It took us a few years to finally arrive at the perfect product for resting our weary heads at the end of the day, but having gone through two double air-beds over the years we awoke one morning to find our third and final Air-bed had decided to let go during the night, gently easing us to the ground to wake pretty much numb all over. We had to replace the Air-bed that day if we were to sleep in comfort the following night and having read about the SIM's (Self Inflating Mats), we decided to go take a look. Luckily we were camping in the Peak District and knew there was a Yeoman's Camp Show on at Calver. We headed over and took a look at the Multimat Camper Double 50, it was the only double they stocked but it pretty much seemed to be what we were looking for and decided to buy it. It cost us £49.99 and whilst it seemed a lot of money, we'd spent a lot more replacing the Air-beds and it did seem like a really good bit of kit. We were both a bit dubious that something 5cm thick could give us a good nights sleep but trusted in the good reports we had read. That night as we lay in bed the first thing we noticed was that if either of us moved the other didn't feel like they were on the ocean waves, also it was more stable and solid for getting in and out of and very much like a firm mattress. The second thing we noticed was how comfy it felt, its fair to say the camper 50 is similar to a firm mattress and this is what we are used to and like. Next morning as I woke I wasn't disappointed either, I was the warmest I had ever woke whilst camping and felt very refreshed after a good night sleep. I should point out that we'd left the basic foam mats that we used as insulators under the Air-bed down under the new Camper 50 and whilst you don't need an additional insulator, if you have the room to take them it does make a little difference in warmth and comfort.

The Camper Double 50 is obviously 5cm thick and about right when you weight up room and weight for travelling (there are 5 of us). I wouldn't like to have one less than 5cm thick to be honest, and if your budget will stretch and you want something even softer there are ones at 7cm and more available from different manufactures.

The Camper 50 comes with its own stuff sac and repair kit and also the head section expands to about 7cm to form a small pillow across the whole width of the mattress.

The downside, its quite an animal to pack away. I've found the best way is to release the valves fold in half at the fold line and do a quick roll up, then seal the valves and unroll, now roll it quite tight until about two thirds is rolled up and whilst kneeling on the roll undo the valves and roll the last bit of air out. IMPORTANT, do make sure the valves are fully closed, if one is just letting a little air in it will slowly expand in the stuff sac and be quite a job to remove from the sac...........or so I have heard.