Light Air Bed

[Cowsham]

I've been using those cheap Tesco or similar flock topped air beds and have come to the conclusion I need to lighten the load on my cycle camping trips. These cheap air beds are very heavy and I've seen what seems like very light ones being used in cycle camping type videos so I recon there are better air beds than the ones I've been using.

I tried self inflating mats way back many years ago but found they were not only heavy but also didn't lift me off the ground high enough to stop ground chill coming up through into my sleeping bag.

Can anyone recommend a light air bed that doesn't cost Mega bucks?

This is only the start of a camping gear weight reduction plan for the rest of this year and into next. Over the years the list of stuff I take has grown to silliness proportions.

[Jdsk]

A little... light... reading:
viewtopic.php?t=160984
viewtopic.php?t=158469
viewtopic.php?t=158201

Jonathan

[PH]

Can anyone recommend a light air bed that doesn't cost Mega bucks?

You might need to narrow it down, both cost and weight are subjective. You've already mentioned getting cold on a self inflator, does that rule out anything without insulation? I think something under 1kg with decent insulation is going to be around £80 at the budget end, half the price and a bit lighter if you think you can do without the insulation. The other big decision, which has a bearing on both weight and cost, is size, I like a wide rectangular mat, something of the same quality in a shorter mummy shape is likely to be 30% cheaper and lighter. I had an Alpkit mat that I was reasonably happy with, though the model is no longer listed, it'd still be a good place to start IMO.

[Psamathe]

I had to buy a Sea and Something self-inflating mid- tour 2023 (in France, all gney had in tbe store). As you say heavy, thin, doesn't self-inflate but expensive!

I get on well with the neo-air ones. They have several models (wt vs material) as well as different sizes in each model.

Maybe check out Ultralight Outdoor https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ultralight-airbeds/. They are very good st giving weights (they weigh everything themselves). Also very helpful on the phone as they use the kit they sell.

But as you say, self-inflating ones are best avoided (in my experience).

Ian

[Cowsham]

Came across this in my first searches


Deal: Arlierss Camping Mat, 12cm Thicken Inflatable Camping Mattress with Built-in Pump and Easy to Inflate, Camping Sleeping Mat With Pillow, Waterproof Inflatable Mat For Outdoor, Camping, Hiking & More https://amzn.eu/d/8c6RyPK

-- I really want enough height so that I don't ground out when laying on my side ie not having to inflate it so much it's uncomfortable. I don't think I need a super thermal thing costing hundreds cos most of my camping is in early to late summer.

The one above is about a kilogram so about half the weight of what I use normally.

[in4time]

I use a Therm-a-Rest Prolite Apex. I’m on my third. The first had a faulty valve, the second delaminated internally (looked like a giant tadpole) the third is still ok. A well-known high street store gave me replacements as per guarantee. I’d preferred them not to have failed, particularly as I was quite remote during the first incident.
The pad is warm for 3 seasons. It doesn’t slide around and is quick and easy to inflate/deflate.
Bit of a personal preference re how hard or soft you prefer. At 80kg I’ve reached a good compromise between being supported and lying on a rock.
I usually put another layer beneath mine as extra protection against punctures.
Would I buy another? Jury is out. Consider buying a closed cell/foam-type ? Quite possibly.

[VinceLedge]

Alpkit do some good value lightweight ones.

[simonineaston]

Doesn't the usual and oft-repeated motto apply? To wit when you want light, strong and inexpensive, you can have two out of three...

[Psamathe]

Came across this in my first searches


Deal: Arlierss Camping Mat, 12cm Thicken Inflatable Camping Mattress with Built-in Pump and Easy to Inflate, Camping Sleeping Mat With Pillow, Waterproof Inflatable Mat For Outdoor, Camping, Hiking & More https://amzn.eu/d/8c6RyPK

-- I really want enough height so that I don't ground out when laying on my side ie not having to inflate it so much it's uncomfortable. I don't think I need a super thermal thing costing hundreds cos most of my camping is in early to late summer.

