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Market Square => Ren Faire Camping => Topic started by: Ser Charlemagne on March 10, 2016, 09:47:18 AM

Title: Best Bedding?
Post by: Ser Charlemagne on March 10, 2016, 09:47:18 AM
Last year, a large group of friends and I camped for the first time at TRF (Texas Renaissance Festival). It was a huge success and a massive amount of fun, and this coming from someone who hates camping, let me tell you. I loved it.

We had borrowed a tent and air mattress from my father, but my partner and I are looking to purchase our own supplies for this year's camping. I've eyed the tent I think we may look at, but something to sleep on is another thing entirely.

I'm looking for suggestions for bedding - air mattresses, cots, etc - that are suitable for two people. Both of us have back issues stemming from old injuries, but hers are worse than mine, and she is also an insomniac. So comfort and quiet are important, though I realize I may be asking a lot considering it's primitive camping. Does anyone have suggestions?
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: isabelladangelo on March 16, 2016, 06:00:04 AM
I actually have an Ikea twin mattress I use.  Put that up on a couple of pallets or even get the Ikea cheap wood bed and you will be quite happy.  It's also cheaper than getting a decent cot.  I'd stay away from an air mattress - they decompress as the air gets colder and aren't very good no matter how "good" they claim.   They are really for inside use with overnight guests and not for camping.  Cots are okay - I've used them before.  But you want to put a yoga mat and a blanket beneath you before you put the sheets and blankets on.   The biggest problem with a cot is that people forget the air will circulate beneath you and no one likes a cold bum.   

Are you doing full period correct camping or just REI sales camping?  Also, I'd be surprised if it was real primitive camping - you have to dig your own latrine?   Every Renn Fair/Camping event I've been to has been car camping - there are porta johns or even toliets and a place you can wash your hands that is not a stream.
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: Ser Charlemagne on March 16, 2016, 08:00:30 AM
Oh, we aren't worried about being period accurate. I say primitive camping because that was the term used at all the lakes I camped at with family as a child, in reference to tent camping.

The problem with an ikea mattress is the fact that we travel in a compact car. There is no fitting all of our garb plus a mattress somehow in that mess. Well, it's either my partner's compact hatchback or my Mustang, lol, and hers has more space and better gas mileage.

Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: Butch on March 16, 2016, 12:29:54 PM
I use a queen air mattress with an attached battery powered pump.  The kind for home use as a guest bed.  4 or 5 years now.  Absolutely no problems.
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: Ser Charlemagne on March 16, 2016, 01:58:42 PM
Quote from: Butch on March 16, 2016, 12:29:54 PM
I use a queen air mattress with an attached battery powered pump.  The kind for home use as a guest bed.  4 or 5 years now.  Absolutely no problems.

What brand? Was the pump silent? I've seen a few I was interested in, while exploring my many options. Because I have to consider my partner's sleeping issues, I'd like a quiet option if possible. :)
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: Butch on March 16, 2016, 02:50:45 PM
Not sure which brand.  I think we got it at Sears or Penneys.  The pump is pretty quiet, but it just runs when it is being set up (not while someone is sleeping on it).  Otherwise, the pump is turned off.
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: Ser Charlemagne on March 16, 2016, 03:35:26 PM
Quote from: Butch on March 16, 2016, 02:50:45 PM
Not sure which brand.  I think we got it at Sears or Penneys.  The pump is pretty quiet, but it just runs when it is being set up (not while someone is sleeping on it).  Otherwise, the pump is turned off.

Good to know! Thanks! I'll check them out. Always open to any ideas.
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: isabelladangelo on March 16, 2016, 04:14:43 PM
Actually, the Ikea mattress I have rolls up.  Pretty easy to fit in the backseat, really.
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: Ser Charlemagne on March 16, 2016, 04:16:19 PM
Quote from: isabelladangelo on March 16, 2016, 04:14:43 PM
Actually, the Ikea mattress I have rolls up.  Pretty easy to fit in the backseat, really.

Oh! I assume it's the foam mattress and not the springs?
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: isabelladangelo on March 16, 2016, 05:33:32 PM
Yeap, it's foam.  It's honestly more comfortable than my spring mattress at home.  I'm planning on getting one for the home when they go on sale at IKEA again. 
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: RenStarr on March 16, 2016, 10:03:33 PM
Best for tent camping IMHO, Titan cot from Gander Mountain (very wide, very strong, will not turn over) with a four inch memory foam mattress from Walmart.  I've done air mattress's and while they are comfortable, they have two issues.  One, every air mattress at some point will start leaking.  And when that's at 3 in the morning, that sucks.  Two, if it sits on the floor of the tent and the ground is cold, the air in the mattress stays cold.  With cold air in the mattress, you'll stay cold no matter how many blankets you have on top of you.  If the mattress sits up off the ground on a platform, that's better.  You'll stay warmer on a cot during cool or cold nights. 
But the best is good memory foam mattress in a camper!   ;D
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on March 17, 2016, 05:41:34 AM
We always do our primitive camping at the Hampton Inn.  ::)  8)  ;D
Title: Re: Best Bedding?
Post by: Ser Charlemagne on March 17, 2016, 03:38:19 PM
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on March 17, 2016, 05:41:34 AM
We always do our primitive camping at the Hampton Inn.  ::)  8)  ;D

That's usually what we would do to :) But a group we are a part of has started a one weekend tradition at TRF of camping for a whole weekend. I usually hate camping, but had a REALLY GOOD TIME this time. :)