Camping Mattress/Sleeping Mat

locapez on 25/09/2023 - 13:43
Last edited 26/09/2023 - 04:16 by 1 other user

I'm looking for a good, comfortable camping mattress. At the moment we just use cheap blow up ones from kmart etc., but I am finding I get really cold and can't sleep.

Happy to pay more for a good quality one. And also doesn't really matter if it is a double or a single. I don't want something super bulky, but doesn't have to fold up super small either.

I've seen people mention exped megamat and zempire. Are they worth it, and if I'm not in a rush what is the best price to keep an eye out for?

Alternatively, does anyone have any hacks for not getting so cold? I have a good quality sleeping bag so that's not the problem, it's the massive cold air pocket between me and the ground that does it.

Thanks :)

Sports & Outdoors Air Mattress

Comments

  • nicktork on 25/09/2023 - 14:02
    +4

    Exped megamat 10LXW is the best investment I've ever made in camping equipment. Genuinely more comfortable than my real bed at home. It's very bulky, but if you're car camping rather than hiking then that doesn't matter much.

    Also, have you considered a stretcher to raise you off the ground? Again, it's a game changer.

    • locapez on 25/09/2023 - 14:22

      Do you know if the megamat duo is wide enough for 2 people? 132cm wide seems pretty narrow…

      • nicktork on 25/09/2023 - 17:38

        No idea on the duo. The LXW single is 77cm wide though.

  • SirNed on 25/09/2023 - 14:02
    +1

    Small and compact that work well are the thermarest. The megamat and zempire are quire large when packed up but if you are travelling in a vehicle to camping spot not so bad.

    Megamats nowdays go for around the 250-300 mark on sale. Gone are the good ole days

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 25/09/2023 - 14:09
    +3

    Put a mat beneath the mattress.

    We found when camping, even the large queen size inflatable mattress (40cm + height) made us feel cold, despite plenty of warm bedding. Placed a rubber backed picnic rug underneath, problem solved.

    When lightweight camping with Thermarest self inflating thin mattresses, a yoga mat/closed cell rubber mattress beneath the self inflating mattress insulated from the cold really well.

    • rumblytangara on 25/09/2023 - 15:27
      +2

      This should be the OzBargain way.

      If you are car camping and not carrying everything on your back for 5 hours, a $10 blue foam camping mat under the existing blow up mattresses will provide the same if not better insulation than the fancy $300 mats.

      You'll still get a bit of heat loss through air via the sides of the blow up mattress, but the vast majority of heat loss is conductive through the ground.

  • rambutann on 25/09/2023 - 14:26
    +2

    I recently bit the bullet and got a Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Mat
    The insulation helps a lot. Easy to inflate and is small.

    Would recommend but it is around $200.

  • footscrayvic on 25/09/2023 - 14:33

    You need an insulated sleeping mat. These stop the air from moving around inside the mat and dragging the heat from your body.

    There are two types:
    1. self inflating. Filled with foam which allows them to self inflate. The downside is that they tend to be more bulky/heavy
    2. non self inflating. These are filled with either some synthetic fluff or down. They do the same job as the self inflating ones but you need to inflate them, usually with a bag (supplied) or there can be a built in pump. These are lighter.

    I have used all of these types and they are all good.

    Decide how comfy you want to be (determined by the thickness once inflated, and the dimensions of the mat). Then decide how heavy it can be (doesn't really matter if you just car camp). Then look at prices.

    I have/do own:
    a Big Agnes (15 years old now and the valves weren't so good then) which was good but worn out now. Was purchased in USA
    an exped synmat 7mm (with a built in pump). Good to sleep on but takes about 100 pumps to inflate. Takes around 1-2 minutes. A good product
    an exped megamat lite 12 LXW - large and very very comfy. This is my favourite. [Note that megamats come as foam versions too]
    a sea to summit comfort lite SI. Only 8cm thick but I needed a smaller one for sleeping in a limited space in my car. I will be trying this out for the first time in my car tomorrow night.

    I hope this helps.

    • aneil915 on 05/10/2023 - 06:48

      How did you find the sea to summit comfort lite SI mat?

      • footscrayvic on 05/10/2023 - 10:40
        +1

        I like it but I found it too small for me. Im 183cm and fairly big so found it a bit too narrow. I tried it once and it was ok and could get used to it but I will use a wider one in future. Ive put the SI mat onto gumtree as I probably wont use it. If it doesn't sell then I'll give it to one of my nieces.

        Quality-wise it is great. It has a very nice plush feel and the valve system is excellent.

        • aneil915 on 05/10/2023 - 13:56

          Cheers for the feedback

  • djprima on 25/09/2023 - 14:48
    +1

    SINGLE zempire monstamat. Buy two if you want double. Much easier to pack up and is the most comfortable I've tried even compared to Exped

    Add aluminium mat like this one underneath, good rated sleeping bag with thermal sleeping bag liner, and sleep with you socks on.

  • pharkurnell on 25/09/2023 - 14:59

    At the moment we just use cheap blow up ones from kmart etc., but I am finding I get really cold and can't sleep.

    Put a tarp or shade cloth down under the tent, and or a blanket under the airbed… works for me in high country.

    I've tried a few self inflating beds, but never found anything brilliant.

  • Caped Baldy on 25/09/2023 - 15:55

    Another vote for sea2summit. They are pricey but worth it for comfort.

    I also have one from aliexpress which is a cheap double mat. It's nice and wide but find it deflates a bit overnight.

  • 2jzzzz on 25/09/2023 - 16:11

    Exped are amazing, wait for a sale

  • mrmachine on 25/09/2023 - 18:39

    Megamat 10 is absolutely worth it. Super comfy and warm. We have 2 of them and a 7.5. All duo. The 7.5 was a little thin but still good for my wife and I, but perfect for the kids. The 10s are amazing and sleeps two people just fine. I think we paid $439 each for the 10 duos and $350 for the 7.5 some years ago now.

    • mrmachine on 25/09/2023 - 18:41

      There's a great video on snowys comparing the megamat vs zempire vs sea 2 summit and something else. I think zempire is also good, but not as good. I don't like their valve design as much as exped. IIRC zempire has a single valve that you rotate. Exped has two one way valves one to inflate and one to deflate.

  • ozbs25 on 25/09/2023 - 19:34

    We have a MegaMat Duo 10 LW+ and it's very comfortable. We got ours for $350 but they included a mat sheet which was supposedly worth about $100. Looking though ozbargain's history it looks like Snowys regularly discounts them (at least they did last year) so you may be able to get one around $300?

  • Ozbar Gain on 25/09/2023 - 21:33

    We've got a Darche self inflating mattress from Snowy's and I rate it

  • altomic on 25/09/2023 - 23:13
    +1

    cardboard under the air mattress, and then a blanket on top of the air mattress .

  • saltypete on 26/09/2023 - 07:55

    Bought Thermarests 30 years ago. Done.

  • WT on 26/09/2023 - 07:57

    cheap gym mat, thicker foam (10mm or so) is what I find better but I guess a thinner but harder one may work too

    I found it ok at 0-1 degC

  • colossus on 26/09/2023 - 08:37

    For keeping warm, layers on you during the day. At night, stretcher bed so you're off the ground and a good sleeping bag.

  • Geoff01 on 26/09/2023 - 08:39

    Newspaper under the mattress stops the cold and damp coming through. Age old solution

  • boq on 04/10/2023 - 00:00

    I used this recently and worked really well.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/145260802623?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mk…

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