Campbed v Self Inflating Mat v Airbed

[JoeyT]

Think I may go for a camp bed this year as I'm camping in the camper fields so don't have to worry about lugging anything across site.

Usually have done the self inflating mat though.

Not sure where I got mine from but know it's nothing fancy like a thermarest.

[Padgey]

I've had one of the inflating mats for a good number of years now but last year I didn't feel as comfortable on it so opting for an air bed this year, could be an age thing!

[tjamest]

I have an airbed but it's too bulky and heavy for my liking.

Can anyone recommend a good self inflating mat?

I've had this one for four years and still going strong

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/mountain-equipment-helium-3-8-sleeping-mat-83120064?id_colour=98

[EZYSEY]

Self inflators are good but if you move around as much as me in bed then you'll find yourself rolling onto the floor pretty quickly. At least with an airbed your higher up which keeps me on it.

[ghostdancer1]

what exactly is the benefit of a self-inflating mat for sleeping on?

they look really thin and not much better than a rolled-up bog standard foam mat.

a decent airbed seems way better for keeping you off the ground, and not to feel any lumps underneath....

[sheffieldlady]

Used a self-inflating mat for the last couple of years, after inspecting it over the weekend it has a couple of punctures. So trying to decide if upgrading to an airbed is worth it - I manage to have perfectly good nights sleep on the floor at friends house on the cheapo Tesco's one - it could transform the Glastonbury sleep experience... Will be taking a trolley so can stuff everything in the rucksack for the coach, fold down the trolley, remove wheels etc and than assemble in the coach park, take out all the heavy stuff and the job is a good one. There only a tenner usually for the cheap ones - is that what people use? Or do people splash out a little more on them?

[cornish hick]

what exactly is the benefit of a self-inflating mat for sleeping on?

they look really thin and not much better than a rolled-up bog standard foam mat.

a decent airbed seems way better for keeping you off the ground, and not to feel any lumps underneath....

less bulky to carry than an airbed - easier to inflate (obviously)

The air in the middle insulates you from the cold ground wheras bog standard foam mat won't

I use the Aldi/Lidl one last year for the first time and was perfect. I'm about 14 stone and didnt feel any lumps. I took my airbed and left it in the car just in case - it wasnt needed.

[ghostdancer1]

less bulky to carry than an airbed - easier to inflate (obviously)

The air in the middle insulates you from the cold ground wheras bog standard foam mat won't

I use the Aldi/Lidl one last year for the first time and was perfect. I'm about 14 stone and didnt feel any lumps. I took my airbed and left it in the car just in case - it wasnt needed.

thanks. i already have an airbed and it folds pretty easily into my rucksack, so i'll stick with that i think.

[LondonTom]

Self inflating mat all the way for me! I started off with a foam roll mat from poundland or somewhere and thought it was terrible, may aswell slept on the floor. Moved on to a lilo type blow up thing with a foot pump built it, and that was good but punctured after two festivals.

Now I have an AlpKit wideboy which I find does the job perfectly! Light enough to carry and fits easily into my backpack, slightly wider so than most mats so I don't end up half on the floor and its wider! (But they don't seem to do this model anymore). Now its in 4th festival (though sadly I suspect it has a puncture as it kept deflating last year at Bestival, but slowly so wasn't to bad )

[Jon who was I]

Another vote for self inflating.

Tried an airbed one year but didn't find it nearly as comfortable, also felt like it took up a lot more room in the tent as can't really stand / crawl on it when not sleeping.

Edited May 20, 2015 by I am Jon

[Stokesy10]

I've got a big airbed with a built-in foot pump in the head part. It's the bollox. Off eBay.

[The Other Steve]

Seems the self inflating mats comes in 4 depths - 3cm, 5cm, 7.5cm & 10cm. The ALDI deal is for a 5cm - will this be sufficient?

[Purple aki squat]

Drink more and save on the hassle of carrying any kind of bedding.

