Gear Test: Sleeping mat pumps

An alternative to lung power was needed in order to keep the dreaded moisture from making a mess of the inside of my expensive sleeping mat, so….

Left to Right:  

FlextailGear, Thermarest Mini-Pump, Thermarest Poly Bag Pump

 

Thermarest Polythene Bag Pump

The was first option I explored. The pump consists of a short section of very flexible tubing that has a large open-ended polythene bag on one end, whilst t’other end is pushed over the inlet valve of the sleeping mat.

The idea is that the poly bag is opened up to it’s max, then with the open end of the bag scrunched closed, the air is squeezed out, thus inflating the sleeping mat.

It’s good, it works, it’s lightweight, and the batteries never go flat. I paid around £10 for mine 6-7 years ago, quite expensive for a bit of tubing and a poly bag – but it does work well. I store mine in an old sleeping bag liner stuff sack, total weight is 68gms.

6-8 squeezes are enough to fully inflate my full-size NeoAir, taking a couple of minutes.

The bad news is that I don’t think it’s available any more having been replaced by Thermarest’s Blockerlite Pump Sack – a similar idea, but rather than a poly bag, it uses a stuff sack. Price is around £34.

Thermarest NeoAir Mini-Pump

I bought this on the recommendation of my friend Beryl the Peril (aka Margaret) who was, and still is, delighted with her pump.

The gentle buzz emanating from her tent as she enjoyed a brew and her sleeping mat inflated (whilst I was going cross-eyed trying to inflate mine with lung power) was enough to convince me to buy one!

This is an electric pump, powered by 2 AAA cells. Thermarest recommend using Lithium cells, presumably for longer life and maybe (?) their ability to provide higher current. I only had a quick look around but I couldn’t find the capacity of these cells. I store it in a small poly bag, total weight is 80gms.

I power mine with 2 Energizer alkaline cells, they seem to work well enough. The pump draws around 300mA, so batteries will be taking a bit of a hammering.

The pump is operated by opening an end flap that conceals a flexible rubber nozzle which should be connected to the sleeping mat air valve. The pump starts to run when the flap is opened.

Mine developed a fault earlier this year, it was only minor but it stopped it working. I repaired it at home (it was just a corroded battery connector) but it wouldn’t be repairable in the field. I stripped it, cleaned it, and soldered a copper connector in as a replacement.

I paid £32 for mine, a recent advert I spotted has them priced at £40.

It took 3 mins 40 secs to fully inflate my Neoair, not quick.

FlextailGear pump

I’ve only very recently bought this pump so haven’t had time to try it out in the field. Yet.

It’s larger, and at 159gms, twice the weight of the Thermarest Mini-Pump. It’s powered by an internal rechargeable Lithium Ion cell, presumably 3.6v. Capacity, according to the ‘manual’ and markings on the pump case, is 3600mAh. The electrical power rating of the pump is published at 15W. Charging is via a mini usb charger, not supplied – although a short lead is supplied. It comes with a stuff sack, plus a selection of adapters to suit different-sized valves.  The pump has an one / off slide switch on it’s side.

The pump has inlet and outlet ports, so as well as inflating it can be used to FULLY deflate a sleeping mat – saves struggling to get every last bit of air out prior to trying to squeeze it into it’s stuff bag.

Where this pump scores is the time it takes to inflate my NeoAir: 40 seconds – rather quicker than the Thermarest Mini-Pump.

Assuming the power source is a single 3.6v Lithium Ion cell, and that the 3600mAh capacity is correct, the claimed 15W power rating = a current draw of around 4.2 Amps.

I don’t know much about the characteristics of Lithium Ion cells, but the sums, guesstimation, (and a smattering of experience of discharge rates) suggest a theoretical total pumping time of around 40 minutes.

Price: £24.99

Conclusion

Each pump has it’s own merits. Although it’s a great performer, I’m not sure whether I’d take the FlextailGear on long trips – weight and the non-replaceable battery being the main drawbacks. I’d be happy taking it on shorter trips of 2 – 4 days though.

The Neoair Mini-Pump is slow and fairly lightweight - but batteries are replaceable. I’m not 100% sure on reliabilty though.

The NeoAir Poly Bag pump is lightest, the batteries last forever, and it has no moving parts – although it’s a bit of a faff to use. For longer trips this is the one to go for.

 

Edale to New Mills Backpack, 22nd Sept 2020

…and a gear test

The original Plan was to walk from Hope to New Mills but a fridge-freezer failure at home delayed my departure. I’d intended to park my car in New Mills and travel by train to Hope and walk back, but it was getting a bit late by the time I left home….so Edale was substituted for Hope.

