CAMPING BEDS

There’s an old saying among campers: What you sleep on is just as important as what you sleep in. Translation: It takes more than a warm sleeping bag to keep you comfortable at night. Even the thickest down bag won’t keep you warm if you’re sleeping on the cold ground. You need something under you. Experienced campers use cots, mattresses, airbeds, and foam pads, alone or in combinations, to sleep warm and cozy. And remember, even if the temperature’s balmy, that ground’s going to feel awfully hard by morning.

Camping Cots

If you prefer sleeping up off the ground, there are dozens of cots available. The basic style consists of a metal frame with three sets of legs and heavy-duty fabric stretched across the top. This is not luxurious but it’s more comfortable than sleeping on rocks. Beyond the basics, cots can be supplemented with air mattresses or foam pads, and accessorized with hanging storage pouches, mosquito netting, or even their own tents! Cots come as large as a queen-size bed, too, so you won’t fall off.

Coleman Air Beds

Coleman’s line of air beds goes from twin up to king-size beds. You can get just the air mattress, a mattress and accessory battery-powered pump, or the bed with built-in pump and your choice of alarm clock or MP3 plug-in. There’s also a series of double-high air beds. The mattresses are heavy-duty PVC, but have a soft plush top for comfort. Even in summer weather though, you’ll stay warmer if you place a layer or two of blankets or other padding between you and the mattress.

Therm-a-Rest Inflatable Mattress

Therm-a-Rest mattresses are known for their trick of self-inflating. Just open the valve at the corner and the mattress inflates itself; close the valve again to keep air from escaping when you lie down. To deflate, open the valve and fold or roll the mattress to push the air out, then close the valve to keep it out. The DreamTime mattress is the thickest and most luxurious, but at only three inches you won’t forget you’re camping. A removable fleece cover and pillow top help make it feel cozy.