Coleman 4-1 air matressl; any thoughts?

[hydethebeef]

I am looking for an air mattress that will stay inflated. If I am going to be kept up because the air mattress is deflating then I might as well skip using it all together.

What do you think of this one. It is the Coleman 4-in-1; it is for sale for just under $40 on Amazon.

[Newanderthal]

I've woken up with a sore back and sore muscles every time I've slept on an air mattress. They work similar to a cheap, worn-out mattress letting the heaviest part of your body sink while pushing up the rest. I haven't used this particular one, but it's really just two regular mattresses stacked on top of each other.

Sleeping pads are far more comfortable in my opinion and better for your back. Also, they're lighter, smaller, easier and quicker to set up.

[Grandpa]

Grandma likes these things. I don't know why she thinks these are better. Every time I roll over I catapault her into deep space. I prefer a thinner thermarest or big agnus.

[pastywhite]

I have a Coleman air mattress we use on scout outings, etc. It holds air just fine but you have to really pump it full from the start. The air will cool and condense over night. If it is much below 50 you need some type of insulation too. Some folks use egg crates for this.

I have a pump that runs on D cell batteries. It is plenty strong enough but doesn't last long (maybe 3 outings).

[ppine]

I have some air mattresses for us with guests in the house. They are not dependable for long. Expensive ones have baffles which help. They do not work well for camping outdoors because they conduct cold from the ground. You still need insulation on top of the air mattress to stay warm. Camping should be simple. It is hard for me to watch people struggle with air pumps and leaks when simpler devices work fine.

[hiking_and_biking]

I have to disagree with everyone here who is "anti air mattress". We use an air mattress on a simple, fold out frame every time we go camping and we've never had any issues. We use an air compressor powered by our car battery to blow the mattress up in minutes, and once it's filled with air, it stays firmly filled until the next morning. If simpler works for you, fine. But if you have a bad back or just want to enjoy the comforts of home while you're camping, there's nothing wrong with a GOOD air mattress.

[DThewanderer]

Hiking, do you mind sharing the brand of air mattress you use? I am one of those people who has always had bad experiences with them. Maybe you can help us figure out what a GOOD air mattress is and how much you have to spend for one.

[Judy Ann]

I had a coleman that lasted over 150 nights out. Probably would still be working fine but my nephew and BIL decided it would make a good wrestling mat and the baffles blew in a couple of spots. I replaced it with another make from Dick's and like it fine. I put a blanket under it and a mattress pad on top and use sheets and comforters. I've camped in the 20s and was plenty warm, however it was a single height and not a double. I never spent over $50 on either one. One trick for extra comfort is not to overinflate them.

[Grandpa]

I agree with DT, Hiking. We also have oops had one of those accordian out frames with an air mattress and it only lasted a couple of uses. We still have the frame somewhere. What brand does make a good mattress?