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Hi, I've just had a good trawl through all previous posts on airbeds and all the alternatives and have alot to think about now!

The one thing I have never really had success with when camping is a comfortable nights sleep.

I have two boys, 12 and 13 years old, and don't have a partner (I'm widowed) so at home I'm quite happy with having my double bed all to myself and I like to sleep in the middle. I'm also quite a well rounded girl, so normal sleeping bags don't fit around me, much to my embarrassment as I returned an 80cm wide one to Argos which luckily they took back.

I really don't like sleeping bags anyway as they twist around me and I can't move without them moving with me!

Last summer I finally had the sleeping thing sussed. The kids have always been happy on kari mats and sleeping bags but I had a single ready bed. I didn't like it much as I was always cold (from under me as well as the very thin sleeping bag) but also didn't like the instability of the single size as it wasn't much wider than me! It was like sleeping on the deck of a boat on a stormy sea! So I got a double readybed which was improved for stability but still cold and colder still because there was too much air getting down my sides and it wasn't long enough to tuck around my chin. Problem was solved by bringing my duvet but that adds more bulk to my camping equip in the car.

Last summer I thought I'd got a solution which was give my 13 year old the single ready bed and share my double ready bed with my 12 year old son. Brilliant, I had the heat from another person and also that other person was small and didn't encroach on my personal space (which I'm too used to by now!) But I envisage as my 12 year old gets older he'll not want to share with his Mum.

It is really frustrating that ready bed make a product which could be so good with just a little tweaking - a higher GSM sleeping bag and a little bit longer length, a bit more stability with internal chambers going cross ways as well as length ways... maybe they'll someday respond with a better quality product.

I'm considering getting a self inflating mat, such as Fat Airic, and sourcing a larger capacity sleeping bag although I see they can be really expensive! Since there isn't much air in the mat it should feel really stable underneath, and also be nice and warm.

Another thing I'm considering is a single airbed with raised sides, or one of those doubles that fold over to make a taller single. I'd like to know how stable that last option is or would I be in for another stormy night! The higher height appeals to me as I have some back problems.

I'd really like some advice please as I would really like to enjoy camping without the sleep deprivation this year!

Hi Frome & welcome to the forum

A self inflating mat would certainly solve the problem of the cold rising, but if you have a back problem, and would prefer a higher bed, maybe you should consider a camp bed with a self inflating mat or even just a foam mat on top. There are some camp beds made for anglers which are very wide & very comfortable.

You could take a duvet (we always use a duvet now), but pack it into a vacuum bag for transporting, so it takes up very little space in the car. 

If you have the room in the tent, what about a Coleman Comfort Double bed - 137cm wide and 22cm high. Excellent reputation for not deflating or puncturing and very comfortable - we find it as comfortable as our bed at home (and we've just bought another for the in-laws). If you don't have room the single version is much wider than many single airbeds. You can get the double for about £26-£29 and the single for £19 if you shop around online.

Why not get the fitted sheet sold to go over the top and take a duvet.

Helen

Hi Frome

We use an Areobed active I think it is, its brown with a rechargable pump. They have also just brought out a higher version, check argos. They are not cheap but we kept buying cheap ones, and after 2 or 3 the old saying comes in, buy cheap buy twice. But the sleeping bag, we bought this ( link) from argos because its a extra size one. I too am a little on the larger size, and the wife kept moaning about me moving the bag evey time i turned over. We have had this for a couple of years, and even bought another one last year for our eldest daughter.There are lots of bags and beds out there, have a look at this also in argos.

The sleeping back also has it's own carry holdall, packs up neat

good luck and welcome to the site. 

http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1428744-10294381?url=http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0194356/Trail/searchtext%3ESLEEPING+BAG.htm

http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1428744-10294381?url=http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3402588/Trail/searchtext%3EAREOBED.htm

Hi Nappyweb

Have a look at the threads on vaccuum bags - I believe that you may be able to vaccuum pack the duvet, sucking the air out to come home with the deflator valve of an airbed pump.

Friends of ours use a duvet, but we actually use sleeping bags and from this year will be stuffing all bedding for the three of us including blankets and Vango 1/2 moon pillows into one extra large dry bag (that I picked up in a sale recently) and compressing it. Will save time not having to pack things into their individual stuff sacks and handling each item on packing. The stuff sack comes with a nice handle at one end and the clipped end forms a nice shoulder strap. Excellent invention!

I would certainly go with a double airbed.

Helen

Hi all, and thanks for the welcome. Some really great ideas thank you so much for taking the time to consider my dilemma!

I'm not particularly a slave to fashion, my priorities are comfort but not too much at the cost of car space, so the vacuum pack idea is really good.

There's a new ready bed in argos which is apparently a little higher and has more support but there's no mention of a more heavy duty cover....link http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1428744-10294381?url=http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3402557/Trail/searchtext%3EAIRBED.htm

I will be looking at the fishing bed option, I like the idea of being off the ground too!

Hi Frome

Just had a look at the link. Looks on the face of it good - although I couldn't tell the make

If you have a look at other threads you will find that there is a great deal of quality difference in airbeds, some being made of very thin pvc that punctures easily and valves that leak out air . The Coleman Comforts and Aerobeds are the ones that get the greatest of praise on this site. Unfortunately, the deeper (22cm) Coleman comforts are scarce at the moment as Coleman are introducing a new more environmental friendly pvc version. The Coleman's have a double valve that avoids air leaking and the pvc is generally thicker than other makes. The top has a nice finish too. If you can wait until March when the new ones are released - e.g.

http://www.thetentteam.co.uk/product/23759/coleman-comfort-bed-double.html

you will have a similar height and good length and width double airbed for less money than the one you are looking at. Other sites will also start showing their prices for the new airbeds soon and you may well find them even cheaper. You can get all sorts of pumps - I have just purchased a Kampa whirlwind rechargeable one that was recommended on this site (recharges from mains and car battery) for £15 plus postage.

Anyway - have fun with your purchases!

Helen