Suggestions for repairing thermarest?

[JonMW]

I've got an old self-inflating pad that can be inflated without an apparent problem but in the morning it is almost flat. I submerged it in the tub after inflating it but didn't see any bubbles.

 

I'd hate to buy a new one if it can be easily fixed. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks.

[underworld]

easy fix -

 

1) take it to rei

2) trade

3) sleep

 

 

[TrogdortheBurninator]

or take it directly to cascade designs.

[G-spotter]

just buy a new one, they cost like 5 lattes anyhow.

[Moof]

Obviously you screwed up the bubble test. Fill it up extra hard and stand on it in the bath tub to get extra pressure. Work it section by section till you find the leak.

 

If it small (as it should be for a slow leak) the a dab of seam grip works real well (clean the spot as needed of course), even in the field. For bigger stuff they sell a repair kit with patches, a popsicle stick, and a boilable pouch of repair goo just for thermarests. Alternatively seam grip and a scrap of pack cloth would work just as well, though it might take longer to dry.

[catbirdseat]

I've got an old self-inflating pad that can be inflated without an apparent problem but in the morning it is almost flat. I submerged it in the tub after inflating it but didn't see any bubbles.

 

I'd hate to buy a new one if it can be easily fixed. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks.

Cascade Designs makes a repair kit that works very well. I've used it. The kit comes with various sizes and colors of nylon repair material and a couple of pouches of sealant. You put the pouch in a pan of boiling water for a few minutes and the sealant is liquified. Apply some hot sealant to the patch, using the popsicle stick provided, and press it down on the area with the leak. Presto! You have a permanent fix.

 

The kit can even be used in the field.

 

http://store.everestgear.com/tr04101.html

Edited February 6, 2008 by catbirdseat

[Blake]

Repeat bubble test +

 

 

http://store.everestgear.com/117563.html

[stinkyclimber]

You used to be able to mail your holey thermarest to Cascade Designs and they would fix it for $5 flat fee. If they couldn't fix it, and if they would either replace it (if defective) or give you the option to buy a new one for wholesale. Not sure if they still do that, but I found it way easier to mail the bugger back then fuck around trying to find some tiny little bubble in my bathtub. Yes, I am lazy. Of course, my primary strategy was to avoid getting holes, which I am pretty good at.

[dbconlin]

Z rest

[denalidave]

Did you check the valve? Could be a leaky/worn out valve?

[pinegar]

I had exactly the same problem and found that brushing a soapy water solution over it in air works better than submersion for finding small holes. I found about 6 of them, but the thing doesn't leak now.