Place sleeping pad in-valve after opening valve end. Allow air to enter by opening the stuff sack end, then roll the stuff sack end continually to inflate the pad with the air trapped inside the Pumphouse Ultra. Rep until the pad has reached the appropriate level of inflation.
What is the procedure for inflating the Kelty Cosmic pad?
Remove your pad from the carry bag and roll it out. To open the valve on your pad, turn it counterclockwise. Your pad will begin to inflate on its own. To increase the inflation to the appropriate amount, simply blow in more air. To retain the air inside your pad, simply turn your valve clockwise to close it after you’ve finished.
To blow air into your pillow, open the cap on the valve and pinch it. Fill the pillow to the desired level and close the valve with the cap.
Deflate your pad on a flat, clean surface free of sticks and stones. Turn the valve on your pad counterclockwise to open it. You’ll notice that your pad is losing air. To force out air, fold your sleeping pad vertically and roll it toward the valve. You’ll hear the pad release the air as you roll. Check to see if the valve is still open if you don’t hear any air leaving. When you’ve rolled the pad up to the valve, turn the valve clockwise to close it. To keep your sleeping pad rolled up, put on the compression band. After that, you can put your pad in your carry-on bag!
If your pad is punctured while out in the field, it comes with a repair kit. Simply clean the punctured area and completely dry it. Then apply the extra pad material over the punctured area with the provided glue. For 1 minute, press firmly on the attached material. Allow 30 minutes for the adhesive to thoroughly adhere to the pad before usage.
Close the valve after fully inflating the pad. Use a damp paper towel and a light detergent to clean your pad. Before deflating your pad and storing it in its carry case, wash it with another wet paper towel and let it air dry.
How long does it take to inflate a self-inflating sleeping pad?
Regrettably, the answer to this question is a standard “it depends.” In general, any of our self-inflating pads will take 5-15 minutes to inflate on their own. Core construction, training compression, height, and temperature are all likely contributors to the 10-minute range difference.
Core Construction
Our foam cores aren’t all the same, and depending on the pad, we use different fabrication methods. While pads like the ProLiteTM ApexTM and TrailProTM feature StrataCore construction, the basic ProLiteTM Sleeping Pad uses Diagonally Die-Cut Foam cores. Because of the variances in cut design, there are tiny differences in overall foam volume, which results to slight differences in self-inflating time.
In terms of self-inflation times, foam volume is the most important component. The MondoKingTM is 4-inches thick and has the same StrataCore architecture as the ProLite Apex, with the exception that the ProLite Apex is 2 inches thick. The Mondo, of course, takes longer to self-inflate.
Trained Compression
The quality of your pad’s foam core also affects self-inflation times. It will take longer for a pad that has been tightly rolled and stored for several months to self-inflate than a pad that has only been rolled for a day in between campsites. Open-cell foam has a memory (not to be confused with memory foam, which is a special formulation of open-cell foam) and may be trained to stay compressed for lengthy periods of time if held in that position.
This is why, when first unrolled, set out, and the valve opened, a brand new, out-of-the-box self-inflating sleeping pad might be fairly deflated. The pads are squeezed and rolled as soon as they leave the factory, achieving the tightest compression a pad has ever seen. The foam’s open cells aren’t used to expanding and enabling air to enter.
It’s beneficial to prime the pad with a few breaths of air to overcome the long-compressed foam’s sluggish self-inflation; it’s like giving a push-start to get the momentum flowing. The open cells will become more pliable as atmospheric pressure increases, and they will self-inflate as intended.
Elevation
The length of time it takes for the pad to self-inflate is determined by the height at which you are camping. The atmospheric pressure is lower at higher elevations, which means there is less “force” pushing air into the empty cells of your pad’s foam core. Although we haven’t studied the difference in inflation times at different elevations, fundamental physics suggests that there is at least a modest difference in self-inflation times at high and low elevations.
Temperatures
The effects of heat and the lack thereof on the characteristics of polyurethane are influenced by temperature. Because colder temperatures make the material less malleable, atmospheric pressure has to work harder to fill the empty spaces in the foam, taking longer for a cold pad to self-inflate.
Why Would I Wait for Self-Inflation When I Could Do it Faster Myself?
The 5-15 minutes it takes to self-inflate may or may not be considered waiting time, depending on your camp routine. You may filter water, start boiling water for a dinner, or do any number of other camp duties while your pad inflates.
Ironically (though not really, because physics can’t be sarcastic), your pad will self-inflate slower and your water will boil faster at higher heights. If this is the case, and you’re looking for something to do other than stare at your pad, make sure you’ve removed your sleeping bag or quilt and set it aside. This permits the insulation to loft, allowing for a greater number of heat-trapping air pockets to be available for nightly warmth.
Why isn’t my self-inflating mattress filling up?
Isn’t it obvious that the clue is in the name? A self-inflating mattress should inflate on its own, but each type is unique, and each valve operates in a different way. Below are some helpful hints for properly inflating your mat. If your self-inflating mattress is brand new, it will not fully inflate the first time you use it. Because it has been packed and folded for so long, the best thing to do now is to let the mattress expand and then manually top it up by blowing air into the valve with your lips. When the foam inside the mattress has settled, it will inflate itself more quickly and easily.
A Regular Self Inflating Mattress (Brass Valve)
If your mattress has one of the above valves, follow the steps below to inflate it:
- To attain the desired pressure, top up the mattress by blowing air into the valve with your mouth.
How to Inflate an Outwell branded mattress
- To fully open the valve, move the toggle from deflate to half way between deflate and inflate.
- Turn the green clip to Airtight to close the valve and prevent air from escaping, however you can then blow extra air into the mattress with your mouth.
