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Hello all

This is my very first post.

We are new to camping ( but long in the tooth). I have just bought a second hand tent ( Vango Artemis as good reivews on this site). Camping friends have advised that the next most important purchase is something to sleep on.   

I have trawled through posts on this forum on various options. Lots of helpful advice but still confused.   As comfort is  premium ( old aching joints and sleep on side) decided that an air bed with cheap mat under may be our best bet.     

Have bought a Coleman Double ( from supplier who will refund) but need an electric pump as foot pump doesn't fit. For not much more than the additional cost we could we get an Aerobed Active as they are on offer but the offer ends tonight! Should we go for it? Are they that much superior to other airbeds. Should we get the straight double ( as hubby is tall)or double with seperate bits which is a bit shorter? Or should I go back to hunt for reasonably priced SIMS? They seem well recommneded but I can't see how something so thin can be comfortable. Help!    

Have you not got a pump that fits into car to blow up beds, much better than foot pump and only about £10, tops, wouldnt be without one.

Aerobed active has good reviews although havnt got one myself. Ive just bought nice fishing bed, like a camp bed but good height, more padded and comfortable, and, one end comes up like a sunbed when required, so gunna try that 3 weeks time. Better half likes airbed, but may be low if you really have aching joints.

Hope you enjoy your camping

Hello,welcome to the forum and to the wonderful eclectic world of camping!

Is it the coleman comfort double airbed?,they seem to have good reviews,

Aerobeds seem really good,but if I was going to get one,it would have to be the double height one,am not sure what you mean by the shorter one with all the bits!

If you are using an airbed,make sure you insulate the bed from the floor with picnic rugs or newspaper..and again insulate yourselves from the bed with fleece blankets or a sim. Personally,we gave up on airbeds and went for campbeds but many people use airbeds and or sims..even the airbed with those foam type roll mats will add a bit of extra comfort and warmth...even in hot weather,it gets very cold at night. If you don't have bedding already,use your duvet and pillows from home until you decide what works best for you. Anyway,thats my contribution,I'm sure you will get lots of valuable advice on sleeping and anything else you want advice on.

I suppose the problem on here is that you will get as many answers at there are posters! I have the coleman, but i have never shared it, I have had about 6 years use from it without it ever going down in the night and my only quibble about it would be where the air inlets are bearing in mind the design of most 'sleeping pods'. Only takes a couple of minutes to inflate, I have a few electric pumps, the best one I have ever had is the one I bought from aldi. Have read lots of positive stuff about the aerobed, but know nothing about the options. All I would say with any airbed is do not under-estimate how much insulation you need underneath you (or forget to air it daily as there can be a lot of condensation). I used old fashioned foam camping rolls under mine, then a duvet over the bed, then me in sleeping bag with another duvet on top of that  - but as I say, that's a solo me so no other body heat in the equation.

I have never tried a SIM because anything that thin is either going to let me feel the ground or be so firm I may as well be able to feel the ground and my joints and spine are so badly fouled up already I don't think the other campers would appreciate the nightly arrival of the paramedics!

Yes it's the Coleman Comfort Double.

I haven't got a pump that fits into a car. (Sorry to ask a daft question but if it uses the car how do I blow up the airbed to test it in the house??).   The reason for the post is that for the difference in money we could get an Aerobed but only if I order it tonight! The options are the active double with seperate sides or action double without (which is a  bit longer.) I have no experience whatsover of sleeping on airbeds. Another option I've just spotted on this site is a  HIgh Gear 2 layer from Go Outdoors which is bigger and taller. As I struggle a bit to get up off the floor, this might be a better bet but I need to check it will fit in the tent! I've not considered camp beds as we both sleep on our sides and hubby is very tall.  

Yes it's the Coleman Comfort Double.

I haven't got a pump that fits into a car. (Sorry to ask a daft question but if it uses the car how do I blow up the airbed to test it in the house??).   The reason for the post is that for the difference in money we could get an Aerobed but only if I order it tonight! The options are the active double with seperate sides or action double without (which is a  bit longer.) I have no experience whatsover of sleeping on airbeds. Another option I've just spotted on this site is a  HIgh Gear 2 layer from Go Outdoors which is bigger and taller. As I struggle a bit to get up off the floor, this might be a better bet but I need to check it will fit in the tent! I've not considered camp beds as we both sleep on our sides and hubby is very tall.  

If it's a pump that goes into cigarette lighter,just blow it up at the car and carry it into the house.

I don't know the answer for your airbed, I would suggest going for the best for you that you can afford,the coleman comfort double does have good reviews. Maybe you could try it out before you go spending anymore money,but that is just my opinion.

I have enough trouble trying to decide for myself without trying to advise someone else

From the Areobed website it looks like the Platimum needs mains electricity to blow it up. HOw do you do that in a tent? Thought it worth asking as King size would be good due to hubby's height.