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In reply to Post #1
I've had a Helium on either a Solar SP or Wychwood Compact for years. Just open the bed and leave it for 15 minutes, do the valve up. When putting it away undo the valve and fold the bed up, it's that simple.
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There is a big difference tween a self inflating mat ( sim) and a straight pump up ,blow in /up manual mat with a duo lock valve ..
Other things can affect a mat or SIM such as R value and type of conditions that its used upon
For example ,doing a thru hike in cold conditions ,and not using insulation underneath can cause a lot of condensation when mouth inflated ,as the mat would be a compact roll up job and not necessarily a SIM ,remember this is for true minimalism and not comfort ..in that scenario it's why those little pumps are used ,especially if your tired or expel straight into a standard non SIM ,a pump will also deflate the mat , even a SIM faster which makes it easier to leave on a bedchair after deflation with the valve closed and not open ..leaving a valve open on a bedchair ,using a SIM ,means the SIM is fighting to inflate ,its under pressure in a folded and creamed up bedchair ...I'd most likely not do that ,but I would with a thermarest type of mat ,of which there are many variations..
( I've done winter camping ,using mouth inflation it does get mould in inside the mat)
A genuine SiM ,only takes a couple of puffs to make them viable to use ,however every model I've had ,including some well known makes have deflated during sessions ,and it's why I prefer a Thermarest ..as this type is more compact and long lasting ,but more expensive..
There's a lot more to the above than people realise, and it's a continuous learning curve ,
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In reply to Post #18
My understanding is that the "don't blow air in" idea is for inflatable pads with down insulation - as down does not perform as well if its soggy. I didnt think it applied to SIMs with cellular foam structures.
As to whether the soggy down theory is really a thing or a myth - I don't know. I'm not even sure how much more moist breath is compared to the ambient air - I guess that depends on if you had to set up your brolly before your bedchair ot not...
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Haze outdoors YouTube cut open his old SIM after many years of self inflating by mouth. And there was no moisture mold nothing
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As wandle says a thermarest and a tiny pump. Pump air in and out. Very comfy and deflates to nothing.
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In reply to Post #2
Exactly the same for me, been using a SIM for years and never even considered doing it differently. Once you start folding the bed up with the valve open you can hear the air releasing pretty quickly. Then sit on bed folded so you can strap it closed nice and tight, its then under a fair bit of pressure with the SIM folded in two places so its not likely to reinflate. This method also means you are opening and closing the valve the least amount of times, which can only be good for the life of the valve.
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In reply to Post #12
Appreciate that, moisture can also be drawn in through atmosphere if it's a particularly moist day. Not had an issue with mine personally, it's literally half a breath and it's full. Something to be mindful of I guess but for me not worth worrying about.
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In reply to Post #12
Spot on ,mould ingress from water vapour ,is why I use a teeny tiny ,micro inflator..
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In reply to Post #11
Here's a thought ,I don't ever keep a sleeping bag on the bedchair when packed up because it makes it all bulky ,heavy and unwieldy..and could get wet ..
I do this ,bought a large oversized 40 litre Snugpak waterproof dry bag ,with a air valve ..
Bag is 100% waterproof ,and easily put in the bag ,roll bag top up ,squish out air ,put the now compact techlite in your barrow bag ...the sleep mat stays in the superlight fox bedchair ..
It all balances up lovely on a compact barrow..
When you get home ,open the 40 litre dri bag ,the sleeping bag will expand and ensure no loft damage be done unlike left semi ,perma on a bedchair ,my son does that ,and his loft is all squished,a sleeping bag ,lives or dies by the performance of its loft ..
That's what I've learnt from minimal camping etc as well..
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In reply to Post #5
Shouldn't blow on the valve,it can lead to moisture inside and ruin the sim
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In reply to Post #8
The old trakker rlx is about as light a bedchair as I could find. The fox and the new trakker rlxs all come in over 10kg with just the bed.
Hopefully I get on alright with the SIM on the Trakker and my fortis bag. Should be about 9-10 kg all in, which is a saving of about 5-6 kg? Should help my little legs when ploughing round the pits 
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In reply to Post #5
That's what I do.
