Hi all. We have just returned from a three week stint in France, where the kids and I slept on Costco self-inflating mats and dh, who is 11 years older than me and 23 stone kept to his old airbed because he said the costco mats weren't supportive enough. I'm fine with the costco mats....they're a "different" sort of comfy, but so much warmer than the airbed that I'm happy to give up what feels like a little less cushioning for the heat. However, dh did concede that the airbed wasn't ideal and he quite likes the idea of the mat if we can just get one comfy enough for him. So...thermarest or fat airic? I'm not toooooo bothered about the price; the most important thing is the comfort in this case. Whaddya reckon peeps?
I've only ever used Thermarests. You have to blow a bit more in than they 'self-inflate' to for best comfort. But you don't have to cart a pump around.
We use the vango double self inflating mat and find it very comfortable, as above you need to add a bit more air than the self inflating. Cheaper than the thermolite too.
I have an Exped downmat 9 which I use for wild camping, it has down in it for more insulation. Thermarest now do something similar but without the down insulation. What I have is like a delux lounger! As someone who could not sleep on a Thermarest this was the better option.
Just got back from 18 day trip to France myself, we took 2 ThermaRest DreamTime XL's, they fasten together to make a Queensize bed, they consist of a self inflating matt, foam insert and heavy duty fleeced cover which encases the each unit via a zip more of a sleeping system than just a matt, I hade a fitted cotton valence sheet made up to fit over the assembled bed, thickness was close on 10cm which is good for a matt, and I now know why they are called DreamTime, superb piece of kit, and well worth the investment, I shopped around and got them for £119 each, that was back in November, theoutdoorshop was giving the best price back then.
Fat airics were out of stock at the weekend and I wanted some quickly so ended up with some Outwell ones. I'm a larger lady and read on here that the thicker the better when you're heavy, so got the 7cm ones. They're hard but very comfy and a million times better than airbeds. I have gladly chucked those away now!
Fat Airics for me. I broke my spine a good few years ago, so suffer a bit on occasion. I have an orthopaedic mattress at home, but after a week away on an outwell deluxe campbed with a fat airic on top, I found it too uncomfortable to sleep when I got home.
Must add though, not used the Airic without the campbed yet, as I tend to only do that when I go solo, usually if I'm with OH, I have a coleman comfort double.
I spent a long time looking at diffrent beds, from mats, self inflating, etc.
Decided to get the 'Fat Airic', three of them exactly for camping trip next weekend. Should be here tommorow or Tuesday I hope.
Will let you know what they are like as soon as I get one out to try. As I say I looked at everything from carp fishing folding beds to foam mats and based on reviews over the interweb and on here they are really good.
I am 'larger' and don't find the Fat Airic as comfortable as everyone seems to think - but it is the best of all the self-inflating mats I have tried and much better than the Costco one.
I have only found it comfortable on one trip and I think the difference was that the ground was totally flat, whereas on a slope last week in Cornwall I woke up every morning very stiff. However, I think I did overinflate it to start with as it was better on the last couple of nights so am not chucking it yet.
Thanks everyone. Dh was in Glasgow area today and he said he tried out several and thought the Thermarest basecamp was the most comfortable. Having said that, he has come home this evening and declared that he wants to investigate the Thermarest Luxury Camp now as he hadn't realised that there was "one better". Tsk. Should never let him near the internet!!
I have both a Fat Airic and a Robens mat. I think the Fat Airic is 7.5cm and the Robens is 10cm. To be honest I now prefer these to airbeds and would rate the Fat AIric at 7/10 and the Robens slightly better at 8/10.
------------- Nigel
March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle
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: self-inflating mat research
