Hi all, any recommendations/pros and cons regarding air/camp beds welcome. We currently use an air bed but see camp beds are becoming more popular. Thanks
I actually LIKE airbeds and find them really comfortable, unlike a lot of people who don't have a good word to say for them! Been using them for 50 odd years and in principle would carry on doing so, but has to be said, the old bones are finding them more difficult to get in/out of these days!
But, there is always a 'but'! Finding a modern one that is durable enough not to leak when brand new, will actually survive days of use without springing a major leak, or doesn't just deflate because air permeates out of the very fabric of the thing has become too much of a challenge for me! Last few years of tent camping with a crowd, there has ALWAYS been a few failures amongst the group. Price doesn't seem to come into it, you can't buy reliability with an expensive one it seems! Our stays have always involved an 'emergency' run to a camping suppliers to find a replacement bed or two! I usually take a spare, such is my lack of faith! If my creaking bones found getting out of an inflated air bed difficult, a deflated one gets to be downright challenging!
Finally given up the lost cause and bought a fold up camp bed! But, there is the damn 'but' again! Caution is needed to ensure camp beds actually fit your tent/bedroom space! Tent walls/bedroom walls nearly always slope, the sleeping space dimensions are measured at ground level (airbeds usually fit fine!), as you rise higher above the floor the dimensions diminish - firstly you find the camp bed is jammed hard into the walls, secondly you find the walls sometimes 'flap' in the breeze and contact you (especially noticeable on head/face) because you're in such close proximity, now if it's a inner bedroom wall, that's annoying enough, but if it's the flysheet, it'll likely be soaked in condensation as well! - not so much fun at all.
Fortunately all but one of my tents are (just about) big enough to fit the camp bed OK, the 'canvas coffin' 2 man one is not really! Plenty of tents are 'challenged' by a raised type bed!
Can't comment on my new camp bed's comfort or success when used in anger as yet (tried it out at home, seemed OK), would be packing it right now for a trip to France, but we had to abandon our plans and cancel the trip this year.
Like a lot of camping gear, packed size/weight of a bed has to be taken into account for transport purposes, mine's a not inconsiderable 92cm x 19cm x 9cm and weighs about 5.5Kg, PLUS I've got jam jar lids to put under the feet as pads to stop them puncturing the SIG on soft ground.
Also worth checking the MAX user weight of camp beds, some are really not suitable for heavy people! - I found a few that couldn't really take my weight, now I'm fairly big built, but certainly no where near obese or extreme!
The decathlon bed bases and a double air mat are my choice for car camping. A bit of insulation is always important as an air bed can be cold. I have no experience of modern camp beds but have endured the old style steel and canvas types. No thanks.
On my own, backpacking, I'm happy with a 5cm thick exped downmat..
Must admit I’ve always found the old army type (with 3 double legs/canvas stretched over a frame) very comfortable & easy to cart around, maybe eBay or similar?
Also have a box/cotton airbed (Outwell) that’s years old & never let me down.
But naturally we’re all chasing the impossible, comfort akin to home sleeping, easy to pack & (for me) storage underneath…
Quote: Originally posted by Nickmiow on 28/5/2024
Must admit I’ve always found the old army type (with 3 double legs/canvas stretched over a frame) very comfortable & easy to cart around, maybe eBay or similar?
Also have a box/cotton airbed (Outwell) that’s years old & never let me down.
But naturally we’re all chasing the impossible, comfort akin to home sleeping, easy to pack & (for me) storage underneath…
The decathlon bed bases have room for storage undernthemnandbwithbthebrightbairmatngivesntye comfort of a bed at home. The secret is the slats, just like a normal bed base.
I'm a side sleeper and think I have found a sleeping bag to give me that at home experience when backpacking- the Sierra designs cloud 800 20.
Zipless design so like a duvet, has a pad sleeve for a single air mat and comfort limit of -3. I pair that with a decathlon inflatable pillow.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Camp/air bed
via mobile 18/5/2024 at 10:10pm
