they aren't too bad.

Book a hotel room. I've done camping, motorhome, caravan etc sleeping and, for me, the discomfort and palaver involved in setting up just isn't worth it any more. Plus the price of campsites isn't all that much more than a hotel costs.

I don’t camp now but when I did we used the air mattresses, tip was singles rather than a double and although it seems odd to say, don’t inflate it too much. Also get an insulating mat for underneath

Carp fishing bed (a bit like a sun lounger but more comfortable) with memory foam mattress . Stash clothes bags etc underneath to save space.

No way! I love camping and it’s £20 a night! Just want ideas on something comfier!

Our SIM is amazing. It's just as good as our mattress at home. I don't know how that's even possible. You can sleep on your side and everything. If you're on a budget look on FB marketplace. That's where we got ours, it was £50 but apparently retails at over £100.

Do you have a link please? Thank you

@zeddip

https://www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/camping/sleeping/self-inflating-mats?srsltid=AfmBOooAGCHZgBVmAGPHEiTmmUgDts3pRSgm1tO7OrfUuGsAHCNlQMWX

I've bought a couple of SIMs from here.

We have Vango 10cm self-inflating mattresses and they’re well worth the investment - they’ve been going strong for over 10 years so far and are really comfy. We put a sheet on the mattress and then have a normal duvet and pillow instead of sleeping bags (we have a roof box on the car so it’s ok fitting the bedding in).

I have a double sleeping bag just for me and it's cotton lined and very soft. Sometimes I use it more as a duvet

I prefer a square one to a mummy style (unless I know it will be cold because they are warmer).