I lay on the bed and open the valve, once most air is pushed out I close the valve and then leave it on the bed with the bag and fold it all up together.
My sim is a thermarest 3/4 length, so much better than a full length because all the pressure areas (shoulder to hips) are supported and the lower leg doesnt matter as its on the bottom of the bag and bedchair anyway. This also means you dont struggle to deflate the leg end.
I always forget to vent the sim before I get out of the bed on the last morning as I'm generally getting up for a pee anyway, so I will then have to get back on the bed to flatten the sim.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4369 |  | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #8
. . . Wychwood Tactical X Compact - 6.5kg (without SIM or bag etc)
My river fishing bed of choice (purchased from Gerry when he could no longer use it on his Trent missions RIP)
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I go wild camping/bushcrafting ..sometimes ..
So I keep an eye out on compact stuff I can use for carping ..
Here's a different perspective, I don't use but have the past various SIMs ,they are not as compact as a good roll up mat from Thermarest ,ie neoair Adventure for example ..when you open the valve they go really flat ,you have no need to roll it up to expell air ..I bought a cheap from lidl micro pump ,which allows over 30 inflates ,deflates before recharge..
Bedchair is a Fox duo lite, Sleeping bag ,is techlite or snugpak softy 9 ,for summer ..
You won't get any lighter ,unless you go Helinox cot or similar ..
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In reply to Post #5
Thank you, that is helpful and least I know that you need to put a bit of effort in to get the air out. I think I'll copy that routine!
I want to keep it on the bed so wont be able to roll it up like the instructions say.
Thanks for the replies
ATB
Ash
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In reply to Post #4
To empty it
Open valve roll it up
When empty at head end close the valve
Then vis vers to fill up
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In reply to Post #4
The SIM has foam in it, when u release the cap the foam is allowed to expand which draws in air.
In order to deflate it, open the valve and either roll it up then shut the valve.
Or
Do what I do with mine, just lay on the bed and open the valve, once the air stops then shut the valve. You won't get all the air out this way but it works for me. Ive often forgot to do it and folded the bed with it inflated, only realised on the next session. So your bed will still fold up. I use mine for my trakker RLX, leaving both the SIM and bag on the bed. (got the solar SP tec for long sessions which obviously doesn't need a SIM).
Ps. over time the foam can lose its spring and you'll notice it doesn't get very firm when you open the valve, so you can blow on the valve to give it abit more air if needed to make it firmer.
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In reply to Post #2
Thanks for the replies, guys.
This is whats doing my head in as you leave the valve open to get air in and you leave it open to get it out?
I feel like its going to be inflated all the time? I need to get out and use it see how I get on.
Thanks again
ATB
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In reply to Post #1
Open the valve and roll the sim up from the opposite end, squeeze as you go , keep it tight. When you get to the valve close it, job done. Unroll it and put back on bed.
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In reply to Post #1
I leave my sim on,when open it have the valve showing from under the bag though.If you dont it wont inflate much at all,I do mine then set everything else up so I gets plenty of air in.I just open the valve and fold bed up when finished and never had any issues at all
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AUP
In an attempt to cut a bit of weight I’ve just got hold of a Trakker RLX flatbed (the old one which is actually light weight at around 7.5 kgs, newer light weight beds are coming in around 10kg which is dumb).
I’ve had the Solar for a few years now and it is sooooo comfortable but heavy and it doesn’t balance well on the barrow for long walks.
Long story short, as soon as I’ve laid on the Trakker its saggy and uncomfortable, so I’ve gone and got a SIM too (helium thingy recommend by Gerry, RIP)
I’m hoping someone has a similar set up where they keep the SIM and sleeping bag on the bed chair all the time and can tell me how to deflate it?
Do you have to manually squeeze the air out? I feel like I’m lacking a bit of common sense here.
I could barely tell that air had got into the SIM but its definitely there when the bed is folded back up!
Hopefully someone can help.
TA
Ash
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