Exped Inflation bag

[bernieq]

Although some Exped mats include integrated pumps or inflation bag, the Synmat UL and Hyperlite do not. At 65g and $55, a DIY bag was worth the effort.

Needed : (all bits I had in the shed)
1 x 19mm hose joiner (or 13/19mm reducing joiner pictured)
1 x large plastic bag
1 x small cable tie
waterproof tape

Reducing joiner

In choosing a bag, consider weight, volume and robustness. I've used a standard garbage bag (860 x 600mm) which is tough enough but light weight and big enough to easily fully inflate with two fills. The mouth is wide enough to use as a cover for the sleeping bag if condensation in the tent were a problem. I tried a small bag (6 fills for full inflation) but a 2g weight benefit wasn't worth it.

Hole placement : I've tried both centre and corner placement - I don't think it makes a lot of difference. Cut a hole in the plastic just big enough to take the joiner. Push in the joiner (from the outside) and tighten the cable tie to seal plastic to joiner. Fold the plastic back over the cable tie and tape it down (I’ve read of rubber bands being used but found that they unroll if you apply too much pressure – the cable tie and tape is more reliable).

bag and joiner

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Finally, wrap some of the tape (maybe two layers) around the 19mm end that will push into the Exped flatvalve – just enough to make it sit in the valve firmly.

finished product

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That’s it. $0, weight 28g – easily fully inflates with 2 fills.

[andrewa]

And miles cheaper than an Exped one...

I wish my Exped down mat didn't have the "built in pump" - it's bulky and ineffective. At least the UL one doesn't have the pump...

A

[bernieq]

I've just discovered that the 13mm end also fits a Thermarest Neo-air as well as the Exped.

DIY inflation bag fits Neo-air as well as Exped flat-valve

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The joiner fits neatly over the Neo-air's valve, making it quite easy to inflate the mat fully.

[Lizzy]

I have made an adaptor from bunnings that fits my thermares and expeds which attaches to my Alpacka inflation bag

[jeremy089786]

Very cool!!

Can you make it inflate packrafts too!?

J.

[Lizzy]

This is my version- it screws onto the packraft inflation bag. The end wrapped in red tape fits inside my Exped mat valve and the thermarest Neo air fits inside it. So we can inflate our Packrafts, expeds and Neo airs all with this one setup

Attachments

Adaptor attached to inflation bag

Packraft inflation bag and diy adaptor

[bernieq]

Nice

Clearly, the subject name needs to lose the "exped" bit !

[jeremy089786]

I
NEED
THIS!

I have been thinking about it for so long. Now to put off doing it for another couple of months ha!

My real packraft inflation bag is not doing so well, so it is quickly moving up the priorities list.

Again, well done for doing it!

[bernieq]

BTW, on a recent walk, I tested my inflation bag on a friend's Sea to Summit flat valve - works on them too.