The one above is about a kilogram so about half the weight of what I use normally.

I use NeoAir XLite NXT Regular Sleeping Mat https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/neo ... eping-mat/. 377 g, never grounded out.

I was quite shocked when I saw your "about a kilogram"

Ian

[mattheus]

Came across this in my first searches


Deal: Arlierss Camping Mat, 12cm Thicken Inflatable Camping Mattress with Built-in Pump and Easy to Inflate, Camping Sleeping Mat With Pillow, Waterproof Inflatable Mat For Outdoor, Camping, Hiking & More https://amzn.eu/d/8c6RyPK

-- I really want enough height so that I don't ground out when laying on my side ie not having to inflate it so much it's uncomfortable. I don't think I need a super thermal thing costing hundreds cos most of my camping is in early to late summer.

The one above is about a kilogram so about half the weight of what I use normally.

I use NeoAir XLite NXT Regular Sleeping Mat https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/neo ... eping-mat/. 377 g, never grounded out.

I was quite shocked when I saw your "about a kilogram"

Ian

Yours is £170, His is £27.

[PH]

I don't think I need a super thermal thing costing hundreds cos most of my camping is in early to late summer.

Sleeping on a non insulated mat is almost as cold as sleeping on the ground, the air in it will be cooled by the ground faster than your body can warm it. Some are happy with that, but most are not, even in summer.
If you're not too bothered about insulation, Trekology have a reasonable reputation, though I have no experience, a large rectangular mat, manufacturers say 750g, the reviews say 560g, about £35 if you shop around
https://trekology.com/products/trekolog ... or-camping

I follow Paul Messner on Youtube, a complete gear head without being snobbish about it. Plenty of mats reviewed, the one above has come up a few times:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEpRNbf44zc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3w5AnBuIlE&t=4s

[Cowsham]

Came across this in my first searches


Deal: Arlierss Camping Mat, 12cm Thicken Inflatable Camping Mattress with Built-in Pump and Easy to Inflate, Camping Sleeping Mat With Pillow, Waterproof Inflatable Mat For Outdoor, Camping, Hiking & More https://amzn.eu/d/8c6RyPK

-- I really want enough height so that I don't ground out when laying on my side ie not having to inflate it so much it's uncomfortable. I don't think I need a super thermal thing costing hundreds cos most of my camping is in early to late summer.

The one above is about a kilogram so about half the weight of what I use normally.

I use NeoAir XLite NXT Regular Sleeping Mat https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/neo ... eping-mat/. 377 g, never grounded out.

I was quite shocked when I saw your "about a kilogram"

Ian

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

I'm usually camping for two weeks so a lot can happen during that time -- just back from my last trip and my cheap flock Tesco one let me down ( same as the last two -- on the flock side but I repaired it successfully with a bicycle tube repair patch using plenty of rubber solution. ) So I thought it's time to rethink along with the weight shedding plan.

I wonder if one of those very light thermal blankets placed on the floor of the tent wood help if the new air bed was too thin ? I've not had an issue with cold since I started using the Tesco air beds but they are about 8 or 9 inches thick.

[Cowsham]

I don't think I need a super thermal thing costing hundreds cos most of my camping is in early to late summer.

Sleeping on a non insulated mat is almost as cold as sleeping on the ground, the air in it will be cooled by the ground faster than your body can warm it. Some are happy with that, but most are not, even in summer.
If you're not too bothered about insulation, Trekology have a reasonable reputation, though I have no experience, a large rectangular mat, manufacturers say 750g, the reviews say 560g, about £35 if you shop around
https://trekology.com/products/trekolog ... or-camping

I follow Paul Messner on Youtube, a complete gear head without being snobbish about it. Plenty of mats reviewed, the one above has come up a few times:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEpRNbf44zc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3w5AnBuIlE&t=4s

That seems a more reasonable price

[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

[Cowsham]

...
I'd be gutted if I woke in the night and found myself on the ground cos my £180 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.