Inflatable Pads – Carry Patch Kit?

Ken- I carried an inflatable pad patch kit for over fifteen years. I never used it. Not even at home. So now I leave the dead weight at home.

The new Aquaseal UV-Cure adhesive looks like a great fix for pinhole leaks, which are the most common problem with self-inflators. No heating of glue or dealing with long curing times, and probably no fabric patches needed.

I carry a small tube of Seam Grip, and a small bit of repair tape (both McNett's). They can be used alone or in combo to patch and repair all sorts of stuff, including mats, jackets, packs and tents, but I have not yet had to patch an inflatable mat.

I haven't had the same luck as some. I've had to patch at least a dozen pads in the field. A lot of them were pinhole leaks but I've also had punctures from things like fishing lures, thorns hidden in the sand I camped on or a tree limb falling on the tent and ripping holes and even full seam blowouts. My patch kit always comes along for the ride.

Duct tape. I haven't had to use it, but I did do a trial to be sure it would stick to the mat.

As a heads up, I've had no luck getting duct tape to stay air tight for anything more than the tiniest bubble leak.

Anyone try Tyvek tape for this?

I have used tenacious tape for patching kits. Seemed to work fairly well but I'm sure it will depend on the pad material. The new Ba clearview pad will obviously take different stuff than the fabric covered pads. The factory patch kits are usually pretty light and are for sure going to work on that material, so I tend to keep them with me.

You don't get a patch kit with a BA Clearview, but they recommend Tear-Aid Type A, which is also good for a lot of other things. It has a lot of give as well as good adhesion.

I used it when my Clearview valve block lacerated the adjacent tube wall. Worked great. Still airtight 6 months later.

I always carry the patch kit for my POE Max Thermo 3/4.
I've never had to use it and,
I know deep down in my heart that
as long as I carry my patch,
I will never, ever have to use it, but,
if I ever leave my patch kit at home,
I will have a blow-out!
That's just the way things work :-)

I usually use platty bottles or a platty bigzip for hydration so I carry a couple of platty patches just in case. They also work perfectly to repair holes in many inflatable sleep pads (I use Big Agnes Pads), rain flys, tarps, rain jackets, etc.

ID

I carry a small patch kit (sil sealer and a bit of material) which could be used to patch my tarp (hasn't been needed) or my air matress… has been needed once.

–Mark