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Post by cweston on Aug 7, 2023 12:37:56 GMT -8
I picked up one of these and used it for the first time last week.
It's a nice pad: a little warmer than the Sea-to-Summit Ultralight Insulated pad I have been using for several years.
Question: do people really use the inflation bag? It seems wildly inefficient vs blowing directly into the pad. (Like, requiring maybe 5 times as much breath, which actually matters at 12,000 ft.)
I know that it allows less moisture into the pad, but is that really such a big deal? It seems like these inflatable pads have relatively short lives anyway (5 or 6 years tops, in my experience), so I'm not inclined to huff and puff five times as much to avoid a problem the pad probably won't last long enough to actually have, anyway.
Am I wrong about that? Or just not doing it right?
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Aug 7, 2023 13:33:54 GMT -8
I have an Xlite and find the inflation bag that came with it horribly inefficient, oddly shaped, and heavy. Instead I use the Schnozzel from an Exped Synmat pad. The Schnozzel is beautifully engineered, easy to use, efficient, and definitely worth it. It doubles as a dry bag to keep my sleeping bag and camp clothes protected. Requires a little 1-inch bit of rubber tubing as a converter to work with the Neoair.
I have no idea whether lessening the moisture in the pad is worthwhile.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 7, 2023 18:06:01 GMT -8
I have a variety of inflators I use with different pads; I don’t inflate them by blowing into them (maybe a single breath to sort of blow the sides out) but ideally by letting a breeze hit them. I find they work a lot better, if only a little faster, than blowing things up by mouth. Since I’m using pretty large and thick pads, inflating them without the inflator sacks would mean huffing and puffing into them for a longggg time.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Aug 7, 2023 18:40:17 GMT -8
I much prefer using the schnozzel bag that came with my Exped Synmat pad. The bag doesn't weigh much, and once I got the hang of capturing air it takes only 3 or 4 passes to inflate the pad. It's quicker than huffing & puffing, and I"m pretty sure moisture inside a sleeping pad is not a good thing.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Aug 7, 2023 19:07:30 GMT -8
The Schnozzel is beautifully engineered, easy to use, efficient, and definitely worth it. +1
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Post by oldbill on Aug 8, 2023 4:07:54 GMT -8
Got the latest NeoAir Xlite this year under warranty. Always filled by breath and it lasted 10 years (used 30-40 times/yr) but had delaminated badly. Used the pumpbag with the new one. Not the easiest to attach but worked ok. Had to top off by blowing into it.
Certainly easier than inflating by breath at high elevations after a long, hard day. Debating whether the extra weight is worth it. The Schnozzel UL/M for $45 is an option for 2 oz.
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Post by cweston on Aug 8, 2023 4:28:55 GMT -8
Looks like the Schnozzel is the way to go. (There's always another $50 to spend, isn't there?)
I should add that it was oddly windless when I needed to inflate on this trip, so maybe the inflation bag would be a little more functional with some typical mountain breeze.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Aug 8, 2023 5:04:39 GMT -8
Has anyone tried a Flextail pump? I can't find it now but I read an article where they cut open old mats that were mouth inflated over their lifetime. No mold or other issues after years of use. I was kind of surprised but I guess damp air is in there only until you squeeze it out.
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Post by cweston on Aug 8, 2023 6:06:17 GMT -8
Has anyone tried a Flextail pump? I can't find it now but I read an article where they cut open old mats that were mouth inflated over their lifetime. No mold or other issues after years of use. I was kind of surprised but I guess damp air is in there only until you squeeze it out. Interesting. I'd probably spend $30 on that before spending $50 on a Schnozzel, although I need another device to think about charging like I need a hole in the head. I seem to recall the article you are referring to as well. My guess is that storage conditions probably have more to do with mold growth than whether or not the pad was mouth-inflated.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Aug 8, 2023 6:28:29 GMT -8
Interesting. I'd probably spend $30 on that before spending $50 on a Schnozzel, although I need another device to think about charging like I need a hole in the head. I checked the weight of a Snozzel UL M, 2 oz. The pump is 3 oz. The pump claims a 15 minute run time. I just read a review online and they said it averaged about 10 mattress fills before dying. They did say the LED keeps working after the pump stops and is good as a tent light on low. They said it is much easier than a Snozzel.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Aug 8, 2023 6:54:48 GMT -8
...they said it averaged about 10 mattress fills before dying. They did say the LED keeps working after the pump stops and is good as a tent light on low. They said it is much easier than a Snozzel. Does it keep your clothes dry if you fall in the creek? Does it even work after you fall in the creek?
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Aug 8, 2023 8:14:53 GMT -8
Does it keep your clothes dry if you fall in the creek? Does it even work after you fall in the creek? No on keeping the clothes dry. The slightly heavier model is IP rated but not this one. Can a Snozzel be a backup flashlight? Can it help start your illegal campfire in what looks like dry grass?
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Aug 8, 2023 8:38:56 GMT -8
Looks like the Schnozzel is the way to go. (There's always another $50 to spend, isn't there?) I should add that it was oddly windless when I needed to inflate on this trip, so maybe the inflation bag would be a little more functional with some typical mountain breeze. No breeze required. I just open it up then gather the opening and roll it to squeeze the air out. Takes about 3 times to inflate my pad. I was skeptical too and probably wouldn't have bought one if it didn't come with the Exped pad I bought. I'm now a believer. It doubles as a stuff sack for my sleeping bag, pillow and sleepwear. They have the heavier 70-denier one on sale ($20 for the M size on expedusa.com). I guess this is now the "standard" version that the pads come with. I have the UL version the pads used to come with. 2oz vs 4oz but $45 seems like a LOT. I suspect the lighter fabric is easier to "inflate"
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Aug 8, 2023 9:09:03 GMT -8
I didn't realize till reading jazzmom 's post that there was more than one Schnozzel. I have the UL medium (2-oz) version and (a) can't see ever needing the heavier material--the UL is quite sturdy--and (b) can't imagine how huge the large size is, because the medium holds both my sleeping bag and all my clothes, even for winter trips.
Edit: And, like jazzmom, I usually need only 3 cycles to inflate my pad (plus a mouth puff or two if I want a hard mat).
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Aug 8, 2023 9:11:56 GMT -8
Can a Snozzel be a backup flashlight? Can it help start your illegal campfire in what looks like dry grass? No and no. But then illegal fires are easy to start.
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