If space is at a premium, you'll save by just going for a regular air mattress, which are easy to find in a double size. I've tried Coleman's air mattresses and they work well, but really it's much of a muchness in that arena. If you don't fancy that, you'll find plenty of different approaches in T3's best camping bed guide – the Robens Polarshield 120 is a similar idea to the Shangri-La. The Decathlon Quechua Ultima is a comfortable mattress at a pretty reasonable price point. It’s not the cheapest double and it’s not the most expensive. Would we like a little more cushioning, say 10cm total? Well actually we didn’t really miss those extra 2cm, and the great insulation really made a difference on a cold autumn night. We slept very well, with none of the ‘sleeping bad sliding’ you get on some smoother SIMs. For real additional comfort to the Ultim you need to be looking at a 15cm SIM such as the Outdoor Revolution Skyfall or similar. Dimensions are solid at 200 x 76 x 15cm for the ‘Grande’ size which is slightly wider than a conventional single – we appreciate Vango’s dedication in constantly supplying 200cm (6ft7) length mattresses instead of cutting cost by reducing too much.

We recommend an R-Value of 3 or higher for 3-season use, and 5 or higher if you will be lying on the ground in winter too. Measuring 201 x 74 x 5cm when inflated, the IForrest includes both an integrated pillow and armrests for significant added comfort. What is great about the armrests is that they stop you rolling off the mattress in the night very effectively. If you are planning to use it on top of a camp bed then this is an important consideration – you might be a foot off the floor! R-Value for the KingCamp is ~6.5 which is pretty decent for cold weather camping, but not quite on a par with the Outwell Dreamcatcher. For typical UK winter conditions though, this is ample. Just make sure you bring along a decent sleeping bag or use electric hookup for an overnight heater.In use, the comfort is very good indeed, and provides just enough support for up to around 15 stone in weight. If more support is needed then air can be blown into the top valve – this makes the top surface more taut, but less comfortable. Unlike a standard inflatable mattress or air bed, a camping mat doesn’t require a pump to fill it with air. Sleeping mats also provide better insulation, as they offer a solid layer between your sleeping bag and the ground, rather than air alone.

The smart design and fabric mean the overall feel is less like camping equipment and more like something you'd find at home – and in fact, this would be a great choice for a spare guest mattress. Vango Shangri-La II review:verdict A self inflating camping mat is a clever little piece of kit. Inside, they comprise a special type of cell foam attached to a valve. One aspect that I struggled with a bit was that if you just leave it to self inflate, you'll end up with a mattress that's on the softer side. So much so that if you put all your weight down in one area, you will hit the ground underneath (this sensation is exacerbated if you go for a one-person-on-a-double situation, so choose wisely before scaling up so you can starfish). However, if you spread out a bit and you've got a lovely cushiony soft surface that's amongst the very comfiest camping beds I've ever slept on. You can feel if a mattress-mate shifts around next to you, but the movement is dulled, so you won't have the sensation of being near bounced out of the tent, as can be the case with air mattresses. In this article we concentrate on our experience and recommendations for the choice of best self inflating mattress, and so the size and weight of the product is of less concern than how comfortable it is and how well it stays inflated etc. Weighing only 2kg in large size (196 x 64 x 11cm) and 2.5kg in XXL (203 x 76 x 11cm), this is a surprisingly lightweight product which has greatly impressed us. It is more less than half the weight of the Vango Shangri-La for example. Personally I would plump for the XL if you find you have a choice of sizes – it just gives that extra bit of surface area for a nice sprawl when sleeping, and for not much extra weight.Vango offer a 2 year warranty on all their gear and that gives peace of mind when buying a self inflating mattress. If there are any issues with the valve or unexpected deflations in the night then they will unhesitatingly repair or replace your treasured SIM. For all intents and purposes the Kip becomes a proper home-style mattress when it’s fully inflated. It has vertical side walls to maximize the top-level surface area and this means that you don’t roll off in the night. So it it comfortable? We can give this a resounding thumbs up – it is by far the comfiest double SIM we’ve tested for the money, and while it may seem expensive, this is up there with the best air mattresses but without the stress of punctures or requiring pumps. It is a true 4-season sleeping pad with an R-Value of 6.8. This provides excellent insulation between you and the floor for effective winter-use. The Shangri-La is for all intents and purposes a proper mattress when it’s fully inflated. It has vertical side walls to maximize the top-level surface area and this means that you don’t roll off in the night.

Measuring an impressive 200cm in length and 130cm in width, the Vango Comfort 10 Double Sleeping Mat offers ample space for two people to snuggle up comfortably. Whether you're camping with your children or enjoying a romantic getaway with your partner, this spacious sleeping mat guarantees a restful night for everyone. At Camping Secrets we often like to highlight niche products we uncover which accomplish a task in a clever way, whilst maintaining quality and value. The 3rd generation IForrest Sleeping Pad accomplishes this task extremely successfully. REACH Approved Materials - Materials used meet and exceed the European REACH standard, ensuring safe use and peace of mindNever have another camping trip spoiled by sleeping on a hard, damp, cold ground. If you want to ensure you'll get a good night's sleep when you are next away camping, you need a camping roll mat. With a sleeping mat under your sleeping bag, the ground will feel more even and create an additional layer of insulation between your body and the ground. Here at Decathlon, you'll find everything you need, from self-inflating camping mattresses to make you feel more at home to camping roll mats that will provide the warmth, comfort and firm support you need for a restful sleep. Our camping mats insulate and keep out the moisture and cold. Crafted from durable, high-quality materials, the Comfort 10 Double Sleeping Mat features an embossed anti slip top surface, so there is no chance of slipping off as you'll often find with some mats. The mat's generous layer of foam insulation properties prevent heat loss, keeping you warm even in cooler temperatures. Additionally, its non-slip base ensures stability, keeping the mat securely in place throughout the night. The Shangri-La is exceptionally easy to inflate and deflate, and this is one of its major strengths. The Cyclone ‘flip-valve’ as seen on the Comfort 10 Double is a joy to use. Simply flip it around to the correct airflow direction required. Inflation happens automatically, and deflation can be achieved in a couple of minutes by the old “roll and kneel” manoeuvre.

The KingCamp is undoubtedly fabricated from decent materials – the two valves on the SIM are brass which is a nice touch and differentiates the Deluxe from other SIMs which rely on plastic.Measuring 198 x 130 x 7.5cm, the Deluxe offers a sufficient length of 6ft 6” which should be ample for most of the adult population of the world – apart from Sultan Kosen perhaps. For those that don’t know, he’s the current world’s tallest man! However a low R-Value (<2) could mean you end up getting cold in the night. Inflatable air mattresses which are essentially big air balloons which you sleep on have notoriously low R-values and are no good at all for sleeping on in winter or autumn. For inflating, remove the cap and make sure the valve is in the ‘inflate position’. Unroll the mattress and it will automatically let air rush in and will self inflate. Spot the top-selling author in that previous sentence!