What’s the worst thing about camping? Maybe you don’t like the mealtime restrictions. It is harder to prepare food, and there is not usually a backup McDonald’s plan. Maybe you don’t like the bugs… Sprays and running away get tiresome. Maybe you don’t like being stuck with that particular person that you didn’t know was THAT annoying, and now you can’t get away. But for most of us, the worst thing about camping is the change in sleeping arrangements. Particularly when it is cold. Or when it is really cold. Or when it is really, really, really cold. And staying warm is important! I like the comfort of an air bed, but camping on an air mattress in cold weather might seem problematic. I have found, though, that even the cold can be dealt with. Sleeping while camping in the cold does not have to be tragic. In fact, with a little thought and care, and the right air mattress, you can sleep quite comfortably. The first step, as with every aspect of camping, is to be prepared.
Know your camping environment and your own limitations. I know that I will not be able to sleep if the temperature gets below zero, Fahrenheit. No matter how many blankets, or heaters, or layers of thermals, or campfires, that is just beyond my ability. But within my limits, I also know what I need to deal with the colder temperatures. I check the weather, and pack accordingly. But what to pack? There are plenty of equipment options to help make the cold bearable. The ground will be cold, and separating yourself from that cold source is the goal of packing. A frame to keep you off the ground is ideal. Frames can be used for sleeping bags, foam mattresses, and even air mattresses. I don’t like the inconvenience, but you might find it worthwhile. Insulated air mattresses are also available. Some even include heaters that can be plugged into a vehicle, although again, I find them inconvenient. And easier methods of providing insulation exist. If, like me, you want something simpler and more versatile, then consider packing extra insulating material and using it properly.
My air bed is my favorite camping gear for sleeping. And with some additional material, I can still use my air mattress for cold weather camping. Remember, if the weather is cold, the ground will be miserably cold. Your main goal in sleeping warmly is to separate yourself from that cold, cold, ground. Whatever material you choose, do not place it against the ground, but rather use it between the air mattress and your body. Let the air in the mattress take the initial sting out of the cold, and then the insulating material will be used efficiently. A foam strip, perhaps high density or memory, is the best. It is designed to keep you insulated while you sleep. It is also the most inconvenient, being hard to pack and not multi-use. Old fashioned felt is also very good. I use old felt from other projects. It packs up well, and can be used for other needs, like a blanket or picnic table. Sometimes I have used an extra sleeping bag, zipped up and placed between the air mattress and myself.
Warm, but bulky for packing. And finally, in desperate times, a folded sheet of plastic will help keep the cold away from your body while asleep. If you want to take an extra measure, you can separate yourself from the cold ground with a cot style air mattress. We recommend the Coleman QueenCot. Check out our recommended camping air mattresses here. Cold weather does not have to ruin your sleep. Camping on an air mattress in cold weather is easy, and can be warm and comfortable. Think, pack, and use your material and you will rest easy!Sleeping kit is one of the most important components of your outdoor equipment, as getting a good night’s rest is essential for your performance in outdoor activities. It is vital to choose the right sleeping system, be that a sleeping bag, a cot, an inflatable mattress or a foam mat, to meet the conditions you expect to face. A camp cot, rather than a mat, is the best option for a base camp area or a camping holiday where you don’t have to carry all your kit.
For expeditions in more austere areas where you do, an inflatable mat works best. Foam mats won’t puncture and modern mats can be folded down to a small size but are not as compact as an inflatable mat. Here are three of the camp beds I’ve found most effective. The Thermarest Ultralite Cot is really a bed in a bag that you can carry anywhere. At 1.25kg (2 ¾ lb) it is lighter than many sleeping bags and its packed size is comparable to a three-quarter-length inflatable mattress. It is formed from an ingenious system of leg pieces that are fixed using lightweight poles in a “bowed frame” construction. It is extremely sturdy and will load to almost 150kg (23st). It is much less bulky than the Helinox (see below) and if you weigh less than 80kg (12 ½ st) you can reduce the leg components to cut the weight to less than 1kg. When I tested on uneven ground, it worked better than the Helinox, providing an even sleeping platform. I carried the cot over a long distance and found it a worthwhile piece of extra kit for wild camping.
However, the Helinox is more comfortable and a bit larger, so more suitable for the bigger-framed person. In all other areas, the Ultralite Cot excelled. Verdict (out of 5) Weight 5 Size 5 Comfort 4 Ease of use 4 Overall 5 Light and small enough to be carried as an alternative to a roll mat or an inflatable bed, this top-quality piece of kit gets my vote for almost any type of environment. This is a truly awesome piece of kit, as comfortable to use as any proper bed. It weighs just 2kg (4.4lb) and can hold up to 150kg (23st). Its sophisticated tensioning system features levers that force its three base legs to stretch out the sleeping surface to keep it rigid and still. If you want to avoid sleeping on damp, wet or uneven surfaces, and avoid contact with insects or other animals, this bed provides the elevation. The biggest drawback is the bulk of the cot when collapsed. It also requires reasonably flat ground to set it up, otherwise the frame twists. As with all cots, the air gap beneath it will allow heat to be lost , so you will need a foam or inflatable mattress over it to reduce the effects of extreme cold.
If I were based in a single location, so not having to carry the cot around, this would be a great investment as it provided me with a comfortable night’s sleep. It is ideal for an expedition base camp or a family camping holiday. Helinox has produced an even lighter and smaller cot, the Lite Cot, available from 2015. It is just as good as the Cot One though more portable at 1.3kg and half the size. It is nearly as light as the Thermarest Cot but bulkier. Weight 4 Size 3 Comfort 5 Ease of use 5 Overall 4 The Cot One is a fantastic family camp cot, or a spare bed for the unexpected guest. It isn’t practical for wild camping, but is great for an expedition where you’re centrally located or on a vehicle-based expedition. Mammut Lahar EMT Mat Price: £60, Amazon.co.uk Details: milletsports.co.uk This is a great mat for the price and a great accompaniment to the Kompact 3 sleeping bag. Weighing only 0.57kg (1lb 40z), it provides good insulation and would be a useful addition to either of the two cots described above in cold conditions.
Because of its light weight and small packed size, it is ideal for wild camping. It has no disadvantages when the ground is uneven. When your budget won’t stretch to a camp cot, this can be a good substitute. It is easy to inflate and deflate, and converts into a comfortable chair to use on rocky ground, with a boulder as a back rest. It has a really useful anti-slip surface to prevent you from sliding off when on uneven ground. Weight 5 Size 5 Comfort 4 Ease of use 5 Overall 5 This versatile and effective sleeping mat isn’t as comfortable as the cots above but, at the price, is a great option when you need to travel quickly with a small pack. See Paul's review of the best sleeping bags How to survive on a desert island Paul Hart offers advice on how to survive should you find yourself stranded on a desert island, including tips on locating food and building a shelter More 'Action Packed' gear reviews The best travel backpacks for men The best trekking trousers for men The best softshell jackets for men The best fleece jackets for men The best warm lightweight jackets The best lightweight walking shoes The best waterproof trousers The best waterproof jackets The best tents The best rucksacks The best hiking boots