What bedding are you taking on your Camping trip? Air mattresses are a common solution to bedding when camping. But what issues can come from the choice of using an air mattress? Is it right for you? There are a lot of different issues to consider when selecting the right bedding for your camping trip.
The Weight
Air mattresses can be great in the right setting. I have spent many nights sleeping on this relatively common bedding option. But know when dealing with the great outdoors, issues can arise with little resources to solve. One common issue is the weight of the air mattress. When packing out equipment and gear to a remote campsite location, I try to consider the weight of almost everything I take for the trip. Depending on the quality of the air mattress, a queen size air mattress can be very heavy. The higher quality air mattresses are made with thicker materials, and this adds to the weight of the air mattress. Lower quality mattresses bring with them several other common issues.
Less Than Hot Air
Too many times I have had issues with cold air when using air mattresses. More specifically cold air during the winter or cooler months, inside the air mattress. When it’s cold weather and you are using an air mattress, the air inside can become much cooler than the air under the blankets you are using. There are solutions to this issue like more blankets between you and the surface of the air mattress. Sometimes this can be problematic and cause problems when you have to pack out to a remote location. Carrying more and more gear for long distances in the forest or other remote locations can be problematic in itself. More trips back and forth are rarely desired and add the potential for overloading the gear that could result in damaging equipment and gear.
Inflation
Inflating the air mattress can be problematic when camping. Handheld mechanical air pumps are likely the best option as they are the most dependable. With less potential for electronic failure, there is room for mechanical failure but much less. There are, of course, hundreds of options available when dealing with electric air pumps for something like an air mattress. The simplest and lightest pumps are the better option when camping. Also, be prepared with batteries or a charged pump battery when prepping for the trip. There is also the issue of the air nozzles and inlets not matching. Campers will find that there are many different air delivery connection systems, and most aren’t universal sizes even if they are the “same system”. If you are using an air mattress, before leaving for your trip, be sure to test out the pump nozzles and the mattress inlets, this will save you from a large issue when preparing for the night outdoors.
Punctures
Another issue to manage is the potential for punctures or holes in the air mattress. Many times I have attempted to inflate an air mattress, only to find a hole in the mattress. There are many ways to avoid this, one is a hard plastic container specifically for the air mattress. There are issues with this as well, lugging a large heavy plastic bin or box when packing out to a remote location can be more of a chore than it’s worth. Bringing more gear than necessary gets old quickly. Another solution would be a hole patching kit. While this sounds great, if the hole is on an area such as a seam, patches are very difficult to apply successfully. I have never placed a successful patch on a seam.
Comfort
There are of course benefits to using an air mattress when camping. Most of the other bedding solutions are not quite as comfortable as the air mattresses. Canvas folding cots are typically lighter but stiff and not as soft as air mattresses. Thin foam rolled-style bedding is much firmer once placed on the ground. There are many options when looking for the perfect bedding option for your camping trip, but the perfect option doesn’t exist. All the types and styles will have issues and benefits. Comfort to me is the biggest benefit of an air mattress. If it’s too soft, give a little more air and it becomes firmer. Too firm, just let some air out. Air mattresses mimic real spring-based mattresses better than any other type, and in my opinion, are the most comfortable option. Some of them even have a cotton padding to soften the surface and a more comfortable night’s rest.
Very Common
Most outdoor-themed stores will have air mattresses and most other stores, in their camping, outdoor or bedding section, will have them as well. One benefit of the air mattress is that it is very common in most areas of the world. In the US, most homes will have an air mattress even if they aren’t campers. If you are looking to buy an air mattress for your upcoming camping trip, you shouldn’t have to look very far. Almost all “big box” stores have a decent selection of air mattresses. They are useful in many scenarios and most people realize that and have one tucked away in a closet somewhere for when it’s needed. Many people planning a camping trip, already have an air mattress to use and will not need to buy another piece of gear for the trip. That’s one less expense that campers would have to manage.
Price
Because they are so common air mattresses are relatively cheap. You can get a low-end model for less than $15 at some stores. These low-end models may be thinner and need looking after with great care to avoid punctures, but it is a cheap option. Some of the models are relatively expensive, when compared to low-end models, but have lots of features such as flocking, oversizing, and built-in air pumps. These higher-quality models can be great to have but at a cost.