Sleep pad vs air mattress?

[Jpsmith1]

I understand that this is more of a back country focused group but here goes.

Truck camping. Weight not a consideration. Space/size is, to a degree.

What are you sleeping on?

Bonus if you can recommend a pillow

 

[rayporter]

air mattress with a pad on top. a 3 inch thermarest usually on top but if cold a foam pad my be used or added.

 

[zacattack]

I understand that this is more of a back country focused group but here goes.

Truck camping. Weight not a consideration. Space/size is, to a degree.

What are you sleeping on?

Bonus if you can recommend a pillow

If I’m truck camping and weight isn’t an issue I’m 100% going with an air mattress.

 

[Macintosh]

Megamat and my full-sized pillow from home.

 

[rogerdoger]

I like my paco pad, comfy and super durable. They are expensive but will last a long time. They are pretty difficult to put a hole I. Them, if you do patch them up same as a raft.

 

[Rakun]

I have a full size Japanese floor mattress I got on amazon that unrolls to fill the bed of the truck, I’ve also used it in the tent when car camping. Certainly bulky but if it’s not leaving the bed of the truck it doesn’t really matter.

 

[Jpsmith1]

Thanks to everyone.

Rolling all of this over... how beneficial is a low cot with a pad vs just a pad or mattress?

 

[WyoBC_99]

Megamat and my full-sized pillow from home.

I also use the exped megamat and man that thing is comfy.

I never really saw the benefit of a cot.

 

[WyoBC_99]

although check this out too
https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/will-a-cot-be-colder-sleeping.406501/

 

[180ls1]

Thanks to everyone.

Rolling all of this over... how beneficial is a low cot with a pad vs just a pad or mattress?

I run a 4" megamat + a 2" foam topper. No cot - its just one more thing to bring/setup.

 

[Jpsmith1]

although check this out too
https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/will-a-cot-be-colder-sleeping.406501/

I saw this thread as a suggestion, and it was on my list to read. I have a half decent pad. Not a megamat but a nice, self inflating mat about 2' thick. A little puff of air adds 3/8-1/2". It's reasonably comfortable but I think some improvement can be had.

I also need to work out pillows and insulation. More of my camping right now is taking place in pretty hot weather so being cold isn't an issue.

 

[Taudisio]

I understand that this is more of a back country focused group but here goes.

Truck camping. Weight not a consideration. Space/size is, to a degree.

What are you sleeping on?

Bonus if you can recommend a pillow

I just got back from an archery trip. We were camped next to the trucks and I brought a queen sized air mattress. It was colder than expected, high 30’s in the morning (I was expecting 50’s, maybe high 40’s. I brought my 25degree down bag and a cheap blue stripe Walmart pillow. I was very comfortable except the air mattress sucked the heat from my body and I woke up freezing. I threw a blanket under me the second night and it was 10 fold better. I wish I had brought one of my reflective matts to put on top of the air mattress. Whatever was touching the mattress was cold. I assure you I learned from that mistake of negligence and you should too.