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Camp beds V Airbeds:

Air beds are crap, just had the worst two nights sleep in our tent ever.

The kids are on a air and have no problems.

Me and the wife on a airbed is a disarster, rolling/sliding off the edge ,feeling the ground though the airbed.

Are camp beds better?

Are double height airbed as crap as the single height?

Has anyone tried an airbed on top of a camp bed?

J

I'm surprised you could feel the ground through the airbed, never had that when I had mine, was it inflated enough?

Know the feeling with sliding around, used to put a camping mat on top of 'em to help with the grip.

Got rid of my airbeds as 1) couldn't get off them in the morning without a struggle  and 2) found they were quite cold as the air inside absorbings the cold air from the ground (though some people put an extra layer of mat/ground sheet underneath to help with insulation).

I suppose we all like different comfort of our beds, some like it hard, some soft etc. Best thing to do is go to a camping shop and try out the campbeds and find one that suits you.

Cheers

Pete.

Buy a decent airbed? The Coleman double chamber ones are best for couples.

http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/Detail.asp?Mfg=3&ProductID=623

You need to pump double airbeds up pretty firmly to stop you feeling the ground, especially if you`re heavy. When I`m inflating mine., I put my hand in the centre of the bed and push down hard. If I can touch the ground I need more air. If I can`t get my hand within about an inch of the ground, even when pushing with my body weight, then it`s firm enough. Repeat for other chamber.

Incidentally as the night gets colder the air within the airbed contracts and the airbed gets softer. Conversely on a hot day your airbed expands.

Slippy sleeping bags on slippy airbeds = lots of slipping off airbed. Use a fitted sheet or blanket or similar on top of the airbed.

hi jarred

I have just bought a couple of self inflating mattresses after experiences like yours and I could not be happier.

We bought the Artiach Confort brand because it is the thickest but Thermarest are also popular. You don't roll about on them and you can't feel the ground through them. The only drawback is they are £80 each.

Paul

We prefer camp beds - lot less trouble - get it out of bag, unfold it, all done - sit down with drink!!

My hubbie, who is a little heavier than he should be does have a self inflating mat on top of his as one of the supporting poles digs in his hip when he sleeps on his side, but other than that we've had no problems.

Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 01/06/2005

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Buy a decent airbed? The Coleman double chamber ones are best for couples.

 

Hi Val,

Our airbed developed a slow puncture over the weekend due to some over inflating. We used to have the red rubberised/cotton airbed that can be found in Argos for around £14-£18 but replaced it with one of the PVC airbeds with flock tops. Not a patch on the old one for warmth and comfort - and it cost £20!

Looking at the Coleman stats, it seems to be the same type of construction materials as our new bed - PVC and flocked top. Whats it like to sleep on?

Steve

Hi Lynn,

Oddly enough we've actually got the Coleman single airbed (came with the tent for a quid when we bought it) but have never used it because of the size! Just concerned that we found the cold air in the night rises through PVC a lot more than the rubberised cotton airbeds.

Only problem with all the extra insulation needed is the additional space in the car!

We've got two campbeds that we bought from Lidls about 4 years ago but never actually used for camping because they were too big for the tent we had then, so what we've decided to do is take a weekend break to a nearby campsite to test them out the next time its sunny.

Horses for courses but I'd never go back to big blow ups because of the reasons you outlined. Also in order to make them comfortable you need all the other pariphinalia like silvered blankets fleece blankets etc.

Good quality self-inflating mattresses use this wierd foam inside which "remembers" its shape when deflated for couple of weeks. All you do is take it out of its bag (the size of a normal foam sleeping pad) and it sucks the air in as the foam expands. You may need to put in a couple of puffs to get the right pressure. It is had to believe but I can't feel the ground through my one even perched on my elboes, (and at 15 stone I'm no lightweight). The manufacturers say it has the same thermal properties of cork, so no need for all the other blankets to keep you warm. They are also covered in a special fabric to stop you sliding off.

They work, but they may not be suitable for all. Mine only inflates to 7.5cm but some may find it hard to get up from a low bed.

Okay......We tried two airbeds,one on top of the other and it was crap. Slightley more comftable but still kept waking each other up.So we tried separate airbeds and slept much better but takes up too much room, wife felt the cold air in the bed and above all lonley.

so all combnations of airbeds are crap ( Colmans double aside ), which leaves me two options.................Campbed V Self-inflating mattress?