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can anyone tell me if buying one of those cheap foam camping mats would be any use under an airbed - would it provide enough insulation?

Any ideas would be very much appreciated - Thanks

Mandy

It would be better on top of the airbed.

Airbeds dont provide much in the way of insulation from the ground because you have convection currents inside.

A standard 9mm foam mat is more than enough insulation for most of the year, 12mm is better in winter, maybe 18mm if your sleeping on snow\ice.

thanks for that advise Stuart.   not sure how comfortable that would be though, would it slip off!  

do you know if a quilt have the same effect?

I used a 4.5 tog quilt between the airbed and fitted sheet in late September last year, and was as warm as toast.

If you`re using a duvet as main bedding, it`s essential to have something between you and the airbed. If you`re using sleeping bags, less so. (But you still have the gap between your bag and the pillow.)

Quote: Originally posted by harvey31 on 19/02/2005

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thanks for that advise Stuart.   not sure how comfortable that would be though, would it slip off!  

No, they seem to stay put.

do you know if a quilt have the same effect?

Depends how much is crushes under your weight I guess.

Foam pads dont crush much so maintain insulation. Sleep on the cold ground in a sleeping bag and you wiil definetly feel the cold ground, and the bottom of a sleeping bag is like a quilt.  

During the summer months we only use our sleeping bags on top of the airbeds, with nothing but a sheet covering the bed. Plenty warm enough with just a layer of sleeping bag under us.

One day, when I have time (Time? Wot that???) I`m going to cut down an old zip-open sleeping bag to fit the top of the mattress exactly, and sew some elastic/tape  loops to the corners to keep it in place. I don`t want the old zips rubbing against the airbed, and I don`t like carrying unneccessary weight and bulk around.