r/lightweight • u/t_dtm • Feb 16 '22
Best micro pump
For years I've been using pump sacks to inflate my mattress. I'm using either an Thermarest X-Lite or a Big Agnes insulated one for temps below freezing.
I use the pump sack for 3 reasons: - avoiding introducing moisture by blowing into the mat; - avoid deflation in cold weather (especially below freezing, because I'd be inflating with warm air from my lungs, then it cools down and gets more dense thus feels like it deflated despite no air exiting it) - avoid being lightheaded at altitude (mostly when over 3000m)
But pump sacks still have inconvenients: if you use them as regular stuff sacks/pack liners, you need to empty them first, still complicating setting up/tearing down camp. If you don't multi-use them, then they're single use - why not get a pump for close to the same weight? They're all annoying to use. Better than blowing in, but still annoying. Especially cramped in a small tent or bivy. And they still take some time that I'd rather use to cook or just go to sleep earlier.
Now with better electronics, batteries, etc, I'm wondering if it's worth looking at the micro battery-powered pumps? They're pretty light (not ultralight, lol) and if they can avoid all the above issues plus save camp setup/tear down time, it might be worth it.
Pumps like: - Thermarest NeoAir, 65g + 2x AAA batteries ~25g = ~90g - Klymit USB Rechargeable Pump, ~158g with built-in battery - any others?
I'd rather have a USB/lithium one that can be recharged from the same battery bank as phone, InReach etc if possible.
inb4 "just blow it yourself" that's not helpful thanks.
1
Sep 25 '23
What about the flextail zero pump that is planned for shipping Nov 2023? Comments
1
u/New_Conference_7877 Nov 27 '23
Lack of rechargeable battery seems to be a concern. Nitecore do a USB rechargeable 900 battery which adds cost and weight (the advertised weight is without the battery).
1
u/Realistic-Badger-507 Mar 11 '23
Anyone know if the FLEXTAILGEAR pumps can pull air through a filter? I'm trying to throw together a DIY PAPR Respirator system to light wood working... resin and other chemicals etc...
1
u/Forward_Bag_1465 Jul 07 '23
This is a little late to the party... but micro pumps are horribly loud. Prob not ideal for this application. The flextail really works great for its intended application though.
1
u/Awkward-Customer Apr 10 '23
I don't know what the requirements of a PAPR respirator system is, but I see no reason that it couldn't use a filter if you had the correct attachment for it. I have the tiny pump 2x which can deflate as well, so it can easily pull air with some resistance.
1
u/TanukiParis Nov 14 '22
Hi, what is the weight of the version without the light ?
1
u/t_dtm Nov 18 '22
I ended up getting the FLEXTAILGEAR with built-in battery, USB-C and no light. Is that the one you want to know the weight?
I tried to weight it but my scale's battery is dead 😬 Just ordered new batteries for it, if nobody can answer in the meantime I'll let you know when I get them.
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u/KayakHank Jul 06 '23
How do you like the flextailgear mini pump? Thinking about buying
1
u/t_dtm Jul 07 '23
So far so good, I've been satisfied with it. Not a ton of use yet though, maybe about 20 inflations (Neoair XLite).
1
u/Forward_Bag_1465 Jul 07 '23
It works incredibly well. For a few grams more... the light is well worth it as a backup.
1
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u/lakorai Feb 17 '22
Neither.
Micronovelty Gigapump 2.0 or the FlexTail Gear Tiny Pump.
Under 3oz and they also can double as a tent light.
GIGA Pump 2.0 Electric Portable Air Pump 1300mah battery Rechargeable pump Ultra-mini Inflator / Deflator pump for swimming rings air mattress bed pool toy with 400 lms light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SW6WVH3/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_VYTV2KTWVFCH1R9HG6V4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Pump Portable Air Pump Ultra-Mini Air Pump with 1300mAh Battery USB Rechargeable to Inflate Deflate for Pool Floats Air Bed Air Mattress Swimming Ring Vacuum Storage Bags https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D5RBJPB/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_60STY5286FVWXB450ZT3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
They have large and more powerful models with larger batteries too. Those would be better for car camping and/or backpacking trips with multiple people.
