Self inflating matresses - Brendon Soo

I seriously don't think these things "self inflate".

Self inflating suggests sucking in air against atmospheric pressure. Not unlike our lungs do.

These supposed "self inflating" mattresses are simply a high density foam mattress inside a sealed bag that remains compressed after you squeeze all of the air out of it. The sealed bag does not it let it regain its form due to lack of air.

When you undo the valves it just lets the foam absorb air as it would naturally.

We all know we can tightly roll a foam mattress and tie it up; but it immediately expands at any point where it is not tied. In the "self inflating" jobs they are in effect tied alll over by the cover.

Think of them as a foam mattress that can be kept compressed. They are indeed a good space saving device, nothing more.

Cheers,

Jim.

Have you considered getting 2 swags.Expensive I know, but will last, and makes packing up the sleeping gear quick and easy And no need to set up a tent unless the tret of heavy rain.

Hi,

Many years ago I bought self inflating mattreses (thermorest) and haven't looked back. The most comfortable nights sleep I ever had camping. Never felt the ground or any rocks etc under me, even though the mattress wasn't very thick. I thoroughly recommend them.

Cheers,
Greg

well i went round australia in '89 and slept almost every night on a "self infating mattress" and it lasted at least 7 months on every conceivable surface, tyre shredding rocks in the Pilbara to volcanic stuff in the NT and on the nullabor whatever (was on a motorbickle). But i never relied totally on the "self inflating" aspect as three or four mouthfulls of air made a huge difference. I bought it cause as the time it was advertised as the best insulation against ground coldness. Eventually consigned it to the sometimes shelf cause it was quite thin and i like to sleep on my side. If yours leaks then its either holes in the mattress or a dud valve. They have their place in camping but should not leak. Forget the brand, but if you like sleeping on your side i'd suggest your normal K-Mart blow up, cheap reliable and easy to fix.

Hi Brendon

we don't own a self inflating mattress, but have slept on a "drifter" that belongs to Crazie and Kir, it was really comfy, and I can recommend them.

Lyn

Evening Brendon Soo,

Know exactly how you feel in regards to the old style air mattresses, I've got two young kids and over the years have also had the annoyance of mattresses going down. Really not much fun. We are also looking at getting a couple of single self inflating jobies to use later this year, We've looked at several different brands and from what we're able to tell the comfort of the mattress is dependant on the quality and density of the foam insert not the thickness of it. Some of the thin ones (around 3cm thick) are a lot better than the thicker 5cm jobs. The main problem I found with the thicker ones is they are a lot more bulky for packing. Only problem is the thin compact ones get a lot pricier as well. The single ones also come in a lot of different sizes too from a narrow single to a quite wide one as well as a range of lengths so you may need to consider the size of your kids and will they last several years.
Just a bit of food for thought, hope it helps, and happy camping.

Just one last point.. the better quality ones with the denser foam stop the cold from penetrating through where the cheaper ones dont as well.

Boo.

G'day Brendan,

Check post 20805 for more on the info you require mate.

Avagoodn
Pezza

Bought a couple of Metzler self inflating mattresses from Southern Cross. Despite being quite thin they only need a puff or two to keep my frame well and truely off the ground and they are extremely comfortable. Had those other types with bungs....not to be compared with a quality product. I have found it to be more comfortable than the foam mattress in my swag. That'sy 2 bob's worth!! Cheers

Hi Brendan Soo,

Just spent 5 weeks in the swag on a Thermarest Expedition. Fantastic. Can't speak highly enough of it.

I'd unroll the swag & let it inflate (or uncompress Jimbo...) then before bed put 4 puffs into it and screw the cap on.

If the expedition doesn't look thick enough then go the Camp & Comfort series.

Thermarest website

They aren't cheap but they are worth every cent. Mine was $140 I think but if you work it out and I've slept on it at least 50 nights in the last 12 months it's bugger all really a night.

The swag rolls up heaps smaller too.

Wait for Rays to have a big sale if you want them a bit cheaper.

Dave

Have slept on 7 different self inflating mats & have now settled on the Coleman as the best. Thick enough for a good nights sleep but compact when rolled up. Has the twin brass valves to avoid leaks & let the air out quickly for fast roll up. (Very important) Also has a ribbed pattern to stop you sliding off the mat. You could pay more for a name by buying a Thermorest or less for something without all the features but value for money, Coleman.
Cheers Craig.........

If I could get a Thermarest in a double size I wouldn't hesitate a second as the one in my swag is the best thing I've slept on, but when camping with the wife I'm more than happy with the Coleman though a little bulky.
Go the self decompressing mattresses.
Skinnydog

We thought long and hard about the "self inflating mattresses" and got the thermarest, couldn't be happier, (we already had a blow up one and found it cold to sleep on) it had been suggested to us by another camper to get two thermasrest and using wide elastic figure 8 them together top and bottom for "togetherness". Much easier to roll up two than one big one. We vary at times using X stretchers and left the mattresses behind last trip and we sure noticed the cold coming up even on the stretchers. They are well worth the cost, we don't have the very thickest but still find them comfortable and from other comments they last many years. Lots of the camping stores are having sales and we got ours substantially reduced. A comfortable warm good nights sleep is priceless.

Carolyn

Hi Brendan,

We too have now been sleeping on a self inflating air mattress for over a year (it gets used every couple of weeks). I think it is fantastic and sleep right through the night - last weekend I even slept right through another vehicle entering our site at 4am lights on tent and all. Ours does not expand anywhere that it is not tied as we secure the caps at the end which prevent air from being sucked back in. With use, it is now rolling up tighter and tighter as well. I would recommend it to anybody with the space for it.

Brendan,
We have the coleman equivalent to the thermarest. I reckon Ive never slept better on a camping mattress, but my wife reckons its a bit hard and the air mattress, that is when it had air in it, was better.
Dean

Brendan

With the self inflating mattresses it also helps to lave them unrolled when not using them. That way the foam is not conditioned to being compressed. They will inflate quicker although the do roll up a litlle bigger unless you put a lot of effort into rolling them.

I find it easy just to unroll and put them under our bed at home until needed next time.

Alan

Hi Brendan,
I bought a queen size self inflating mattress fr $99.00 from anaconda

They better be good just got one (38mm Coleman), for my Birthday along with a new sleeping bag.

Cheers

Dunc.

Hey Brendon, check under "camping gear" in the TRADER section of this site, there are 2 singles there.

Avagoodn
Pezza

I too got the irrits with blow up matresses deflating in the middle of the night. Not particularly nice in below zero temperatures with your back on the ground with a very thin piece of material to protect you.

We bought a self inflating matress about a year ago and apart from being a bugger to roll back up and fit into it's carry bag we bloody love it. We have just upgraded to a campertrailer and even use the self inflating matress under the matress in the camper for extra comfort. We let it inflate for about 5 minutes and then blow into it about 3 or 4 times for some extra inflation. Doesn't bother us at all.

yep - we got sick of noisy compressors and/or foot pumps and ditched the blow-ups for self inflaters - "down under" brand. Work well for us, wouldnt go back they take up extra room for sure, so we just throw them on the roof basket, no probs.