Raised sleeping surface for easy entry and exit, which also reduces joint strain when getting out of bed.

There’s an awful lot of construction that goes into a setting up camp, even with an inflatable Berghaus tent. I have to say rolling things up – mattresses, sleeping bags, you name it, is my LEAST favourite part of the camping experience. I think this is partly why the Hi Gear camp bunk beds appealed to me! I like the fact there’s no faffing around with pumps, and no issues with having to deflate beds like you get with blow-up mattresses.The strong round aluminium frame of the CamoVision gives it a lightweight profile, while the microfleece mattress offers a very plush feel. For the sleeping surface, the camp bed features a 100% CamoVision 600D polyester shell for long-lasting durability. There is also a comfortable neoprene pillow integrated into the bed – nice. Fold-out beds are ideal for people who struggle to get up and down from a mattress or sleeping pad placed directly on the ground. Furthermore, a fold-out bed can offer a small amount of underside storage space in some cases. However, we think it’s worth sacrificing that space for a bed with criss-crossed legs as these offer increased stability. If you aren’t on a restricted budget, the Dam CamoVision Bed Chair is worth the investment. It’s another fishing bed which can also function as a chair or lounger, however we think it’s great for camping if you’ve got the room to transport it. It folds to a transport size of 85 x 80 x 22cm which is pretty big, but still manageable if you have a large estate car or camping trailer. The design of the bed uses three pairs of adjustable legs with large area mud feet designed to prevent sinking into the ground. Whilst shopping online is convenient, we strongly recommend trying before you buy. So go along to your local camping shop, fishing superstore or visit somewhere like Go Outdoors first. Remember too that big camping shows provide the ideal way to get hands on and try out sleeping options to make sure you choose the one that’s absolutely right for you. Where to next?

Originally designed for overnight fishing at a lakeside, the flat profile of the Galician allows for a good night’s sleep with decent lumbar support. We found it very comfortable. The two pairs of legs simply rotate out from underneath – each leg has “mud feet” on the end which means you can put the bed directly on the ground without fear of sinking. Normally in a tent with a ground sheet this isn’t an issue of course.My daughters were 5 and 3 years old when we first bought these foldable bunk beds and as mentioned above, they were absolutely fine on them. I think if you have a child who is used to sleeping in a bed, they’d manage very well, especially with the side panel and lipped edges. If you were at all concerned, you could also separate the bunk beds and just use them as single camping beds, or keep younger children on the bottom bunk. How much do they cost? The best option is to always opt for a bed that offers a little more space. For example, if you measure about 6 feet tall (182cm), opt for a bed that measures at least 185 cm to 190 cm long. The width depends on the type of sleeper you are. Some people don’t mind narrow beds, while others want some room to move around, or to sleep diagonally. Coleman are one of our favourite outdoor gear manufacturers and the Coleman Airbed Cot is a great example of exemplary design. It’s a double camp bed using what we would call a hybrid folding/inflatable design – basically the base can fold away small and the mattress is fully inflatable. In our minds this gives the best combination of portability and comfort if there are two of you to cater for and you don’t mind snuggling up together! Coleman also offer a single bed option at about half the price using a similar layout. The kind of camp bed or mattress that you choose will depend largely on your budget, how much space you have and the level of comfort you seek. Cheap options like standard air mattresses/airbeds are great for those on a budget and for short, infrequent camping trips. Whilst regular campers will find that investing in a good quality SIM or a carp fishing bed can make more sense.