25 Sleeping Pad Inflation (Read 13728 times)
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Inukshuk
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Re: Sleeping Pad Inflation
Reply #10 - Sep 25th, 2012 at 12:57am
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Still working on adding photos to a forum post, but you can go to the Inukshuk photo gallery and see several images of the Cubenflator - not a how to photo spread, but you get the gist of it.  See the Cubenflator album inside my portage dog main album. 

As far as the Pumphouse goes, it's pretty small and would require multiple cycles to fill an air mattress.  Compare the specs.  Being generous, it will hold 6.5-7 cubic feet of air and weighs in at 1.5 oz for a cost of $20 plus tax and shipping.  All in, probably close to $30.  I built the Cubenflator for about $45, all in.  It weighs in at 1.375 oz., and hold an amazing 35 cubic feet of air.  Subtract a few cf for the rolled top and you still can fill a big pad in a little over one bag worth of air. 

Everyone has their preferences, but I'll take 3.5 inches of Big Agnes Q-core padding for a good sleep over a few crinkles of noise any day.   Thumbs Upup

pd
  
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Jack Ronning
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Re: Sleeping Pad Inflation
Reply #11 - Oct 15th, 2012 at 2:20am
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We love our 3 1/2" Big Agnes mattresses, hated those "self-inflating" insulating 1" thick pads.  The B.A. mattresses only take a minute to inflate by mouth and it doesn't require any more gadgets that take up space and weigh something. A few somethings can add up to a lot.  Decades ago we would just have an outfitter set up a complete "ultra-light" package. Since then, we've discovered you can enjoy the same camping/tripping/fishing experience with less than half the weight we used to drag along. No pumps.
  
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Jim J Solo
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Re: Sleeping Pad Inflation
Reply #12 - Oct 15th, 2012 at 2:48pm
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Jim J Solo wrote on Sep 23rd, 2012 at 4:41pm:
I sent for and returned an Exped pad. I was expecting one that had an intergrated pump. But while I had it I thought it was too flimsy. After talking to an REI rep on the floor about alternate bags I decided I wasn't interested in the new air pads anymore. I also noticed it was very noisy. Sounded like you were crushing a bag of chips every time I handled it. On my last trip someone had an REI knockoff. Every time he moved in his sleep it sounded like a major event.

Course you can figure you can just scare the bears away by just moving around on your pad  Grin


I had a chance to visit Midwest Mountaineering to kill some time while waiting for a trip partner to arrive in Mpl/SP. So I got the chance to check out a nice selection of the sleeping pads. The REI rep I had on the phone miss led me about the pad I was intending to purchase.

It's just the ultra light models that are built like potato chip bags.
  
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Gavia
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Re: Sleeping Pad Inflation
Reply #13 - Oct 16th, 2012 at 5:51am
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It's true that the Big Agnes Pumphouse takes several fills to blow up an air mattress.  It's a lot easier than blowing up by mouth, though, and it takes only a few minutes.  It also doesn't introduce moisture to the inside of the air pad.  I don't see the point in making one for $45 when I can buy one for about half that.  Different strokes, I suppose.
  
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knafelc
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Re: Sleeping Pad Inflation
Reply #14 - Oct 30th, 2012 at 3:33am
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I need to get a new pad if I,m going to continue camping ! I'm loaded with arthriitus and have back abnorallities from 45 years of heavy construction work and at least one one major trauma...many small agrivations.  I hear all this praise of the Big Agnes stuff, but I have not seen any of it. Their web site does not give me much.    I'm 60 miles and a non paid off day frome a Gander Moountain or a Cabela's.     ...plus,I am scrimping on non-eential stuff    I'd really like to hear what you guys know about the varied Therm-a-Rest pads that I  find my Campmor catalogue sells.  What's the difference between a "trek and travel series" and a "fast and light series"...how about the "neoeir mattresses"?   I've got two nickels to rub together right now,...   but by X-mas,,.      well, ...
  
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DentonDoc
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Re: Sleeping Pad Inflation
Reply #15 - Oct 30th, 2012 at 4:11am
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I went to a Big Anges sleeping pad about 2 years ago.  Went from a 1/2 inch thermarest guide lite to a 2 1/2 inch "pillow".  It sleeps good and compresses nicely.  But since I'm not using a Big Agnes bag ... its a little noisy as I move around at night.

dd
  
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knafelc
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Re: Sleeping Pad Inflation
Reply #16 - Oct 30th, 2012 at 5:26am
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So is this" pillow' supportive? My wife got an inflatable matrice for a familly / car camping trip we took with the little kids a while back and the sag and sqishey softness of it all almost killed me.   I'm (almost) "funni'n now, ... but I still can't stand up straight.   For most of my life I've used either a folded up wool blanket or a 3 quarter length ,1(?) inch thermo rest self inflating pad I got in the early eighties. I'm always going to wake up "stiff" now but I think I should be able to not be freezing and crippled by dawn   Would the ThermoRest product (I don't know which one would be best) give me some needed "support"that the "comfy" pillow from Agnes would not?. I'd really appreciate some experienced comment on this. 100 to 150 $ plus shipping is saddly", huge!'  right now. If I have to, I'll stick withthe folded up wool blanket...   ...I'll just briing alot more 'rumatiz' meds. (12yr kentucky sippin' types_) :dankk2
  
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Marten
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Re: Sleeping Pad Inflation
Reply #17 - Oct 30th, 2012 at 2:36pm
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Over the years I have kept upgrading. Thin closed cell, self inflating and now the Exped Downmat 9 LW. My first Exped had a bag to use as a bellows for inflating the bag. That pad started expelling down during deflation. It was three years old but I was sent the new Exped Downmat 9 LW with its internal pump. About 70 pushes on the pump and it is at my preferred stiffness.

I was led to the Exped by a tripping partner when he told me, "I did not roll over all night." I knew that was a huge statement when it came to sleeping on the ground. I found his endorsement to be truthful. The pad is more of a bed than just padding. It is quiet and there is no sliding around on it. For personal comfort I do cover it with a small cotton sheet. With use at my cabin and canoe trips I sleep on this pad about 100 nights a year and am fully satisfied.
  
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Jim J Solo
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Re: Sleeping Pad Inflation
Reply #18 - Oct 30th, 2012 at 3:09pm
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After seeing most of the different models in a store. I'd lean to the Exped Syn or Downmat 7cm or 9cm if you're going to try a mostly air pad. Check out Exped website for internal pump video.

I've been on trips were people had leaks with the Big Agnes pads. Big Agnes replaced them OK, but that doesn't help when you're on your trip.

Thermarest has a 40th anniversary model pro-light that's 2" thick. They cut the mummy shape down some from the 1.5" pro-light plus to save weight. It packs smaller than the Expeds if bulk is an issue. Smaller footprint though than the Expeds, but you have the same old foam core left to sleep on if it gets a leak during a trip.

Lots of winners to choose from.
  
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Kerry
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Re: Sleeping Pad Inflation
Reply #19 - Oct 30th, 2012 at 7:26pm
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I used the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core mattress for 5 years and then switched to the Thermarest Neo Air, which I've been using for the last two seasons.  In either case I was using the same sized mattress (the longest and widest available.)  In terms of comfort, I found both models virtually identical, which is to say very comfortable.  However, if weight and volume are a concern then the Neo Air wins hands down.  Rolled up , it is at least half the size and more than half the weight of the BA.  That being said, you pay for that reduction so if that isn't that big an issue for you, you'll find the BA just as comfortable.
  
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