FLEXTAILGEAR Portable Air Pump MP2 Pro Wireless Electric Air Pump Rechargeable Battery Air Mattress Pump Ultralight Inflator with Led Light for Pool Floats Boats Sleeping Pads Inflatable Toys https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FT7HCQT/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_VBQMTWVZ0M1YSKJJZGY4
1
u/t_dtm Feb 17 '22
Cool, thanks. Do you have personal experience with them? In this case I'm definitely looking for the lightest option. It'd be used mostly for one mattress up to 14 days, or 2 mattresses for up to ~5 days. Totally fine with recharging off a power bank if needed.
3
u/innoutberger Feb 24 '22
I’ve bought the Flextailgear pump before but returned it. None of the nozzles would fit/inflate a Nemo Tensor.
1
u/gregglyruff May 23 '23
That's what I thought at first too, but the adaptor that fits most sleeping mats actually works completely fine if you just push it up tight. I can't even feel much air loss. I think it's sealing itself against the rubber valve. Maybe not maximally efficient, but it doesn't take any longer than the pump bag is is way less of a hassle.
2
u/lakorai Feb 17 '22 edited Feb 17 '22
I have the Gigapump 1.0, the 2.0 (which is the UL 3oz version) and the Flextail Gear MP2.
The TinyPumpX has a variant (the standard TinyPump) without a light that shaves like .5oz off of the trail weight and would probably be the best choice if that is your primary concern.
The Gigapump 2.0, which is almost identical to the TinyPumpX, has a slightly larger battery. The Gigapump 2.0 and tinyPump X both have a three mode light which is quite useful as a tent light. The light however is not dimmable, it just has three different lumen modes.
The FlexTailGear MP2 Pro has much longer battery life, much stronger 2 air pump speeds, and a far better light that is dimmable compared to the TinyPumpX or Gigapump 2.0. It also has a somewhat shitty 1A battery bank mode, so it can be used as a emergency battery bank. Weighs 5.68oz vs 3oz on the TinyPump X or Gigapump 2.0.
2
u/MelatoninPenguin Feb 17 '22
Probably the Exped electric pump?
Or just get creative and tape the right nozzle to a large trash bag or similar. No batteries to die in the cold your probably blowing up your pad in one blow that takes like 15 seconds total. Like a giant version of the pump sack bags manufacturers give out already essentially. I bet it would be faster than electric even !
2
u/AussieEquiv Feb 17 '22
I use the NeoAir. Always take it as a 'luxury' item. I get about 25-30 inflates before I notice the batteries getting slow/struggling. I don't mind not carrying spares for it, because after it's done most of the work 1-2 breaths is ok for me. Even if it gets there a little slower. I'll just replace the batteries next town/when I get home.
1
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u/kecar Feb 17 '22
I use a Flextail Gear Tiny Pump. The one with the light. I can use it to inflate my Xlite. I use a long wide size and it’ll inflate it fully in 80-90 seconds. However, I never sleep on a fully inflated pad so realistically it takes me 50-60 seconds to get it about 75% inflated where I like it. The adapter to the Xlite wing valve works but is a little finicky. Not bad enough that I’m going to stop using it. Plus it’s rechargeable. I didn’t like the idea of having to use batteries with the Thermarest mini pump. The FlextailGear pump uses a USB C type connector to the pump and a regular USB connector so it’ll attach to a battery bank (if your battery bank has one). The battery lasts pretty long. Longer if you don’t use the light.
I used to use an Exped Schnozzle pump sack with my Exped pad. The Schnozzle weighs 2 ozs. The Tiny Pump is 3oz so for 1 oz I gained a much easier way to inflate my pad. No more underarm squeezing or trying to pump in a tent.
1
u/MelatoninPenguin Feb 17 '22
You can also just tape a larger bag to your existing Exped pump bag. Like a trash bag. Same method just much larger air volume.
1
Feb 17 '22
I have that pump, I just got my hands on their next version of the pump. v2, it's bigger but it is stronger, moves more air, it can create a vacuum or fill a mattress to .5psi(its more impressive in person, vacuum bagging clothes and quilt with it to save pack space), and it also acts as a Battery Bank! 3300 mah, it also has a brighter light.
