"It can help to breathe a couple of puffs into the mat after giving it time to self-inflate; however, don't do this too often as moisture blown into the mat can reduce its durability"
I give mine 3 or 4 blows, mostly because I'm impatient and cba to wait for it to inflate on it's own 
Appreciate some will disagree with this but each to their own.
Enjoy the extra warmth it offers though. Huge improvement for me.
Appreciate some will disagree with this but each to their own.
Enjoy the extra warmth it offers though. Huge improvement for me.
In reply to Post #25
On my first use I left it open for half an hour but it didn't seem
To be much different. So I added a good few puffs. That seemed about right
With a 'press it with your hand' test.
But when I laid on it it was like being on an airbed. So I gradually let air out
Until it was spot on. When I looked it was almost flat again.
I figured when your laying on it you are increasing the air pressure
When pressing it you aren't.
Anyway I find no added air works great for me and has turned one of the worst beds I've ever owned into a comfy bed.
On my first use I left it open for half an hour but it didn't seem
To be much different. So I added a good few puffs. That seemed about right
With a 'press it with your hand' test.
But when I laid on it it was like being on an airbed. So I gradually let air out
Until it was spot on. When I looked it was almost flat again.
I figured when your laying on it you are increasing the air pressure
When pressing it you aren't.
Anyway I find no added air works great for me and has turned one of the worst beds I've ever owned into a comfy bed.
i had no idea you weren't supposed to blow it up this thread it very helpful!
In reply to Post #34
The thicker sim's have more foam, and the better ones have better foam with more "bounce back" so will self inflate more easily.
My thin thermarest mat needs some help but it's no problem. .
The thicker sim's have more foam, and the better ones have better foam with more "bounce back" so will self inflate more easily.
My thin thermarest mat needs some help but it's no problem. .
The best thing you can do with a SIM, especially the "Helium" is leave it stored unrolled with the valve open. I store mine down the back of the wardrobe at home and it is out of sight and when I go fishing, just bend it over once or twice and lay it on top of my tackle still with the valve open.
What I find is, if I have left it unrolled for a very long period of time, I only have to close the valve and its good to lay on. But if I have had to roll it up for a period of time, even after leaving it for an hour or two unrolled back of the bivvy or the car, I need to put some air into it.
I never leave it on the bed when I pack up as it is easy if your not careful to "nip it" and put a small hole in it in the hinges on the bed. But, I am a clumsy sod anyway.
What I find is, if I have left it unrolled for a very long period of time, I only have to close the valve and its good to lay on. But if I have had to roll it up for a period of time, even after leaving it for an hour or two unrolled back of the bivvy or the car, I need to put some air into it.
I never leave it on the bed when I pack up as it is easy if your not careful to "nip it" and put a small hole in it in the hinges on the bed. But, I am a clumsy sod anyway.
Which sim would be best for a trakker ovalite sleep system
A helium 3.8 but it's quite thin or maybe the thermarest xl that's been posted below?
A helium 3.8 but it's quite thin or maybe the thermarest xl that's been posted below?
In reply to Post #33
yes exactly right
and for it to work the way its designed its got to have space for the air to move around bit like a water bed too much air and it cant so its then just an air bed and you miss out on the comfort of a SIM it really does work better if you follow what the people who make it tell you to do as you have found out mate
as to the thickness debate the popular Helium 3.8 is designed to lay on the ground !!!
not on a bedchair so it is perfectly fine and unlike some of the cheap ones I find I can use mine in the summer without sweating like a rapist IMO you get what you pay for
yes exactly right
and for it to work the way its designed its got to have space for the air to move around bit like a water bed too much air and it cant so its then just an air bed and you miss out on the comfort of a SIM it really does work better if you follow what the people who make it tell you to do as you have found out mate
as to the thickness debate the popular Helium 3.8 is designed to lay on the ground !!!
not on a bedchair so it is perfectly fine and unlike some of the cheap ones I find I can use mine in the summer without sweating like a rapist IMO you get what you pay for
In reply to Post #37
>>>A helium 3.8 but it's quite thin<<<
Last week I slept on mine on a wooden floor in a village hall with nothing else underneath and a poncho liner over top to keep warm. Just a couple of puffs of air to top it up and it was good for the night to lay on and I weigh 222 lbs.
>>>A helium 3.8 but it's quite thin<<<
Last week I slept on mine on a wooden floor in a village hall with nothing else underneath and a poncho liner over top to keep warm. Just a couple of puffs of air to top it up and it was good for the night to lay on and I weigh 222 lbs.
In reply to Post #39
When I said thin I meant narrow.
When I said thin I meant narrow.