When it comes to camp beds there seems to be a lot of choice available so how do you know the difference between them? If you’re aware of the pros and cons of different types of camp bed then you can make the right choice to get your best night’s sleep.
- There are various different types of camp bed available.
- Our quick guide can help you to decide which type to get.
So, what different types of bed are there?
Firstly, it’s worth distinguishing between a camp bed and the different types of camping mattress.
A camp bed consists of lightweight but durable fabric stretched over a frame of parallel tubes with perpendicular legs.
Because you sleep a few centimetres above the ground you don’t absorb the low ground temperature in the same way as if you were directly on it and you can add an extra layer such as a thin camping mat between camp bed and sleeping bag for extra insulation.
Inflatable mattresses or airbeds come with a foot pump or battery driven pump which can be powered by the cigarette lighter socket in a car so they may be a preferred option if you have plenty of luggage space. They can be an economical choice as the simplest inflatable mattresses are not expensive.
Although they tend to be light, airbeds can be quite bulky when folded as it isn’t particularly easy to remove all the air by hand – although an electric pump can get most of the air out by using the reverse switch and you do have the benefit of having a bigger sleeping space if you choose a double airbed. You can also add another layer of comfort with a topper or a quilt if you have room.
Self-inflating mattresses automatically inflate when a valve is released so they inflate like an airbed, but they don’t need a pump. Once the valve is opened, the foam inside the mat starts to expand and draws air into the mat through the valve. They inflate to between 80 and 90% within a couple of minutes. To deflate, you simply open the valve and start rolling the mattress tightly towards it which compresses the foam and ejects the air, so the self-inflating mattress decreases to its original size.
Self-inflating mattresses are more comfortable than a roll up mat and are available in different thicknesses – the thicker the mat the more comfortable it will be.
Finally, foam based camping mats are the thinnest and smallest option but what they lack in comfort they make up for in portability as they can roll up small and be transported easily – and cheap and cheerful as they are, they still offer more warmth and comfort than sleeping directly on the ground.
Different types of camping bed lend themselves to different types of camping holiday but if you have an idea of what’s available you can decide your priorities and choose accordingly.