A Question for You Science-Minded Folks…

[michael levi]

They're is a high resistance when blowing up a neoair which is annoying.

[Franco Darioli]

Michael
Try the Instaflator (could be a DIY project)
You can safely cut a couple of feet or more from it

[Daniel Pittman]

For what it's worth, I've never had a noise issue with my Exped SynMat UL 7. And I roll in my sleep all night long. On the REI website, 72 reviews with no one complaining about noise. And those people complain about the littlest things!

To address the OP's issue, I'm sure it's weight and reliability factors that keep the feature-count low on TAR mats. They've got a good product and I'd be surprised if they're not paying close attention to their customer satisfaction surveys. Your needs are not shared by the majority of their market, so I wouldn't be holding your breath waiting for a redesign.

DIY? Maybe someone could donate an old patched-up TAR for you to play doctor with.

In the meantime, I'll be getting a great night's sleep on my Exped and showing off my Schnozzel to everyone.

[Valerie E]

Genuinely glad you enjoy your Synmat, Daniel…I wish I felt the same, but I'm actually not the only person who feels this way. It doesn't mean you're "wrong" if you hear the noise — people's hearing varies, as does people's tendency to be a "light" or "sound" sleeper.

REI review complaining about the noise of the UL Synmat(it was the 3rd one down):

By Krawl
from Wyoming
About Me Casual/ Recreational
Site Member

Pros
Comfortable
Easy To Inflate
Lightweight
Packs Easily
Small / Compact

Cons
Noisy

Best Uses
3 Season Camping
Backpacking

Comments about Exped SynMat UL 7 Air Pad:

Used the Synmat UL7 on a 5 night trip in the Wind River Range in Wyoming in August. It is everything you've read…comfortable, light weight, easy to inflate, and warm. However, it is quite noisy. Any slight movement causes the mat to rub against the tent floor and creates a rubbing noise loud enough to wake a tent partner. I put my clothing under the mat and this helped reduce noise, and I might try covering the mat with a sleeping bag liner next trip out. I'd go as far as to recommend earplugs when using the Synmat.

[Daniel Pittman]

D'oh! Missed that one. Maybe the noise level is a function of tent-floor material. I'll tell you mine is nearly silent on Tyvek and Sylnylon, and linoleum. Of course, we should also consider the sleeper's weight. I'm around 145 lbs, soaking wet. Heavier folks might get more noise out of it.

[Anthony Meaney]

I don't have the Synmat but I had a similar problem with the Big Agnes Clearview (which failed dramatically on the second trip I took with it).

It was very noisy – whenever you moved it sounded like someone rubbing an inflated balloon. It used to wake me up all the time. I could have sent it back to Big Agnes for repairs I suppose, but I was happy to switch to a more silent pad.

[Nick Gatel]

The valve is fine. Pretty simple and reliable. Much better than the first good inflatable… the Berkeley Air Lift. Those babies had 9 one-way valves. You Pilgrims have it easy theses days.

[David Ure]

Compared to the NeoAir, the SynMat is completely silent.

[Author]

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