Self inflating Matresses

[rabid]

Do you need a foot pump with these self inflating ones ? I know you do with standard air beds.

And does the self inflating-ness only happen once, and then you use a footpump for the other uses ?

I'm confused !!

[mandypants]

Think I'll stick to my airbed, can't carry any more weight and camp beds are heavy. If I wasn't doing public transport I'd have considered it, but nah.

[st dan]

Basically they're foam filled so the their natural state is inflated. When put away you squeeze all the air out and close the valve to stop them inflating again. When you want to use them, open the valve to let the air in then top up by blowing into the valve. It's best to store them inflated at home so they self inflate better.

[ICGenie]

My husband scoffed at the idea until I got one and he saw it in action. We're now planning to give that to his son and buy ourselves a double. I'm getting too old to sleep on the floor!

[Boris]

My Therm-a-rest Prolite 4 Large has seen me through years and years of comfy camping. It was expensive but it rolls up mega small and light and is absolute bliss!

[Valka]

I've got myself a self inflater this year so hopefully they are good. Last couple of festivals i've had the big inflatable beds, but i'm doing Glasto on my own this year so i'm watching the weight of everything i carry.

[dvjj]

Haha sorry this thread and questions within it is one of the best on here! Self Inflating - Do you need a foot pump?..I think the clue is in the name

Edited May 13, 2010 by dvjj

[The Nal]

My husband scoffed at the idea until I got one and he saw it in action.

[ramragon]

I ordered this one from amazon Not in stock now but it is very very good.

Cost me 30 quid. However I am not a small chap by any stretch of the imagination. I left it to inflate for about 20 mins while I had a nap and when it was fully inflated it is at least 10cm thick. (which was why I bought it.

However I got on it and had to let some air out as it was too hard... but once deflated a little was as good as any mattress I have ever used at a festival.

Only down side is that it is quite big deflated and rolled up, however it will fit in the top of my bergan a treat so no worries....

Will be using an airbed this weekend at Bearded Theory as I am travelling up on my own, so its first outing will be the big G in June...

[Chocscoffer]

I bought one of the Lidl own brand ones and I'm not impressed with it, nowhere near as good as my previous outwell.

I'll be picking one of these tomorrow for Bearded Theory, look spretty decent!

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-ultral...ing-mat-p143705

[4AssedMonkey]

I've this one:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-explor...ing-mat-p143981

The 2.5 cm think one looked a bit weedy, the 10cm a bit bulky to carry when rolled up. It's dead comfy to be honest and a lot firmer than the airbed style ones I've used in the past so you don't get the problem with the air rushing about inside when you move about. I'd recommend it.

[fowls]

My therm-a-rest arrived yesterday!!!!

My flatmates kept teasing me about the price, so this better be worth it!

[tolywoly]

Are camp beds a lot heavier than inflatable matresses, which are all ready pretty heavy, any ideas?

[fowls]

Are camp beds a lot heavier than inflatable matresses, which are all ready pretty heavy, any ideas?

Edited May 26, 2010 by fowls

[uberland]

I got a self inflating one from yeomans a few years back for about £15. Never looked back I love it! Surprisingly confortable despite the thickness even when sleeping on side. Recommended.

Tried to convince my brother to get one but oh no, he insists on carting a heavy airbed on site and spending an hour inflating it, breaking the pump, buying a new pump, inflating it again...

Edited May 26, 2010 by uberland

[crow]

Super cheapo option is doubling a £1 lilo with a £1 camping matt. Inflate lilo and then gaffa tape mat to lilo - well comfy, and not all sweaty like a lilo is...

[tolywoly]

Well self inflating mattresses are the lightest option. Standard air beds are very heavy, but the self-inflating mattresses are only a few cm thick, pretty much the same as a roll mat in weight and are pretty comfortable (obviously haven't slept on mine yet, but laying down on it is very nice.A camping bed would probably be about the same weight as a standard air bed I imagine.

It depends what you look for in comfort really. Camp beds can be a bit stiff, but at least they get you off the ground. Standard airbeds are comfortable, but deflate slowly over the week and are pretty heavy for what they are. Self inflating mattresses are pretty thin, and so insulation is the main concern, but they still have the comfort of air.

[tolywoly]

Super cheapo option is doubling a £1 lilo with a £1 camping matt. Inflate lilo and then gaffa tape mat to lilo - well comfy, and not all sweaty like a lilo is...

[fowls]

A roll mat's always done me in the past. But I am getting on in years.

Cheers for the advice guys.