The weather was ideal for backpacking, sunny & clear, warm and with a gentle breeze. I set off in shorts and T shirt.

15 minutes after leaving New Mills my train arrived in Edale and after a quick coffee at the Penny Pot cafe I headed off .

 The River Noe

The weather was ideal for backpacking, sunny & clear, warm and with a gentle breeze. I set off in shorts and T shirt, heading south to climb up by Harden Clough by Mam Tor to turn west and eventually gain the dizzy heights of Lords Seat and Rushup Edge. 

The views all around were lovely – particularly to the east towards Win Hill.

At the western end of Rushup Edge I turned north up the Pennine Bridleway. Chrissie Dixie had suggested a lovely camp spot but my late start rather put paid to getting there at a sensible time. Oh well, next time.

For some time I’d had my eye on a nice little camp spot by Roych Clough, fairly flat ground, water very close by, a couple of dry stone walls in case shelter was needed – and even a bench seat. Not much not to like.

As I came over the brow, the camp spot came into view – but someone had beaten me to it, a red tent was already in situ. I wasn’t that bothered, there was a fair amount of flat ground to choose from, I’d just had in mind a quiet night on my own.

Loads of little flags on the route over Rushup Edge - what for I wonder?

 

Joining the Pennine Bridleway

Down to Roych Clough

Barney

 

My neighbour was Barry from Burton-on-Trent. Barry had a horse, Barney, and together they were heading north to John O’Groats. They had left Lands End two months previously and  were wild / stealth camping all the way. Barry reckoned his journey would take another two months – as long as Barney could keep going and the weather allowed it.

Barry was furloughed from his work at a hotel but already knew he wouldn’t have a job when he returned – hence his trip. In addition he wanted to see more of his country, seeing it on foot / on horseback was a great way to do it.

To make his trip even more worthwhile he was fundraising for the RNLI – a fine charity. If you’re feeling generous you can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/landsendnorth

I had a late-ish dinner of home cooked and dehydrated lamb casserole. I’d made and dehydrated the meal in February 2020 and stored it in my freezer, it rehydrated beautifully and it tasted as good as the day I’d made it.

Barry and Barney

 

Gear Test:

This involved my new camping pillow, a Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow, Large. The pillow proved extremely comfortable, far better than any other camping pillow I’d used. The Sea to Summit website describe it as being luxurious, I’m not going to argue.

The pillow packed into it’s own little stuff bag and was fully inflated with just a few breaths.Unlike other pillows I’ve used, this has a lovely soft & cosy feel to it – infinitely better than a stuff bag filled with clothes.

Surprisingly, it doesn’t slip and slide about on my NeoAir mat – further ensuring a good night’s kip.

Whatever, even at 106 gms (according to my scales) it will be coming along on all my future backpacking trips.

I bought mine via Amazon only because I couldn’t find one off the shelf in Manchester – and I did try.

My thanks to Mark Storey (of TGO Challenge fame) for his recommendation.

 

Anyroadup…

After a wonderful night’s sleep I packed up my gear just as the rain started. A disgruntled farmer rolled up on his quad bike and gave Barry quite a hard time for camping where he did. Curiously he ignored me….but I’m used to being ignored.

Nowt new there then.

Barry was running out of gas, and a quick check with Chrissie revealed no camping shops in the area – Chrissie lives in Hayfield, just up the road. I arranged to meet up with Barry the next day and bring him a couple of cylinders.

Lovely view

On the Sett Valley Trail

The wonderful Sett Valley Cafe

On final approach into New Mills I came across Hissing Sid, aka Charles the Lockdown Snake:

 

R Goyt, New Mills

Where your Swizzels come from

About 10am I departed, it was a bit of a steep climb away from our overnight stop – a bit of a rude awakening! I needed full waterproofs, thank heavens for Paramo which kept me toasty and dry.

Gear Failure:

My feet got wet. Very wet. My eVent-lined Teva boots had decided it was time to impersonate a sieve, a task they peformed faultlessly.

I shouldn’t complain, although I’d looked after them well, I’d had these boots for some years – and they were second hand when I bought them. A shame really, they were probably the most comfortable boots I’ve ever had.

My route took me over South Head, down by Peep-o-Day, and then north to pick up the Sett Valley Trail which led me straight into New Mills.

A quick cuppa at the car, a change into dry footwear, and I was home in about 35 minutes.

Next day

I drove over to Hayfield to supply Barry with gas and camomile tea bags. They then set off north to spend that night camping just outside Glossop.

I last contacted Barry on 2nd October, they were camping up in Gargrave.

 Barry & Barney in Hayfield - in the sunshine.

My route (ish):

More photos here