How comfy are stretchers compared to 100mm thick self inflating mattresses

Hi Luther, we have a couple of large kookaburra stretchers. We didn't find them very comfortable. We kept sliding around on them in our sleeping bags, plus they seemed very noisy when you moved around a bit. We also have a self inflating mattress which we consider very comfortable, but as you mentioned- a bit of a pain to roll up and quite bulky. We now have an inflatable mattress - which we find reasonably comfortable, easy to blow up and suck down and more 'couple friendly' than the stretchers.Hope this helps, doc.

Hi there. Why choose one or the other??? I love the combination of a self-inflating mattress on top of a stretcher. In my view, stretchers on their own are a bit 'unforgiving' particularly on old backs, and they can be bloody cold without some insulation underneath (even if only a cheap closed cell foam mat).

If I'm camping out, I use the self-inflating mattress inside my swag (I leave the swag mattress at home), on top of the stretcher to keep out the nasties.
Inside the tent, (without the swag) the combination means thermal insulation plus a bit of padding.

Mind you, my self-inflating mattress is only 20 mm thick when inflated (Caribee brand, not the real Rolls Royce brand, but much cheaper).

Please learn from my experience: if you plan to buy stretchers, insist on a practice set up in the shop first. Some are simple to set up and take down, others can be a right bugger (like the ones I bought!!). And its not just price or even brand. No point in talking brands and models because they change. But you will appreciate a stretcher that doesn't take a Ph D in physics and a 200W floodlight to put up when you're tired.

Hope your choice works for you.

Hi, Iagree with you re the self inflating mattress but we got an air bed after trying them and the stretcher years ago. I don't know much about the new stretchers. the one we bought yrs ago never got used as it was extemely tight to put together and the cold air would get under it (Simpson Desert) and you'd freeze from underneath. We bought an air bed of good repute and put a good thick protecter blanket underneath to stop little grains of sand rubbing holes in it. It folds up fairly small and is blown up with a compressor. Realy comfy! The only draw back is that after a lot of use even the best looled after ones develop holes, you can mend the holes if you can or get a knew one theey are'nt that expensive when you compare them with the other 2 alternatives. They are a bit hard on your Knees to set up but I kneel on a piece of foam .
Take care, Bye for now Sally C.

Gday there,

Brought two Oztent strechers before heading off on a 3 week voyage of Cape York. Brought them on the chance they would be comfy as I hated sleeping on air beds. And I wasnt dissappointed.

SWMBO wasnt terribly impressed we were in seperate beds but after the first night on them we were both over the moon about the choice. 1: because there was no bed sheet arguements and dutch ovens, and 2: we finally both had a great nights sleep whilst camping and didnt wake up with a sore backs.

So the Oztent strechers are a big THUMBS UP here.

Cheers. The Dr.

I've got a Coleman 12 cm self inflator single. The bottom of it is insulated to keep out the cold from underneath. I bought it to replace my swag which eventually didn't cut it in the 'cold weather' stakes. OK, it takes just a little bit of effort to roll it up by myself but it's not coronary care country and it beats a camp stretcher hands down! For two people rolling up a double it shouldn't be any harder.

Also, chk out ThreadID: 67266

Cheers

I for one hate stretchers. I generally sleep on my side and always find my knees end up resting on one side rail and my ankles on the other. Very uncomfortable. I much prefer my DMH mat..

We bought a stretcher a few years back for the tin lid (can't remember the brand name offhand) and it turns out I'm the only one strong enough to put the bl@@dy thing together. SO If I'm not around it can't be used.. She finds it OK but she's nowhere near as tall as me.

All
The largest cross legged stretchers with a quaity high density foam mattress and a quality sleeping bag cover off all the bases for my family and will usually cover off all the negative comments about comfort.
Our kids have been kicked out of the big house (tent) into there own tent and strechers allow them to be off the ground and a couple of plastic tubs with lids can be slid under the strechers to keep all the kids "stuff" in order.
They have had 281 MM of rain on that set up over two weeks on one trip and never looked like getting wet.
We used 4 of them on a trip to Cape York for three weeks and very comfortable.

We tried a double self inflating and it's just too big to pack so we changed it for two singles and found they worked well together inside a fitted double sheet.
They rolled up easily and stored in the car more convieniently. To roll them up I just use the vacuum side of an electric inflator and they are a cinch to roll up. We wouldn't go back to air mattresses and stretchers are either too bulky to pack or difficult to set up. Even as oldies we get a comfortable night on the SI's.
As we mostly do touring type camping now the floor of the tent is OK but setting up for a week or so may need a rethink.
Cheers
Oskar

Hi Atta boy Luther,
IThe wife and I have a Coleman self inflater as well and reckon it is the best air bed we have ever had.beats any stretcher .and don't forget you still have to set up and dismantle a stretcher as well.Know a bloke who always had a puncture and i told him to cut his toe nails.Every one knew what i meant except his wife!

Regards Paul.