Inflatable Camping Mat
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011
Which is warmest when camping, an airbed, a camp bed or a camping mat?
By airbed, I obviously mean one of those inflatable things, costs about a tenner from argos
A camp bed is one of the things with a metal frame, sits about a foot off the ground
And a camping mat is the thick foam thing
Opinions and reasoning please, this debate is dividing my family!!!
I used to sell gear and also taught backpacking and winter mountaineering so I can give you the real scoop (I've also slept out on all of the items you've described at various times.) What makes you cold is air circulating beneath you or no insulation at all. The cheap air mattress will allow cold from the ground to transfer to your body -- it is the LEAST warm option. The camping cot, with no mattress, will give you the same effect: cold air circulation under your bum. The warmest way to sleep out is with a Closed-Cell foam pad under you -- not the squishy, sponge like open-cell foam, but a pad made of foam that has air bubbles trapped in it that wont circulate cold. A thin layer of closed-cell (like 3/8" to 1/2" ensolite) with a 2" or 3" layer over it of open-cell foam for more comfort, is what experienced wilderness campers and mountaineers use. I once slept out in a tent at almost 40 degrees below zero during an arctic storm in the White Mountains with a 1/2" closed cell pad and dual down and synthetic mummy bag system and was comfortably warm all night.
And using a large roomy bag will NOT keep you warmer than a mummy shaped bag. You want as little air space around you as possible to stay the warmest. Don't get a rectangular bag unless you are absolutely sure you'll have claustrophobia in a mummy (most people don't) . And do NOT use a waterproof bag. Ever try sleeping in a plastic garbage sack or a rain slicker? You will end up sweating and chilled.
By the way. one economical source of closed cell pads, if you are put off by the prices in the camping shops, is many of the styles of bare, thin foam yoga practice mats that you can buy for under 10 quid at places like TJ Maxx (I think they call it TK Maxx in the UK?). To add a little comfort on top of that insulating layer, you can pick up an "egg crate" type open cell foam mattress pad for about the same price -- get a double bed size and cut it in half for two sleeping mats a good size for camping. The biggest drawback is that they will tend to absorb water. Closed cell doesn't absorb water -- another big benefit of using it in camp.
But if you are mostly doing summer camping in a cottage or caravan park and it never goes below freezing at night, you would likely be OK no matter what you slept on.
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