Camping Beds Buying Guide

Having a comfortable camping bed or camping mattress plays a massive role when it comes to enjoying a camping holiday. A restful night's sleep helps you build the energy reserves you need to make it through a busy day of hiking, bushwalking, mountain biking or chasing after your kids. Even if your daily itinerary involves doing absolutely nothing, not being able to sleep comfortably can leave you in a grumpy mood and wishing you were at home in your own bed rather than getting into the spirit of your camping adventure. A good night's sleep puts you in a good mood so you make the most of outdoor adventures, and your bed has the biggest impact on whether you're a happy camper. This Buying Guide outlines the key things to consider when weighing up different beds, so it's easier to work out which one's best for you.

Quick Links

• What Is The Best Camping Bed?
• Different Types Of Camping Beds
• Choosing The Right Camping Bed Size
• Set-Up Simplicity Of A Camping Bed
• Camping Bed Materials
• Determining The Quality Of A Camping Bed
• Camping Bed Accessories

What Is The Best Camping Bed?

Before throwing down your hard-earned dollars, there are a few things you should think about when choosing the best camping bed for your purposes.

• If your camp mattress is going to get a lot of regular use, then you really need to consider something made from quality, long-lasting materials and something that is easy to maintain to ensure that you get good value for money.
• If you only plan on using a camp bed a couple of times a year or infrequently (at summer music festivals, for example), you may not need to spend as much money but you should still look for a stretcher, sleeping mat, air mattress or hammock made from quality materials and sturdy construction.
• Knowing where you'll be using the bed will be a huge help in deciding the best camping bed to buy. If your favourite camping locations have predominantly rocky and uneven ground, then a stretcher or air mattress with some kind of tarp or matting under it might be more useful to help protect against punctures. Camp stretchers and air mattresses are also great for people with back and hip issues because you don't have to get down to floor level to get in and out of bed, and they're the smart choice for side sleepers who need the extra support they give your head and neck.
• Hiking or not, hiking mats are great for people who don't require oodles of support to get to sleep, as well as people who want a lightweight bed or just want something simple to unpack at night and roll up the next morning. When shopping for a hiking mat, look for options made of rip-stop materials - material that are designed specifically to prevent little tears from becoming big ones.

Different Types Of Camping Beds

There are different types of camping beds, and they all have different benefits. Think about what's important to you and which type you'd prefer to sleep on.

Sleeping Mat

Sleeping mats are the lightest, most compact and easiest to set up. They're perfect for hiking, backpacking, expeditions and festivals. They can be used on the ground, on top of a fold-out bed, in a swag or back of a 4WD. Higher-density mats with a higher R-value keep you warmer and more comfortable. If you're a cold sleeper in general, then you'll want a mat with an R-value of at least 4. If you sleep on your side, you'll need a thicker sleeping mat to be able to sleep comfortably. Foam sleeping mats are foam on the inside with a fabric coating and you just roll them out. Self-inflating mats have a valve, and when you open it air inflates around the foam. Some have a waterproof bag so your bed doesn't get wet in the rain when hiking. Whether you go for a 'traditional' sleeping mat or a self-inflating mat, check for the hiking mat's R-value, which is a measure of its warmth. The higher the R-value, the warmer and more comfortable your mat will be. If you're a side sleeper, thicker sleeping mats will be more comfortable for you, and also consider purchasing a waterproof bag so your mat doesn't get wet in the rain when you're out hiking or bushwalking.

Stretchers & Fold Out Beds

A folding bed or stretcher keeps you up off the ground while you sleep, keeping you off sharp rocks, pointy sticks, creepy crawlies and the cold, damp ground. They're perfect for those who struggle to get up and down and prefer a higher camping bed. They will also keep you cooler on hot nights because air flows under you (but colder in winter), and you can store your gear under the stretcher bed to create more floor space. Stretchers are best for those who sleep on their back (but they can wobble if you move a lot). They may include a mattress (if not, adding a mat or airbed makes it a lot comfier), and criss-crossed bed legs are sturdier so they're better if you're heavier or move a lot.

Airbeds & Air Mattresses

An airbed is inflated with air so they're compact when deflated and folded up. There are also self-inflating airbeds that fill up with air on their own and are the easiest to set up. Manual airbeds will have you inflate it with a battery-powered pump (foot pumps take forever), whereas some manual airbeds will come with a battery-powered pump included, so always check first. It's normal for airbeds to lose some air overnight, so you'll need to top them up, and remember to not have too much insulation so you can feel cold and may need a blanket under you. Double-height air beds are as high as a real bed so they're easy to get in and out of and are good if you sleep on your side or toss and turn a lot (but may disturb your partner).

