How to Patch & Repair Self Inflating Sleeping Pad?

Self Inflating Sleeping Pads are becoming increasingly popular among hiking and camping enthusiasts. However, they are prone to leaks and deflation, even though they provide adequate insulation and comfort outside.

Making use of a foam camping pad may alleviate the need to fix things, but inflatable sleeping pads are best for those who sleep on their sides or want comfort when out in the wilderness. Taking preventive measures to prevent leaks in a pad is a good idea, but even the most diligent campers need to perform repairs every now and then.

It is important to note that a self inflating sleeping pad may fail, either because you used the valve improperly, oderdoing it too much, or puncturing the pad, but it may also fail because of mistakes made by the manufacturer.

In case your sleep pad gets damaged or malfunctions, our repair kits and even duct tape can help you fix it. An easy-to-use repair kit can be incredibly useful, whether on the trail or at home. However, your kit will not be much use unless you know how to use it. Despite all the statistics, there is a way to fix this and use your camping pad for a long time to come.

How to prevent punctures on your self-inflating sleeping pad

• Keep pets at a distance

Our mats are extremely popular with cats and dogs. The sight of a pet curling up on an inflatable mat is adorable, but pets' sharp claws can cause damage to the mat. Keep pets away from inflatable mats.

• It Isn't a Good Idea to Strap It Outside Your Pack

There's no doubt we've all thought about it (at least attempted it): strapping our backpacks with bulky camping pads. Although it may seem common sense to save space, the interior should also be protected. The placement of a sleeping mat while in a backpack is crucial, since some punctures occur while it is in storage mode. It should be kept away from sharp items.

What to look for when determining the point of air loss

Here's how to determine where the air is escaping from a mat that is deflating after you have visually inspected the mat for signs of damage.

Using the submersion method

The following will be needed:

• Whatever the size, the better. A bath tub, a pool, a tub, any body of water will do. Swimming pools are ideal, sinks are tricky, and bathtubs are a reasonable compromise.

1. Ensure that your mat is as firmly inflated as possible. Fold the inflated mat so that the air pressure under the water increases as you submerge each section. You can submerge 12" / 30cm of the section at a time. There is a small stream of bubbles that appears following a puncture, so most punctures are relatively easy to identify.
2. A permanent marker helps you mark the spot if you do find a puncture.
3. It's important to check the whole mattress, even if you find only one puncture, because there could be multiple spots where air is escaping.

Using the soap method

The following will be needed:

• You probably already have our Wilderness Wash in your pack. Fill a spray bottle or a bowl with a soapy water mix.
• Using a towel to dry.

1. Inflate mat with a firm pressure and lay on a clean surface.
2. Apply a light film of soapy water to the mattress surface with your spray bottle or sponge. Ensure that an even layer is formed across the top of the mat by massaging this into the fabric.
3. Increase the pressure inside the mattress by pushing down on it. Whenever there is a puncture in a fabric, small bubbles will appear on the surface.
4. Ensure punctures are marked with a ballpoint pen or permanent marker. Verify the mattress on all sides.
5. Replicate this step on the opposite side of the mattress.
6. Before moving on, be sure to thoroughly rinse the mattress to remove all soap and detergent.

Make sure you have the right supplies

Your supply list won't be as long once you know exactly where the leak is:

• You can steal your first aid kit's wipes in the field in order to use rubbing alcohol.
• A repair kit with precut patches and adhesive or Tenacious Tape, Seam Grip and scissors.

What is the best way to patch up a sleeping pad?

You will save a lot of time and money by using these self-inflating sleeping pad repair techniques. The procedure is quite simple. Simply follow the directions.

Preparing the surface of the camping pad

Preparation of the pad surface is essential before applying the patch.

1. Deflate the pad after rinsing off soap residue.
2. Make sure the patch is thoroughly dry.
3. Use rubbing alcohol to clean it.
4. Allow the alcohol to completely evaporate for a few minutes.

Apply the Patch

The sleeping pad really needs to function if you're on the trail. We patch things up with duct tape for first-aid: Just put a little on. Knowing that you have a puncture, and knowing how to apply duct tape to anything will save your life. You will need to handle more intricate air mattress repairs once you are in your own home.

A repair or patch kit is what you need if you are repairing your Self Inflating Sleeping Pad. Follow these steps to do so:

• You can use a 1-inch fabric patch to patch a small hole if you don't have a precut patch.
• The hole should be about one inch in diameter after applying liquid adhesive. The amount and time to leave it on should be followed by the instructions on the packaging. Because the consistency and appearance of this glue are similar to superglue, you should not handle it with your bare hands.
• On the glue, put a patch.
• It is recommended that you wait a period of time after applying the adhesive and patch before using them.

In the case of a self-adhesive patch however, you should follow these steps:

• Depending on the size of the patch, cut it.
• The adhesive side of the repair patch should be visible after peeling.
• The patch should be placed on the camping pad and allowed to sit.

What are the steps for repairing a sleeping pad valve?

There have probably been times when your self-inflating pads did not open, and you needed them immediately. You practically broke one of the seals on the pad's valve by pulling too hard on one side? Was it perhaps a chewmark from your dog? It's nothing to be alarmed about, valve repairs are not unheard of. 

Misuse of an air valve can result in it breaking, and you can easily fix it. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the valve as wide as possible to remove the broken valve. Once you have the valve cap gripped, you can remove it. While twirling and pulling out the sleeping pad valve, hold the sleeping pad material below the pliers. 
2. Proceed to the next step only after you have cleaned the valve area. 
3. You should obtain a new valve as well as adhesive. The barbed valve end should be coated with a thin layer of adhesive. 
4. The new valve must be twisted and pushed until it fits snugly across the opening of the camping pad. Make sure it does not extend beyond its base. 
5. Remove excess adhesive by wiping it away. 
6. At least three hours are needed for the adhesive to cure. 
7. Make sure the sleeping pad is not leaking by inflating it after it has dried, and leaving it inflated for at least 8-12 hours.

Check to see if your valve is manufactured by the same company as your pad, and if possible, ensure that your pad fits your valve. It is better to avoid unbranded valves as they might not fit your camping pad’s valve size or diameter. Your valve can be purchased online or in an official store.

FAQs

Is tenacious tape effective on sleeping pads?

• You can use tenacious tape to patch sleeping pads. Small, quick in-field repairs can be performed with tenacious tape alone.

What causes my sleeping pad to deflate? 

• You might not have realized that there is a pinhole puncture in your sleeping pad that is inflating it. 

What are the steps to repairing my camping pad? 

• Follow our steps on how to fix a sleeping mat after you know what has broken or been punctured, buy the necessary kit, and fix the mat yourself.

How do I choose the best sleeping pad?

• Our recommendations for sleeping pad is AKSOUL sleep pad. In addition to its unique design, high quality, easy cleaning, improved inflation and deflation system, it is also extremely durable.

Conclusion

Whether you were a camping adventurer or your sleeping pad has been punctured or broken outside, we are here to assist you. Hopefully this guide helped self inflating sleeping pad. Maintaining your back can assist you in better grasping what your back is like, where and why you need to apply patches and adhesives. In our opinion, there is one sleeping pad that we would recommend: The AKSOUL sleep pad.