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Protect yourself form the HARD ground! You don’t want
to feel any rocks or twigs when getting down to business
in your love den. A cushioned camping bed will also insulate
you from ground moisture keeping you warm and dry.
Camping cots are bulky, expensive and NOT safe for Romantic
activities! Air beds and sleeping pads are the BEST options
for Romantic Camping.
There are many air bed and sleeping pad options. These
camping bed types vary by length, width, weight and thickness.
Knowing your camping style will determine the type of
camping bed you want. For example, air beds are a comfy
option for car-camping, while lightweight sleeping pads
work BEST for backpacking.
Sleeping Pads
Sleeping pads are also known as a ground pad, sleeping
mat or roll mat. They are designed to roll up tightly
thus minimizing space. Their primary purpose is to provide
minimal padding and thermal insulation. It is always recommended
to also have a layer between the sleeping pad and the
ground. A ground cloth or a tent works best. This additional
protective layer helps reduce the possibility of punctures
and reduces moisture transfer. There are three types of
sleeping pads:
1) Closed Cell Foam:
These sleeping pads have the advantage of not being prone
to punctures. Variations include textured or shaped foam
to increase the unrolled volume of the pad. These foam
products can also be designed with ridges or an egg-carton
texture.
ROMANTIC IDEA: For ultimate car-camping comfort, try using
a custom 2-4 inch foam mattress. Call local upholstery
shops to inquire about purchasing the dimensions you need.
Memory foam mattress (from Costco) is another good option.
Keep foam mattresses covered and store mattresses in a
protective bag to keep clean.
2) Manually-Inflated:
Similar to the air mattress, this pad type requires an
external pressure source to inflate. They are typically
inflated by a pump or by blowing.
3) Self-Inflated:
This type of pad is capable of self-inflation due to an
open-cell foam that fills the internal cavity. You need
only open the valve and wait for it to fill.
Today, there are many options for self-inflating pads.
For many years the self inflating pad design was protected
by various patents held by Cascade Designs. Cascade Designs
was founded in 1972 by two former Boeing engineers, who
were avid backpackers. Their first product innovation
was the self-inflating camping mattress, marketed as Therm-a-Rest.
The Therm-a-Rest remains the industry standard for high-quality
self inflated sleeping pads.
ROMANTIC IDEA: Use a double-wide sleeping pad! With a
two-person sleeping pad there is no seam or gap. Another
(cheaper) option is to combine two single sleeping pads
using a sleeping pad coupler strap. This system uses two
nylon webbing straps with a velcro closure to combine
sleeping pads together. The coupler kit is the best option
if you already own sleeping pads. They only cost about
$15.
Air Beds
Air beds are the MOST comfortable camping bed. Air beds
are a favorite for car-camping. All size options are available.
Find a size that will fit inside your tent and sleep two
people comfortably. Size ranges include:
- Full - 75"x54" (190.5 x 137 cm)
- Queen - 80"x60" (203 x 152 cm)
- King - 80"x72" (203 x 183 cm)
In recent years, air beds have become popular for both camping
and home use. This is because many models now come with
built-in pumps that can self-inflate. Popular brands include
AeroBed, Intex, Coleman, Air Cloud and Wenzel.
When taking an air bed camping, be sure you have a way to
pump-up your bed. Foot-pumps or an electric pump that can
be plugged into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter are good
options.
REMEMBER: Air beds have a SHORT life-span. They require
delicate attention. Use protective layers between the ground
and the air bed. Also, use blanket on top of the mattress.
This top layer will not only protect the bed from accidental
punctures, but it will help insulate you from the cold air
inside.
My Recommendations
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