(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best camping air mattresses

I share most of your sentimates regarding air mattresses. For that reason, this year I decided to spend some extra moolah on getting a nice one. It's made out of a kevlar like material and doesnt leak at all. It's super light and rolls up to the size of a sleeping bag (or less to be honest).

Also I bought a REALLY nice 3 or 4 inch thick foam mattress that fits perfectly on it. Those with a solid sheet and I'm going to be sleeping soundly.

Here are links to each:

KingCamp 2-Person PVC-Free Ultralight Camping Air Bed Mattress with Battery Operated Pump, 6 Pounds https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D19MO4G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DIJYAb0NXR5AY

Zinus 3 Inch Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Full https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071FVJ3XY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_lFrlCFcKMqTcW

So basically you want to look for backpacking equipment. REI (US) / MEC (Canada) are really good starts but are on the pricey side. Mountain warehouse is really cheap and decent.

You want a basic 4 person dome tent like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Sundome-4-Person-Tent-Green/dp/B004J2GUOU/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=4+person+dome+tent&qid=1575132084&sr=8-3

Get a small thin air mattress like this. Skip the pump, you can either blow it up with your mouth (as a backup, takes 5 min) or just ask people around you and chances are someone will lend you a pump

https://www.amazon.com/Outbound-Mattress-Portable-Air-Bed-Inflatable/dp/B07QMTN59C/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=single+air+mattress&qid=1575132122&sr=8-8

Bring a minimal sleeping bag, it'll be warmer than a blanket:

https://www.amazon.com/oaskys-Camping-Sleeping-Bag-Lightweight/dp/B07MFTD2YS/ref=sxin_2_ac_d_rm?ac_md=0-0-c2xlZXBpbmcgYmFn-ac_d_rm&keywords=sleeping+bag&pd_rd_i=B07MFTD2YS&pd_rd_r=6c66e499-5eb2-40e1-87b7-6d4437e76964&pd_rd_w=vX8o4&pd_rd_wg=Zyh0M&pf_rd_p=e2f20af2-9651-42af-9a45-89425d5bae34&pf_rd_r=SZ36790VW0SSX7V8MB9V&psc=1&qid=1575132166

For a pillow you can actually just stuff some of your clothes or a hoodie into the sleeping bag case and then use that as pillow. Maybe bring a pillow case so its softer against your face.

Thats about it, I usually skip the cooler and just accept I'll spent more $ on food that weekend but you can pickup a lot of food that doesn't need to stay cold. Pop tarts, nuts, PB&J sandwiches, fruits, etc can all be picked up when you land and get you through the weekend.

I usually skip the chair, just bring a nice little blanket and sit on the ground (though if its gonna rain thats not so much of an option)

Let's clarify the air mattress comment. If it's the kind you'll pump up in your spare room, basically an empty bladder full of nothing but air, it'll suck all of the heat out of your budy as you sleep. Your bodyweight crushes the sleeping bag insulation under your body while you sleep, and that is your primary avenue for heat to escape your body.

Now if we're talking self-inflating air mattresses (filled with foam, which does the inflating), or an air mattress with some kind of insulating value to it, they're fine. Better than fine, actually, they're comfortable and warm and good for cooler temperatures. But you want an air mattress that will insulate more than you want one that is cushy and comfortable.


tldr


get this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018APB3TI/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_MgMRCbXMM8ATD

not this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYXN2P2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_7fMRCb6M6NZC0

Huge email today. Came from the address jessicaking0914@163.com . Have fun;

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Get 2 Coleman Sundome 4 person tents ($42 on Amazon), or one Coleman Sundome 6 person tent ($90). You should also invest in an EZ up (AKA pop up) canopy. Slant leg 10x10 ozark trail canopy is like $45 at walmart.com right now.

For beds, unless you;re trying to invest in something that you'll use over and over again after Firefly, just get some air mattresses. You're going to be on grass so an air mattress should last you through the weekend fine and be comfortable enough.

Coleman queen size air mattress ($23 on amazon) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0BPG26/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?th=1&psc=1

Etekcity rechargeable air pump ($26 on amazon) https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Electric-Rechargeable-Quick-Fill-Inflatables/dp/B07CTF8TS8/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=air+mattress+rechargable&qid=1556044876&s=gateway&sr=8-3

If you really want cots, I suggest these as they're light but comfortable - Byer Allagash cot (2 for $111 on Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/BYER-MAINE-Allagash-Lightweight-250lbs/dp/B07KJKDB5N/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=byer+allagash&qid=1556045223&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Otherwise the cheapest cot you'll find will probably be the Coleman ones which are about $35 each on Amazon. But they're bulky and heavy.

Well...here's all the stuff I bought on my Amazon list lately. Does that help?

AUKEY 1080p Dash Cam
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B072FGL63X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Black Off Road Scene Easy Fit Mud Guard
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NIJS0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Car Travel Inflatable Mattress
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7MZ3YO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Xprite Amber 240 LED Roof Top Mini Flashing Strobe Light
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0091XUAY8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Smoke Tint Slim Wind Deflector
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00335FH4S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pet Dog Seat Belt Leash
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0719R1YNZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

30 Ft. Polyester Tow Strap
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L5RMPT6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hood tie-Down Loops
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CRBXQUK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Seat Cover for Pets
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QHC02EY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Silicone Wedding Ring For Men (For the radio knobs)
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WD31K4P/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Toyota Tacoma Center Console Tray
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KI3WG1O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Toyota Tacoma Center Console Organizer
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B016ZB4VZC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Front Car Seat Covers
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FBLOR88/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Husky Liners Front Floor Liners
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B019YS22MM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Annnnnnnnnnd I'm just now seeing you were talking about the 2nd Gen...

