inflatable air mattresses

[kiwidave]

Looking to increase comfort under canvas this year.

Can anybody recommend an inflatable air mattress that packs down small and goes up easily? Last season I seem to recall seeing one or two guys using bike battery to inflate mattresses that looked pretty damn good in the tent.

Maybe there are auto-inflation ones?

Thanks.

PS: Nothing sheep-shaped please. I am sorted for them

[BaZa®]

Dave any Lilo will do the trick. I use a double so I can't roll off during the night. But it's your choice what size you want. The pump I got from Argos about £8 much better than the old pump. You can get them to run off the electrics as well but I'm sure you don't have a socket for that...LOL

[robbiemac]

Kiwi, i use a mat called a Therm-a-Rest. It is self inflating. All you need to do is release a little valve and the air fills it. It does not look too thick and at first you may think that i ain't going to very comfy on that, i have had no troubles on that front. If you need some more air in it, just blow a little in, no need to go to the electric pump stage.

The only drawback i have found with this is if you are sleeping on a bit of a slope (ie the Rock & Blues) you can slide off a bit.

Apart from that no worries. I got mine from Millets ages ago and i think they do another version that is cheaper/ smaller with a different name/manufacturer. They come in full length or 3/4 length and different widths. Usually ebay has them as well.
Hope this is of use.

[kiwidave]

Thanks Robbie, I already have a Thermarest. Pricey but so-so comfort.

I am looking for far more comfort, frankly.

How small does yer Lilo pack down Baza?

[Kiranerys-Jat]

dave look into scottish bike show for sunday if your around plenty of options there

mac

[kiwidave]

if ya see anything really good, gimme a ring Mac! I'll be south tomorrow.

[chilly]

Same as Baz Kiwi .
Mine is a single tho.
The thing to look for is internal webbing which keeps it stable, if there's none they tend to move around when you're on them.
Paid around £25-£30.
The only thing with mine is its a bit heavy,but i'll put up with that for the comfort it gives,wouldn't go camping without it now.

Chill

[SalTheWop]

I use one of the cheapies from Argos.Doesnt roll up too small,but it does go flat so I just put that on the back of the bike and pile everything else on top of it

[dantheman]

buy one out of argos m8, about 12 quid ,and electric pump 6 quid, put two terminals one from+ and other from- and put a male and female onto them cut off pump, connection and again mate up the two connections get to rally whip oot the wires connect pump and whilst the mattress is blowing up go grab a beer, ferking easy m8,and all for under twenty quid, and packs up real small like;)


notice wires runinngfrom my bike (top right corner)and pump(yellow thing)
and no one there as we all hit a tent for a beer
and look at these two chancers they get to use the airbed whilst poor old ferkin me, has to lie in the bit outside the main tent, woe is me,

[BaZa®]

THEN he puts HIS Flag up...LOL