Switched to a sleeping pad pump sack and it worked better than expected

I was out near Lake Tahoe last weekend and my inflatable pad was taking forever to blow up by mouth. I tried using the included pump sack for the first time instead of just using it as a stuff sack. It filled the pad in about 30 seconds with maybe 10 pumps. Anyone else find these things actually worth the extra weight or do you still just blow it up manually?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_drew11h ago

Totally feel you on this one. I was skeptical for the longest time too, just huffing and puffing into my pad like a dummy. Tried the pump sack out of desperation on a windy night and man, it was a game changer. Saves my lungs and keeps all that moist breath out of the pad which can cause mold over time. Easy 30 second inflate like you said. Yeah it's a tiny bit more weight but I think it's worth it for the peace of mind.

jana5098h ago

Have you read about how mold in sleeping pads can actually cause lung issues over time? I remember seeing a study where heavy moisture buildup in closed-cell foam stuff led to some nasty fungal growth. That sealed me on using the pump sack even if it costs a few bucks more. Plus, I figure it keeps the pad's insulation working better since dampness messes with the R-value.

the_daniel10h ago

Yeah the mold thing is real, I cracked open an old one once and it was nasty.