The Forester is almost the same length... Honestly, the two cars are competing against each other at this point. I just picked up this Coleman SUV Air Mattress to try out in the back of mom's 2014 Outback and it fits great. Could sleep two if you slept straight or spooned a lot. I'm 5'11'' and could lay flat on my back with my feel against the door and head just barely touching the back of the front seat in my mom's position, so it's totally doable if you move the seats forward. Don't forget the pump like I did... Although Walmart was the same price so just picked up one there. Make sure to get the 12v car one... I thought about picking up a regular wall plug one and then using my 12v inverter, but apparently they take a lot of peak amps/watts to get going, which most inverters don't offer. Haven't thought of much else yet... Haven't seen that many great ideas elsewhere either, which is kinda disappointing.

My girlfriend and I have been using this setup for car camping for over two years now and it's worked great. The rechargeable pump works well, taking about 2-3 minutes to completely inflate or deflate the mattress. And it's good for 3 or 4 inflate/deflate cycles, at least. No leaks yet. The price on amazon fluctuates a lot so if you're a little patient you should be able pick it up for under $70-80 bucks. I paid $50 after waiting and watching for a couple months.

I'm a bigger guy myself, I go camping frequently and I use an air bed. You can inflate with a cigarette adapter.

After using airbeds for a few seasons I find that having a headboard really helps the pillow stay under your head - it doesn't slide off the bed. Something like the below.

Intex Comfort Frame Airbed Kit with Removable Inner Mattress, Queen https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G7H7918/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_qQ9Xub1QN8ZER

That cot weighs 32lb, so unless you're only planning on car camping once in a blue moon, I'd say it's way too heavy.

I'm an ultralight fan, and I'm currently using the Therm-a-rest NeoAir Trekker. I'm 5'1" and I bought the regular size. It's really comfortable and you can couple 2 pads together with this.

I use this pad for car camping. We aren't a fan of air mattresses, and this thing is a great, thick mix of air mattress and foam pad. It's super comfortable, have used it many times. The only downside is it's somewhat bulky, but for car camping that hasn't been a problem.

Kamp-Rite Double Self Inflating Pad: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004M0YYBA/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_5cDuzbKD8FYWZ

For sleeping I can recommend this Coleman air mattress. It inflates in about a minute, and is genuinely as comfortable as a proper mattress.

You will want an inverter to get DC from the cig lighter into AC for the pump, also your laptop, etc needs charging.

Also think Coleman propane stove for cooking.

$50 is really barely the starting point for a self-inflating pad that would be halfway decent. To get a pad that would noticeably outperform a CCF pad in a hammock you'd be looking at ones more in the $100+ range at least.

That said, if you're looking for a pad for more general purpose use you can find some that would be worth having right around the $50 mark. The pads that I and my wife and kids all use are either REI brand or Therm-a-Rest, and I've got nothing bad to say about either.

Since you're talking about this coming weekend, you'll probably want to see what's available locally wherever you are and, for your purposes, go with whatever's got the highest R-value at a price you're comfortable with. If you're a Prime member, Amazon could be an option, too. They've got a Prime-eligible Term-a-Rest Trail Lite (only in large) for about $60. That looks decent at an R-value of 3.4, though it's not a super lightweight option at almost 2.5 lbs.

$150 is a good deal. Mattress foam isn’t cheap and then you have to figure out a frame to put your foam roll on. Consider this instead. Cheaper, more comfortable and you can deflate it and make it disappear when not in use.

That is a really awesome offer, brudda - thank you!

OP here are some Intex air mattresses like brudda is talking about. They are pretty durable - won't last forever, but it should get you by for a while until you can afford something more permanent:

• Self-inflating twin for $17 - not Prime, but free shipping. You may have to add some batteries to your cart for the pump.
  
  
• Full for $17.50 - not self-inflating.
  
  
• Single (twin) for $19.75 w/battery pump - need to add batteries to use this pump.
  
  
• Cheapest electric-pump twin was $30.

>never camped before

Do you need a tent?

Also, don't get an air mattress- get a Therm-a-rest.

You should make sure you have water containers, a stove (with gas), a hammock or camp chair ( these are awesome). Most important thing for 6 weeks is being comfortable- so have a good pillow and make sure your boots are broken in. And of course GOOD rain gear- dont cheap out or it will leak.

Without much knowledge of what you will have to be doing, there isnt much more I can suggest (hiking? cooking? showers?)... but if you tell me more I'll tell you all you need to know.

(Source- Eagle Scout, been camping in the BWCAW, 4 week geology field camp, 5 summers working at camps).

Right, commercial MREs are quite expensive. My MREs are military surplus, purchased on the cheap years ago. Still, I wouldn't want to be eating them all the time. My plan was to have one for dinner after I set up camp, then another to get going in the morning, cheap dining otherwise. I don't want to have to carry cooking gear or deal with washing up.

I had considered an air mattress, but some are a little bulky. This one: https://www.amazon.com/Inflatable-Sleeping-Comfortable-Insulated-Backpacking/dp/B01MUA03L6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501534473&sr=8-2&keywords=semi+inflating+pad

is probably OK, packs down reasonably small if the listed specs are to be believed.

If you don't need an insulating pad (I don't believe the natruehike ones are insulated at all), then you could look at the thermarest neoair venture - $65 right now on amazon. It's similar to the neoair xlite, however not as warm. Very thick and comfortable. Also made in the USA!

How about this one? It sounds like it fits in the 2016 Outback.

It seems that your comment contains 1 or more links that are hard to tap for mobile users.
I will extend those so they're easier for our sausage fingers to click!


Here is link number 1 - Previous text "one"



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