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Hi,

Having just bought a Montana, we're now starting to put together proper camping kit. We've always camped, but just in a small tent with an airbed, and maybe just a night or two usually. Hear a lot of talk re these mattresses but they are very expensive. Tesco have ones for £15, has anyone used them? Are they any good? Wary of spending a lot of money on a self infating mattress if it's not for me.

I think it's down to personal preference on whether you want to be higher off the floor or not, personally i prefer being higher, but was considering buying a self inflating one as they do seem to get good reviews. So we went to a camping shop yesterday, they had one up inside a tent so i laid down on it lol, pleased i did because i didnt like it so i will be sticking to airbeds, but as i said thats my preference, you might love them as a lot do.

Jak

The thinner cheap self-inflating mats are fine for kids. As you get older, heavier and creakier though you either need one of the thick cheap ones (like the ones from Aldi) which don't roll up very well, or grit your teeth and go straight for something like a thick Thermorest or Fat Airic.

Whatever you buy though, a self inflating mat will always be warmer to sleep on than an airbed, unless you insulate the airbed well.

Do the self inflating matresses ever actually get any smaller when you roll them up though?

They always seem pretty bulky for packing

Quote: Originally posted by valbarley on 17/4/2010

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Do the self inflating matresses ever actually get any smaller when you roll them up though?

They always seem pretty bulky for packing

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Quote: Originally posted by weetabixface on 17/4/2010

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For longer trip we use thicker (7.5cm) but do have thinner thermarests for backpacking

I find this works well for packing away. Open the valves, fold the mat in thirds and sit on it. When most of the air is out close the valves and then roll the mat, opening the valves as required to expel the remainder of the air.

W

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