One of the joys of camping is sinking into a lovely restful night’s sleep after a day of outdoor activity and fresh air, but unless you’re the ultimate minimalist camper who positively relishes sleeping on the ground, you’re going to need some sort of camping bed, but with various types available, what do you need to consider before buying?
- A great night’s sleep after a day outdoors is one of the pleasures of camping.
- Your choice of camping bed can have a big impact on the quality of your rest.
First of all, different types of camping bed are going to be more suitable for different types of holiday. If you are backpacking or travelling light, then minimising weight and bulk and maximising portability and storage are going to be your priorities.
If you are camping on a luxury site for a longer break and have plenty of room for equipment and provisions then you can take a less minimalist approach and focus on comfort. This might even include accommodating the position you like to sleep in and whether you have room for extra pillows.
Either way, you’re going to want a camping bed that is tough and hardwearing because whether you’re going to the Himalayas or Hereford your bed needs to be durable. Look for tough materials, strong reinforced seams and robust frames as you want it to be able to stand up to plenty of wear and tear.
The larger the tent’s footprint, the more space you’ll have inside which gives you more flexibility to have a bigger bed. Usually, the simpler the design, the easier the bed will be to assemble and disassemble. Given the unreliable nature of our weather, you want a quick turnaround, especially if you are camping at a few different sites.
Once you’ve decided what type of camping bed you need for the type of use it’s going to have, then if possible, visit a showroom with a variety of beds assembled so you can try a few.
Just as with a bed for your home, they will vary in thickness, comfort and support so some will suit you more than others and the best way to find out is to try them. Some beds even come with built in storage areas which might be useful if you’re short on tent space.
Before you buy a camp bed, take the time to consider the type of camping you will be doing, and within that, decide what your priorities are. With a bit of research, you should be sleeping like a baby on your next trip.