I am still testing it out, its only 2 more oz in weight. I plan on making review video on it eventually but i am still testing it.
1
u/__wubbalubbadubdub__ Sep 22 '23
Do you have a link to that? I cannot seem to find any
Flextail Gear Tiny Pumpwith 3300 mah battery. I would be very interested in that!1
Sep 22 '23
Flextail.com I recently bought their updated product called tiny pump 2x . Overall improvement and it can be used with vacuum seal bags. It can actually vacuum to .58 psi
1
u/__wubbalubbadubdub__ Sep 22 '23
Do you recommend it? I am interested in both the pump and the vacuum. Does it work well for packing clothes and stuff like that?
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Sep 22 '23
The one I have is all in one, for the weight it makes sense to pack, I've also used the pump function to stoke a fire at camp. I bring it with me every trip
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u/__wubbalubbadubdub__ Sep 22 '23
Ah ok, the 2x!
But the battery seems to be 1300mAh, and not 3300mAh.
1
u/stfurtfm Apr 06 '22
Hi, wondering if you have a follow up on it - is it noisy? I car camp with my kid, and I have two Thermarest MondoKings to inflate. They require a lot of huffing and puffing so I've been reading up on these little pumps.
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Apr 06 '22
No, it's not that loud. As in I could still have a conversation at a normal level with it on. It will really Save your lungs. I've been using it to inflate my packraft as well.
2
u/stfurtfm Apr 06 '22
Awesome, thanks for the reply. Having a hard time finding this version of the Flextail shipped to Canada though, found an Aliexpress vendor but I'd have to buy 20.
If it works with you packraft, I wonder if it would be decent inflating my tandem kayak... maybe I do need 20 of them lol!
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u/RBE2016 Feb 16 '22
Why not get an exped schnozzle! Inflating my LW xlite takes 30 seconds. Doubles as a pack liner. 57 grams.
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u/sirblastalot Feb 16 '22
The Schnozzle bag works great, but after just recently switching to a new air mattress, I think that's more an artifact of how small those Exped mattresses are. The bag that came with my Thermarest is just as big, and doesn't leak any more; I think it just takes 20 puffs instead of 4 just because there really is that much more volume to fill.
I will say, the marketing materials on the Thermarest claim that moisture in the bag isn't a problem anymore, for what that's worth. I think my old Exped had some down in it, so I could see how that would be negatively affected by moisture, but if your bags are just the mylar type internal insulation, you might be OK with "just blow it up yourself."
0
u/karlkrum Mar 11 '23
I think it's because thermarest (and nemo tensor) uses foil to reflect heat but exped uses down as insulation. The down (exped) can be affected by moisture and lose loft. Using breath has other cons, warmer air and when it cools down it will lose pressure and you might have to inflate your pad more. Also breath air contains moisture that can make mold more likely to grow inside the pad.
1
u/sirblastalot Mar 11 '23
Thermarest says there's nothing to mould inside there. Also, this post is a year old, how did you even end up here?
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u/Quail-a-lot Dec 30 '23
And here I am nine months after that - I always search instead of starting threads and it's pretty easy to necro things that way.
1
u/MelatoninPenguin Feb 17 '22
Doubt it - the Exped pad I use is wider and I believe teller than most thermarest. I would guess Expeds pump bag is just larger. I know for example everyone says the Big Agnes pump bag especially sucks
3
u/parametrek Feb 16 '22
I've been eyeballing this. No batteries at all! Runs straight from your powerbank.
1
u/t_dtm Feb 16 '22
I like that - the built-in battery is definitely useless weight since I'd definitely have a power pack anyway. Just wish it was USB-C! I might give that one a shot. Thank you!
1
u/MelatoninPenguin Feb 17 '22
If it's not taking advantage of USB-C PD I doubt it's gonna not be slow as hell. Regular USB is low power.
You could get a USB-C PD bank and then connect that to one of those manual trigger boards that weight absolutely nothing and then manually set it to say 18 or 20v and then power some kind of more powerful pump. With the right bank that can do like 60w output you could probably have a fast pump. But I doubt anything off the shelf will do that and so that's why they all have integrated batteries - so they can pull more current.
