![My self-inflating sleeping mat isn't inflating]({"bg": "//theme.zdassets.com/theme_assets/10383792/a96c53a65e74f0177d7a0f34767121d85f1a94ba.jpg"})
The inside of the sleeping mat is open-cell foam; in essence, it is just like a bath sponge. If you were to squeeze a bath sponge flat in your hand, it would draw itself full of air once you released your grip. Exactly the same thing happens in a self-inflating mat, except that the 'sponge' has an airtight skin around it with a valve. Once the valve is opened, the foam core will draw air into the mat.
Here's the position the valve should be in for inflation:
The sleeping mats are vacuum-packed at the factory to save on space and thus on shipping costs. This sometimes causes the individual cells of the foam to stick together, so that when the valve is opened for the first time, the mat may not inflate.
If you were to manually-inflate your mat (either by mouth or using a pump-sack), the cells inside would unstick and the mats will self-inflate the next time you use them.
Was this article helpful?
Articles in this section
- My self-inflating sleeping mat isn't inflating
- How do I get the Pillow Lock patches?
- What are the differences between the Camp Plus SI and the Comfort Plus SI mats?
- How should I store my sleeping mat?
- My sleeping mat is a little noisy, why don't you make a quieter mat?
- My sleeping mat seems to lose air overnight, what's happening and what can be done?
- Will mouth inflating my sleeping mat damage it?
- Do sleeping mats contain PFCs, PFOA, BPA, or flame retardants?
- There seems to be mold growing on my Air Sprung Cell sleeping mat, what can I do about it?
- Will the Air Stream Dry Sack Pump work with other brand sleeping mats?
Add comment
Article is closed for comments.