Air bed for side sleepers?

[The Cameraman]

Hi Guys n Gals,

for years I've been using Therm-a-rest, self inflating air mattresses, whilst camping and, to be honest, I don't really get a proper nights kip.

The problem I have is that I naturally sleep on my side but when camping I find I get very little support, so end up on my back and wake up the whole camping site (including myself), with my snoring!

So this maybe like the hunt for the holy grail but this is what I want;

1, good support when lay on my side.
2, light enough to carry on a small motorcycle.
3, small packed size, to carry on a small motorcycle.
4, I'm only 5ft 4in (on a good day), so I don't need something for more lofty folk.
5, a surface that resists you from sliding off during the night.

So come on, some one, somewhere must have discovered the perfect option?

Regards

Reggie

[g6snl]

I did have the same issue in the past, but as age has increased the problem has pretty much gone away. Mostly I can sleep on anything, including rocks, by the sea, on a slope, can't remember why though?? With age must come lack of feeling whilst asleep only to return big time when you wake !

Helinox make fold up camp beds ( cots) never tried one and don't know what they are like when packed. Might be worth a look, but I think many £/$/€ are involved. They certainly look the part.

[Bucket1960]

I have always had a comfort issue camping. Snoring problem too, but, it's the alcohols' fault honest
After a lot of research, I finally came across the perfect solution a while back and it's more comfortable than my bed at home
Helinox Cot 1 topped off with an Exped Down mattress, both fit nicely on a bike
The problem is, it's going to cost you some serious money, but oh boy, it's worth it

[Temporaryescapee]

I just bought the Exped synmat to replace my thermarest for more comfort - will report back on how it goes but initial testing is very positive and packs down small.

[Gipper]

+2 for the Exped mats, Im a side sleeper too, we ended up buying the 9's for the Canadian climate, best night sleep ive had whilst camping
We did use NeoAir's in South America as they roll up very small and we were 2up, but they were a bit narrow and noisey. There's a lot more models to choose from now, so try as many out as possible, but no complaints for the Exped mats so far apart from the 9's are bigger when rolled up than the NeoAirs, but worth the extra room for sure.

[The Cameraman]

Hi Guys n Gals,

thanks for the quick replies so far.

I use a Helinox chair, and really rate it. Looking at the spec of the V2 version of the cot, it gives -
Length 190cm
Width 68cm
Height 16cm
Packed Weight 2130g
Packed Size 54cm x14cm x14cm
Capacity 145 kg

and a price of £229.99 delivered! Bloody hell I hope they're comfy for that and wonder if any UK stockists have one on display that I could just plonk myself onto to give it a quick try out?

The Synmat 9 (medium) looks interesting with the specs -
Weight 620g
Size: 183 x 50 x 9 cm
Pack size: 23 x 14 cm
Temp. rating: -25C

and at a price of £99.99 delivered.

Regards

Reggie

[Gipper]

Yeah those cot beds are not only expensive but they are heavy too, its heavier than my tent! cant see why you would use both personally, kind of overkill and its a lot of tokens!

[Arma]

I have to admit, I'm very keen to give the Cot Lite a shot. I'm a side sleeper and while I find a mat tolerable it's certainly not perfect. Any of you have any experience with them? Are they worth it?

[navalarchitect]

I've been using a cot lite on my current trip and have camped about two thirds of the nights on the six months I've been on the road so I've given it a good test. For me (another side sleeper) it gives a really good night's sleep, so much better than the thermarests I used on previous long trips. There are a couple of minor downsides to be aware of though, 1] because of its height it takes up more room in the tent and 2] because your hip just touches the ground and there is no insulation it gives you a cold spot there. Wasn't a problem when I was in warm areas but noticed it as I moved to cold areas. I've solved it by putting my sheepskin seat cover under that spot. I know they are expensive and I would never have bought one for that reason but I was given it as a present and I am so glad.

From the practical side I'd add setting up and packing up is nice and easy (and much easier than squeezing air out of the thermarest), weight is about the same but volume packed is a bit larger.

Hope this helps you make a decision.

Sent from my TECNO H6 using Tapatalk

[normw]

1) I've had success with a thin mat on top of a thick one plus a small but real pillow.

2) Here's a no cost trick I learned as a kid when Thermarests and the like did not exist. Scrape out a shallow "hip hole" in the ground placed, obviously, where your hip will be located. When on your side the hip is not pressing into the flat ground.

3) A propos of camping and snoring, I am reminded of a combined canoe and raft trip on the Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories. One member of the group was a notorious snorer and was required to pitch his tent far from the rest us. At about 5 a.m. one morning I was woken by loud snoring. As I lay in a semi comatose but annoyed state the noise, curiously, seemed to be rising in volume. How could the snorer be getting closer I asked myself? Sleepwalking?

4) The noise seemed to change character, now more of a huffing and then bellowing was added to the mix and then roaring. Yes, that's one unhappy bear. Hmm...what to do. An unsuccessful search for my bear spray produced nothing but polyester against polyester noise. Best terminate the search. I spied my bear banger but concluded that firing it in a tent would likely burst my eardrums and set the house on fire. Loudly unzip the tent and stick my head out to investigate? Come on. Best to just lie there calmly waiting for the screams to start. Then leap into action.

5) Not to drag this out, the bear eventually left. From the tracks we found it was a grizzly, likely a mother searching for a cub. It was nice to have a comfortable Thermarest while this all transpired.