Cot vs. Blow-Up Mattress

[Leo]

In previous burns, have camped in a trailer. This will be my first burn with a tent (10' x 10' Kodiak). Any recommendations or opinions of a camping cot vs. an inflatable mattress? Thanks!

[lucky420]

I’ve used both. Just whatever you feel more comfy on. Air mattresses usually need to be reinflated a bit everyday, or at least mine do.

[TT120]

A cot is the way too go IMHO. It makes it much easier to get dressed with a cot to sit on. I put a thermarest pad on mine and it's super comfortable.

[Captain Goddammit]

I use this:

[Leo]

Hi Captain,
Thanks for the sage advice. I'm not sure that my tent has enough room for Fatty Patty and yours truly!

[Ratty]

I use a twin inflatable and only have to add air every 3 days or so. Bring a battery op pump. Put a layer between you and the mattress. You'll sleep like a baby. (Wake up crying every few hours and occasionally piss yourself.)

[Canoe]

I like a cot as then you and your bedding is above the wet if there's a lot of rain.
Depends on how water proof your tent flooring (still) is.

Or the right storage bins in a row with a sheet of ply across them, then your air mattress.

[motskyroonmatick]

When I used an air mattress I found it was as important to have as much blankets underneath me as on top of me to stay warm. My experience is that air mattresses are very good thermal sinks and cold as hell with just a sheet on them.

[Savannah]

I think a cot is slightly easier than an air mattress (and has room storage beneath) but I have both. The cot is REI's $100 model, which has held up well (cheaper models are available by other makers, but I don't know of their quality) and the mattress is a Coleman. In general, Coleman seems to make good, sturdy stuff.

Something I didn't know until I owned my first air mattress & pump: the pump requires being charged 24 hours via electrical outlet. Good thing I figured that out before I hit the playa! The mattress needs a little air almost every day.

What Motz says about warmth/insulation being especially necessary on an air mattress is quite true. I bring 2 comforters, several flat sheets (to keep the comforters cleaner longer) and a blanket or two.

[Zubeneschamali]

Cot for a single. Air mattress for > 1.

[Kenshiro]

I actually leave my mattress incompletely inflated the entire time. It’s the daytime heat increasing the pressure that forces that partial deflation when you get back each night. It also introduces extra risk of popping the thing. A little less air doesn’t terribly change the comfort level in my opinion. Can’t comment on how it may affect your experience if you are interested in the Captain Goddammit solution.

[FannyTitball]

I just bought the Teton XXL cot. It’s built pretty solid. I then took the foam padding from my old queen mattress that I had saved, folded it in half and then tucked it into a queen size sheet that I sewed up the ends on. It’s so freaking comfy. It’s gonna be a space saver for me. I was dragging out a full size futon mattress from ikea.. but this is just so much easier.

[sparr]

Actual foam mattress. A 3" thick twin can be rolled into a remarkably small bundle if you use ratchet straps.

[Wigwam]

Cot for a single. Air mattress for > 1.

Agree with the above. I've had and used both. The cot is great for storage if you're alone. If you bring or expect company, the air mattress is the way to go. You could always rig some basic structure to hold the air mattress if you wanted...in fact, I may try that next.

[Strata]

I use an inch thick el cheapo memory type foam pad over the Coleman queen size air mattress. Provides great insulation and a little insurance against sharp elbows vs the air mattress. Rolls up very manageably, and the texture of the foam keeps the bottom sheet from sliding around.

[Strata]

Forgot to add, the former setup when I camped alone was an REI folding cot and a thermarest pad. So that works great too, just less fun for two.

[Leo]

Ended up buying a Teton cot and a self-inflating camping pad. Thanks everyone for your input! See ya on the playa.