What do you sleep on?

[Waapster]

Kitting out the tent. I rather like the idea of a self-inflating mat and by shopping around can find some keen prices.

Who uses one of these? The smallest are 2.5cm thick which seems almost negligible - can his be comfortable? And is there a downside to getting a 10cm big boy (other than bulk when folded up)?

Thx

Edited April 30, 2014 by Waapster

[mkgirl1981]

some people swear by them - i have one, its suprisingly comfortable

i also take lots of fleecey blankets from ikea/primark for some extra warmth/padding

[Bisque]

My side

[kalifire]

I'm setting up my camping gear for the first time, being a festival virgin. I've put a lot of time into researching the best things to buy, equipment which will hopefully last me years.

Today, I bought an Exped downmat. It's a pricey bugger, but everything I've read tells me it's one of the most comfortable, easy to set up and insulated things you can hope to sleep on outside of your own bed. I bought the '7 LW' because it's slightly wider and longer, so it'll accommodate my height and the Gelert sleeping pod XL I've also bought. I'm trying not to think of the cost, but even so I'm very happy with my purchase and can't wait to try it out.

[stardustjunkie]

The floor. Or if I'm feeling really luxurious, I'll take a foam roll mat that really only keeps you a bit warmer.

Apparently this year we're having an air bed though. I honestly think I'd get a better nights sleep on the floor but I'm being told it's non negotiable!

[jonny2mad]

I have self inflating mattresses but Ive started to use a single blowup matress maybe with the other matress on top , and I take a very nice sleeping bag

[Waapster]

Kalifire, I've just watched the Exped videos and it looks good but, boy, thats a lot of cash. Have you tried yours yet, is it comfortable?

[kalifire]

Kalifire, I've just watched the Exped videos and it looks good but, boy, thats a lot of cash. Have you tried yours yet, is it comfortable?

[Mark E. Spliff]

For me, the self-inflating ones aren't comfortable - I get dead arms and sore hips. Thermarest do a thing called a NeoAir, which I find very comfortable, and it packs down ridiculously small, but it's pricey. Personally, I use a big double 'ReadyBed' (an airbed with sleeping bag/sheet built in - get them from Argos) with a double duvet on top. This is easy for me as I can park my car close to my workers campsite - you might be forced to use a more compact solution. If so, I'd go the NeoAir route.

[mrlibertinedream]

Single airbed, tesco special (£5.00) brought it 4 years ago and still as good as ever, pump it up on weds morning and maybe again once during the festival, far enough off ground to keep you warm, would recommend have used a self inflating matters before that cost £50 plus and didn't have half a good a night sleep

[bexj]

We bought a very good quality airbed with a battery operated in built pump a few years ago, for normal camping as well as festivals - my days of crashing on the hard cold ground are well over. I sleep as well on this as i do in my normal bed, and its well worth carrying the extra weight. We take a proper pillow, sheet and unzip sleeping bags to use as a duvet

[Jadey]

I've started using an air bed with a small electric pump from tesco, I used to sleep on the floor to avoid having more to carry but I have a much better sleep on an air bed!

[HurrahBrother]

The self inflating mats are rather good. I got a millets own brand (Stormguard I think is the 'brand'?) that has given some good service.

It is part insulation (air is a rather good insulator) and part cushioning, as an insulator it is better than the foam mat.

Now, obviously to inflate you just roll out, undo valve, and late nature take its course an then do the valve up again.

They do not self deflate, My trick? Undo valve, roll up, do up valve, unroll, start rolling again (tighter this time), when I can reach the valve, undo it, then roll all the way and do the valve up, maybe take another pass rolling it a bit tighter still, before strapping it up/putting it in its bag.

Edited May 1, 2014 by HurrahBrother

[rexclark]

The ground.

[pie_and_a_pint]

I was really sceptical about the self-inflating mats but actually for me, they're better than just a rollmat. I have a GoOutdoors own brand one, although I believe that the proper (and much pricier) Therm-a-Rest ones are much better.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

When you roll out the self inflating mats get a hold of the air intake valve and blow into it repeatedly until the resistance offered means you can blow no further air into it. This will expand the mat to it's optimum and gives far greater comfort than if you don't do so.

[HurrahBrother]

The problem with the thicker self inflating mats, apart from price, is they they are heavy, very heavy!

Sadly Alpkit have stopped doing theirs (generally rated best bangs per buck) but their 'fat' range was recommended for use out of the back of a car rather than backpacking.

In a similar vein are these

http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1778

(still out there with various army surplus places, hunt around)

Effectively futons! Only if you are going by car and have a troll as even rolled up, they are about the same size and half the weight of my 90 liter rucksack when it is full!

[THEBOILERMAN]

Double air bed pumped up with a battery pump, duvet on top of that then a double sleeping bag topped off with another duvet.. Oh and don't forget the 4 pillows.

It's as comfortable as my bed at home... And at my age I need that.

[citrine]

Normally an inflatable double for me and o/h. But he can no longer get up of one so pushing the boat out and getting a collapsible frame type bed.

[ZoZo88]

I usually sleep on the ground in me sleeping bag and have no problems actually sleeping, comfortwise when trying to sleep it's not the best and I'm always quite chilly. I mite consider a blow up air bed since so many people are recommending them and if they're cheap enough from Tesco.

Edited May 1, 2014 by ZoZo88

[hrperson]

I have a self inflating one which was fair more comfortable than my tube airbed which inept rolling off. But I do have a really cosy sleeping bag to go with it. I did get a chance to try it out in the shop.

[ian the worm]

In my teens, the ground.

In my 20s, 1cm roll mat.

In my 30s, 3cm self inflating air mat.

In my 40s, 10cm air bed.

I can do you a graph if you want?

[MrsRookin]

One of these.... http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/campingaz-smart-double-airbed-p293574?gclid=CKOtqNzfi74CFUmWtAodsFQAuA the pillows lift up so you can stash all your valuables, and no one is getting in there without waking you. Also comfy!

[asfaltsblomma]

One of these.... http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/campingaz-smart-double-airbed-p293574?gclid=CKOtqNzfi74CFUmWtAodsFQAuA the pillows lift up so you can stash all your valuables, and no one is getting in there without waking you. Also comfy!

[bexj]

Like it Mrs Rookin, like it :-)