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Topic: Self Inflating Mats v Airbeds

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northcosmos

25/8/2013 at 2:29pm
Location: Lancs
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I know this has probably been discussed many a time. I have bought various airbeds over the last few years and not had a good night sleep on any of them. Along with the re-inflating and punctures to deal with. This year I thought I'd risk buying a Self Inflating Mat. Bought a 7.5cm Double Outwell Serenity Mat. OH was dubious also but I can honestly say I have never had a better night sleep whilst camping, I would even say its nearly as good as my bed at home. On packing up we found a large stone in the ground protruding slightly but neither one of us felt it. No falling off the bed, no bouncing when someone turns over. Only gripe is a little tricky to pack away but not that bad, but does take up more room than an airbed. I will not be going back to an airbed!!

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Roll on warm weather.

autopilot

25/8/2013 at 4:10pm
Location: Earth
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Another camper sees the light.

Warmer too because the foam inside insulates you, unlike air beds which actively cool you by wicking heat away from you.

Airbeds are the devils spawn. It's a learning curve all campers must go through.

There is trick to packing them up though, you can roll them pretty small.

yoda888

25/8/2013 at 8:47pm
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Been using some four season sim's for the last two years and way warmer and more comfortable than an air bed - however, ours are only about an inch thick and pack up very easily to a pack size of less then half of a single air bed.

northcosmos

25/8/2013 at 10:52pm
Location: Lancs
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Airbeds - doubt I will go back to them, I did try and do some research before I purchased the sim but couldn't seem to find reviews that didnt have conflicting information on them. I must admit I was a little worried and even though they are a little more expensive I do think it is money well spent. Yoda - do you think a 5cm sim is thick enough? I went for the 7.5cm as I was worried about touching the ground as I'd heard in some reviews, but the kids want them now. And come on autopilot - whats the trick?? This is only the second time I have rolled it, I can get it back in the bag it came with but can't get the straps on lol.

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Roll on warm weather.

mikegalagher

26/8/2013 at 10:39am
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Quote: Originally posted by autopilot on 25/8/2013
Another camper sees the light.

Warmer too because the foam inside insulates you, unlike air beds which actively cool you by wicking heat away from you.

Airbeds are the devils spawn. It's a learning curve all campers must go through.

There is trick to packing them up though, you can roll them pretty small.

In your view. There's no way we could get up off a SIM on its own, so it would need to be on a campbed. The campbed would need to be a double and there's NO WAY we're sleeping with a metal bar between us.

So, Aerobed Raised double for us, very comfortable, very happy with it. Thank you.

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Mike

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vango man

26/8/2013 at 5:18pm
Location: wigan
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we have tried many makes of airbed, however, after using an outwell sim we would NEVER go back to an airbed, not in a thousand million years. yes, they can be hard going to pack away but for us, nothing comes close to a SIM.

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armchaircamper

26/8/2013 at 7:39pm
Location: Aberdeenshire
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I've tried both and prefer the SIM - no bouncy sensation, warmer and less likely to leak or puncture. Also more comfortable.

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Sarah

gingerdadgos

26/8/2013 at 10:15pm
Location: not quite scotland
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I'm no fan of Airbeds. Prefer thermarest but the wife doesn't like the thermarest. We invested in an Aerobed and I have to say over the 3 or 4 years we've owned it I haven't had a bad sleep. Holds its shape and air well you don't get that life on an ocean wave feeling that you get with other Airbeds. That saying if camping on my own or backpacking its a thermarest all the way.

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yoda888

26/8/2013 at 10:45pm
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Hello Northcosmos - ours are only about 3cm thick at the maximum and have never had any issues with comfort. Fairly decent 4 season ones which might have something to do with this? 7cm ones must be mega comfy!!!

northcosmos

26/8/2013 at 10:55pm
Location: Lancs
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Quote: Originally posted by yoda888 on 26/8/2013Hello Northcosmos - ours are only about 3cm thick at the maximum and have never had any issues with comfort. Fairly decent 4 season ones which might have something to do with this? 7cm ones must be mega comfy!!!

Have to admit after a few nights back at home in my own bed, I do think the sim was more comfortable lol. Only issue is what others have raised - getting out of bed. As we are family camping (with the works) thinking 5cm might be the lowest we might go ;)

I agree with armchair, no hassles with punctures and the water bed feeling, if I ever need to be higher off the ground it will be a sim on top of a camp bed. Also took our quilts, vacuum packed in storage bags

Post last edited on 26/08/2013 23:02:30

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Roll on warm weather.

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