I bought a Flextail pump for sleep mat. Excellent.

OnHellas

OnHellas

Still trying.
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I bought one of these Flextail pumps for my sleep mat. I use a Thermarest but the pump comes with adapters for lots of different makes.
Not only does it inflate the mat it deflates it too. More completely than by hand.
The small removable battery is recharged using the supplied cable.
Super light and compact.
I’ve bought a few bits from the company that I’ve linked to here. Their service seems to be top notch. I’ve no connection to them other than a satisfied customer.

ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk

Zero Pump with Battery

Flextail Zero Pump with Battery available now at Ultralight Outdoor Gear with FREE UK+EU Delivery, in-depth reviews, full tech specs & helpful buying advice.
ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk
 
Udders said:
Yeah, they are good. :thumb2
Click to expand...
It seems to be. I hope so as I’ve got my biggest hiking challenge coming up starting in the middle of June. This little gadget promises to earn its space and weight penalty in my pack.
 
I have the Exped Widget. Similar thing. They do save a lot of messing about with pump sacks. But, if you’re on a mega weight saving exercise then they are superb too.
 
I’m trying to go lightweight although after my test pack the other day the base weight is just a shade under 9.5KG.

Maybe the Helinox chair zero is a luxury to far?
I’m going to be attempting the GR11 on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees from west to east so I do think that the chair will be a nice thing.
 
My only advice regarding chairs is get a high back version. I have had the “ normal “ chairs in the past, and they’re ok, but finally settled on the Helinox Beach Chair. https://www.tauntonleisure.com/camping-accessories/furniture/helinox-beach-chair--black__14208
For me, it’s a LOT more comfortable. They do a high back version of the Zero chair too. For the extra few grams they weigh I personally think they’re worth it. :thumb2
helinox.co.uk

Chair Zero High-Back

The Chair Zero High-Back boasts unrivaled comfort for as light as it is. Combining the strong, ultralight engineering of the Chair Zero with more comfortable shoulder and upper back support, it's ideal for rest after backpacking or a long day of trekking.
helinox.co.uk helinox.co.uk
You can also get cheaper versions if you don’t want the quality and strength. :D
 
We’ve got a pair of Helinox Sunset chairs that we used on the bikes, they fit in our panniers very nicely, and now have in the motorhome.
But at 1.5KG they are just too heavy for a multi week hike.
The small Zero, I think that that is the one that I bought, is only 500 grams so much more doable….but no where near as comfortable I know.
I’m hoping that when I’m out in the mountains a small chair will be much more preferable than the ground or a rock. Plus, I’ve already bought it!
If it turns out to be no good I’ll post it home and you’ll see it on here for sale later in the year 😂

I’ve always thought that the Helinox quality and lightness is worth paying for.
 
I have the Flextail Tiny pump and it’s awesome
 
I’ve got to confess that I use an Exped Widget to inflate my Exped air bed. I used the bag method for about 10 years but I think the seals are leaking slightly in the valves and it needs topping up near enough every night so on balance a Widget was cheaper than a new bed :D
 
Plus the built in light is pretty damn bright for what it is. :thumb2
 
Yeah that little flextail pump with the light is awesome. Inflated my kilos gear sleeping mat and my mates easily.
 
I think I need to carry out some in depth investigation into why my exped is losing pressure because I doubt if it’ll last 2 nights now.

Ok, I can top it up easily enough but it’s not ideal.
 
AndyB_11 said:
I think I need to carry out some in depth investigation into why my exped is losing pressure because I doubt if it’ll last 2 nights now.

Ok, I can top it up easily enough but it’s not ideal.
Click to expand...
My never ending naivety always leaves me disappointed when a quality bit of kit wears out after years of reliable service.

At least you can re inflate it with the pump. I dread the day my Thermarest gives up in service….it too is 10 years old.
In the middle of June I’m off to try a through hike of the GR11 from west to east in The Pyrenees.
Fingers crossed I don’t have equipment failure….or me failure 😂
 
OnHellas said:
My never ending naivety always leaves me disappointed when a quality bit of kit wears out after years of reliable service.

At least you can re inflate it with the pump. I dread the day my Thermarest gives up in service….it too is 10 years old.
In the middle of June I’m off to try a through hike of the GR11 from west to east in The Pyrenees.
Fingers crossed I don’t have equipment failure….or me failure 😂
Click to expand...

I’ve got a Thermarest that takes up much less space and is still going well after more than 20 years but nobody can predict a slightly leaking valve which is what I’m up against with the Exped. Google suggests using PTFE tape but to me that’s a short term bodge and not something I’m happy to rely on.
 
There’s a nice Exped mat for sale on here right now. :thumb2
 
AndyB_11 said:
I’ve got a Thermarest that takes up much less space and is still going well after more than 20 years but nobody can predict a slightly leaking valve which is what I’m up against with the Exped. Google suggests using PTFE tape but to me that’s a short term bodge and not something I’m happy to rely on.
Click to expand...
I remember Timolgra complaining that Exped mats become porous after a period of time.
He had gone back to Thermarest with no such issues.
My Megamat has started losing a bit of pressure each night, and I have tested it for leaks and found nothing.
Will be going back to Thermarest as I too have 20 year old mats still going strong.
 
bod said:
I remember Timolgra complaining that Exped mats become porous after a period of time.
He had gone back to Thermarest with no such issues.
My Megamat has started losing a bit of pressure each night, and I have tested it for leaks and found nothing.
Will be going back to Thermarest as I too have 20 year old mats still going strong.
Click to expand...

Yeah, porosity is mentioned when you do a search on Google ref Exped losing pressure. I’m guessing when I say it’s a valve and what I really need to do is fill the bath and see what the reality is.

It’ll be out of warranty by a few years but I might try the nice approach by simply asking for advice if it’s porosity before giving up and dragging out the old Thermarest. I can’t even remember what model mine is but it’s less than 1” thick when fully inflated and packs down very small which is ideal when you’re trying to get as much as you can into as small a space as possible.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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