Can I use a pump to inflate my SIM?
No, you cannot inflate the mattress with a pump because the valve would suck air into the mattress. You should never attempt to inflate the mattress with an airbed or tent pump.
My mattress never reaches the full depth without me topping it up manually, is it faulty?
Each mattress is unique; for example, a self-inflating mat with a brass valve will never reach its maximum capacity of air, and you will need to manually fill it up. Modern mattresses are significantly better at allowing air to enter the mattress, and you may only need to firm up the mattress manually if you want it to be more substantial.
What is the mechanism behind self-inflating mattresses?
A layer of foam is sandwiched between an airtight shell and a valve on self-inflating mats. When the valve is rolled up, it closes. The valve is opened when you need to use the mattress, and the foam expands and draws air into the mat. The valve is closed once the foam has fully inflated, and the mat is ready to use.
You would quickly become cold if you slept directly on the ground while camping due to heat transfer from your warm body to the cold ground. Your body would compress the synthetic or down insulation in your sleeping bag, making it ineffective as a barrier. As a result, sleeping pads act as a barrier between you and the groundto varied degrees, depending on the thickness, insulation, and other features of the pad. The R-value of a pad indicates how well it insulates.
An R-value, in technical terms, is a measurement of how well an object resists (thus the “R”) heat (this measurement is used to quantify thermal resistance in windows, housing insulation, and much more). A sleeping pad’s R-value indicates how well it resists heat transfer and keeps you insulated from the ground. Sleeping pads typically have R-values of 1 to 7, but thicker and less portable mattresses might have R-values in the double digits (but these have limited appeal for most backpackers). It’s important to remember that this is a stand-alone scoring system (i.e., R-value numbers have no correspondence to temperature).
What does it mean to have a self-inflating sleeping pad?
Open-cell foam insulation and air are combined in self-inflating pads. When the valve(s) are opened, the foam expands and air is drawn in automatically. Some are made specifically for backpacking and can be folded lengthwise and rolled up to fit into your pack.
My air mattress is deflating, but there are no holes.
Weight limitations are specified by manufacturers for all bed sizes. This means that a twin bed and a Queen bed were not designed to support the same amount of weight.
Make sure you don’t exceed your bed’s maximum weight capacity. Also, regardless of whether people are sleeping or sitting on the mattress, if the weight requirement is met, the air mattress will not develop a slow leak. One of the most prevalent causes of “air mattress deflation and no hole” is overburdening.
Allowing children to bounce on the air mattress will cause it to deflate. This could cause the mattress to wear out and tear.
How effective are self-inflating mattresses?
There are two sorts of sleep mattresses available: basic and premium. Both are typically constructed of foam and provide basic or premium comfort, depending on the quality of sleep mat you select.
Roll Mats
The most basic type of camp mattress, usually costing about 10. This is the most basic type of mattress, and it only serves as a base of insulation against the chilly earth beneath it.
Self Inflating Mattresses
A self-inflating mattress is far more luxurious than a traditional mattress. The SIM is a closed memory foam mattress with valves on the end that allow the mattress to be inflated and deflated. Memory foam expands, providing far more comfort than a cheap sleep mat or an airbed.
What is the ideal thickness for a self-inflating mattress?
Sleeping soundly and comfortably while camping is crucial to ensuring that the remainder of your vacation runs smoothly, so picking the correct Self Inflating Mat for you and your family is essential.
Although there are various other options (conventional Airbeds and Folding Camp Beds are still popular), Self Inflating Mats (or SIMS) have been increasingly popular in recent years due to their ease of use and durability.
So what exactly is a self inflating mat and how does it work?
It’s a foam layer enclosed in an airtight shell with a valve ( the double versions usually have 2 valves ) To use the mat, simply open the valve and the foam will automatically expand and suck air into the mat. Simply close the valve after it’s fully inflated, and you’ll have a pleasant, insulated covering to sleep on.
Simply blow into the valve to inflate it a little more if you prefer a firmer sleeping surface. This may also be required the first time you use the mat, as it may require a little assistance due to the factory’s tight packing.
Why should I get one of these over an airbed?
Some people prefer an airbed because of the extra height it provides, but the main advantage of a SIM is that it doesn’t require a pump, making it quick and simple to set up. In addition, if it’s cold outside, you’ll be sleeping on a layer of foam that will provide insulation from the cold ground, as opposed to an airbed, where you’ll be lying on several inches of frigid air between two thin layers of plastic.
Which thickness SIM should I buy?
Self-inflating mats come in a variety of thicknesses. The thicker it is, the better insulated it will be, but the pack size will be larger as well. Thicknesses range from 2.5cm to 16cm, so you have a lot of options based on your storage/transport space and budget.
A 2.5cm or 3cm mat is suitable for summer use because of its small pack size, which makes it easy to pack in or strap to a bag. They’re also great for youngsters to use for camping or sleepovers. If size and weight are important, 3/4 length mats are available, which are ideal for walking or packing in your luggage when hiking miles from your car to the festival.
If pack size is less of an issue and you’re willing to spend a little extra to ensure you’re not counting sheep all night, there are luxury 12cm and 15cm or more alternatives available for most family campers traveling in a car or van. Although they cost over 200, the double variants of these thicker luxury things seem more like a luxury mattress to sleep on, and if you have difficulties sleeping while camping or have a poor back, one of these could be the difference between camping heaven and camping hell!
When Vango and Outwell first introduced their luxury SIMs a few years ago, we were hesitant to stock them because we didn’t think consumers would spend that much money on a mat. We underestimated how much people appreciate a good night’s sleep, so they sold like hotcakes and ran out early in the season.