Keeping my bum off the ground.

[101 Ron]

Whats the best way to go on keeping your bum off the cold ground for a bed......air matress aways leak......dont want a stretcher.......never used a self inflating matress,are they any good?
I want something for use in a small tent.
Regards Ron

[BMKal]

One of those dense foam mattresses (the type designed to be rolled up and strapped under the bottom of a back-pack) and an old grey WOOL blanket. The foam mattresses, even though they look pretty thin, actually do a pretty good job of smoothing out the bumps, and you can't beat a wool blanket under you for keeping that ground chill out of your back - but it has to be wool - the modern synthetics just don't cut it.

[Richard]

I found a dome swag with a 2" mattress pretty good although I now use it on a stretcher and its more comfortable and just as warm.

[toy yoda]

You could always try a hammock go a high or low as u want;) lol

[rumpig]

self inflating matresses are great, not all the same though. i went to about 4 different camping stores and tried them all out (no i didn't take the sales girls for a roll) most places had them unrolled so i layed on each and felt how firm they were. mine has a vinyl type bottom and a velour type top on it, so matress isn't cold on top even when ground is. we took it to the cape last year for 5 weeks, never had a problem, they are bulky though and being ours is a queen size the roof rack was it's home.
best thing i have slept on when camping, if it would fit in the caravan i would get rid of the matress in there and replace it with the self inflater.

[Muddy Dazza]

I had had 2 airbeds, both went flat due to leaks, so they got piffed. Now we have a double swag for the wife & I. Best nights sleep ever!

[Marc 1]

My wife and I have self inflaters when we were in the 'tent-without-kids' phase. She got one that is about 4cm thick when inflated - very comfy. Rolls up to be a cylinder about 60cm x 12cm. I got a bit gung ho and decided on the ultra light variety - only about 2cm thick when inflated and it can be a bit uncomfortable, although it does insulate well. It folds in half along the mattress before it is rolled so it is quite a bit smaller in it's stuff sack, about a 25cm x 15cm cylinder.

A tip on storing them, never store rolled away or compressed (bit like down sleeping bags), just lay them flat under your bed with the valve undone so that it can 'breathe'. Before you go away roll them up and you're off.

[101 Ron]

thanks for the input .
I like swags but the missus doesnt so I am stuck to the light tent sindrome.

[patrol90]

two foam rolls from clark rubber. same as in a swag.

[Jeeps]

I prefer a stretcher, there's something about being up off the ground completely plus they are very comfy. I tend to wake up felling better than on a matress. Until you've slept the night in a stretcher you don't know what you're missing :)

[gwoods]

We use swags, in and out of tents. Don't go the Air Mattress way. One reason is punctures as you describe. The other problem is that air is not a good insulator and if the ground is cold you will be too. Good quality Self Inflation Matress' work well. Like most other things you get what you pay for.

[aus2ra]

Next time you go past a snowgum or simalar store to that, have a look at the self inflators called therma rest. They are insulated and pretty comfy. I used one in nepal when I went mountain climbing. Temps got below -20 and it kept me warm (so long as your sleeping bag is alright) It uses your own body heat to warm it up and hold the heat.

[solomandan]

This mite be of interest


http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s1186353.htm

Cheers

[Risto]

Self-inflating mattress for me thanks. Never leaked at all and super comfy and warm. Once you open the valve and the let air out it rolls into a very small little wrap. My wife and I both use them and even she's mighty pleased! Ahem... ;-)

There are of course many to choose from - mine came from (gasp) good ol' Ray's Outdoors... About 70-odd bucks a pop if memory serves me right, which is peanuts for many nights' comfy sleep.

[walshy787]

If you have a friend in the removalist business grab a couple of them felt blankets to put under your swag,bag or mattress and see how warm you stayThey are also good to keep in the truck for picnic days

[Muckinhell]

If you go the self inflating mattres make sure you get 2 singles. There heaps easier to deal with when packing then one long double or queen size self inflating one.

[Chyzinkoph]

me and the girl friend use Timberline single self inflaters from Big W. About $25-$30 been used about 3-4 times a year for upto a week at a time, and they do the job great!! You dont get cold and they are quite comfortable aswell. They pack up nice and small so they are ideal for the backpack camper.