malc-c Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Folks,Never been camping, and never been to an organised star party... so I'm booked to go to the peaks star party in October !I have a single man bivi which I'm planning to use as a tent (was intended to use for weekends by the lake fishing but I lost interest before I had chance to use it. I also have a camp bed like thisIs this OK to use... I've heard that air beds transmit the cold from the ground, so was thinking that this would be better as it's only the legs that are in contact with the ground. I'm planning on getting a micro-fleece lined sleeping bag from one of the tackle outlets ( as shown below) The X-Tuff Extreme raises the standards of sleeping bags to a new level. Thermally insulated with the most sophisticated 'hollow-fibre' filing, this ultra warm, sleeping bag is the only answer to plummeting temperatures and icy, cold weather conditions. Micro fleece lining for extra comfort and warmthLatest heat retaining 'hollow-fibre' insulationEssential during cold winter sessionsCustomised straps for secure bedchair attachmentHighest quality throughoutInstant warmth and sustained heat retentionThis with a hot water bottle should keep me warm ??Comments welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Most of the cold will come from underneath the bed - when we used camp beds like this I used to put a bedroll (or thick blanket) on between the bag and the bed for a bit of extra insulation underneath. If that's a 4 season sleeping bag then you should be nice and snug Oh - take a wooly cap to wear in bed also - invaluable to cover your head at night in cold temperatures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Baby Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I have found airbeds transfer the cold as well - last time I used A blanket between the airved and the tent floor, a duvet on top of the airbed, a second airbed on top of that and finally another duvet. It was warm but bulky.This year we are going for camp beds on the idea that(a) its out of contact with the ground.( one or other of us shifting around wont result in the other one being bounced about at 4am and being woken up.© less bulk when in use and you can stow stuff under the bed making more room available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc-c Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 Thanks for the input, My only concern is that it's fairly low and close to the ground. I might look at getting one of these from ArgosAnd place a foam roll mat underneath the sleeping bag. As for the sleeping bag, it's designed for all year round use, so I'm guessing it's rated as such... mind you you wouldn't be catching much in sub zero temperatures ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamp thing Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 If you intend on doing a lot of camping. I would recommend you invest in a "Therma rest" air mattress i have used them in polar conditions and they are superb. warm and very comfortable. Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc-c Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 Steve, thanks for the suggestion... to be honest I'm a home comforts man myself, but prepared to "rough it" for a few nights once or twice a year for the pay off of a chance to use the scope under really dark skies... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightfisher Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 your right about air beds pulling the cold up, in fishing we call them "ice biscuits" dont know where that comes from, the fishing sleeping bags are warm and cosy, not sure how comfy those camp beds will be though, i use a jrc specialist bed chair, lovely and comfy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollypenrice Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 If you intend on doing a lot of camping. I would recommend you invest in a "Therma rest" air mattress i have used them in polar conditions and they are superb. warm and very comfortable. Regards SteveAbsolutely right. The serious mountaineering option and lasts forever. Mine is 20 years old and going strong. Comfotable on concrete. Those frame beds will destroy your sewn in groundsheet in no time by putting huge localized pressure on the fabric. The thermarest is self inflating, compact and can have a seat conversion which, though daft looking, is mindblowingly comfortable to use.In sleeping bags there is down and there is advertizing prattle. One of those two will keep you warm! Down isn't cheap so I would just get a big, thick, cheap bag as huge as you can. Fancy non-down lightweight bags are hopeless in all my experience. Big, thick and cheap is fine.As stated, the ground chills you more than the air. Wear a hat.Olly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamsp123 Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I use an airbed with a Duvet on top to insulate me from the cold air, then me and another duvet plus a fan heater!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc-c Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 Olly thanks for the input. I've been scouring Amazon who seem to have some cheaper bags (4/5 season) one of which has lots of positive reviews from people who have used it mid winter !I might invest in one of those bed chairs, only one that's not as expensive as the JRC ones !Looked at those threma rests... seem expensive, at least for the one off casual camper like me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc-c Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 I use an airbed with a Duvet on top to insulate me from the cold air, then me and another duvet plus a fan heater!!!!Pete, this is not doing much to encourage me to attend these parties Lets prey for an Indian summer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon hicks Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I