any decent air mattresses out there?

[swartvark]

I've been using a stretcher mattress since I stripped my m0er over a cheapy air mattress years ago, but it seems like there are a few nice ones available now????

Any opinions on that?

[george]

Ek gebruik hierdie
http://www.carmaquip.co.za/
'n bietjie bulky,maar slaap soos 'n droom

[Niel]

Daai self inflates is die enigste permanente oplossig ek gebruik (myne by Outdoorwarehouse gekoop) so 16 jaar terug. Die opblaas goed is tjol, het al so 7 gehad en dit opgegee vir n bad job. Die self inflates moet net mooi verpak word (ander skaaf hulle deur) maar vat steeds baie minder plek op as die opvou spons matrasse. Die nadeel van die self inflates is dat hulle nogal duur kan wees.
http://www.outdoorwarehouse.co.za/campi ... d-pillows/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Amper vergeet om te se dat daar voorheen die opsie was met n isoleringate onder en die lug kussings bo maar ek weet nie of hulle dit nog so maak nie.

[Mud Dog]

About 5 yrs ago I bought some cheapies (Intex) at Outdoor Warehouse .... needed them in a hurry and the budget wasn't looking too healthy at the time. I figured that I would replace them with something better later. Turns out that they're still going strong and get used quite often.

I think the reason is that they never get put down without a ground-sheet, never over-inflated, always packed away when not used (not laying about) and always cleaned off before packing.

Yeah, they're a bit of a pain to inflate, even with a pump, but the point is that you can get away without the best of everything.

[george]

About 5 yrs ago I bought some cheapies (Intex) at Outdoor Warehouse .... needed them in a hurry and the budget wasn't looking too healthy at the time. I figured that I would replace them with something better later. Turns out that they're still going strong and get used quite often.

I think the reason is that they never get put down without a ground-sheet, never over-inflated, always packed away when not used (not laying about) and always cleaned off before packing.

Yeah, they're a bit of a pain to inflate, even with a pump, but the point is that you can get away without the best of everything.

For you 10 stone guys it will work,but me and Niel that have to carry an extra 5 stones it does not cut it

[Huismoeles]

Opblaas mattras

Beste grond seil wat jy kry kry nie n beter grond seil nie

[Mud Dog]

About 5 yrs ago I bought some cheapies (Intex) at Outdoor Warehouse .... needed them in a hurry and the budget wasn't looking too healthy at the time. I figured that I would replace them with something better later. Turns out that they're still going strong and get used quite often.

I think the reason is that they never get put down without a ground-sheet, never over-inflated, always packed away when not used (not laying about) and always cleaned off before packing.

Yeah, they're a bit of a pain to inflate, even with a pump, but the point is that you can get away without the best of everything.

For you 10 stone guys it will work,but me and Niel that have to carry an extra 5 stones it does not cut it

You might have a point , no pun intended!

[swartvark]

Andy.
I also used one of those index mattresses. I looked after it but it kept on losing air and yes...pumping it up is a pain. I also used it when going on motorcycle trips.....so there was no bakkie with compressor.

What about those coleman mattresses? They seem to be better quality.......and still fairly cheap? I now kamp with Swartvark, so inflating with compressor is a breaze......as long as I don't have to re-inflate 2 or 3 times during the night.

[Obelix and Dogmatix]

About 5 yrs ago I bought some cheapies (Intex) at Outdoor Warehouse .... needed them in a hurry and the budget wasn't looking too healthy at the time. I figured that I would replace them with something better later. Turns out that they're still going strong and get used quite often.

I think the reason is that they never get put down without a ground-sheet, never over-inflated, always packed away when not used (not laying about) and always cleaned off before packing.

Yeah, they're a bit of a pain to inflate, even with a pump, but the point is that you can get away without the best of everything.

For you 10 stone guys it will work,but me and Niel that have to carry an extra 5 stones it does not cut it

You might have a point , no pun intended!

And how much is a stone?? I use the intex matress and no problem (mine has been stress tested a couple of times with 165 kg)

[Oupa Stig]

Tiaan, we've got 2 Coleman singles. Used a lot. Always slept softly.
They are better quality, inflates with Coleman 12v pump in less than a minute.
I guess you just gotta take care where you put them and how you transport them (chafing from rattling).
It helps that I'm around 80kgs. Even the wife sleeps softly.

Did I say that last bit out loud? In no way did I mean to imply that my wife weighs more than me.!

[Vlak vark]

I'm using bush baby air mattress. The blue and red one. have them for 3 years now with out anny problem. only problem is that it takes long to inflate due to the small air hole.deflate with the pump as well otherwise it will take a while.

[niclemaitre]

When it comes to air mattresses, like with most things, you get what you pay for.

The cheapies (no insulation, really thick, sort of lilo-like) are heavy, bulky and uncomfortable. You will get cold sleeping on the ground when it's cold outside because they lack insulation. Also after awhile, the baffles between the sections degrade and the mattress gets very lumpy. Intex etc, either blue with furry stuff or green canvasy stuff

The mid range stuff is where you start with the "self-inflating" mattresses. These usually have some insulation and are quite comfortable, but they are not the greatest quality and after a couple of years the air will start to leak out all over. They also puncture easily. Cape Union Mart's Thermal Comfort range is reasonable value for money. First Ascent make better ones that will last longer

Then the top end mattresses, these are for serious hikers, and they combine maximum insulation with very lightweight materials. These are also usually seriously good quality and will last many years if looked after as the others have said. Thermarest are the original and the very best but are NOT cheap, they will last really welll though.

In addition each manufacturer will have 2-3 ranges, a "Base Camp" one (thicker, heavier, but more comfy), a mid-range jack of all trades one, and a high end lightweight, warm but not so comfortable one. Most of the time the Base Camp models will be fine for car camping unless you are sleeping in Sutherland, outdoors, in winter, in a storm.

I've owned all the different types and can say that the self inflating ones are FAR better, and more comfortable than the non-selfinflating ones and the price difference is more than justified by the increased comfort. Cheapie self-inflating ones will fall apart after a couple years, even if carefully stored, the fabric becomes air-permeable. Mid range self inflators (First Ascent and a few other brands) will do you better and provide years of service. If you can afford it then get a genuine Thermarest, nothing compares except a real bed.

To protect the mattress from punctures, get a cheap "Karrimat"/roll of closed cell foam to lay under the mattress. It will also make it much warmer to sleep on.

[Niel]

Nic, thanks for the name (thermarest). That is the once I have and I can really reccomend them.

[swartvark]

Nic, thanks for the name (thermarest). That is the once I have and I can really reccomend them.

Thanks Nic!