We have always used airbeds but this year we've taken the plunge & bought sims. In the past we have used foam mats under the airbed, then a quilted mattress protector & sheet on the top of it, & then our sleeping bags. We're always nice & snug like that but do we still need all those layers with a sim or just a sleeping bag? They're 5cm Outwell sims btw. Thanks in advance
I used 5cm sims last year for weeks holiday, we put an old picnic rug underneath and a normal sheet on the top and as the mats are not filled with air you dont get cold underneath as there are no issues with how the ambient temperature changes we had no problems with being cold but didfind that the sims were too uncomfortable for us on there own so as the OH does not like campbeds, we have bought a new intex airbed for this year.
------------- A problem shared is a problem halved
Thank you so much for the speedy reply. Thats great we take a blanket anyhow, so will stick that underneath & we'll now save a bit of room not taking those roll up foam mats, which never stay where you put them anyhow lol
I tried a sim on my last trip, however i used my old reed bed, ones with the tubes, I found it comfortable. Less air floating around. Sims on there own I cannot get on with either.
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
Feb/March: Red Squirrel
March: lakes
June: Morecambe
Aug: Lake District(not camping camping)
October: Red Squirrel
On trips with the two man "Crawly In Tent" I use a Sim to sleep on coupled with a 3-4 season sleeping bag and am usually quite comfy in that combo....
I do see backpackers who lay their SIM's directly on to the G/sheet in the tent and seem quite happy with that...
But I have issues with that thin strip of material called the G/sheet on the bottom of the tent in any tent I use(Big or small)So like as much insulation under me and the SIM as possible...
To that end...I have a small plastic waterproof tarp that fits under most of the small tents I use as a footprint..On top of the G/sheet I have yet another small tarp that covers the floor space...A sheet of plastic material with a heat reflective side on it then one of those roll up picnic rugs...Then the SIM and my S/bag!!!
Might seem a bit of overkill on my part...But as I say I have issues laying directly on the ground as even on the warmest nights the cold can leech through the ground up into the SIM and myself...
I also tend to move about a bit when on the SIM...And its not the 1st time I have woken up well off the SIM....So this extra insulation spread over the floor of the tent comes in handy in those situations....
Should add...Most of my backpacking is done using public transport...I'm too old to be carrying all my gear in one pack...So use a trolly for the heavy stuff which allows me to pack all this extra insulation....
Hope this helps...
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Those picnic rugs are a good idea, theyre less likely to move about than the dreaded foam mat things. Ive got one knocking about somewhere so I'll stick that in the car too. Thanks for the advice everyone. Being uncomfortable at night nearly put me off camping for good when we first started about 10 years ago. So Ive got to learn all over again with sims as to whats best lol.