Is it worth buying an airbed?

[embee]

Definitely have something, I can second the recommendation for Thermarest. They don't look like they can possibly work, but believe me they are excellent.

Genuine Thermarest aren't cheap but i've been using mine for 7 or 8 seasons now, summer camping only mind. There are cheaper copies available, don't know how good or otherwise they are.

Used Thermarests come up regularly on fleabay, like this

I use an airbed in all weathers, one year in May I was at the same campsite we used for GMI and are using for GMIII this year (an old haunt of mine which is how we ended up there for GMI) and the overnight temperature dropped to -4 and there was a hard frost on the outer tent, I never felt that excessive cold was coming through from underneath. I have a small 12v pump which is literally pocket sized, plugs into my cigarette lighter socket on the bike and inflates the bed in seconds. Was 5 quid from Go Outdoors. Then put it in backwards in the morning and deflate in seconds too, rather than spend 1/2 hour rolling around on it like a ***** trying to get all the air out. It's actually so good if I need to inflate a double airbed in the house, I use that and power it off the mains via a car battery charger.

hmm those thermarest things dont look very comfy - if your sleeping on anything but a nice very flat, even springy grassy field.. Ive not had the fortune to sleep on many of those - my bid still goes for the airbed, cant feel lumps and bumps, and make sure you have a darn good sleeping bag to keep the cold out....

and of course - drink loads (just make sure your fairly near loo's for the next morning!

[Stu]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

I use an airbed in all weathers, one year in May I was at the same campsite we used for GMI and are using for GMIII this year (an old haunt of mine which is how we ended up there for GMI) and the overnight temperature dropped to -4 and there was a hard frost on the outer tent, I never felt that excessive cold was coming through from underneath. I have a small 12v pump which is literally pocket sized, plugs into my cigarette lighter socket on the bike and inflates the bed in seconds. Was 5 quid from Go Outdoors. Then put it in backwards in the morning and deflate in seconds too, rather than spend 1/2 hour rolling around on it like a ***** trying to get all the air out. It's actually so good if I need to inflate a double airbed in the house, I use that and power it off the mains via a car battery charger.

This? http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-...g-pump-p143973

Edit: Aaargh!! Why is postage the same again

[BoltonSte]

Borrow one of mine if you want Woz, I'm only down the road in Bolton mate.

Goes pretty compact. Battery pump is a bit smaller than a 4 pack.

You'll just need your own sleeping bag.

Ste

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by embee

Genuine Thermarest aren't cheap but i've been using mine for 7 or 8 seasons now, summer camping only mind. There are cheaper copies available, don't know how good or otherwise they are.

Blacks do an identical looking item for about half the cost, extremely comfortable in the biggest size that I got, even if it's bigger than my tent when packed...

Having tested it here:



I can confirm it insulates you just fine from the cold, and is also thick enough to be comfy if you have to sleep on a surface with smallish rocks as well

Airbeds are far too heavy to lug around and are a PITA with inflating/deflating if you're moving camp after one night

[timwilky]

I agree airbeds are heavy, but I still like that I cannot feel the cold hard ground. I pump mine up from the bike 12v. But still have to pished to sleep under canvas

[Viney]

I have one of those self inflating mats. Smaller, easier to blow up, well its self inflating, and i think more comfortable to lay on. I hate sleeping on airbeds, its like sleeping on a rollercoaster!

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by timwilky

I agree airbeds are heavy, but I still like that I cannot feel the cold hard ground. I pump mine up from the bike 12v.

You can't feel the ground through mine, I deliberately bought the thickest one though...

[dizzyblonde]

YES to airbeds. Having cripples sharing tents with you, you have to keep them comfy, even if they drink so much they can't remember getting in the tent.
Helps them in the long run, maybe not the hangover though!