rojac replied:

depends how heavy you are and yes they are durable and comfortable.

cheers

Rob

Member - Terry replied:

Dazza, allow aprroximately 2 minutes per matress.You get a better roll up if you roll once,unravel leaving the plugs closed,then roll up again with the plugs open.On longer camps we use the 100mm for sheer comfort and 50mm for overnighters.Dont be fooled by the original size when first seen at the store,they are rolled by machine.You will not roll them as tight,have a look at the bag the matress is supplied with.

Truckster replied:

The pump I use to pump up is also a vacuum so takes no time.
otherwise queen size takes a while.....

chopper replied:

Good advice above about rolling twice. We use a 100mm one when base camping or sleeping in the truck or 2x25mm ones when walking.

The 100mm is very comfortable.

Two people roll and bag it in about two minutes.

Mick replied:

Dazza, Roll slowly and use your knees to keep it rolled. Two minutes tops. Very comfortable and even if the plugs aren't done up or a leak develops they are OK.

Member - Greg replied:

Hi All,
Re self inflating matressesssss,what brands does anyone recomend,I have looked at the thermarest ones,very xe and I didn't see at 100mm one.I am a fairly big guy and hate my hips digging into the ground.
regards Greg G

Phil G replied:

We've used one of the double 100mm self-inflating since they came out a couple of years ago. Very comfortable. "Self-inflating" ??? Well its basically a high density foam mattress with a plastic cover. We leave the bungs open all the time. Ours has "felt" on one side to stop the sleeping bag going for a slide.

Downside is the bulk. Rolled up, its bigger than a double swag and its hard to find somewhere to store it. We wedge ours between the rear pillars against the cargo barrier. And rolling up is best done by two people and I couldn't be bothered trying to get it tight - once I've rolled it I put two webbing straps around it and pull them tight.

Phil

Phil P replied:

You may want to consider a portable stretcher bed, Marlows have them on sale in Melbourne (Preston Store) for $49.95. When folded they are smaller than the 100mm matresses.

Bob Y. replied:

Dazza, Going on from Phil P's post, back in the mid '70's when I was working on a station on Barkly Tableland during the BTEC Scheme, all the stock inspectors used to use a fold up bed/mattress, that folded into something the size of a medium to large siutcase. They'd just roll their swag out on it, it was comfortable and they were off the ground. The Long Haired Plague Rats were bad at the time, which meant most reptiles were living on a high protein diet, and their size indicated this. Getting back to the folding beds, being 4" off the ground meant the small snakes could go under the bed, but the larger King Browns had to go around.

As young blokes we never used to worry about sleeping on the ground, probably because we were too tired most evenings. However, in 3 years there, only saw one very large King Brown get in a blokes swag, but that's another story....

On s/inflating mattresses, chopper pilot had one, only 3/4 length, and about 11/2 - 2" thick, he reckoned it made for a good nights sleep. Catch you later...

CJ replied:

We have a Great Outdoors mattress, "double bed size", one of the best pieces of camp gear I have bought. Tried stretchers, air beds, etc. over a 30 year period, but these are great. Mine has 4 'plugs' and takes 2 people a couple of minutes to roll up - although I have done it by myself. We try to wipe it with a damp cloth while rolling to keet any 'grit' from sticking to surface - saves on wear? Storage (Subaru) IS a problem but it is worth it for the comfy close sleep - just fits across the car.