I currently have a coleman double airbed but do find it chilly and not very comfortable (stiff shoulders). Today I tried these self-inflating mats only 3cm thick and was surprised just how comfortable it was. The 3cm being more comfortable than a 5cm! The chap from Yeomans assured me that the chill does not travel thru these but a £50 for a double I would like to reassured by others experience. Can anyone help?
HI I was also keen to buy self inflating mats as I've heard they are much warmer than aiebeds and we have just bought Fat airics form alpkit they're about 8cm thick. I'm new to camping and a warm and comfy nights sleep is a must. While I've not used it in the tent yet I have tried it out at home and was really impressed by them slept really well. I also have friends who recommend them and they have ventured further than there bedroom floor!!! They are £45 each though but you get £15 off it you buy two. They also have thinner ones. Website is www.alpkit.com
If your looking for a good Matt, have a look at the ThermaRest DreamTime XL's, I got two of these as they can fasten together to form a Queen Size bed, more of a sleeping system than just a Matt, although they are pricey, I paid £119 each back in November, although they do come with a life time warranty.
I've got an Airic, and it's great. However, you could look at the Costco version, which is a bit thicker but also a bit heavier. It's less than £20 for a single, and much much better than the bricks that the likes of Aldi and Lidl have had on sale recently.
I also had only ever used an airbed when camping, until earlier this year when I wanted to kit myself out for winter camping. Having done some research online, into weight, length, comfort ratings etc & considering the ultimate use ie car camping, I finally opted for the Thermarest Dreamtime (Reg). I first trialled it (& my new tent) in the garden during the first week of March, it fell to -2 overnight, and combined with my Nanok sleeping bag (Performance -10)I had a full, uninterrupted 8 hours sleep! I was amazed, so much so I spent a 2nd night out there! I found the mat very comfortable, they also make great spare beds for impromptu visitors! Have a good look around the net & you can find some great offers.
Tried out our Fat Airics for the first time this weekend.
Impressed with the thickness and ease of inflating, putting away and the weight of them. Couldn't feel the floor through it, unlike cheaper mats (including the Costco one).
Less impressed with the stiff back and dead arm that had me up and out of bed at 7am each morning! Was longing for my airbed which was in the roofbox, but didn't want to give in and admit I might just have wasted £40!
We much prefer self inflating mats. Including my wife who ahs cronky hips from her first preganancy and needs a comfortable bed that gives enough support.
Some friends of ours have the Thermarest Dreamtime ones, whilst they are comfortable.I can't say I thought they were really that much more comfortable than the thick (7-8 cm) mat my wife uses. Certainly I wouldn't consider them worth the high price. They are very bulky to pack as well.
I've got a well used lightweight Thermarest used for backpacking and cycle camping. But for general use I don't really think they price premium of such mats really gets you much.
I don't like the real cheapies such as the Aldi ones (someone who has them is replacing hers with better ones). But decent mid price ones seem fine (which I imagine are mostly badged versions, rather than manufactured especially for the different brands. We have a couple of 3.5 cm Sunncamp ones and a thick Outwell one, all are comfortable and seem well enough made.
I have used camping beds and lots of diffenent air bed last BH I bought a double mat from Lidl £30 and that night I had the best ever sleep when camping. It was warmer to even though it was a cold night.
Thanks for all the replies. The Fat Airics are out of stock at present but I want a double. Gelert do a double that can fold in half for £50 which I am tempted by. Its not just a good nights sleep they seem to be easier to deal with than airbeds no blowing up easier to clean. Also I like that idea of no chill factor even with groundsheets and lying on my sleeping bag I can feel the cold coming thru. Anyway I am not rushing into a purchase and shall keep researching. jill
We like our Airics (Fats for us, Regulars for the kids) for camping earlier or later in the season, but tend to use airbeds (Coleman) in summer.
I don't honestly think there is that much time difference in using either; the airbeds have to be inflated and deflated, then folded, but so too do the Airics, and they seem to take a bit more manual effort to roll, then re-roll. There really isn't that much to be gained in terms of pack size either, and to be honest it is probably easier to stow a folded up airbed than a cylinder-shaped rolled up mat.
The obvious benefit of the Airics is that you don't need a pump to inflate them, just a few puffs to get them to their appropriate size (and that's a few more puffs than the manufacturers would have you believe).
So, horses for courses; it all comes down to personal preference at the end of the day, like all things camping. Our teenage son prefers the Airic, our teenage daugter prefers the Coleman. I think they both have their uses, at different times.
Seems my advice is to get both (even though that wasn't your question! ).
I currently have a coleman double airbed but do find it chilly and not very comfortable (stiff shoulders). Today I tried these self-inflating mats only 3cm thick and was surprised just how comfortable it was. The 3cm being more comfortable than a 5cm! The chap from Yeomans assured me that the chill does not travel thru these but a £50 for a double I would like to reassured by others experience. Can anyone help?
You could try putting a decent picnic mat under the Coleman Comfort, then using a fleece or quilted underblanket on top, then a fitted sheet. It does make a considerable difference. It's most important to insulate underneath you, with an airbed.
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Topic: Self-inflating sleep mats
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