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I'm used to use cheap blow up matresses, but ours burst last year so I bought one of those american army style camping beds and put my therm-a-rest on it, as recommended by some threads here. Great thinks I, looks comfy.

We went away last month though and I used the campbed whilst everyone else had the blowups, the idea being to by the wife one too, if they were better.After the first night my back was killing me and I hardly slept. I had a quick nap on a blow up when the kids got up, and it seemed much better.Then second night I slept fine on the camp bed and back was fine too.

So now I have a dilema, we're going for a week in longleat soon, do I take the campbed and hope it gets better the more i get used to it, or do I get another £5 blow up from tescos'? We don't have room to take loads of beds on the offchance.

Do you get used to the army ones?

Quote: Originally posted by Maceman on 21/7/2009

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If you have a thermarest, why do you need anything else?  I would just use that.  Defo.

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As someone with a history of back problems, I always find that thermarests either aggrivate or simply bring on symptoms  so it's camp bed or 'blow up' for me.

Just my personal oppinion

I find 5cm self-inflatting mattress does not provide sufficient padding and too low for me, hence I sleep on blow up airbed nowadays.

Just bought a single one and a single foam mat for extra insulation, as the double bed is a bit too big for my Freelander tent.

DK

Quote: Originally posted by happyhiker on 21/7/2009

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... Then second night I slept fine on the camp bed and back was fine too. ....

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Thanks for the replies, looks like everyone has their own preferences.

spudz - Yes maybe its just first night blues.

I can try it for 3 days and then if I hate, talk my daughter into using the camp bed (or bribe them with chocolate) and I'll pinch her blow up !

 Note: Your average 'Squaddie' carries & uses an insulating mat. 'Camp beds' take up as much space as his ENTIRE KIT. Thus they are only used in more permanent 'camps'.

 For most people a Therm-A-Rest is better as it is supported by the ground.