Cots or air mattresses?

[imthatgirl]

That's the dilemma as of right now.

What are the pros and cons of them?

I was originally set on the air mattresses, then a friend mentioned the cots and how handy it is to be able to move them and store things under them.

What does everyone else do?

 

[jdb in AZ]

Canvas cots would be more breathable and allow for airflow under them. Plastic air mattresses tend to be sweaty in the summer heat/humidity.

 

[FLDisneyFan]

I brought a chaise-type lawn chair with me, but gave up on it after the first night and slept with just the sleeping bag and a camping pad under it. I was fine with it, but it was on the firm side!

 

[heidijanesmith]

I have tried both and liked the double height queen air mattress better. The cot was just not as comfortable and felt more restrictive while moving around.

 

[Running_Bell]

We did not like the cots at all. They were uncomfortable, you pretty much have to stay in one spot the whole night or you'll have a pole in your back... and I found I sweated more on them than on the air mattress. We went back to an air mattress after only one night of cots. If you can go to a store that has the cots set up.... just lie on one and see if you like it.

Here is our setup at Disney last year...
http://s1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee504/running_bell/FW%20Nov%202010/

In hot weather the sheets can get a bit damp from humidity. We run a small propane heater for about 45 min an hour or so before turning in just to dry up moisture if it's that bad. If you use mattress pads I don't recommend foam egg crate bed pads... they hold any moisture that may be in the air and get wet.

The only thing about air mattresses in cold weather is that they take the temp. of the ground and your body is not enough to heat the air in them. We put flooring pads under the mattresses, and several pads beneath the sheets.

I also do not recommend a double air mattress if your spouse moves around alot My husband would about send me sailing through the air when he would move.... we got the two twins that zip together, king sheets fit it just fine and he can move all night long and I never know.

You'll find after you've camped a few times what works best for you.....

 

[cruising spud]

We have an rv, but get out the tent when my daughter wents to bring friends camping with us. We have always used an air mattress, which the kids have liked. Then, about three years ago, I thought that cots would give the kids more room. So, I ordered two cots to test the waters. Nope, the girls did not like the cots. Said they were not comfortable. So, a year later, my nephew comes to visit, and I get out the cot again (I mean, I would like to get some use out of those cots). After about twenty minutes he came down and asked for the air mattress. He said it was too hard to sleep on the cot. FYI-the girls were all about fourteen, at the time, and weighed about one hundred pounds each. My nephew was somewhat taller and heavier.

And, for more information, I went to Amazon and read reviews before buying the cots. I would say the cots were in the average price range.

 

[TxRabbit]

We just went camping for a couple nights last weekend on air mattresses. DS was on a twin. DH and I on a queen. All single high.

The bad:
1. It was HORRIBLE sleeping two people on one mattress. DH weighs more than I do...it was sleeping on a hill...and every time one of us moved...boing boing boing...bounce all around...

2. Getting on and off the bed was rather difficult. DH has a back issue, so that was especially difficult.

3. The heat caused the mattresses to change pressure throughout the weekend. Needed to adjust.

The good:
Once you were in the bed, and if you were alone on the bed, and if you got the inflation setting right...then it was relatively comfortable.

If I had to choose between an air mattress and my backpacking Therm-a-rest mat...the Therm-a-rest definitely wins...offers just the right amount of cushioning without all the bouncing around. Knowing this, in trying to prepare for a week long trip to the Fort, I am currently researching cots. I found some as wide as 40"! The combination of a mat on a cot seems to be something of a winner. I need to get DH off the floor too.

 

[AntePrincess]

Although most of my camping lately has been in the backyard, I'd have to second the Thermarest sleeping pad suggestion. Air mattresses bounce too much and get sweaty, cots are ungainly and uncomfortable. The sleeping mats can be firm and flat, but overall, I've had the best night sleep on them.

 

[DisCamper]

I use a very good double height queen air mattress the dogs I sleep like a baby on it

 

[Running_Bell]

The bad:
1. It was HORRIBLE sleeping two people on one mattress. DH weighs more than I do...it was sleeping on a hill...and every time one of us moved...boing boing boing...bounce all around...

I know exactly what you mean.... I lasted one weekend trip on a shared double size mattress.... I kept rolling downhill nto DH all night. We resolved that quickly by purchasing the Coleman King Size... it's actually two separate twins that zip together... you still sleep in the same bed, but technically you each have your own twin mattress.... he can move all night long and I never notice. King sheets fit perfectly. We've only had to add a bit of air to our mattress once during a 10 day camping trip... only to my DHs side.

We have thought of going to the extra high air mattresses... DH has lower back issues at times too. I know the extra high ones would be easier to get in and out of.

The only complaint I have ever had about the air mattresses is they get cold in cooler weather.... very cold. We use pads beneath the mattresses and on top of the mattresses... it is hard for your body temp. to heat up the cold air in the mattress. At FW in November last year... we put heating pads on the lowest setting under the mattress and under a towel (to avoid direct contact with the plastic). It heated up the mattress pretty well.

We tried the cots too.... even with a pad they were awful... like sleeping on a table... they were pretty wide and I couldn't roll over easily or bend my knees without bumping the fram poles. Everyone that tried them had the same feelings... we put them on ebay as soon as we got home. They can be very expensive.

 

[TxRabbit]

We resolved that quickly by purchasing the Coleman King Size... it's actually two separate twins that zip together... you still sleep in the same bed, but technically you each have your own twin mattress.... he can move all night long and I never notice. King sheets fit perfectly. We've only had to add a bit of air to our mattress once during a 10 day camping trip... only to my DHs side.

I saw this...if the bouncy were the only issue, I think I would definitely give this a try.

We have thought of going to the extra high air mattresses... DH has lower back issues at times too. I know the extra high ones would be easier to get in and out of.

My DH has two bulging discs. He's currently in physical therapy for that. We've been dealing with this issue for several years now. It was clear with the two nights' stay on the bouncy single air mattress that he either needs to have a more durable Therm-a-rest kind of mattress for getting up off the floor OR a raised bed.

We tried the cots too.... even with a pad they were awful... like sleeping on a table... they were pretty wide and I couldn't roll over easily or bend my knees without bumping the fram poles. Everyone that tried them had the same feelings... we put them on ebay as soon as we got home. They can be very expensive.

From all the reviews that I have been reading, the cots are really hit and miss. I'm going to know my return policies for sure, but I'm pursuing the cot idea. My current thought is to get an XL cot for DH...at least 32" wide and maybe the 40" wide ones. Also going to invest in a thick memory foam pad and make sure that it is as wide as the rails. Basically, make a rollaway type bed. I'm hoping that I can get it comfortable enough for company at Christmas time, as we are the host house this year. We'll set up the idea at home to try out before committing. I'm hoping to catch some sales on some of the bedding with all the back to school/off to college stock in the fall.