Talk

Flip

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Camping

self inflating mattresses v blow up...

7 replies

alexw · 07/04/2008 15:53

Advice needed please. Are these any warmer/comfier than blow ups?? Thanks.

OP posts:

Report

claricebeansmum · 07/04/2008 15:55

Tip - never try to fill one with a hairdryer that does not have a "cool" setting. It will melt the plastic!

What is it to be used for - if camping then a Thermarest if you can strectch to it. If for overnight guests then Millets do ones with a inclusive foot pump.

Report

PrettyCandles · 07/04/2008 15:56

If by blow-ups you mean convenitional airbeds, then, yes, they are warmer. I have an oldish Thermarest self-inflating mattress, and it was wonderful when I first had it. It is still just as good, but my back is now a lot worse! For comfort I find that a blow-up airbed is better than a slef-inflating mat. To make it warmer, put something like flattened cardboard boxes or conventional closed-cell-foam campermats underneath the airbed.

I still take my Thermarest along, as it is very comfortable for lounging about on.

Report

PrettyCandles · 07/04/2008 15:57

Come to think of it, I believe Thermarest now do 5cm or more thick self-inflaters, which I would have thought would give you the best of both worlds: the comfort of an airbed with the warmth of a self-inflater.

Report

alexw · 07/04/2008 16:01

Thanks so much. Will look into it.

OP posts:

Report

Milliways · 07/04/2008 16:25

We got some self-inflating mats from Aldi & they are fab! inflate to 5cm, and DS slept on one at home for over a month when his back was at it's worst recently and he couldn't get into his cabin bed (or cope with a not firm mattress).

I prefer them to Air-beds as ours always go down after 1 or 2 nights!