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I personally prefer airbeds.

I lay a foil backed picnic blanket on the floor of the pod first then put the airbed down.
On top of the airbed I put a thermal fleece topper (from Dunelm Mill) followed by a fitted sheet (I use the Coleman ones)
Then the boys have their sleeping bags and I use my Raskelf Duvalay.
If it's really cold, we all have a fleece blanket to go over the top and we've never been cold.

At the beginning and end of the season we use EHU and take our little fan heater which warms the tent up beautifully.

Well the two responses have summarised the issues nicely! Self inflating mats are convenient to pack, are less likely to leak and give very good insulation from the cold ground. However, if you are a larger adult or have any back/joint problems, you may find that the mat does not give enough support to your body. My OH certainly can't sleep on a mat as he is a big broad man and gets a dead arm and stiff neck when he tries them. Similarly, I have lumbar problems and find I need the extra depth an airbed gives.

Self inflators are fine for children and are more robust and likely to survive the experience of being bounced on or used as a wrestling ring!

If you decide you prefer an air bed then the issue of insulation is important to attend to as it is a big slab of cold air you are lying on. We have a picnic blanket under it to insulate it from the cold floor and a thick fleece throw between it and us. This insulates us from the cold air inside it. We have sleeping bags and I also take another old spare bag to use as a thin quilt too for very cold nights.

In terms of keeping warm on an October camp I agree that EHU and a heater are your best bet, and the safest way to heat the tent, given that you have children. Personally we do not use EHU and rely on gas lighting and heating but I would not consider these safe with children around and they add to condensation in the tent too.

Other tips for keeping warm;

- wear lots of layers, and consider buying some cheap thermal undies as they really do the job and make great PJs too. Fleecy hats are good too as you lose a lot of heat through your head. Similarly, have lots of layers for sleeping in, and remember it is just as important to have layers under you as over you.

- hot water bottles and warm drinks and snacks at regular intervals help to maintain warmth

- fit the tent floor with rugs or blankets or buy a purpose designed carpet if the makers do one. The extra layer under your feet prevents the cold floor getting to your tootsies.

- night time toilet arrangements in the tent mean you can avoid a long freezing trek to the facilities  

And if all else fails there is no shame in admitting defeat and going home early. Camping is supposed to be fun for the family, not an endurance test after all!

Quote: Originally posted by northern_dave on 28/9/2010

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We use a tripple depth airbed. our set up is : Carpet under the pod carpet in the pod then foam mats under the airbed then fleece underblanket on top of the bed then a 13.5 tog quilt then a sheet, then us then another quilt tog rating dependent on how cold it is. and EHU with a fan heater. and i sleep naked and am realy warm and cozzy

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WOW i'd be sweating then again I do have au-naturel blubber self insulation  and sleeping on/in all them layers I would have to sleep in the buff, but, sleeping in the buff is the best option, imo, as no condensation can get in between the clothing layers and your skin  and on a sepearte note it could link you nicely into a couple of other threads on the site, you know the ones I mean

Quote: Originally posted by JK98 on 29/9/2010

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Why doesn't someone invent a heated airbed?

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Ohhhh, that would be lovely and it would cut down on all the sheets and blankets I currently take.

Can feel a "Dragon's Den" moment approaching!

We've been looking at SIMs hoping that we'd be able to reduce the pack size over our Coleman Comfort Maxi airbeds. Love the airbeds and not had a problem with them, but wondered whether the SIMs would be smaller packed for touring or overnight stops. Done a bit of homework and unless you pay a fortune, our airbeds seem to pack down to about the same size as most SIMs and are actually more flexible as you can fold and roll wherever you need to, achieving different dimensions. The SIMs seem less flexible. Our Kampa whirlwind pump is also very small so that doesn't factor and is fast too, so (even with pfaffing) inflates in less time than a SIM and deflates them again completely - so less pfaff than having to roll out the air from a SIM several times to get them small. The depth, air sprung system and separate chambers of the Coleman Comforts in OHO means that they stand out as evidently superior, even if they need a couple of seconds top up from the pump during a week.

SIMs have an insulating property, but its only in the early spring and winter that we need fleecy mattress covers to address any coldness in the airbeds. So it looks as if SIMs aren't an answer... especially as SIMs can puncture too if not looked after.

Oh yes, SIMs are also best stored inflated, whilst airbeds can be packed away.

Helen

The Pacific Outdoor Insulated airbeds are available on Amazon for under £30.  About the same size and weight as a top-end Thermarest SIM.  The Thermarest Neoair gets many good reviews but is expensive compared to the above and other alternatives.

Most of the quality SIMs are designed for active outdoor types - what I'm trying to delicately say is that if you're 18 stone, they're just not made for you.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pacific-Outdoor-Equipment-Thermo-Regular/dp/B000VUUCXY/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285775780&sr=8-1

Outwell do some cracking SIM's, in both single and double sizes. I also use foam bed rolls. Can't handle air beds, a right royal pain in the derriere!

I've also slept on an army-style camp bed, with a roll mat on it, and that gave a brilliant night's kip.

You know i read these posts hoping to get a definete answer but i never do lol.

I guess you just have to go with what feels right for you and be prepared to try one and then another until you find the one that suits you :(

But it could be fun trying them out if you follow the tips in that other "somewhat naughty" thread lol