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Topic: airbeds vs sleeping mats

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mawu

26/6/2007 at 10:32pm
Location: Wirral
Outfit: Vango Colorado 800 DLX

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We recently bought Gelert self inflating mats and found them rather hard and uncomfortable and are now considering buying air mattresses for our summer hols. Never thought about the insulation issue though, but we simply do not have room to take both air mattresses and self inflating mats - so what to do? I can see quite a few people recommend the Fat Airic mats, but we need four of them, which would set us back around £130 - seems a bit expensive to me, but if they really are that comfy I suppose it's worth it. Another reason for considering the air mattresses is that they don't take up as much room in the car as they can be laid out more or less flat, whereas the big fat sausage shaped mats take up a lot of room!

Andyn999

26/6/2007 at 10:57pm
Location: None Entered
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Coleman Comfort....It's the only choice!

mawu

27/6/2007 at 10:25am
Location: Wirral
Outfit: Vango Colorado 800 DLX

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So - with a Coleman Comfort, don't you have the insulation/cold air and condensation problems? Isn't it just a normal air bed?

sadexpunk

27/6/2007 at 11:53am
Location: lincoln
Outfit: vermont XL

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just reading the comments on this thread, and wondering why nobody has mentioned campbeds? are they not a viable alternative here?

our kids started on airbeds, tried those folding campbeds, and loved them. plus youre off the floor. and i imagine folded up theyre not much bulkier than airbeds.

any good/bad thoughts on them?

Angu2you

27/6/2007 at 10:39pm
Location: Newcastle Under Lyme
Outfit: Vango Delta 300 Rage Alta 6DX

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I like mine, (camp bed) the OH hates hers though. Toying with getting a pair of Fat Airics, as I never got on with (cheap) airbeds, even before they punctured, but I do want to camp with the OH!

The camp beds roll as small as an air bed, no insulation worries, and as the sides are supported it's kind of like sleeping in a (narrow) hammock. You can't really fall off one.

This does make it a little awkward to roll over in the night though, but then so does a mummy sleeping bag.

No such thing as a double either - so no zipping the bags together to get more intimate...

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Tony

PigletandTigger

28/6/2007 at 9:09am
Location: Dorset
Outfit: Lots.mainly Cabanons!

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I have campbeds and found them seriously uncomfortable. I always wake up with a numb ear!

I also found them really chilly, you can't snuggle up plus I'm only 5ft 3 but find I hang off the end because I burrow down in the bed - OH at 6ft 2 has no chance!

The only bonus IMO is that you can store things underneath the beds.

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Piglet

Frank Elson

28/6/2007 at 9:51am
Location: Blackburn Lancashire
Outfit: Compass Echo 340

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I started of with flat mats, progressed to airbeds and then to campbeds. I use the word "progressed" deliberately.

These days I just use the caravan and, at my age, it's unlikely I will tent again.

BTW, for insulation, flat mat or airbed, silver "space blanket" - takes up no space for travelling and it works...

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best cheers
Frank
Range Rover Vogue SE LPG TAZ

fairyprincess76

28/6/2007 at 11:56am
Location: northants
Outfit: outwell montana 6

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Quote: Originally posted by mawu on 26/6/2007
Never thought about the insulation issue though, but we simply do not have room to take both air mattresses and self inflating mats - so what to do?

you dont need to take the air matresses with the coleman air bed. it seems to be warmer than our old airbed. dont ask why it just is.we took our old foam mats, they dont take up much room and the kids use them anyway so just packed an extra 2 incase we wanted them under the airbed after last years cold trips.
this trip we put a sheet on the air bed and then unzipped our sleeping bag and used it as a large duvet. very warm.

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