Tent Mattress

[jdmidwest]

I use thermarest mattress myself.  They pack down well and air up quick with a few breaths.  Otherwise, it is air matresses and a DC powered inflator when the family comes along.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I’m laughing too hard to type a reply

[Dustin.Sellers]

I'm in a kayak for now.  We're contemplating on switching to a canoe once we start bringing the son along.  So, something I can fit inside the hull is definitely needed.  Thanks for the advice.  I'll try out a few of the thermarest to see how they work out.  If we switch to a canoe I'll probably switch to an air mattress with a portable pump. 

[Al Agnew]

If you are willing to spend the money, you can get some really good, very compact air mattresses that would work better with the limited space of a kayak.  Some have either a big bag that you just flap like you would a garbage bag to fill with air and then attach to the valve and squeeze to blow it up.  Two or three bagfuls inflates the mattress, sure beats blowing with your mouth.  Others have a built in hand pump, you just push on the pump inside to inflate.  Some have a down filling that helps immensely in keeping you warm in cold weather sleeping.  I have a couple from Exped that are terrific...pack down smaller than a two liter soda bottle, inflate to about 3-4 inches thick.

If using the Thermorest type self-inflating pads, though, which I usually use in summertime gravel bar camping, get the 2 inch thick ones AND a closed cell foam pad that is three-quarter length.  The foam pad goes down first and smooths out the bigger rocks under you, the self-inflating pad on top for comfort.

[Dustin.Sellers]

Al, is there anything you're not knowledgeable on?  Thanks for the advice.  I'll be doing some research through the winter on the different types you mentioned. 

[Al Agnew]

Ah, heck, after doing all kinds of stuff on rivers for 55 plus years, I oughta know something.

[fishinwrench]

If you're over 25 and haven't figured out how to lay down and sleep yet, I'm afraid there's little that anyone (besides Jim Beam) can do to help ya.   

[Dustin.Sellers]

Well I've mastered sleeping on all kinds of surfaces myself.  But my better half is a bit more picky than I am.  But, the more I get her on the river the less flack I catch for fishing every weekend!

[moguy1973]

On 10/30/2017 at 6:48 PM, jdmidwest said:

I use thermarest mattress myself. 

This is what I use too.  They slide nicely down into the very back of my kayak out of the way when they are rolled up.

[jdmidwest]

I keep a GI Duffle bag at the back door with my camp in it.  The contents are a 30 degree bag, 50 degree bag/liner bag, lightweight 3 season tent, ground tarp, full size and half size thermarest mattress, and a full size pillow.  If my trip requires camping, I just grab it and go.  I am covered for most temps and weather situations in this area.  If I need to take it floating, just stuff the bags into a dry bag.  Most trips I camp out of a truck or run stuff out in a jet boat, so it stays in the duffle.

I tend to stack the mats like Al does, the double mats help insulate from ground temps in your core body also.