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Topic: Airbeds or self inflating mattresses?

Fairybells

27/12/2017 at 6:01pm
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Hi this is my first time posting here. I’m looking for recommendations about what to sleep on while camping.
On our first year camping we had airbeds (cheap ones from Halfords) and they deflated in the night so much so that my bum was touching the floor every morning which caused me terrible back pain.
Last summer camping we had two Coleman double self inflating mattresses 10 cm thick which were great for my back (so comfy) but both started leaking from the valve (I returned them). So now I don’t know what to get for next summer!
Ideally I’d like another self inflating mattress but have you got any recommendations which ones would last longer? Any good make airbeds that wouldn’t deflate quite as much? Or any other suggestions? I can’t afford anything too pricey 🙂 tia

Ewen c

27/12/2017 at 8:50pm
Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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Maybe a bit expensive but this is what we use:
Decathlon quechua air 70 bed base for 45 quid each.

You can fit two together to make a double. We use a double airmat on top but you can also use a self inflating mat ( my daughter does). The mat we use is a kampa bliss double.

Now, I have spinal bifida occulta. This combo is the best for my back. It is strong, doesn't make a noise, doesn't leak and has a 10 year guarantee. It goes into the size of a sim but isn't for backpacking. We use a totally different system for that.
I honestly think it is the best system out there for space saving and comfort.
If car space isn't an issue then a carp fishing bed and sim is on par with this. Both systems are better than air beds.

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Francais

27/12/2017 at 9:23pm
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Back in 2008 we took the plunge and bought a couple of ThermaRest DreamTime XL's.

Since then they became EOL, but due to popular demand were re-introduced a couple of years back, they really are the dog's!

Needless to say they do what it says on the tin, and almost 10 years on ours are still in great shape.

Bob61

27/12/2017 at 10:34pm
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Many people use camp beds with a self inflating mat on top. I went down that road after getting fed up with deflating airbeds but more recently I have found the camp bed too narrow so went back to an airbed again.

I bought a Tesco double height airbed with integral pump. I have used it a couple of times and it hasn't lost any large amounts of air yet.

Following advice on these forums I let a little air out during the heat of the day and then pump it up again in the cool of the evening and it seems to work. With having an integral pump, letting a small amount of air out and then inflating it again is a simple and quick job, especially if you keep it plugged in. Takes about two minutes to fully inflate out of the bag and the same time to deflate again using the pump, so no hassles at all.

I think half the problem with deflating airbeds is leaking valves. With an integral pump the pump itself is the valve. Also, they can get exceptionally over inflated in the heat of the day which puts a lot of strain on the seams. Letting a little air out solves that problem.

duffs54

02/1/2018 at 2:25pm
Location: Cambs
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Double pop up camp bed with double inflatable mattress, same height as bed at home, with masses of storage underneath.

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Duffs54

Fairybells

02/1/2018 at 2:43pm
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Thanks everyone, I think I might try the camp bed and self inflating mattress combo. I’m tempted with the higher air bed solution too but still a bit worried if it gives me bad back.

Bob61

03/1/2018 at 1:35pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Fairybells on 02/1/2018
Thanks everyone, I think I might try the camp bed and self inflating mattress combo. I’m tempted with the higher air bed solution too but still a bit worried if it gives me bad back.

I started to discover that the camp bed was causing me to have a bad back because being narrow I had to lift myself up in order to turn over during the night without rolling off. A raised airbed is usually much wider than a camp bed so I could just roll over in the night with no strain on my back.

Ewen c

03/1/2018 at 8:17pm
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You could go the masochist route and get the 3/4 length air mats we use for backpacking. They are really comfy.......from the knees up. On the plus side they fit in a side pocket of a rucsack and are insulated.

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Jasonandheidi

14/1/2018 at 6:58pm
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For years we have tried all camp beds ,sunloungers,cheap airbeds that go down ect ect.
This is what we use now in our bedroom area in our tent we lay down a tent carpet then we each have a single coleman airbed with a single 5cm Outwell sim on top with a further topper and sleeping bag on to works perfectly for us and we have been doing this for the last 5 years no flat air beds or failed sim just a good night's sleep can be pushed together to make a double but I got accused of snoring (lol I don't think so )

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Fairybells

10/2/2018 at 8:08am
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I like the idea of air bed with a sim on top, I might actually try that first since we already have the air bed. I wonder though if it stays even all night... I might try that anyway

Bob61

10/2/2018 at 10:04am
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Quote: Originally posted by Fairybells on 10/2/2018
I like the idea of air bed with a sim on top, I might actually try that first since we already have the air bed. I wonder though if it stays even all night... I might try that anyway

I can't personally see the advantage of having a SIM on top of an airbed but if it works for you...fine. I just use a fleece blanket. If you use a SIM I would suggest to prevent it sliding off, use a fitted sheet over the top...the type with elastic all the way round.

Binzi

12/8/2018 at 6:15pm
Location: Wales
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I think I've cracked it! Single Posadas camp bed, inflatable air bed on top and then SIM on top of that - feels so good! Looking forward to camping next week now!

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Claire

Bob61

12/8/2018 at 6:40pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Binzi on 12/8/2018
I think I've cracked it! Single Posadas camp bed, inflatable air bed on top and then SIM on top of that - feels so good! Looking forward to camping next week now!

Do you need a ladder to get up there?

Binzi

12/8/2018 at 6:53pm
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Well yes it is high and I'm only 5 foot (hubby is 6 foot 2) but my goodness it's comfy! He laughed his socks off when I suggested it but then he went quiet when he tried it and admitted it felt really good. So here's hoping.

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Claire

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