Can you inflate xlites w/ your mouth?

[Gary Pikovsky]

– Knowing that blowing up air pad with synthetic fill introduces moisture that can freeze up inside and cold spots. Xlite is metallic inside.

[Ken Thompson]

There’s a thread floating around her somewhere that shows the metallic insulation seperating inside a NeoAir with a puddle of water in it. But hey, TAR has an excellent warranty.

[Dean F.]

I’ve heard (total hearsay) that they’ll also grow mold if you leave the moisture inside.

Get a BA Pumphouse– it is a stuff sack that also acts as an inflation bag, and their minimalist design is compatible with any almost pad inflation nozzle I’ve ever encountered (including the Xlite).  You probably already use some sort of stuff sack somewhere, so it’s no great weight sacrifice.  I keep my baselayers, sleeping socks, and inflatable pillow in mine since I’m going to need those to sleep anyway.  (I rarely end up using my baselayers for anything other than sleeping.)

[J R]

I don’t blow up by mouth. Even if mouth-blowing does not promote mold or compromise structural integrity, added moisture is added weight. It would be interesting if a thru-hiker who is starting with a brand new air mattress and will mouth-blow were to weigh it before and then again after the trek to see what kind of weight difference it adds.

[Ben C]

I’ve blown mine up by mouth for years with no issues.

[Matt Dirksen]

“I’ve blown mine up by mouth for years with no issues.”

Me too. That includes every T-rest I’ve ever owned, going back to the mid-80’s.

Although now that I think of it, all the older models I used were “self inflating”, but I still assisted with my breath more often than not. However, if I were sleeping in temps below 30 for multiple days, I’d probably bring a pump and a ccf pad along if I were stuck using an Xlite (but I’d prefer using an older T-rest model if I could.)

Fwiw: when the right temperature and humidity conditions co-exist together, and a lack of air exchange, mold will grow on almost any solid surface.

[Dylan Atkinson]

I thoroughly enjoy sleeping on inflatable pads but I hate blowing them up. My compromise is to blow ’em up using the trash compactor bag I use to waterproof my bag.

http://gossamergear.com/wp/inflate-a-sleep-pad-with-a-trash-compactor-bag

[Andrew Priest]

Get a BA Pumphouse– it is a stuff sack that also acts as an inflation bag, and their minimalist design is compatible with any almost pad inflation nozzle I’ve ever encountered (including the Xlite).

Are there alternatives to the BA Pumphouse? Being in Australia it can be difficult/expensive to get Big Agnes gear.

[Roger Caffin]

Of course you CAN blow up an air mat by mouth.

Of course, you will get condensation and possibly ice inside it. And maybe other bad things. Your call.

Cheers

 

[Gregory Stamer]

Andrew,

I use a trash bag and the Therm-A-Rest “Air-Tap”.  You can make do without the “Air-Tap” (using your hand or rubber bands or homemade adapters). The price is high for what it is, but it makes the operation very easy.  I removed the “cap” from mine as it adds weight and occasionally blocks air flow.

That said, I do this for ease of inflation, I personally don’t worry about inflating my Xlite by mouth — I don’t expect it to last forever.

[BC Bob]

Thermarest FAQs
See….
Will moisture build-up and ruin my mattress if I blow into it?
Will my breath freeze when blown into my mattress at low temperatures?
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/faq

[Gary Pikovsky]

Thanks @gstamer, going to try the TAR Air Tap – it can be used on a regualr pack liner to convert it to an air bag. That will save ave about 1.5oz, which at 6.5lbs total, will work. :)

[Link .]

.How to Inflate a Thermarest NeoAir Camping Mattress with a Trash Compactor Bag nothing special needed

[Dean F.]

Andrew- The Exped Schnozzel is a similar product, though I cannot testify as to its universality.  Also, Therm-a-Rest makes something called the NeoAir Pump Sack but it is immense– it doubles as a pack liner instead of a stuff sack.

[tom lakner]

The Exped Schnozzel with the Therma rest adaptor will work with BA and Thermarest. At least the BA a friend had and my Neo UL.Saves a lot of huffing and puffing especially at high altitude.I use it to store my quilt in the pack also.

 

[Curtis B.]

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/93713/

Many people have been using the Instaflator. It it easier if I stand outside the tent as it is about 5′ long. But, the trash bag would also be hard to do inside a tent/tarp!

Or maybe not. Just tried to buy one but it is out of stock, no longer being manufactured!

What about using a 20×36 Nylofume bag and either using the method linked above of inflating with a trash bag and no nozzle, or using the TAR tap on one corner?

 

[jimmy b]

 But, the trash bag would also be hard to do inside a tent/tarp!

not so much. A lot shorter and I find very easy to use. The key is after you gather the air and cinch the neck of the bag you insert a finger in the bag and guide the valve nozzle just into the opening you made. Of course you have to seal the two together without obstructing the airflow. I hold my hand around it in kind of a position like I’m making an “OK” sign. Now I use a see through nyloflume bag liner and I can actually see that I am not blocking the air valve. At that point you can fill as fast as you can force the air through. I think I usually use a bag and 1/2 to fill a standard xlite. I don’t really try to get every last bit of air out of one bag full. Easier to just grab another bag of air.

It must look like I’m going all WWF on one of those inflatable air dancers in my shelter.

 

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