How do you pack your NeoAir?

I have the Exped Synmat UL7 which fits ok in the stuff sack. I've tried rubber bands. That works great, except that I often struggle to find the rubber band when packing up in the morning. So, I usually use the stuff sack just to keep it rolled. I put it inside the trash compactor bag with my sleeping bag also because it would be a minor annoyance to have a wet pad. It wouldn't be hard to dry, but it would stay damp for a while.

I think that keeping it rolled, whether in a stuff sack or rubber banded, helps to decrease the possibility of damage slightly.

I also have the exped synmat and I flatten it, fold it lengthwise in half then fold it again into thirds and stuff it vertically behind my quilt (against my back), inside my trash compactor bag. I don't like bulky rock-like things in my pack.

Like you, I use minimal amount of stuff sacks. I place mine, rolled and with the valve placed as carefully as I can to avoid putting it in harm's way, on top of my down items (which are in a compactor bag).

Been doing this for years and have had zero issues. However, having it inside the compactor bag would possibly decrease risk due to abrasion, etc.

Thanks all for the quick replies. Inside the compactor bag w/down sleeping bag it is! I will also ditch the stuff-sack and just roll-and-rubberband-it. If I lose the elastic band, I imagine I could get by without it. Good advice on keeping it dry and away from potential snag items.

I flatten fold it, put it at the bottom of my pack outside the liner. No stuff sack needed. No rubber bands needed. It just sits at the bottom. No need to protect if from anything; its well-protected in the pack. My pack is pretty waterproof and a NeoAir pretty much dries off with a shake, so it doesn't go in the liner with my bag. It also tends to get a little wet/dirty on the bottom, so I don't really want it in with my bag.

Like some others, I use mine as a "frame sheet" in my pack (ULA Ohm). I deflate it, close the valve, fold it into roughly 16" width, and place it against the back portion of my pack with the valve oriented up. Once I get everything else in the pack, I open the valve and blow a little air in to make it somewhat cushy.

I flatten and roll it to get all the air out, then fold it up and shove it in my pack somewhere. Don't use a stuff sack, and I don't really worry about it. I've never had issues with it getting damaged in my pack.

fold it up and shove it in my pack

+1

No stuff sack IMO!

+1 to Jennifer and Frank's suggestions.

I also fold mine up and place it in my pack so it's against my back. Provides a bit of cushioning while I hike and keeps it out of the way of the other items in my pack.

If you have any Glowire Shock Cord lying around it works great instead of a rubber band. It only takes about 5 inches, it is much less likely to snap (particularly if it gets left in the sun at all) and it is almost impossible to lose if you have a headlamp handy.

I have no particular objection to rubber bands, bungees, etc., but why…??

Things take up significantly less space when they're flat, and from the "process" standpoint it's one less thing to do.

Messed around with stuff sacks but now days i keep all my sleep kit together in a exped snoozle.

I'll deflate my mat, leave the valve open and just stuff it in the snoozle with my sleeping bag and sleep clothes.

That way all my sleep kit is kept dry and all i need to do is throw my sleep kit in the tent after it's up.

Because the snoozle has a valve i can cram it down as tight as i want.

^^^^

"Because the snoozle has a valve i can cram it down as tight as i want."

I've never handled a Schnozzle Pump Bag and would like a clarification –

Is there a docking port on the fill tube, or does it have a one-way valve?

(Without human intervention, no air can get sucked back in by expanding down?)

Howdy,
Sierra hiker here. Flat and in the hydration pocket. Perfect fit.

stephan

Edit- GG Gorilla/Mariposa with BV 450/500.

I also fold rather than roll. Usually goes near the top of my pack because I use it (deflated) as a sit pad, with a strip of tyvek to protect it from abrasion.

Greg,
Yes there is a docking port for the fill tube.

"Things take up significantly less space when they're flat, and from the "process" standpoint it's one less thing to do."

I agree, but I find it challenging to remove enough air from the mat without rolling it.

Usually rolled and rubber banded, and then placed in my pack liner with my quilt and down jacket.

Sometimes it instead ends up folded and used as a padded back panel inside the pack, other times if I'm in a rush or can't be bothered I'll just stuff it in my pack semi-folded wherever it makes sense as I'm packing.

My original small NeoAir is rolled up, folded in thirds and placed in a stuff sack, then placed in my pack when I'm loading up the pack, either while fixing breakfast or when thru eating. Makes it convenient to lay gear out on a rock or log and placed in the pack. My regular size Xtherm is rolled up, then oriented in my pack in a corner or on top when packing up in the winter. While snow/winter camping, gear is left in the tent until packing up, either while a stove is going or when done eating, the stove is about the last thing packed as I usually have to keep one going to warm my hands. I like to go against the grain on some things.
Duane

Since I love my Murmur, I need to get all gear as compact as possible. A neoair folded in 3rds and rolled (the way it came) takes less room than folded in half and rolled (howbeit easier). And both the aforementioned methods take up less room than folding it straight out (even if the air was rolled out first). If you have a bigger backpack, then compression is not even an issue— and thus skip what I’m saying.

So after I roll it, I tighten the mouthpiece (to stop it from naturally sucking a little air) and I do plop it in a quart Ziploc bag; It just slides in and out of my backpack easier (i.e., easier to stuff). I am a little abusive packing and unpacking my backpack– thus the ziploc covering prevents me from scraping the neoair seams. I have 3 neoairs and I had to send one back for repairs (that I didn’t keep covered). It had a slow leak and I gave up on hunting it down. Luckily thermarest has a lifetime warranty.

-Barry
-may everyone sleep comfortably