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Subject Topic: What do you sleep on? Post Reply Post New Topic
26/5/2014 at 9:16am
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View pigby's Profile View Profile   Reply to pigby Reply   Quote pigby Quote  
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Basic question from a novice.

We have bought a small dome tent for a festival so have bought camping mats (the inflatable kind)

Planning to buy a secondhand larger tent for future (and possibly before we go to the festival)

We also have airbeds and wondered what you found to be most comfortable to sleep on?

Do we need to buy camp beds (the metal foldable kind) as well or instead of?


26/5/2014 at 9:24am
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View tenohfive's Profile View Profile   Reply to tenohfive Reply   Quote tenohfive Quote  
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I find Self Inflating Mattresses (SIM's) most comfortable personally. SIM's have a foam cutout inside which is supplemented by air, so as well as providing comfort they also insulate you from the ground. I don't get on with airbeds, and I've used cheap camp beds before and not got on with them (but the clue there might be in the 'cheap' bit.)

From what I've seen on these forums most people tend to adopt 1 of 3 approaches:

1. Camp bed with SIM.
2. Thick SIM.
3. Airbed.

From my own experiences and others I've camped with, if you go with either airbeds or camp beds I'd suggest adding something to trap heat with - the ground is very cold and I've camped with some cold and miserable friends on airbeds until I went out and bought them a foam roll mat to add to the airbed to trap the heat.


26/5/2014 at 9:34am
 Location: stoke on trent
 Outfit: Bailey 75-2
View paul+kate s-o-t's Profile View Profile   Reply to paul+kate s-o-t Reply   Quote paul+kate s-o-t Quote  
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Hi
Google aerobed......we have a double height kingsize inflatable one with a built in pump....dare say it's where we sleep the best....a tad pricey at £100 ish but well worth it cos if you don't sleep properly, you are more likely to give up on camping!!

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April Peak District Beech Croft Farm
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And quite a few local weekenders


26/5/2014 at 9:42am
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
View dk168's Profile View Profile   Reply to dk168 Reply   Quote dk168 Quote  
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Camp bed + SIM on top, kept in place by a fitted flannel sheet; switched to this sleep system after a trusted airbed developed a leak mid trip when I camped over Christmas 2011.

Apart from being more reliable, the camp bed + SIM combo is much cosier than the airbed.

DK

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26/5/2014 at 10:22am
 Location: Bala
 Outfit: None Entered
View welsh bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to welsh bob Reply   Quote welsh bob Quote  
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I would say the most comfortable thing to sleep on are the bedchairs made for over night fishing use, not light weight or particularly compact but very solidly made!



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26/5/2014 at 10:40am
 Location: Frinton - Essex
 Outfit: Vango - Nile 600
View Hunter30062352's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hunter30062352 Reply   Quote Hunter30062352 Quote  
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double camp bed which they are on sale around £45.. put your sims on top which u already have.. possibly wrap SIMs in a sleeping bag (sim goes where your body would) then a fitted sheet on top with your quilt!! BLISS

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The great outdoors, sunshine, laughter.. a moaning wife and screaming brat!

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29/5/2014 at 6:32pm
 Location: Manchester
 Outfit: Vango Maritsa 700; Isis 600 + canopy
View RachlN76's Profile View Profile   Reply to RachlN76 Reply   Quote RachlN76 Quote  
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I think I'd agree with welsh bob that the fishing beds are the most comfortable. They're fabulous.

But too bulky for us, so we have 10cm sims on the floor.
We've also had airbeds, but for me, the SIMs are comfier. There are two adults, but we have two single sims rather than a double


29/5/2014 at 8:54pm
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We use an airbed, the Coleman Comfort one which has dual valves. This is essential for us as my hubby is a much larger build than me and I didn't want to be thrown off the airbed whenever he got into bed or moved in the night.

We only camp in France in warm weather so don't have to worry about cold air.

Also have an Outwell double campbed but don't take that as I prefer the airbed.

Do like those fishing beds, if I was going alone in this country would get myself one of those.

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July 2012 ~ Vallon Pont d


29/5/2014 at 9:27pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Karsten 3600 & Obelink River
View Kang's Profile View Profile   Reply to Kang Reply   Quote Kang Quote  
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SIM on top of a sheepskin. Very warm and very comfortable even with frost on the ground!


31/5/2014 at 8:14pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P tent
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Like coastal path we have the coleman double with dual valves. (At least one of you can have a good nights sleep if you have a hole and end up sleeping on the floor).

Just got back from using ours for a week (2 hrs ago) no bad back for either of us so fine.


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31/5/2014 at 9:15pm
 Location: North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5
View HEJC72's Profile View Profile   Reply to HEJC72 Reply   Quote HEJC72 Quote  
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Folding camp bed and my Raskelf Duvalay ensure I get a good sleep.

-------------
Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum


01/6/2014 at 9:57am
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View Greenfires's Profile View Profile   Reply to Greenfires Reply   Quote Greenfires Quote  
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5cm SIM straight on the floor. The SIMS are an insulating mat and I don't see anything is added by putting more under or on top of them - it's just more stuff to carry about. Can't say we've ever been cold or uncomfortable like this - and we've no plans to get thicker SIMS or camp beds.


01/6/2014 at 3:51pm
 Location: Cambs
 Outfit: Kampa Daymer 8
View Frog's Profile View Profile   Reply to Frog Reply   Quote Frog Quote  
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Exped synmat 7. The perfect combination of being compact, light and having great insulation properties.........oh it's comfy as well.



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