A camping air mattress is a luxurious way to experience the out-of-doors. It gets you off the roots and rocks that find you as you sleep as well as off the cold or hot, hard ground. It takes up a bit more space and weight than a traditional foam mattress, but it may be worth the burden because of the added comfort.
Camping is a fun activity that many people enjoy doing on a regular basis. Making sure that you are as comfortable as possible is essential, so that you can enjoy the relaxation and fun of being away from home and out in nature. A good camping air mattress can be the thing that you need to give you the perfect sleeping spot to get the rest that you need, so that you can enjoy the hikes, bike rides, swimming, and other fun activities that you have planned for the next day. What do you need to consider in a camping air mattress for you and your family?
- Size: How many are going to sleep with you? Is it just you or are you going to be sleeping with your spouse or children? Are you a large person who enjoys having lots of room to toss and turn? All of these questions can help you determine what size of camping air mattress that you need. Also consider the size of your tent or shelter. If you don’t have room for a large mattress, shop accordingly so you don’t try to blow it up on your trip only to learn you don’t have room for it.
- Height: Camping air mattresses come in two main heights. The first one is fairly thin if it’s intended to be a back packing air mattress. The second one is almost the height of a regular bed if it’s intended for car or boat camping, or shorter pack trips.
Take this into consideration when choosing your camping air mattress. Do you want the ultimate in comfort? If so, you may want the taller air mattress. Do you want to “rough it” or is weight a consideration because of backpacking? You may want to smaller one. Whichever one you choose is sure to come in the size that you want as well. - Ease of use: Some camping mattresses come with their own easy-to-use pumps and some don’t. That is definitely something you want to consider when you are making your purchase. Blowing an air mattress up manually is frustrating and exhausting, especially at high altitude. Make sure that you understand what power source the pump needs, too. You don’t want an electric pump if you are not going to be near an electric source. Some pumps run by 12-volt battery, so you can use them with marine or automobile batteries, and others are a manual pump.
- Budget: Now is not the time to skimp. A quality camping air mattress can last you for years, while a cheap, inferior mattress may not last through one camping trip! Buy the best camping mattress that you can afford to ensure that you will have one that will be both durable and comfortable.
A camping air mattress can make the difference between a comfortable and an uncomfortable night. One of my favorite camping trips with my husband was car camping through The Black Forest of South Dakota; we would lie in the back of the Explorer and watch the fireflies in their nightly dances. It was so comfortable and fun! For a comfortable camping trip you want to make sure you carefully choose your mattress by taking the above tips into consideration. Choose the right mattress for you, your needs, and your budget. That will give you a good night’s sleep no matter where you are.