Motorcycle camping, bed or mat?

[Geodude]

Just wondered what you guys used when camping on the bike for sleeping on, whats best a camp bed or mat or just laying on the ground. Small pack size type stuff and ease of use if cold and wet :rolleyes:

[DarrenSV650S]

Get an inflatable bed. Camping mats are pretty useless on rough ground

[carelesschucca]

Last time I camped I used a decent lilo its just enought to take you off the ground but it packs up nice and small.

[CharleyFarley]

Try self inflating mat (Go outdoors), small, compact, light......good compromise over comfort/bulk-weight.....
No complaints after 15 nights camping/trekking Europe!!


"Gas it w###a".........

[Geodude]

Thanks for replies lads :) so the way to go is inflatable or self inflating, i will have a look around, any that should be avoided or are they all about the same?

[JulesW]

Thermarest self inflating camping mats are very good.

http://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/Thermarest-&-Roll-Mats/Therm_dash_a_dash_Rest

[CharleyFarley]

Check out GoOutdoors 1st tho.......sometimes they 'GIVE' stuff away, check their web site!!


"Gas it w###a".........

[Geodude]

Ta lads.

[JamesMio]

I've got one of these, bought it for a Euro trip a few years ago (but I can't think I paid £120 for it!!?)...

https://www.alpkit.com/products/base-120

Brilliant bit of kit if you can find one at a sensible price.

[JulesW]

I use a 3/4 length Thermarest, is was about 50 quid.

[Specialone]

I'm pretty experienced with both, used to use the inflatable lilo type but they aren't very practical or comfortable for me, Compressors to blow them up and deflate them is a pain too.
I bought a thermarest in 2011 and it's much better.

Since then I bought a cheaper hi gear one for the wife and I've gotta say, had I seen this one before I bought the thermarest I would've bought the cheaper one, I honestly can't say my thermarest is £70 better than the higear one.

[Dipper]

Had one of these (http://www.decathlon.co.uk/a300-self-inflating-mattress-id_8172440.html) self inflators for 6 years.... mint

[DJFridge]

B&B

[cheesypeeps]

I've got a therma rest one but I have heard good reports about the cheaper models. Was just googling out of interest and found this..http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-camper-lightweight-sleeping-mat-p143977. Quite a bargain!

[Teejayexc]

I've got a therma rest one but I have heard good reports about the cheaper models. Was just googling out of interest and found this..http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-camper-lightweight-sleeping-mat-p143977. Quite a bargain!

That is cheap!

What's the catch, does the discount card cost £50 or summats?

[yorkie_chris]

Camp beds are heavy and bulky, inflatable beds are crap. They just guarantee cold air underneath you.

Thermarest is what you want, base camp one is ace when you're on the bike and don't really care about weight.

[Specialone]

I've got a therma rest one but I have heard good reports about the cheaper models. Was just googling out of interest and found this..http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-camper-lightweight-sleeping-mat-p143977. Quite a bargain!

Don't bother with that, they are crap, you'll want one of the ones with loads of little air pockets inside, much more comfortable and a thermal break from the cold ground.
This is the cheap one I got for the wife, been very impressed with it so far...
http://m.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-ultralite-lightweight-sleeping-mat-p143703

[Geodude]

Thanks for all the info guys, this site rocks as do you all. :) Will check out my local camping shops for a bit of testing, ta all.

[21QUEST]

Real men and proper bikers use B+B :D or is it just the shandy drinking sarfern puffs :confused: :p

[Luckypants]

Plus one for the Thermarest here too, had one for years. They pack down small so I can fit it with my sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack that gets bungeed to the pillion seat. Tent goes there too, leaving panniers for less bulky stuff.

[Jayneflakes]

I am not a fan of Thermorest, I had one a few years ago and used it on a winter climbing trip and was very disappointed. I also have a scar thanks to the damn thing when it got a hole in it and I followed their instructions on how to repair it!

I now have a thing called a Backpackers air bed. It rolls up to the same size as a small thermorest and is three times the thickness. It blows up really easily and does not need a compressor. Deflating is equally easy and takes only a minute or less. Comfort is excellent and it supports my knackered back really well. I use a Mountain Equipment synthetic fill sleeping bag and can camp happily and comfortably in snow with this set up.

When I go away with the wife, we use a double air bed because she likes her comforts. If she had her way, the tent would have a power point so that she can plug in things like hair dryers and the like! Mind you her idea of a tent and mine clash somewhat. I like a tent that is compact, lightweight and easy to carry in my back pack. She likes one of the tents that is the size of a modern flat, with numerous rooms, a dining area and a garage! The last tent I bought on her request is so large that we can park both bikes inside if the weather is foul! :smt044

[mills94]

I'd also recommend the self inflating mat from go outdoors, they aren't expensive and are rather comfy too, pack away quite small which is handy on a bike

[Geodude]

Thanks for all the help peeps i grabbed a half price sale trekmates contour mummy self inflator i saw in the window of millets for a try.