Hammock

Hammocks are synonymous with afternoon naps on a summer's day but they can also be a great sleeping solution for the truly adventurous outdoor sleeper. While hammocks have traditionally been tied between trees, many of today's hammocks come with an easy-to-set-up and easy-to-store metal frame, capable of accommodating all kinds of body weights and sizes. Just like stretchers, the air flow underneath a hammock makes them ideal for a comfy night's sleep in the warmer months and, like an air mattress, a warm blanket or sleeping mat under the sleeping bag on your hammock can help you stay warmer on the cooler nights.

Choosing The Right Camping Bed Size

Think about comfort first - do you want to sleep in a single bed, large single, double or queen bed? Height is also another important factor - does the camping bed have to be long enough for anyone tall who'll be sleeping in it? Also, more width is important for those who have a bigger build or turn a lot. How heavy is it? Stretchers are the heaviest, for example, they can be difficult to carry far. Other factors can include the weight limit, as camping beds such as double stretchers have a 200kg weight limit. What about transport and storage? How compact is it when packed up and how much space will it take up? Folding beds take up the most space in the car and storage space at home. Having bunk beds, two vertically stacked camping beds will take up less floor space in the tent and kids love bunks - but will need to be old enough to be safe on them. Make sure there's enough head height in your tent to fit bunks. Some bunk beds can also be set up as two separate single beds.

Set-Up Simplicity Of A Camping Bed

How easy do you want setting up the camping bed to be as well as packing it up when it's home time? Here are some examples to consider:

• Roll-out foam mats and self-inflating mats are the quickest, easiest beds to set up.
• An airbed with a built-in pump is set up a lot faster than a manually inflated airbed.
• Stretcher beds are the heaviest to carry and take a little longer to set up.
• Bunk beds need to be put together so they're better for longer camping trips

Camping Bed Materials

The materials a camping bed is made from will determine important factors such as how waterproof and long-lasting it will be.

Fabric

• Weight: The fabric's thickness is given in denier (D), which means that a higher D bed is more waterproof and durable.
• Durability: RipStop fabric helps prevent rips from growing into big rips, also making it easier to repair.
• Nylon: Thin and light making it perfect for backpacking and is used for making lightweight hiking mats.
• Polyester: Waterproof (so ground dampness doesn't seep through) and is used for most fold-out beds and sleeping mats.
• Polycotton: More breathable than polyester, is stronger and lighter than cotton and usually has a waterproof coating.

Frame

How sturdy a folding bed's frame is will determine factors such as how much weight it can bear, whether it wobbles when you toss and turn, and how long the bed will last. When it comes to the strength and sturdiness of the bed frame remember that thicker legs are sturdier and last longer (but are also heavier). Camping beds with legs that cross over are going to be more sturdier than straight-legged camping beds. Many beds have steel frames, but these can get rusty if they ever get wet. A powder-coated steel frame that's rust-resistant will last longer than steel, and an aluminium frame is lighter than steel - but steel is stronger so it lasts longer.

Determining The Quality Of A Camping Bed

When you're weighing up which bed to buy, think about quality versus cost. Stretcher beds are usually cheaper than self-inflating and foam mats. You can buy airbeds and sleeping mats in similar sizes for fairly similar prices. Airbeds you have to inflate manually are going to be cheaper than self-inflating mats. Airbeds with good valves and seams won't deflate as much during the night. Double-height airbeds usually cost more than lower-to-the-ground airbeds. When it comes to how much you should spend on a bed, think about how much sleep matters to you and how well future guests will sleep - because cheaper camping beds don't tend to last as long, so you get what you pay for. If you camp regularly or for more than a few days a time, spending a bit more will give you years of comfortable camping and is an investment in being a happy camper. Find out if the camping bed comes with a repair kit or how you can buy one in future if needed, and factor in the cost of anything else you may want to buy like an airbed pump, inflatable pillow or sleeping bag.

Camping Bed Accessories

If you're new to camping, there are some handy sleep accessories that you should think about adding to your cart when shopping for a camping bed or camping mattress. If you're a light sleeper, earplugs are great for reducing noise so you get the best sleep at night or ensuring you aren't woken up by early risers in the mornings. A sleeping mask will cut out the bright early morning sunlight if you don't have to be up at dawn and need a few extra hours of slumber. Inflatable pillows add an extra touch of comfort to your camp bed, and they fold up compactly and neatly if space is at a premium or if you want to travel light.

Find The Best Camping Beds At Anaconda Today

Don't underestimate the importance of a good night's sleep when you're camping. Just because you're roughing it in nature doesn't mean you have to compromise on comfort to catch those all-important zzz's. Finding the best camping beds for you and your family's sleeping preferences is easy and doesn't need to cost the earth. Make sure you check out our Adventure Centre for more helpful tips and exciting destinations that you can visit with your friends, loved ones and family. If you liked our Camping Beds Buying Guide, then you might also like some of our other articles for awesome destinations and tips such as:

• How To Season Your Canvas Swag/Tent
• Camping Tent Buyin Guide
• Hiking Essentials Buying Guide
• The Ultimate Camping Essentials Checklist

Find your local Anaconda store and check out our extensive camping range for your next outdoor adventure