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Alpenglow Alpenblow Micro Inflator
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Member Gear Review Summary (2 ratings)
Would you recommend it?PRS
8.0/10
n=2
Does it perform as expected?FPS
7.5/10
n=2
Will you keep and use it?RUI
10.0/10
n=2
Alpenglow Gear Alpenblow Micro Inflator
See it at Garage Grown Gear
See it at Alpenglow Gear
​The Alpenblow Micro Inflator is an ultralight, 8-gram (0.28 oz) device that inflates sleeping pads in approximately three minutes, drawing minimal power (18 mAh at 5V) from USB-C devices such as smartphones or power banks. Operating at a noise level of 42 dBA, it includes multiple nozzles compatible with Therm-a-Rest (WingLock), NEMO (Laylow), Big Agnes, Sea-to-Summit, and EXPED sleeping pad valves. ​
I’ve used several inflation devices, including the Flextail Zero, Thermarest, Alpenglow, and the Pad Pal. And of course, before these came on the market, pad inflation sacks like the Exped Schnozzel. The Alpenblow and Pad Pal are unique because they don’t have an integrated battery – you plug them into your battery bank. This makes them very light – my Alpenblow weighs about 1/4 ounce.
Strengths: very light and compact, no need for an integrated battery
Limitations: requires a battery bank + USB-C cable, slower (less powerful) than a Flextail Zero, unknown water-resistance
I use it whenever I take an air pad with me. I have no negative issues to report, other than the obvious limitations noted above. I did (accidentally) leave it outside my tent overnight, in a heavy rain. I gave it a few shakes but it didn’t fire up in the morning, presumably because moisture got into the electronics. However, after drying in the sun for an hour, it worked fine again and I’ve had no issues since – no apparent lasting damage.
I use a Nemo Tensor Extreme RW and a Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Reg and it takes about 4 to 5 minutes to inflate these (regular length) pads, and then about 3 mouthfuls of “manual” air to top off.
Disclosures
Obtained independently: I paid for this product or received it as a personal gift from someone not affiliated with the brand.
Backpacking Light affiliation: I work for Backpacking Light in a paid or official capacity (owner/shareholder, employee, contractor, or paid contributor), but I am posting this review as an independent user and its content was not reviewed or directed by others at Backpacking Light.
I have used this on every trip since I purchased it (12/24) and I love using it. I absolutely hate blowing up inflatable sleeping mats. Before purchasing the Microinflator I used to use my compactor bag liner as an inflation sack, but that was a always a pain. The Microinflator weighs nothing and works almost silently. I also purchased the Nozzle Expansion Pack because I have a NeoAir All-Season mat with the older style valve and an XLite with the WingLock valve.
I marked it down slightly for PRS because it is kind of expensive for what it is and I also subtracted a couple of points for FPS because switching between the different inflation nozzle adapters for different trips is a bit wonky (the adapters kind of stretch around a very thin plastic rim) and I am concerned I will brake it eventually when doing this.
Disclosures
Obtained independently: I paid for this product or received it as a personal gift from someone not affiliated with the brand.
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