If you are one of those people that like to go camping but don’t want to sleep on the ground? Then an air mattress is a great option.
They are comfortable and relatively easy to set up.
But one thing that can be a problem with air mattresses is keeping them warm. The cold hard ground can quickly steal the heat away, leaving your inflated air mattress feeling cold and uncomfortable.
We’ll be covering a few tips to help you keep your air mattress warm when camping and answer a few key questions.
Can you stay warm on an air mattress?
Yes, you can stay warm on an air mattress. But you will need extra sleeping products such as cold weather sleeping bags, foam sleeping pads or a thermal air topper.
We’ll be digging into how each of these products works later in this how-to guide. Only 19% of adults have good ‘sleep quality’ and, trust us, sleeping on the cold hard ground will only cause more injuries.
How To Keep Air Mattress Warm When Camping?
Let’s get down to business by finding out which products, tips, and tricks will keep you and your air mattress warm whilst camping.
The main thing to keep in mind is that your air mattress contains…you guessed it… air.
Suppose the outdoor temperature and floor temperature are cold. In that case, this transfers into the air mattress and results in a cold sleeping surface.
What we cover below will help prevent it from happening.
Use A Foam Sleeping Pad As A Protective Layer
A foam sleeping pad is a great way to protect your air mattress from the cold ground. By placing the foam sleeping pad between the mattress and the ground, you create an extra insulation layer.
This stops the cold ground from transferring its chill into your air mattress and will make a huge difference to how warm it feels.
Foam sleeping pads come in different thicknesses, so it’s worth bearing that in mind.
However, there is one big con.
They’re pretty bulky, so keep reading if you’re off camping and don’t fancy lugging one around.
Use A Cold Weather Sleeping Bag To Trap Body Heat
A cold weather sleeping bag is an excellent option if you want to trap your body heat and stop yourself from getting cold during the night.
They work by trapping heat close to your body and stopping it from escaping.
This is great news for keeping you warm. Still, unfortunately, it doesn’t do much for warming up the air mattress itself.
It’s more of a preventative measure to stop you from losing heat rather than trying to add warmth that isn’t there in the first place.
Heated Camping Mattress Pad
Yes, you can put a heated camping mattress pad or blanket on your air mattress when camping. And here are the benefits of doing so:
- It will add heat to the air in the mattress, making it warmer and more comfortable
- Acts as an extra layer of insulation, preventing heat loss from your body to the ground
- If it has a timer, you can warm the mattress up to sleep and turn it off. Great if you’re on a longer camping trip.
- They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to use, so there’s no excuse not to have one!
But, there are a couple of cons to using a heated mattress pad, and they are:
- It’s another heavy and oversized item to lug around for camping
- It usually requires batteries or a mains supply, if you don’t have electricity then check out these tips to inflate your air mattress without electricity.
Extra Blankets For Keeping Warm
Whilst it doesn’t really warm up the air in your air mattress, it does provide you with more warmth to get a good night’s sleep.
If you get cold during the night while sleeping on your air mattress, consider using extra blankets to keep you warm. Let’s face it, you probably have it round you whilst playing campfire games.
Layering additional blankets on top of your bedding can help to trap heat and provide you with more warmth. This is a beneficial tip if you are camping in cooler weather or your home is draughty.
Just be sure not to overheat by using too many blankets, as this can cause discomfort and make it difficult to sleep. Experiment until you find the perfect number of blankets for your needs.
Using A Hot Water Bottle To Increase Core Body Temperature
If you find yourself getting cold while sleeping on your air mattress, consider using a hot water bottle to increase your core body temperature.
Simply fill the bottle with hot water and place it under your blankets or in your sleeping bag before going to bed. The heat will help warm you up and make it easier to sleep through the night.
This may be difficult to do if you are camping, as hot water may not be readily available.
Utilising Extra Clothes In Your Camping Bag
If you find yourself getting cold while camping, consider using extra clothes in your camping bag to keep you warm. This may mean dirtier clothes if you’re on a longer camping trip and didn’t pack for it, but it’s worth it if it means staying warm and comfortable at night.
Simply put on additional layers of clothing or use a blanket or sleeping bag to cover yourself up. Again, be careful not to overheat as this can cause discomfort and make it difficult to sleep.
That about wraps up our list of items you can bring with you whilst camping to keep your air mattress warm, but our readers had some questions that we just had to answer.
Is it warmer to sleep on the ground or on an air mattress?
It is warmer to sleep on an air mattress than on the ground. Why? The ground loses heat throughout the night as the heat from the day’s sun dissipates. This causes the earth to become really cold compared to your air mattress.
The air in your mattress will act as an insulator and keep you much warmer than the ground.
What is the most comfortable thing to sleep on when camping?
A sleeping pad is the most comfortable thing to sleep on when camping because it provides a layer of insulation between you and the ground. This prevents heat loss and keeps you warm throughout the night.
Sleeping pads are also lightweight and easy to transport, ideal for camping trips for sons and dads. They also provide cushioning and support, making them more comfortable than sleeping on the ground alone.
There are a variety of sleeping pads available on the market, so be sure to choose one that best suits your needs. For example, if you tend to get cold quickly, opt for an insulated sleeping pad.
If the weight and packed size are your main concerns, go for an ultralight sleeping pad. And if you want the most comfort possible, look for a camping pillow that attaches to your sleeping pad. There’s no reason not to enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep while camping with so many options available!
Last Words On Keeping Your Air Mattress Warm
There’s nothing quite like camping under the stars, and air mattresses are legendary for their extra comfort. But if you find yourself getting cold at night, try following some of the tips above to help keep you warm.
There are many ways to stay comfortable and warm on those colder nights, from using extra blankets to utilising extra clothes in your camping bag. So next time you go camping, keep these tips in mind and enjoy a cosy night’s sleep under the stars!
Sources:
Yu H, Shin OS, Kim S, Park C. Effect of an Inflatable Air Mattress with Variable Rigidity on Sleep Quality. Sensors (Basel). 2020;20(18):5317. Published 2020 Sep 17. doi:10.3390/s20185317
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7570988/