Camping Beds
So,
you’ve read all about sleeping bags, and hopefully now realised just how
important they are for your camping holiday.
They assist your sleep and keep you warm during the night, but that isn’t all you need to
consider. They may keep you warm, and
certain fillings may keep you cosier than others, but they don’t always protect
you from the cold hardness of the ground you’re sleeping on.
At
night, the temperature outside drops dramatically, rendering the ground colder
than what it is during the day. This can
seep through your sleeping bag and steal a warm night’s sleep away from
you. And imagine if the ground you’re
sleeping on is bumpy and uncomfortable.
You can spend a fortune on the best sleeping bag on the market, but
sleeping with these elements is still going to ruin your holiday.
There
are many items on the market these days that can help against these and aid you
towards a good night sleep.
Camping Mats
Camping
mats are ideal for those who are hiking or travelling light. These are usually foam pads that create a
soft barrier between you and the ground.
They are light in weight and can be rolled up into a small size, ideal
for carrying or attaching to your luggage.
These
are a favourite for hikers because of these properties but if you are taking a
longer holiday for relaxation, or are not planning on moving from campsite to
campsite, then you may want to consider something a little more comfortable.
Camp Bed
Camp
beds usually consist of a folding frame with a canvas top. These are great items for campers as they are lightweight,
easy to manoeuvre and simple to put up.
Many just need to be unfolded.
They also elevate you from the floor, keeping you off any uneven ground
and allowing you retain your heat during cold nights.
However,
these folding camp beds are heavier than camping mats and are more awkward to
carry if you are hiking. Some of them
can even be too long for smaller tents.
Ensure you have the correct measurements of both your tent and your bed
before you purchase to ensure that it fits.
There’s nothing more irritating than arriving at your campsite and
realising that your bed is too large for your tent.
Airbeds / Blow Up Beds
If
you still want to experience that night of luxury whilst roughing it on a camping
trip then airbeds are the way to go. Not
only do they elevate you from the ground, but also provide you with a soft,
comfortable mattress to sleep on.
There
are numerous different types of airbeds to consider.
The
simplest, and usually the cheapest, is the manual inflatable bed, or blow-up lilo. These have little
air-tight toggles that you blow into.
This can take a while to complete, and often leave you feeling rather
breathless, but once done can still provide you with a comfortable night’s
sleep. You can also consider purchasing
a pump – even a bike tire pump maybe suitable depending on the fixtures – but
even this involves extra manual labour.
Other
types of airbed come with an electric
pump. Simply plug in and watch your
bed rise. Because they are easier to set
up, these also come in double sizes
as well as single. This allows you to snuggle up with a loved
one.
They
even come with numerous tiers,
adding to your comfort and aiding your good night’s sleep. However, the bigger they get the more
conscious you will have to be about the size of your tent. Again, you will have to ensure you have all
the correct dimensions of your tent and the bed before you purchase to ensure
it fits. The shape of your bedroom area
and the height of your bed is also important as some tents have sloping walls.
Another
thing to take into consideration is your power supply. Some electric pumps can be connected to the
cigarette lighter in your car, using the battery’s power to run. Others need a mains connection. Many campsites offer facilities that you can
use to access power, enabling you to inflate your bed, but do your research
when booking to ensure that they have these or you will left with nothing but
the ground to sleep on.
Some
airbeds come with a built-in pump. These are ideal if you have no power
connections as they use a battery. Bare
in mind, however, that these will need to be fully charged before you set off
or you will have the same problem of nothing to sleep on.
So,
now you have a better idea of what you need to have a perfect and comfortable
night’s sleep whilst camping, and it doesn’t matter whether you are hiking or
on a family holiday, the options are wide.
Make the right choices for your needs, and your whole experience will be
even more enjoyable.
