How long to inflate thermarest

Come back later and the pad should be pretty close to where it needs to be. So how long does a self inflating pad take to inflate? It usually takes about minutes for a sleeping pad to fully inflate.

Companies like therm-a-rest ship their sleeping pads in a compressed state with the valve closed. So before you use a sleeping pad you need to open up the valve and give it at least 24 hours for the foam to decompress. A self-inflating pad will never completely inflate by itself. Most of the time a single puff of air is all it takes to fully inflate the pad. You can further adjust the firmness by laying down on the pad, reaching over your shoulder and just barely opening up the valve.

I like to let out just enough air so my butt is barely off the ground. Side sleepers usually want to keep more air in their sleeping pad. This allows the insulation to loft and maximize the number of heat-trapping air pockets available for overnight warmth. Self-inflation begins when the valve is opened and ends when equilibrium is reached between the atmospheric pressure outside the cells and the air pressure within the cells pushing the other way. Self-inflating sleeping pads have never been intended to self-inflate all the way.

Some individuals prefer a softer pad that contours to their body more, while others need the rigid support of a firmly inflated pad.

Leaving room for manual input of air—whether that comes from your lungs, a pump sack or a battery-powered pump —allows a pad to be customizable. This is one of the great advantages of self-inflating sleeping pads: they are vastly easier to inflate than air pads. In terms of outdoor recreation, the 70s and 80s were characterized by a remarkable proliferation of participation, intensity of pursuit, and scale of achievement.

Technological advancement and cultural factors combined to push more coming-of-age baby boomers deeper into the backcountry than any previous generation. Historical accounts tell us about their waking experiences, but because better sleep leads to better physical and mental performance , we know that their improved sleeping experiences played an essential role in defining contemporary notions and techniques of outdoor adventure.

The self-inflating pad is a timeless piece of equipment—as useful now as it was then. At Therm-a-Rest we believe in knowing your gear. Gear that you know is gear that you can trust when you are out there.

We hope that this look at self-inflating technology answers your questions, enhances your knowledge, and deepens your relationship with your self-inflating sleeping pad. Why have a relationship with your pad? Because sleep is foundation for performance each and every day, and a pad you know and trust means better nights, and therefore days, outdoors. Drew was working on the Warranty and Repair team at Therm-a-Rest for a couple of years before anybody realized he knew how to write.

Stories Tips Gear Advocacy. Drew Parrish January 22, What is Open-Cell Foam? Core Construction Our foam cores are not all the same, and we use different construction types depending on the pad. Elevation The elevation at which you are camping will affect how long it takes for the pad to self-inflate.

Temperatures Temperatures affect the inflation times due to how heat—and the absence of it—affects the properties of the polyurethane. Do not put your mattress in the washing machine. Cleaning with a hose or in a bathtub is best. Do not forget to close the valve while washing. For tree sap, spot clean with a cotton rag soaked in rubbing alcohol. This will take some work and sap will likely leave a stain. However, a dusting with talc or baby powder when you are done should eliminate any residual stickiness.

Popular Searches. Pro Sales. Frequently Asked Questions How should I inflate my self-inflating pad the first time? For best performance, inflate your self-inflating pad with air by breath or pump and sack and leave the mattress fully inflated for hours before your first use. How do I inflate my self-inflating pad during winter? In freezing conditions, avoid breath inflating your self-inflating pad. The moisture from your breath can freeze inside the mattress.

The mattress may self-inflate slower in cold weather. Use a pump sack or electric pump if the pad needs additional air. Self-inflating sleeping pads rely on the compressible and rebound-able open cell foam cores to self-inflate. The atmospheric pressure around the pad pushes air into the rebounding open cells when the valve is opened. Check out our blog post for more information.