Light Air Bed

[pjclinch]

My wife and I use NeoAirs, having bought them back when there was one model in the range so it doesn't quite correspond to the current range.
They're more comfortable and lighter than self inflators (and you don't ground out a hip laid on your side as happens with thinner/lighter SIMs). Not cheap, but these things pan out over time, and at the end of the day it's something that should improve every night you spend on it. We use ours in chair kits, but a SIM does work better for that.
No punctures to date and absolutely no regrets about using them.

(This all reminds me I have a puncture in an old T-Rest to fix... clear arrow of blame pointing to the cat for that, but also highlights another good thing about air-beds compared to SIM which is there are no issues storing them deflated and minimum size between trips.)

Pete.

[Psamathe]

...
I'd be gutted if I woke in the night and found myself on the ground cos my £180 :shock: air bed had a slow puncture.

I'm usually camping for two weeks so a lot can happen during that time ...

I use mine on 2+ month trips (camping every night) and not had a puncture yet (you do get a puncture patch provided with the airbed).

1st trip I also use it in a "seat adaptor thing" a fabric & strap arrangement that allows it to also be used as a seat, but towards the end of the trip got myself a Helinox Ground chair as I did think that using as a seat in less than ideal places was a puncture risk.

Ian

That's reassuring -- along with a good guarantee it might be worth a look.

I have had one fail. Mid tour, contacted manufacturer who offered to send/organise replacement but I was moving in each day with no plan so waited until I got home and then "send me one now" (which they did). Failed one went in bin when it failed (manufacturer just needed photo of valve cut off to prove it wasn't all a scam).

Ian

[Sweep]

What temps do you want this to cope with OP?

[Cowsham]

What temps do you want this to cope with OP?

it can be 5°c only ( 2013 there was a ground frost where I only had a cheap self inflating pad -- no use whatsoever )

[pjclinch]

What temps do you want this to cope with OP?

it can be 5°c only ( 2013 there was a ground frost where I only had a cheap self inflating pad -- no use whatsoever )

NeoAirs come with a range of R values, the bigger the value the better the insulation. The XTherm ones are the warmest (proper winter mats), Xlite the least.

Pete

[Cowsham]

What temps do you want this to cope with OP?

it can be 5°c only ( 2013 there was a ground frost where I only had a cheap self inflating pad -- no use whatsoever )

NeoAirs come with a range of R values, the bigger the value the better the insulation. The XTherm ones are the warmest (proper winter mats), Xlite the least.

Pete

Thanks Pete -- also gathered from reviews that's there's R values and there's R values which don't all agree to the standard -- something to do with the way it's measured but I don't think it'll matter too much. I bought a very good cotton lined sleeping bag which again is supposed to be 3+ season
https://www.trail.co.uk/cotton-flannel- ... g-bag.html
but it's hotter than my old 4 season
https://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-hor ... e=78101818

The cotton lined one is very comfortable so much so I looked forward to getting into it at the end of the day. Wish I'd discovered that years ago.

[Cowsham]

Seeing as it's a lovely day I tested this Arlierss camping mat


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arlierss-Infla ... d_source=1

Very impressed -- weighing only a kilo with it's own integrated foot pump -- it's very comfortable and inflates quickly and easily -- lay on it for about an hour taking in the sunshine today.

[Rob D]

Neoairs are wonderful, so too their guarantees and customer service. Their comfort, warmth, weight and tiny packed size are extremely useful. Have used almost nothing but since 2013. Well worth the high cost.

[MartinBrice]

1st trip I also use it in a "seat adaptor thing" a fabric & strap arrangement that allows it to also be used as a seat, but towards the end of the trip got myself a Helinox Ground chair as I did think that using as a seat in less than ideal places was a puncture risk.

Ian

My ground chair went on eBay recently because i didn't find it particularly comfortable. Some years ago i used a chair converter thingy with straps and the Thermarest mattress, which was heavy but that as a chair was very comfy indeed. So i reckoned that the weight of the thermarest and the strap thingy was less than the lightweight mattress plus the ground chair. So I'm going back to the Thermarest and the chair converter.
Each to their own.
Although i would say that a comfy chair when cycle touring is a really excellent luxury.

[Cyckelgalen]

The Neoair NXT that I just tried out on a tour surpasses anything else I tried before. Very comfortable, specially if you get the broader model. I used the Thermarest prolite before, nothing comparable, plus it is not really self inflating. Neoairs are expensive but really worth every penny.