Cot or air mattress?
 

I need something light that packs in a small package to carry in the plane for tent camping. The cot I'm looking at is this one. http://www.rei.com/product/846491/th...ylite-mesh-cot
It is pretty pricey at $240.00
Another way to go is an air mattress like this one.
http://www.rei.com/product/778152/re...-inflating-pad
I'm open to suggestions. I used a three dollar pool air mattress at Oshkosh and it was barely better than nothing. Not looking for real cold weather camping just spring and summer outings.
Thanks for your input. My back appreciates it!:D

There is a lot of good info in this thread -> http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=85613

The air mattress looks like a house branded copy of the "Thermarest" units I used many years ago-------they were really good units.

And, this one is much thicker, so should be pretty comfortable.

My vote is for the air mattress, with a 1/2" thick closed cell foam pad on top of it. If you need to go really light just take the foam pad.

I've come to the conclusion that I don't like air matresses anymore for camping. I just don't sleep well on them. I seem to sleep better on a firm surface. So...I am going with inch thick foam bed rolls this year at SNF to see if they are better for me. They certainly weigh a lot less than an airmatress and pump with batts.

I use a cot and a thermarest at OSH. Sleeping on the ground is not something I enjoy anymore.

Big Agnes
 

I highly recommend the Big Agnes line of sleeping bags, pads and tents. Their self inflating pads are great (hinman) coupled with their sleeping bags that have a built in pad sleeve on the bottom, instead of insulation. You can roll around in your bag, but the pad and bag stay put. Spent many a night in the boundary waters very satisfied with this combo

Www.bigagnes.com. Or try REI.

Air Bed...
 

...purchased at REI. I purchased a full twin size air bed at REI with both 12V and 110V pumps. They twist-lock into position. I use a thin foam pad underneath a fitted bottom sheet. I use the zip-off down top from my old Warm-Lite sleeping bag. The combination is not confining like a sleeping bag and I sleep like I am in my bed at home.

Yes, I am a wimp camper. The air bed fills in less than one minute when I connect the plug to the accessory plug I installed in the -6A.

LarryT

Go for the cot. Self inflating pads are for young people

Why thank you, for making this 56 year old feel young again :) Well, briefly anyway. I do love my ThermaRest CampRest pad, still.

But it comes down to personal preference. I wouldn't buy either until I tried both. Best way to know for sure.