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BPL Listing ID: 2025-12-31 17:02:42 UTC / 35aa008f02
Topic
Pad-Pal V5.2 Sleeping Pad Inflator
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Sleeping › Air PadsRex-Creations
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Member Gear Review Summary (1 rating)
Would you recommend it?PRS
10.0/10
n=1
Does it perform as expected?FPS
9.0/10
n=1
Will you keep and use it?RUI
10.0/10
n=1
Rex Creations Pad-Pal Air Pump
See it at Rex Creations
The Pad-Pal Air Pump by Rex Creations efficiently inflates sleeping pads with minimal effort using its compact, rechargeable design. Its lightweight build and integrated USB charging make it a convenient tool for hikers and backpackers seeking quick, reliable inflation on multi-day trips.
WEIGHT:
0.32 ounces (9 g)
There have been a flurry of these little pumps loosed on the cottage market in the last year or two. The Pad-Pal is one of them. I can’t make comparisons with competitors but I can tell you about this one so you can add it to your decision matrix.
The Pad-Pal differs from most other pumps in not having its own battery. The advantages of this design choice are reduction in weight, size, cost and increase (possibly) in durability. The disadvantage is that you need an external battery and a USB-C cord, and that you will draw down that battery.
These are pretty minor disadvantages though. I already carry a 10Ah battery and a cord, so no extra weight or expense there. And it turns out that the pump’s draw on the battery is trivial. The Rex-Creations website claims consumption of 0.03 Ah to blow up a pad on the highest (most inefficient) setting.
I confirmed this with a power meter, finding a consumption of 0.01 – 0.03 Ah blowing up a ThermaRest NeoAir Xlite NXT regular, depending on the setting. That’s a rounding error on the battery’s capacity.
I’ve used this in the Scottish Highlands and on the PCT in a variety of weather conditions and not encountered any problems. It’s pretty light (spec is 0.3 oz) and I don’t know that it would last for years, but it has gone for about 40 trail days with no damage.
The pump comes with a variety of adaptors to fit different pads. I found the fit to be good on the two I own (the NeoAir and an REI Helix pad I use in the winter).
The only knocks: It looks like a prototype, not a finished product, and the control button is a little hard to find, especially in low light, you really have to find it by feel. I think the tradeoff  made here is cost and weight.
It is also noisy. Again, this is a design choice as noise baffling would increase size, weight and cost. But it blows up a pad in 2-3 minutes, so the noise annoyance is short-lived.
Bottom line – If you are looking to save weight by tossing your inflation bag or to end the effort of blowing up a pad by mouth and you already carry a battery pack, the Pad-Pal is a clear win.
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.
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