Had a self inflating mat the other year, it wasn't worth bothering so haven't since

[math125]

Seems the self inflating mats comes in 4 depths - 3cm, 5cm, 7.5cm & 10cm. The ALDI deal is for a 5cm - will this be sufficient?

It's good for me but really it's personal preference. Thicker, wider are more comfortable but the trade off is increased pack size.

[blackred]

Backpacker airbed, this is probably the cheapest one around

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/therm-a-rest-neoair-venture-sleeping-mat-p292551

I brought a better one but also got one of these for when I go camping with the missus (she gets the nicer one). Packs up about the size and weight of a 500ml drinks bottle, warm and comfortable, can be easily blown up manually - even by a chronic smoker like myself.

[Jon who was I]

Seems the self inflating mats comes in 4 depths - 3cm, 5cm, 7.5cm & 10cm. The ALDI deal is for a 5cm - will this be sufficient?

My 5cm one is fine. I do find they don't always self inflate fully, especially on first day when only just unrolled. Normally top mine up with a lung full of air. If you can still feel the ground when laying down then you need a bit of extra air in it.

[madbrain]

Tried self inflating mates but they are narrow and not really that comfy, so just got a Intex air bed on Ebay with built in foot pump double its not too heavy to carry and took 10mins to inflate,tried it out last sunday seems comfy but hope it stays up.

[Bobs]

Self inflating mat. Least weight, easiest to carry, least fuss setting up.

Perfect.

[McCor]

I've got a campbed from Go Outdoors, but it's rather heavy, so may opt for a self-inflating mat....

[Krazypinkminx]

Anyone used the lidl one? am thinking it looks better than the 3 cm vango trek one I have,

.http://leaflet.lidl.co.uk/0aded230-5f33-415d-be85-199fd166db78/html5.html#/1

[ICGenie]

Interested to see where everyone got their "lightweight" self inflating mattresses from as I actually think our double took up more space than two single airbeds and a pump! Plus it was nowhere near as comfortable. Airbed all the way for me (must buy a new one before the fest though, one of ours got a puncture!)

[Astracat]

Switched from airbed to cheapo camp bed (Argos basic, currently £12.74) in 2010 and never looked back. Barely heavier than an airbed, easier to carry in its bag (or hook it on), room to store stuff under it in the tent, good night's sleep. Bit of a work-out to get the legs in the rods as they're under tension - but I'm a weeble female so if I can manage it... Also, to ensure the cosiest kip, add thin foam roll-up mattress for insulation (they weigh barely anything!). Ahhhhhh - looking forward to my tent midden

[mjsell]

I have only ever used an airbed or plain mat at festivals (except Benicassim where we didn't even have that - just a gazebo) , this thread is literally the first time I have ever heard about a self inflating mat.

I feel like I have missed out. Do these mats fold or roll up? Are they similar packing wise to an ordinary mat. I've never had any problems fitting an airbed in my bag if I remember rightly. I am intrigued by these new fangled mats.

[sheffieldlady]

I have only ever used an airbed or plain mat at festivals (except Benicassim where we didn't even have that - just a gazebo) , this thread is literally the first time I have ever heard about a self inflating mat.

I feel like I have missed out. Do these mats fold or roll up? Are they similar packing wise to an ordinary mat. I've never had any problems fitting an airbed in my bag if I remember rightly. I am intrigued by these new fangled mats.

They roll up to a similar size to that of roll mats. Can spend a little or a lot on them depending on what you're after http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/camping/sleeping-mats/self-inflating-matshave a gander on GoOutdoors (other outdoor stores are available) to give you a bit more of an idea.

[kalifire]

Last year I bought an Exped Downmat, which was good, but I'm not sure it was so comfortable it justified the expense. Unfortunately, due to an incident, I had to throw it away at the end of the festival, and still haven't replaced it. I'm not inclined to get another, but something sufficiently long (I'm 6'2) and wide (to accommodate my sleeping pod/bag) is needed.

Edited May 20, 2015 by kalifire