Comfortable sleeping arrangements

Submitted: Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:05

ThreadID: 30171 Views:1817 Replies:9 FollowUps:9

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Corvus

Hi,

In 6 weeks, I will be embarking upon an adventure to Mornington in the Kimberlys. I'll be up there to do field work on birds, and will be camping at the one site for 2 months. I currently have a Kathmandu self-inflating mattress, which is fine for a week, but I find any longer than this and I'm getting stiff and sore. I'm tossing up whether to try a thick one of a better brand, or go for a 4wd mattress. Considering my 2 months will be a whole lot more enjoyable with a decent night's sleep every night, and that I won't be moving around at all, what would people recommend?

Thanks.

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Reply By: dublediff - Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:19

Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:19

I would recommend a tent as well...lol. It is friday isn't it.

AnswerID: 151336

Reply By: glenno(qld) - Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:20

Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:20

DMH - 4WD Self Inflating Mat - Single

I bought 4 and they are comfortable .

AnswerID: 151337

Follow Up By: Willem - Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:59

Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:59

Yep we have two of them and they are really comfy. It even supports my largish frame :o)

FollowupID: 404975

Follow Up By: smegzy - Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 03:12

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 03:12

Even better, get one of these

4WD S.I.M.

And put it on one of these

Camp Stretcher

You will sleep better than at home. Plus you will have somewhere to sit and put your boots on and so on.

I’m a big lug of a bloke and find hard to sleep on anything else

FollowupID: 405029

Follow Up By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 06:32

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 06:32

Bugger stuffing around with them I always use one of these a bit hard pack but I make room
in
g

All the best
Eric

FollowupID: 405031

Follow Up By: smegzy - Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 11:19

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 11:19

now with one of those my wife would come camping

FollowupID: 405067

Follow Up By: Member - David 0- Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 12:44

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 12:44

I haven't measured but thought it may be a good idea to replace the swag mattress with one of those inflatables. Anyone done this?

Eric, love to stick one of those in the swag too, but rolling it could be a problem.

FollowupID: 405082

Follow Up By: smegzy - Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 13:40

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 13:40

Yep done this Dave, works a treat.. Just roll the swag roughly to squeeze the air out of the inflatable, do up the bungs and re-roll the swag as per normal.

The swag will be the same size as with a normal foam mattress .

FollowupID: 405091

Follow Up By: Member - David 0- Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 13:51

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 13:51

Is it any more comfortable than the foam?

FollowupID: 405092

Follow Up By: smegzy - Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 14:02

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 14:02

Dave I reckon it is, it’s like combining an airbed with a foam mattress, you get the best of both technologies.

If you get a chance, have try of one at a camping store to see if its suit your taste, we have different tastes in mattresses hard - soft etc.

The only down side is the S.I.M. can get a bit sweaty on the back, like a blow up air mattress does. I fix this by using a thick woolen blanket under a fitted sheet or a sleeping bag so you have some airflow between you and the mattress.

FollowupID: 405095

Reply By: hopscotch - Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:37

Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:37

Let the others tell you about the sleeping. How lucky are you top be going to Old Mornington? Spent a few days there last year and believe it is one of the best spots. We were lucky enough to spot a Gouldian at the creek just some 300 meters from the Centre (near the camping area)
The birdlife at Diamond Gorge and Cajaput kept us interested for hours and we are not avid birdwatchers.
Enjoy your stay and give our regards to the crew.

Kevin Johnston.

AnswerID: 151342

Reply By: Lone Wolf - Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:48

Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 19:48

I am assuming that for a two month stint, you'll have a lot of gear with you, so a camp stretcher may be of the order.

Cheers

Wolfie

AnswerID: 151343

Reply By: johannagoanna - Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 20:06

Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 20:06

We have a 4WD mattree and it is fantastic. Neither my husband or I are small and we both have a lovely nights sleep on it. Failing that I believe the camp stretchers are good, but even better for wet weather, as you stay dry!! Best of luck - Jo

AnswerID: 151352

Reply By: Scubaroo - Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 00:11

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 00:11

Can't imagine a stretcher being more comfortable than one of those 4WD mattresses - but the last time I slept on a stretcher it was one of those old wood and hessian jobs. My wife and I have a pair of the large single 4WD mattresses we butt together. As comfortable as a regular bed - you won't regret it. Just don't put it down on bare ground, use a ground sheet (or inside a tent) and make sure there's no sharp rocks or pebbles under it that might puncture it.

AnswerID: 151383

Reply By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 08:33

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 08:33

4 inch thick 4WD self inflating matress - no other option :)

I have tried just about every option there is and I now own two of the above; one Queen size when there's two of us and a single for just me. They are big and bulky but worth it for that perfect night's sleep.

Both of mine came from Rays Outdoors and have withstood three or four years of regular use. I think the singles are typically $100 these days.

Try and store them flat when at home - my two live under the bed so, I suppose, I'm sleeping on top of three matresses :)

Mike Harding

AnswerID: 151400

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 08:36

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 08:36

PS. If you want to be _really_ comfortable at night you could also invest in a Dunlop pillow - they cost as much as the self inflating mattress above but they are damn nice :)

Mike Harding

FollowupID: 405038

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 10:21

Saturday, Jan 28, 2006 at 10:21

Out of all the different sleeping apparatus I have tried, or endured over the years, the Camp Stretcher would have to rate as the WORST to sleep on.

They sag, so you cant get comfortable laying on your side and allow the cold to penetrate via the air gap underneath.

IMHO he best and most portable of sleeping bed is a good quality Swag.
For two months at a time. Yes, no problem.

Used ours (Wife & I) both fully erected out in the open, or simply as a mattress inside a tent.