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I bought a top of the range blow up matress a couple of years ago.
I used it a few times, mainly for my children's visitor's. Much to my disappointment, I see that it has "sprung a leak" at one of the seams.
I would not say that it was abused, or ill treated and I would have expected a much longer life from this particular purchase.
Anyone who has met me will also know that I am not the size of person capable of putting much pressure on the matress.

I did find it extremely comfortable, but I cannot afford to replace this kind of item too often.

In terms of camp bedding, what do the experienced campers usually use and why?
I have looked at the alternative of buying a camp bed, but once I have bought all the bits, they are also pricey.
What do other folk find comfortable?

I am leaving for an extended camping stay in a couple of weeks and I do need some advice here.

I've grown up on campbeds, the kind with two bars on the side and 3 or 4 (?) W-shaped legs underneath. Very comfortable, and they have a nice side effect; you learn not to turn in your sleep or the bed will be sleeping on you!

Not expensive at all, folded they are small and fairly light, and they'll last you a lifetime with proper care.

But: they are strictly 1 (one) person beds....

MM I found a blow-up mattress uncomfortable as I could not find the right inflation point - either hit the ground or rolled off!

Have also tried various camp-beds. The old style stretcher bed is fine but a bit narrow. There is a recliner style one which is really comfortable and even has legs which are adjustable so you can level it if needed. It was relatively expensive though and is longer than many others, and has the disadvantage of many recliner types of upending you if you move too close to one end! I also have one of the spider types (similar mechanism to the chairs) which is OK but does not give much support.

If I needed one again I would go for the recliner type. Comfort, support and width are great and outweigh the occasional 'on my head' episode! (Actually putting a box or similar under the head end reduces the problem a lot!)

Hi

I love our blow up mattress. Have a queen size one and is perfectly comfortable for 2 x adults. So quick & easy to use and takes almost no space when folded.

Inflatable mattress definitely gets my vote.

Jen, have you had any puncture problems?

Camp bed (stretcher) any day.
MM - do you have a compressor to blow up a mattress? Or how did you do this with the previous one you had?

Foxy,
I have a fairly good foot/hand pump, the best I could find at the time. It works pretty well and does not take that long at all. I tell myself that it's calories in the bank.

For me, blow up is the way to go. I insist on a proper camping bed 'cause I hate sleeping on the floor. The famework is a bit heavy and bulky to transport but a tizz to set up. Within 10 seconds the frameworks up and the "yellow machine" can do it's job. It also dubbles up as an emergency guest bed at home.
That's a 10/10 for me!

I'd also say an inflatable. The pump we have blows it up in a minute or two. It does need a top up every night or two or else, as Imberbe mentioned, it is uncomfrotable. Its easy to find the right pressure. Blow up, then try it out, if it is too hard deflate and if too soft add a bit more air until it feels right.

Just make sure you always take along a broom to sweep the area of any thorns and sharp stones. A ground sheet also helps to prevent punctures. Keep a patching kit handy for punctures. You can get a good quallity mattress for zbout R200 - R300.

MM. Sorry I missed this thread earlier.

I have had both. Long time ago when I started camping, we bought the rubber / cotton compsite air matresses. These are only comfortable when you inflate it just enought to keep your shoulders and hips off the floor when you are lying on it.

They still serve me well and are easy enough to repair when they get punctures, The secret with and air mattress is not to overinflate it. Putting a blanket over it and sleeping on top of the blankets keeps the cold from coming in under the usual bedding you would use. (Find sleeping bags far too uncomfy.

Then SO had chest surgery and really battles to get up off the floor so I purchased the Camp Master folding queen size bed.

I have found this bed to be very comfortable and SO loves it. It is easy for her to get up at night to go to the ablusions.

This one inflates very quickly but you have to inflate it quite hard before it is comfy. The matress slides into a cover which zips it firmly to the bed frame.

It is the more expensive of the two options, but I have no complaints.

The way to deal with punctures is to get a bed partner that weighs more than you…in that way, if the bed deflates during the night, all the remaining air is pushed to your side and you will sill have great night’s rest….you might however get a very grumpy partner the next day.

We learned the hard way not to trust the air mattresses…having said that, I think there has been some advancements in their design and possibly the newer ones you get are not that prone to get punctures.

Jumbo, I have images of MM looking for a large Mr Fox every night.

Hi MM
even the newer ones are prone to punctures and have since done away with them now use the campworld / howling moon stretchers, two sizes available, with a foam mattress the type used on the chaise long (spelling) sun beds they fold up to the size of the folding camp chairs and the mattress we pack under our goodies in the boot of the car. the advantage is as they are on legs +/- 500mm off the ground you can slide stuff underneath them when space is at a premium in the tent. they are a bit heavy price wise but after 3 years of use no problems at all so far.

Hi MM
even the newer ones are prone to punctures and have since done away with them now use the campworld / howling moon stretchers, two sizes available, with a foam mattress the type used on the chaise long (spelling) sun beds they fold up to the size of the folding camp chairs and the mattress we pack under our goodies in the boot of the car. the advantage is as they are on legs +/- 500mm off the ground you can slide stuff underneath them when space is at a premium in the tent. they are a bit heavy price wise but after 3 years of use no problems at all so far.