Airbed or Self-Inflating Mat

[punkincowcat]

I have been doing much pondering and I really don't know whether to buy a self inflating matress or an airbed and I need your help!! some point to consider are;

1) I don't sleep as well on a ground surface (would a mat make much difference?)

2) I'm travelling by coach so only taking one large back, would a single air bed fit? or perhaps be too bulky?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

[Kyelo]

Neither in my case, I use one of these.....

......+a Tesco value pillow. I'm 6ft2 and 16stone, it supports me so would hold most people. I find it quite comfortable also. Keeps you off the ground and once its up, its up no need to keep topping up the air in it.

Argos, £12.99. See HERE.

Edited April 20, 2009 by BenchBuddah

[punkincowcat]

The thing that puts me off about this is the bulkiness of it.. doesn't seem like something you can stuff in your rucksack

[Funkfarley]

Right..

I sleep on my front so I need something a bit wider so I can put my knee out to one side. I have slept on an air bed and find it a bit uncomfortable. I also find them quite cold to sleep on. I find them heavy and generally a pain in the ass to pack and carry.

I have slept on a normal mat and found this awful...my hip was aching and i was generally sore all over.

I have bought a self inflating mat and i am yet to sleep on it however, during a test run on the living room floor, in front of the apprentice last week it seems to be very comfortable...I obviously dont know exactly what its like out in the field but so far so good....its not so far off the ground im uncomfortable on my front. It inflates pretty quick (Its just foam regaining its shape!) a couple of puffs and its just right. Its only a big lighter than the air bed but i find it easier to roll and is a similar size (Maybe a bit bigger) than a sleeping bag rolled up. Mine has straps and a bag to carry it so generally seems easier...i can fit mine in my rucksack.

I think its right for me but we shall have to wait and see...im leased with my purchase so far as I feel I can cope better with it.

[MikeyB37]

Neither in my case, I use one of these.....

......+a Tesco value pillow. I'm 6ft2 and 16stone, it supports me so would hold most people. I find it quite comfortable also. Keeps you off the ground and once its up, its up no need to keep topping up the air in it.

Argos, £12.99. See HERE.

[mouth]

I love my air bed, its a pain in the arse pumping it up but once done getting home at night is amazing. Plus joe bananas will pump them up for a fee if you cant be arsed

[andymk]

I have been doing much pondering and I really don't know whether to buy a self inflating matress or an airbed and I need your help!! some point to consider are;

1) I don't sleep as well on a ground surface (would a mat make much difference?)

2) I'm travelling by coach so only taking one large back, would a single air bed fit? or perhaps be too bulky?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

[paulo999]

Airbed = more air = better insulation from the ground (which has more heat sapping potential than the air around you).

But they weigh a fair bit and can be a bit "rolly", which self inflates don't do.

I've always used an airbed, but I'm tempted to give my Thermarest a try this year, just to reduce weight.

[paulo999]

[grumpyhack]

Blow up double airbed and double sleeping bag - even though I sleep alone. I just like to have a bit of space to move around.

It's a hassle blowing up the airbed but you only have to do it once - apart from possible little top ups if it leaks and at least you get a decent night's sleep.

[Mellon collie]

you could always get a exped mat

Exped

you can get down feather mats rated to -48C which pack up the size of a small sleeping bag.

unfortunatly at about 120 quid I don't think anyone could justify taking it to a festival.

[greenfairy43]

How about one of these?

Lovely & light & pack down to next to nothing. They're a bit narrow, but otherwise as good as any other airbed.

Edited April 21, 2009 by greenfairy43

[r0cky]

Blow up double airbed and double sleeping bag - even though I sleep alone. I just like to have a bit of space to move around.

It's a hassle blowing up the airbed but you only have to do it once - apart from possible little top ups if it leaks and at least you get a decent night's sleep.

[Chocscoffer]

I've posted this in another thread so I'm quoting it because I'm lazy! Oh and I vote self inflating sleeping mat over airbed. Airbeds are cold, they deflate over night and are bulky.

This is the one I have used for the last few years (had to google it!). It takes minutes to use. Open the valve and leave it for a few minutes and it will inflate itself, I like a harder bed though so all I do is add about 6 lung fulls of air and shut the valve. I would say that it will only need a top up of air after about 4 days.

http://www.camperite.co.uk/more/on/details/00184

I bought mine from a local caping shop not from this site so I have no idea if they are trustworthy! I do know that they sell them at Go Outdoors so if you have one near you then pop in, they have them unrolled so you can try them.

[nicnac81]

i just got one of the self inflating ones from Argos, a few of my friends had them last year and said they were amazing plus they are only 15 quid and small for carrying

[emmaroid]

I have a really bad back which means I can no longer sleep on my front or back. I tried a self inflating mattress recently and as I have to sleep on my side I found it about as comfortable as sleeping on a concrete slab!

Being a regular camper I have just bought an Aero-bed inflatable mattress which comes with its own rechargeable air pump which you just stick in the end of the bed, twist and then in 60 seconds its fully inflated so you can put your feet up and watch everyone else struggle to inflate theirs. One of those fold out picnic rugs underneath stops the cold from coming through. Main downside though is it quite bulky and heavy when its in its bag but it wont stop me from taking it even if I have to make an extra trip to the car.

http://www.aerobed.co.uk/index.asp

[pezzypops]

Airbed = more air = better insulation from the ground (which has more heat sapping potential than the air around you).

Edited April 21, 2009 by pezzypops

[Toilet Duck]

Airbed = more air = better insulation from the ground (which has more heat sapping potential than the air around you).

But they weigh a fair bit and can be a bit "rolly", which self inflates don't do.

I've always used an airbed, but I'm tempted to give my Thermarest a try this year, just to reduce weight.

[Funkfarley]

Can't beleive you have a thermarest and still use your airbed...you'll be amazed at how much warmer you are on a thermarest (the notion that airbeds insulate you from the ground just isn't true....they are significantly colder than an insulated self-inflating mat....which I why I go for a proper thermarest rather than some of the other self inflating mats that are about)....they are much more comfortable than an airbed, you won't belive how much more comfortable they are until you try one...for years I had airbeds, and switched to a thermarest a few years ago when going to a festy abroad (had to keep the baggage weight down!)...I've never used an airbed since and wouldn't even consider it now...I've slept on the thermarest for almost a week and felt great!

[maninkilt]

I'm a recent convert to these aswell, best night's sleep i've ever had in a tent (and that was when it was 0^o outside ) i put my self inflating mat on it too. Have to admit that i'm not sure i can be arsed to drag it all to Glasto though.

Got mine from Go Outdoors for £9.99...

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-collap.../COREAFCAZHG132

[Holty]

I bought a self inflating mat today and just tested it out so far so good!!

[zoso70]

the big debate continues!

personally after using both i still think the self inflating ones are better. airbeds always go down in the middle of the night and the're a lot heavier to carry.

if your bothered about being cold i always have a rug and space blanket (silver foil thing) underneath as well. duvet and blanket on top and im as snug as a bug. coming from someone that constantly has cold feet thats saying something.

[Alcatraz]

I'm one of those rare breeds that can sleep fine on a camping mat alone, or a hard floor for that matter, but as I'll be on my own in my tent this year, I'm thinking of spoiling myself! Cheers for all the suggestions