I hate sleeping bags!

Surfing_spaniel

I've just got back from a fabulous weekend camping, but I have made a decision, no more sleeping bags! I can't move in them & I ache all night plus I was freezing cold! I've been looking on campsiteuk & lots of people use duvets. I'm just wondering what you line your mattress with? Do I need a fitted mattress protector or what? Also where can you get cheap vac bags from for the duvet & pillows? (That will be bliss too, no more of those rubbish little camping pillows!)
Thanks in advance

craftysarah

Hi, I just take a fitted sheet to slip on the lilo and then take a duvet and pillow. If you take a duvet a size larger than you need (ie double for a single bed or king for a double bed) then you can tuck it under you if it's cold!! I'm like you, I hate sleeping bags, I'd rather wear an extra layer of clothes and have a duvet!

I think you can get those vac bags from Argos etc, just remember to pack an electric pump that has a reverse switch when you want to pack them up to bring them home!

Surfing_spaniel

I've been looking around & the Tesco airbags look promising, I've got a pump already so thats not a problem. Good idea tucking the duvet under you, we've been sleeping on the bare mattress in just a sleeping bag, not good lol!

frostyfeet

I would highly recommend Readybed which is an all in one airbed/sleeping bag. For cooler nights we take a duvet for over the top, warmer nights just use it as it is. it comes with a pump which can be used to vacuum pack the duvet to reduce space. I almost gave up camping because i could never get a decent nights sleep but this solved the problem and i would never use anything else!

Surfing_spaniel

The readybeds look good but as I'm trying to be a good moneysaver I was hoping to use the stuff I already have. I have one of those quilted mattress protectors, would that make a difference warmth wise? Plus I've been looking at the vacuum bags on QVC (Pack mate) has anyone tried them, are they any good? Sorry for all the questions

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

Airbeds = layer of cold air to sleep on. If you must use one, take a thick blanket to go under you for insulation.
I've been camping for about 20 years, sometimes spending weeks at a time in a tent. Last year, I found what I believe to be the perfect kit. I looked out on ebay for a sofa bed with a knackered sofa, but a clean foam mattress. Found one within a fortnight for the princely sum of 99p. The sofa went straight to the tip, and the mattress which is about 1.5in thick, and 4ft wide came home & became my new best friend. It's light, rolls up fairly small, is thick enough to be very comfy & most importantly, insulates you from the ground and doesn't hold cold air. Teamed with a duvet & pillow- it's easily as comfy as my bed

Surfing_spaniel

What a good idea! Worth a request on freecycle or a local ebay hunt, I could always cover a piece of foam with a sheet.

WestonDave

the other thing to watch out for is if Lidl etc have self inflating air mats in again. These are a cross between an airbed and a foam mat - they arrive rolled up, and you open a valve which allows air into the pockets in the foam (think sponge squeezed and then released). Once its had a while to inflate itself you close the valve which stops your weight pushing the air out - you therefore have a nice comfy well insulated mat to sleep on, which rolls up small, and doesn't wobble about making you seasick like standard airbeds. I think they were around £15 last time.

Surfing_spaniel

I missed the Lidl offers last time. Do they keep stuff in after the offer has finished or is it just for that week?

daveyjp

Surfing_spaniel wrote: »

I've just got back from a fabulous weekend camping, but I have made a decision, no more sleeping bags! I can't move in them & I ache all night plus I was freezing cold! I've been looking on campsiteuk & lots of people use duvets. I'm just wondering what you line your mattress with? Do I need a fitted mattress protector or what? Also where can you get cheap vac bags from for the duvet & pillows? (That will be bliss too, no more of those rubbish little camping pillows!)
Thanks in advance

If you were cold this weekend you need a new sleeping bag.

We use airbeds and throw and old featherfilled duvet over the top, then into 3 season sleeping bags. Never been cold, even earlier this year when it was close to freezing.

socks_uk

Poly,put_the_kettle_on wrote: »

Airbeds = layer of cold air to sleep on. If you must use one, take a thick blanket to go under you for insulation.

As I've just mentioned on another thread, we were advised by friends to get one of those 'emergency blankets' to put under the airbed. The pound shop had some 'emergency shelters' so I bought 2, one for under the airbed and one for over the top of our sleeping bag.