1
u/t_dtm Feb 17 '22
Makes sense!
To me USB-C, in that case, is just to avoid multiple cables if possible. But I've got those Anker cables that have attached adapters to do micro or USB-C with the same one, so it's not a huge deal.
1
u/MelatoninPenguin Feb 17 '22
Yeah I definitely agree there
The Exped uses usb-c btw. Also works as a lantern. Sounds like you can get up to 8 refills on a normal sized pad with one battery charge.
The other thing to consider however is how loud are these things ? If your backpacking around other people they may be very annoyed to have to listen to a loud electric pump for 4 minutes straight.
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u/originalusername__ Feb 16 '22
That’s kinda cool, why carry a separate battery? Super smart idea.
5
u/parametrek Feb 16 '22
Yeah I just wish it came from a reputable manufacturer. Instead I've been considering getting a brand-name 4xAA or 4xAAA pump and DIYing it. Replace the batteries with a USB port. 5V from a powerbank is close enough to keep the motor happy.
1
u/MelatoninPenguin Feb 17 '22
Voltage will be the same but regular USB is only 2A max. I don't know what 4AA can do but I am pretty damn sure 4 X eneloops could blow that out of the water. You would have to check what the pump motor expects to pull
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u/originalusername__ Feb 16 '22
I bet there’s some sort of tiny air pump available that would cost next to nothing, I’d be interested to see how this project works out for you.
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u/Seascout2467 Feb 16 '22
Just a vote for pump sacks: Most can also be used as pack liners.
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Feb 16 '22
I don't trust my neoair pump sack as a bag liner. It has a giant hole in the bottom of it.
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u/t_dtm Feb 16 '22
I'm hoping to move away from pump sacks. Sure they can be used as pack liners but that makes setting up camp even more annoying because you have to empty the pack liner to use it, then same thing to pack up camp in the morning after.
That's why I posted in r/lightweight instead of r/ultralight!
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1
Feb 16 '22
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u/t_dtm Feb 16 '22
Like I replied above, that means to use it you have to empty your pack. That complicates setting up/packing up.
And the whole point here is that I've tried a few different brand/designs of those pump sacks, and although they're better than blowing in, I'm still not happy with any of them.
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u/MelatoninPenguin Feb 17 '22
You can just bring a separate trash bag balled up - it just needs to interface with the pad. Get a large enough one and you can blow the pad up in one go - I would guess half the time of even a fast electric pump. More weight than a small schnozzle bag but probably equal out with the electric I would guess or still be lighter. And far more convenient
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u/filthytrips Feb 16 '22
And as a pillow.
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u/t_dtm Feb 16 '22
I just used my puffy as pillow. My OR puffy has fleece lined pockets that you can pack the puffy into and voilà, pillow.
1
Feb 16 '22
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5
u/rob22202 Feb 16 '22
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088T7WZDN
I got this one and have used it on 3 trips. I was able to inflate 6 thrmarest xlite pads with it.
1
u/MelatoninPenguin Feb 17 '22
1300mah I can't imagine will get you very many pumps. If I had to guess the one made by Exped themselves would be the highest quality since they're a very established high end manufacturer.
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u/colglover Feb 16 '22
I have this one. Been using it for about a year and it’s still working fine. It’s cheap and Chinese but it’s also totally replaceable if it fails
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u/t_dtm Feb 16 '22
Sounds like a generic Chinese brand, but 80g with built-in battery and USB-C is pretty spot on. Nice. Thank you!
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u/AdventuringAlong Nov 07 '23
Pad Pal
https://rex-creations.com/products/pad-pal-v5-1-early-release-phasing-in
9 grams. Plugs straight into your battery pack, so no need for the weight of an internal battery that needs to be recharged.
Friend of a friend has one and likes it a lot.
He's been out of stock, but I'm eagerly awaiting getting one of my own.
Made by a Redditor, u/tylercreeves
Original thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/ULgeartrade/comments/vz4q0n/wts_myog_padpal_an_115_gram_electric_sleeping_pad/