Camping trips make up 32% of recreational trips and when people do go away on a camping trip, they tend to bring the tent with them. Whether you’re a student with a small budget for your dorm rooms or a club leader planning a service project, an air bed is not a luxury, but a portable recovery room to get you through the next day’s activities.
The only thing to consider when selecting a good air mattress is the balance between packed weight and insulation from the cold ground to which you are lying. Even though most folks think of height and softness, a really good night’s sleep is the work done inside the chambers: the inside coils are constructed to avoid the “taco” effect as you turn over.
Identifying Vital Air Bed Features
Choosing the right model starts with understanding the R-value, which measures the material’s capacity to resist heat flow. Many high-end mattresses now feature R-values specifically tested to prevent ground-chill in freezing conditions, ensuring you do not wake up shivering at 3 AM.
When you are planning on packing up your mattress for a camping adventure or a club outing, you should look at how the mattress inflates. Integrated pumps come in battery powered or rechargeable models, which are the best choice for convenience, but a manual foot pump is a good choice for remote sites that don’t have power access. The final attribute is durability, which university life and rough campsites can be quite harsh on thin PVC.
When shopping for your next trip, you can find a wide range of air mattresses & beds that cater to both weekend warriors and long-term trekkers. Selecting a model with a flocked top will help keep your sleeping bag from sliding off during the night.
Maintaining Gear In Small Spaces
Dorm rooms and small apartments do not offer much in the way of storage, tending toward coziness, making the pack-down size of your mattress just as important as its inflated comfort. Modern designs utilize puncture-resistant materials and PVC-free options that fold down into compact carry bags no larger than a standard briefcase.
Maintenance is important so that your investment will last through graduation and beyond. Dry your mattress thoroughly before folding so that mold will not grow in the folds. A special repair kit in the carrying bag is essential, even the toughest materials can be damaged by a sharp rock or a stray thorn.
Here are some key tips for keeping camping equipment in top condition:
- Clean with a clean, moist cloth after each outside use.
- Keep the mattress out of direct sunlight and in a cool dry area.
- Inspect valve seals for debris prior to beginning the inflation process.
Maximizing Sleep Quality On The Move
How much time your bed will sag depends on the internal structure of your bed. Mattresses with internal coil or beam structure are a good option, since they work to keep your sleep surface flat, even if you move around a lot, while you’re lying in bed. This technology has the feel of a conventional mattress home, but won’t weigh down a backpack or even a cramped trunk.
A double height mattress may seem like a luxury when sharing a tent at a reunion or service project, but it’s a lot of vertical space. If headroom is a problem in your smaller tents, a low profile mat might be the better choice. Test your pump in your own home before you head into the wilderness for the first time to be sure that the seals are secure and that the batteries are charged.
The trick is in striking the balance between portability and comfort, but you’ll thank yourself after a long day of hiking or volunteering. As time passes, most experienced campers will eventually drop the lowest of campers’ choices and opt for equipment that provides the benefits of thermal protection and structural strength. Look at other guides and coverage on our site for more ideas on how to enjoy your leisure time.
