I’ve had very few problems with any inflatable sleeper I’ve tested. Some have deflated, but I’ve never had one deflate completely (knock on wood). However, there are some tricks to getting the best sleep and a pleasant trip.
Do not inflate the pad with your mouth: First, some of these pads are huge and it’s just a pain, but your breath is warm and moist and you’re breathing into the nylon, which is a recipe for mold and mildew. That worry can be overblown — some people have cut open mouth-inflating pillows for years and found no signs of mold — but given how difficult it is, it seems easier to just avoid it. These days, most manufacturers include some kind of pump bag to quickly inflate the pad. There are also motorized pumps that weigh only one to two ounces, for example Flextail pump.
Do not overinflate: Insulated sleepers work by putting air and material between you and the cold ground, but that doesn’t mean you have to inflate them until they’re stretched. It varies depending on the site. Generally, I find the best method is to inflate it tight and then start deflating while lying down to test it until you get to where you are comfortable. The downside to this method is that your pad isn’t as thick and you’re more likely to sink to the bottom if you let out too much air. I find this isn’t much of an issue for stomach or back sleepers, but if you’re a side sleeper it can take a while to find the sweet spot between comfort and warmth.
Bring a set of patches: Most bedroom sets these days include a set of trays. I rarely bring these kits with me and instead carry a small roll Heavy Duty Ribbon ($6)which will solve rips and tears in everything from sleeping places to tents. Be sure to test a small piece of tape on the pad beforehand to make sure the tape sticks, and take an alcohol wipe to clean the affected area.
Women need pads with a higher R value: Women generally have a lower body mass than men, which means women have to add about 1 R-value to get the same amount of insulation in the same situation. (I also recommend increasing the R value if you’re usually awake.)
Sleeping bag ratings assume R5 padding: Most temperature readings you see on sleeping bags are only true if you’re using a sleeping pad with an R-value of 5 or higher (they also assume you’re wearing a base layer). If your pad is smaller, you will need to adjust the temperature of your sleeping bag accordingly. For example, using your Blanket 30 degrees with an R4 pad, it’s likely to leave you cold when you encounter frost. In this situation, you’ll want to either increase the R-value of the pad or bring a warmer sleeping bag.
