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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.Self inflating mat question.
Tue 27 Jul, 2010 10:01 am
I have a full length Prolite 4. I have only ever let it inflate naturally. Advice is that you can put a few breaths in to inflate more in cold conditions. I have never done this as I am concerned about getting moisture in which may build up over time and impair insulation or reduce its life. I found it was beginning to squish and get a little cool at -7 so am wondering if there is a simple light weight way to enhance inflation without using breath?
Regards,
Ken
Regards,
Ken
Last edited by sailfish on Tue 27 Jul, 2010 10:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Self inflating mat question.
Tue 27 Jul, 2010 10:09 am
Just use the few breaths, I believe the foam is synthetic and something else is likely to give long before you have issues with the insulation breaking down. Havent seen (smelt?) one with moisture/mould problems (?)
Re: Self inflating mat question.
Tue 27 Jul, 2010 10:29 pm
When your mat is not out walking it is lying around home with the valve open. Who know what comes and goes.
Yes, your breath is moist and you are blowing moisture in, but when you go home and lie it on the floor under the bed with the valve open, won't it dry out anyway. I have always blown mind up to the desired comfort level. Always will. Actually my method is to blow the mattress up tight. Hop into by bag and get ready to sleep, and then let the air out until I have the desire comfort level.
Yes, your breath is moist and you are blowing moisture in, but when you go home and lie it on the floor under the bed with the valve open, won't it dry out anyway. I have always blown mind up to the desired comfort level. Always will. Actually my method is to blow the mattress up tight. Hop into by bag and get ready to sleep, and then let the air out until I have the desire comfort level.
Re: Self inflating mat question.
Tue 27 Jul, 2010 10:34 pm
walkinTas wrote:Actually my method is to blow the mattress up tight. Hop into by bag and get ready to sleep, and then let the air out until I have the desire comfort level.
ditto
altho, of late, rock hard has been damned fine for me!
Re: Self inflating mat question.
Wed 28 Jul, 2010 9:13 am
From worldwide forum comments I deduce that most do top it up with a few breaths . I do. No problems reported with germ build up or the like.
BTW, looks to me that Thermarest give their R rating at about 80% inflation. The more inflated it is the more "protection" (thermal resistance)
yes, leave the valve open at home and keep the cats away.
Franco
This gadget has been discussed a few times in some forums :
http://www.themillair.com/
about 50g.
A mate uses a similar (shorter but fatter) version for his raft.
(Theoretically it could be cut down or folded back if used inside the tent.)
BTW, looks to me that Thermarest give their R rating at about 80% inflation. The more inflated it is the more "protection" (thermal resistance)
yes, leave the valve open at home and keep the cats away.
Franco
This gadget has been discussed a few times in some forums :
http://www.themillair.com/
about 50g.
A mate uses a similar (shorter but fatter) version for his raft.
(Theoretically it could be cut down or folded back if used inside the tent.)
Re: Self inflating mat question.
Wed 28 Jul, 2010 8:34 pm
Same thing, blow it up as hard as poss for maximum comfort and warmth, and leave the valve open when it's sitting around waiting for the next trip. So far no bugs bent on destruction of civilisation as we know it have jumped out and started wreaking havoc. (touch wood)
Re: Self inflating mat question.
Wed 28 Jul, 2010 10:44 pm
north-north-west wrote:Same thing, blow it up as hard as poss for maximum comfort and warmth, and leave the valve open when it's sitting around waiting for the next trip. So far no bugs bent on destruction of civilisation as we know it have jumped out and started wreaking havoc. (touch wood)
What she said
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