use the bed in the first picture...they are very small to pack down and last for years. Before I discovered the luxury of an electric hookup and a fan heater I laid a large double duvet on the bed, then put my sleeping bag ontop, and then pulled the duvet round and over the sleeping bag. That kept me alive even at -12oC. But electric hookups and fan heaters are soooooo much of an improvement! (I must be getting soft in me old age) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollypenrice Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Olly thanks for the input. I've been scouring Amazon who seem to have some cheaper bags (4/5 season) one of which has lots of positive reviews from people who have used it mid winter !I might invest in one of those bed chairs, only one that's not as expensive as the JRC ones !Looked at those threma rests... seem expensive, at least for the one off casual camper like me Decathlon do own brand ones much, much cheaper. I used to camp for eight or nine weeks of the year over a twenty five year spell so I was happy to buy top kit.Try Decathlon.Olly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I've been camping for a number of years and those alluminium army cot type beds are ok for one or two nights. I tend to move around a bit in bed and they make a bit of a creaking noise and wake me up!!!After the third night I normally resort back to my thermal isulated roll and a duvet!!But as the guys have said...Make sure there's a good layer of insulation between you and the tent floor.When we take the kids we put and old duvet and blanket on the floor followed by their sleeping bags and even another blanket on top.My first starparty at Kelling a few years ago was in April and no doubt the regulars will remeber my inadequate sleeping bag and a trip to Cromer to buy a decent one!!HTHGreg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc-c Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 OK had a look at my Chubb Snooper Bivi and I've had a re-think due to the limited head room.... and the fact that it's only a one man bivi so space could be limited, especially if I need to bring the 200P in should there be the odd shower (hopefully there won't be).So I've just ordered a tent for £44 inc postageLooking at the reviews although its rated as a three man tent, one review stated that it accommodated him and his mate who are both over 6' - I'm 5'4" so should have bahs of room Also ordered a Colman Hudson 450 sleeping bag based on the 23 positive reviews - just got to sort out a decent bed chair between now and October... however at this rate I might make a late entry to SGL6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamsp123 Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Pete, this is not doing much to encourage me to attend these parties Lets prey for an Indian summer oh I forgot the hot water bottle and extra blankets.Indian summer - what monsoon? 't will be a scorcher this year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Fargaze Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I have used the metal frame bed before, but I found that it held me in one position on my back. If you like to roll about with a bit freedom, an insulated mat or air bed would be more comfortable. I am quite happy sleeping on a decent foam mat. I dont trust air beds, one punture and it`s useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I have one of these when camping in an ordinary tent.... One of the best camping investments i ever made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parus major Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I have to say, the Argos one is a copy of the US cot used by the US army from before WWI to modern times. As copies go it's a bit rubbish, bst go for the Regatta version or try to find a Highlander Mil-Spec Version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc-c Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Jamie, can you provide a link, make or model for that bed... looks nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Hi MalcolmHere is the link to where i bought mine from..... Not cheap but will last for years.....Folds up to about 4"/5" wide... Also, i bought mine when i weighed 18+ stone so it will be sturdy enough for most....Buy Sussi Exclusive Folding Bed, Small Single online at JohnLewis.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gweedo Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 For years I used the closed sell foam mats (about 10mm thick) because I thought that the Thermarest was an overpriced gimmick. Then I bought one and realised what a complete idiot I had been for all that time - the difference is immense.The other thing to consider for a good nights sleep when camping is a wide mouthed completely watertight bottle marked with a very large and obvious letter P, so that you don't have to go traipsing around the site in the middle of the night..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debostar Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 all this cold protection is quite academic....I am observing with a t-shirt...and a light jacket to keep the cold out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamp thing Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 all this cold protection is quite academic....I am observing with a t-shirt...and a light jacket to keep the cold out...I would normally say "I'm jealous of your observing attire" but with our weather I'm jealous your "observing" period.Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superewza Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Don't bother with a camping bed, they're either far too uncomfortable or far too soft to get a decent nights sleep. Just use a decent sleeping mat, a pillow and a sleeping bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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