We’re not keen on their blow-up mattresses with integrated pumpbag (which folds into the stuffsack). The Decathlon Quechua Luxury SIM is an 8cm thick self inflating mattress which has an excellent R-rating of 8. Don't forget to ensure you've got the right air bed pump at hand so you're not caught short on your next camping trip. While a sleeping bag and sleeping mat are important for a comfortable rest, don't underestimate the difference a good camping pillow can make.

Once you’ve blown some air into it, roll it down from the valve to the other end (making sure you’re not letting air escape out of the valve). The question of camping with your partner using a double bed/mattress vs 2 x singles is a perennial one.

Used chiefly for backpacking tent trips but unlikely to be used at a campsite if you’ve brought the car and can transport something thicker. The comfort deluxe is ideal for tents but was actually designed with campervans in mind – it’d work brilliantly in both. Whether you're heading out on a long hike or taking the kids away to your favourite campsite, a Decathlon vacuum flask will keep you refreshed as you explore your new surroundings. If more support is needed then air can be blown into the top valve – this makes the top surface more taut, but less comfortable. If you’re planning on sleeping directly on the floor with either mat or mattress then take note of the ‘R-value’ for any potential purchase.

Andes have improved the valve design of their SIM after numerous complaints of air leaks back in 2016. We found that it gave excellent isolation in our tent in February when we used a decent down sleeping bag on top. If you want even more comfort then it’s probably worth looking at a pumped fully-inflatable air mattress for camping. A camping mat that rolls up fairly small – preferably self-inflating, but some airbeds are fast to to inflate with a good pump.Camping mats are much easier to transport than a camp bed or air bed, so they are a great option for hiking camping trips. We really liked the fabric used on the top of the Skyfall – it feels nice to the touch and is not too slippery (a pet hate of ours). It’s described as a 3D camping mat because it has gusseted sides so there’s a mattress feel about it and you don’t roll down at the edges. I also wish that it was a bit grippy on one side as it kept sliding down my bed since we were camping on a slight inclined hill.

This is a self-inflating foam mattress with 5cm of thickness for the central portion and a single flip-valve. KingCamp have pulled another top product out of the bag with their Deluxe double self-inflating mattress. If cold-weather camping is your bag, and you want a bit of comfort under your bones as well as warmth, then you may wish to check out the Dreamcatcher.We can give this a resounding thumbs up – it is by far the comfiest double SIM we’ve tested for the money, and while it may seem expensive, this is up there with the best air mattresses but without the stress of punctures or requiring pumps. We tested the large, and liked the single valve with its nicely rounded inside – no sharp edges to wear through the fabric. The Vango Comfort Double mattress is self inflating, taking the hassle out of family camping, and can be inflated within five minutes.

Open a valve and Vango’s comfort mat fills with air and is ready to go in seconds, or you can top it up quickly if you prefer a firmer sleeping mat. Both camping mats and camping SIMs can also be used on top of a camp bed or ‘cot’ (as the Americans say) for more of a bed-like experience.The larger the depth the more comfortable the mattress is, and the more insulation it offers from the cold ground.