Sleeping Bags, Camping Pads and Air Beds

Insulation is what keeps you warm

Warmth comes from insulation, not thickness. An air-only mattress, such as an inflatable bed, is comfortable at home or in a warm tent but offers little insulation from cold ground, so add a blanket or a foam layer in cool weather. Ultralight inflatable pads suit backpacking, though their warmth varies, so look for an insulation or R-value rating. Foam and memory foam resist punctures. Down in a sleeping bag packs small and is warm for its weight but loses insulation when wet; synthetic fill copes better with damp.

Sizes, pumps and seasonal ratings

Bed sizes follow mattress names such as twin, full and queen, and a raised airbed stands high enough to sit on and get up from easily. Check the length of the inflated bed against your height and the tent floor. Most air beds need a pump, built in or separate, so see what powers it. Sleepers are listed as one person or sleeps two; for two, the width must fit both. Bags carry a seasonal use label such as winter, and temperature ratings are normally lab estimates, so pick a bag rated below the lowest night temperature.

Questions about Sleeping Bags, Camping Pads and Air Beds

Is an air mattress warm enough for cold nights?

Not on its own. Air circulating inside a large chamber carries heat away from your body, so an uninsulated air bed feels cold on chilly ground. Add a foam layer or blankets underneath and look for pads with an insulation rating.

Down or synthetic: which sleeping bag insulation suits damp weather?

Synthetic fill keeps much of its warmth when damp and dries faster. Down is lighter and packs smaller for the warmth it gives, but it clumps when wet unless it has a water-resistant treatment.

How do I inflate a large air bed on a camping trip?

Use the built-in pump if it runs on a battery or a vehicle outlet, or carry a separate hand or electric pump. Check the power source in the listing, because mains-only pumps are no help at a remote site.