Quote: Originally posted by Roog on 20/4/2025
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So have we concluded the experienced final opinion on this matter?
Air beds/camp beds are camping's equivalent of Marmite! Polar views, and EVERYTHING in between - the debate will probably rumble on forever!
I'm a fan of air beds for comfort, but the 'trust' in their reliability has been dashed, mostly from camping companions experience of catastrophic failure, but also from personal experience of going to bed on a firm one and waking on a very soggy one far too often! 'Trust' for past few years has been so low, automatically took a spare to save the emergency dash to buy a new replacement one!
Decision has partly been taken for me on air beds, reached an age where sleeping on the 'floor' is becoming more challenging, well the getting down and up in a vaguely 'dignified and timely' manner is passing!
Fold up camp bed has been purchased, but yet to use in anger, as past two years camping trips cancelled due to other fellow campers health issues! I only use a tent these days when the group of 'lads' go to motor races. - It's getting to be impossible for a bunch of 'old gits' all to be fit enough at the same time! - think there may be a message in there somewhere!!!!!
Have tried the camp bed at home with a foam roll as a 'mattress' and with a sleeping bag, seemed OK to me, but then I'm not a fussy sleeper, I think my caravan make up bench seat/beds are very comfy and sleep like a baby in a sleeping bag, whilst others judge those sorts of seat/beds to be the equivalent to a bed of nails, and go to all sorts of lengths with additional bedding to satisfy their needs - probably makes me a bad judge of what's OK!
As well as preference on bed type, you can't overlook pack size! Car boots aren't like the Tardis, you only have finite carrying space, at some point a compromise between what we want and what we can cram in dictates!
Another vote here for the Decathlon inflatable bed bases plus a SIM on top. We had two Exped Megamats (10cm deep box-sided 'SIMs' that mimic the shape of old red and blue rubberised Lilos) which are warm and comfortable but, we're on the wrong side of 60 now so to reduce the ahs and oohs of getting up off the floor, these are a godsend. Plus, they don't take up much space when uninflated. They're quick to inflate too and as the previous poster says, you can now buy one that has lift-upable slats to provide storage beneath (or just lift up the whole thing if you want to hide bags away). Our SIMs are slightlty wider than the base but still work well.
Airbeds require something on top and beneath to stop the cold from rising up and chilling overnight: we used those fleecy mattress toppers that go on like a fitted sheet, plus picnic blankets underneath.
The Megamats do self-inflate but need a bit of encouragement from a 'Shnozzle' - a low-tech bag of air attachment, that works very well and doesn't need EHU.
Have fun exploring the options.
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
I’m currently doing the SIM vs Airbed assessment before a trip away in a couple of weeks. Which? Has done testing of airbeds and they have a top 3, the tests look rigorous - reviews here (paywall) https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/mattresses/article/best-air-beds-aelZB9F9mFCk Vango Blissful comes out on top. There doesn’t seem to be much between the top three Best Buys.
The best airbeds we ever had were Aerobeds. Lasted for years. Sadly they don't make the range they used to and certainty not the one designed specifically for camping.
I have a Bestway that I have been using for several years now and my wife an Outwell that has so far lasted 2 or 3 seasons.
Quote: Originally posted by Jiddle on 26/5/2025
I’m currently doing the SIM vs Airbed assessment before a trip away in a couple of weeks. Which? Has done testing of airbeds and they have a top 3, the tests look rigorous - reviews here (paywall) https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/mattresses/article/best-air-beds-aelZB9F9mFCk Vango Blissful comes out on top. There doesn’t seem to be much between the top three Best Buys.
I'm probably more than just sceptical with these comparison tests, I'm rather dismissive of them! How realistic are the test procedures compared with camping use, not very really!
In most tents, the temperature rises to unbearably hot during a sunny day, probably well into the 40C's in many cases, that does two things, it increases the pressure in the air bed which strains every seam, and it significantly softens the material which makes it more vulnerable to failure, ESPECIALLY under the increased pressure! Where is the overinflation, over normal ambient temperature, cycling to extremes for 7 days test? I've seen a few inflatable beds and camping sofas etc. where the internal bracing that shapes them has let go and they've developed strange lumps and deformities during the heat of the day!
Some of these beds are very expensive, and even the cheaper ones not my idea of 'throwaway' prices, you are going to want more than one holiday use out of them! So where is the deflate, pack away (probably badly!), store for a long period (possibly in less than ideal conditions!), then reuse test? Even discounting the storage, they should do a deflate, pack, reinflate cycle of at least 20 times.
Where is the comparison between daytime and night time inflation pressure/comfort test? During the daytime when most of us will have inflated our beds, the temperature will be quite high and the bed inflation comfortable, BUT who's not felt the chill of early hours night time temps in a tent? The ambient temperature can easily hit single figures and the bed naturally 'deflates' because of this temp drop - is it still comfortable then?
These Which tests are more suited to assessing a guest bed in a house, rather than a camping bed!
All of these consumer tests are flawed, they take new pristine products and 'test' them once in often ideal conditions. The real world is we keep and use our purchases for years if we can, often not being very kind to them along the way! The only tests of any real worth are long term 'user' tests - how often do you see those!
This test and similar ones do little more than show 'potential' comfort, and often transient characteristics like smell that passes with use. Not really giving any insight into durability, and therefore value for money, at all!
I've seen a LOT of airbeds (not all mine, mostly camping companions) over the years, and damned if I could pick a good one from a bad one on spec. My cheap and cheerful (cheap enough to bin it if necessary without much annoyance), Lidl/Aldi Middle Isle purchases have been more durable than some high end ones that friends have suffered early failure with!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Air Beds
- think there may be a message in there somewhere!!!!! 
