How to Choose Camping Mats
In my previous post, I talked about types of tents and pros/cons. Let’s continue to talk about the most necessary camping gear.
When you have decided a tent for your camping trip, what is next to consider? There are many gears you will need to prepare.
Sleeping bag, camping mats, table, chair, lamp, etc.
Sleeping is very important on your camping and especially if you stay long (more than 5 days) or if you have kids.
In this post, I want to talk about camping mats.
On the web, there are many articles dealing with types of camping mats, but I am going yo list up the most common camping mats here so you have easy access to the items when you visit your local outdoor store or online store.
Air beds
Flocked Air beds (Bestway, other brands)
There are two types of air beds. One is the most affordable one you can get it from outdoor stores or sport shop, local hardware shop. The price range is from $20 to $60 for double size. It is quite light and easy to inflate and deflate. However, nothing is inside of the bed, which means it gets quite cold at night even in summer.
If you have a camping stretcher or plan to buy it, normal air bed is one of the options to consider. (usually, INTEX or Bestway brand)
Built-in pump air beds
Another type of air bed is Queen size built-in pump air bed. Coleman’s double high quickbed is quite popular model, it has a built-in pump, so you can inflate or deflate with just pressing a button. The bed provides more stability as there are structural air tubes (posts) inside, you don’t feel as much movement as normal air beds. It is still quite pricy for beginners. $200ish and it depends on promotion.
Self-inflating mattress
Self-inflating mattress
What is self-inflating mattress? It gets inflated when you open the air valve. Then you will need to leave it for 10 to 20 minutes for fully inflating the mattress. It is much warmer than air beds, from my experience it is worth to invest on the warmer mat options for kids and parents too! You don’t want your kid gets a cold from day one of your camping trip.
My advice is that you need to check the thickness of the mattress, some are 5cm think or 10 to 12cm thick. But reality is you get 3-4cm / 8-9cm thick when it is fully inflated.
I recommend thicker one, 5cm is not enough for camping unless you go camping only in summer.
Self-inflating foam mattress
Let’s talk about another type of self-inflating mat. Self-inflating foam mattress is becoming more popular these days.
It looks like an actual foam mattress at your home, but it is also self-inflating mattress for camping.
I’ve tried it from an outdoor store near by my house, it was so comfortable. The price range is similar to the self-inflating mattress or slightly higher, but I think it is worth for its price. Price range is from $150, of course it depends on brand and promotion.
Sleeping mat is one of the camping gears you should have for your first camping trip (of course, for your second, third).
Consider type of mattress that suits you and your family. Thickness and volume as it could take large space in your boot if you get multiple mats.
Hope this post helps you prep your first camping trip.
