Maintaining and repairing a trekking inflatable mattress

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INFLATABLE TREKKING MATTRESS

We firmly believe that the life cycle of a product does not end when it gets damaged. This is why Decathlon is offering solutions for properly using, maintaining and repairing your product, in order to extend its lifespan.

You can rely on the inflatable mattress for all your treks and for sleeping comfortably after a long hike. We are here to answer your questions and help you if you have a problem with any kind of inflatable trekking mattress.

Using your inflatable trekking mattress for the first time

How to inflate your mattress ?

A mattress must be inflated to the right pressure for your personal well-being but also for the good of the mattress.

Do not over-inflate the mattress. Over-inflation will weaken the mattress and give you back pain. However, it must be inflated enough for you to be able to sleep on it comfortably. When you sit on it, your bottom should just brush the ground.

This mattress has a double-valve system: open the IN plug to be able to inflate your mattress with the mouth. You can adjust the pressure and release some air by pressing the little black clip.

For insulating mattresses in particular, you can use a pump bag so that moisture doesn't get inside.

How to inflate your inflatable trekking mattress
How to deflate and fold your mattress into its bag ?

Open the OUT cap so that the air is expelled from the mattress. You can save time by standing on the end of the mattress and pressing down on the mattress so that the air comes out faster.

You can now fold your mattress across the width one or more times depending on its size. Then roll it up over the length so that it can be stored in its bag. Remember to close the valve if you want your mattress to remain compact.

Please note: the mattress must be rolled lengthwise and not folded. Indeed, some of the air would get trapped inside, thereby increasing the volume of the mattress, and make it difficult to get it into the bag.

How to deflate and fold an inflatable trekking mattress

What is the r-value ?

The R-Value is a measure of the thermal insulation. It measures the ability of a mattress to retain or prevent heat from escaping from a warm body (human body) to a cold floor.
The higher the R-Value, the better the insulation of the mattress.
Bear in mind that the R-Values can be added; this means that you can use two mattresses and add their R-Values.

R-value from 0 to 1.9: Hot season (summer) only
R-value from 2 to 3: 2 or 3-season (spring-summer-autumn)
R-value from 3 to 4: 4-season
R-value of 4.5 and higher: Use in all 4 seasons and in extreme conditions (glacier, far north and high altitudes)

How to sleep well on an inflatable mattress ?

You can maximise the comfort of the mattress by inflating it to the right pressure. When sitting on it, you should be able to feel the ground. When you are lying down, the air will spread evenly under your whole body.

For even more comfort, use a sleeping bag with the correct temperature rating, as well as a pillow.

How to sleep well on an inflatable trekking mattress
How to stop your mattress from making noises ?

Should the noise of the mattress rubbing against the floor become annoying, you can slide a sheet or blanket underneath.
What's more, do not over-inflate the mattress to minimise this problem.

How to optimise the insulation from the ground ?

Whether it is using a foam mattress, survival blanket, groundsheet, etc., you can increase the thermal insulation of your mattress. This will provide even more protection against the moisture and cold coming from the ground.

How to optimise the insulation of your inflatable trekking mattress from the ground

Repairing your inflatable trekking mattressĀ 

HOW TO REPAIR A HOLE IN YOUR INFLATABLE MATTRESS

You've just realised that your mattress has a hole in it and you don't know where the leak is coming from, right? Indeed, it is difficult to spot a hole in your mattress with the naked eye, especially if it is small.

  • leak on the inflatable trek mattress surface

    The leak is on the surface of the mattress

    Put some soapy water on the surface of the inflated mattress beforehand and wait for air bubbles to form showing you the correct location of the leak. You can then apply a patch.

  • weld leak on an inflatable trekking mattress

    The leak is located at a weld

    This is quite rare, but should this problem occur, you can use a specialised glue while carefully following the instructions.

  • valve leak on an inflatable trekking mattress

    The leak is at the valve

    The mattress cap may be clipped on incorrectly and letting air out as a result. So make sure that the cap is properly closed to avoid a slow leak. If the valve is really faulty, it is best to return your mattress to the store.

PUTTING A PATCH ON YOUR INFLATABLE MATTRESS

Once the location of the leak has been identified, all you have to do is deflate it and apply a patch to repair your mattress. The video below explains the entire process on how to perform this repair. All our mattresses come with a patch kit, but if you no longer have any, click here to check out our products.

How to repair a hole in your inflatable trekking mattress

Maintaining your inflatable trekking mattress

Here are all the tips you need to maintain your mattress in the best possible way. The key to properly maintaining your mattress are the washing, folding and storage steps.

Maintaining your inflatable trekking mattress

Wash

Gently rub the mattress with a sponge soaked in soap or washing-up liquid to remove all signs of dirt. Do not expose your mattress to the sun to dry it, but use a cloth instead.

Fold up

Follow all of our advice for folding your mattress in the previous section.

Storage

Mattresses are sensitive to heat and humidity. Therefore, keep them in a dry place at a moderate temperature.
If you have room at home, it is best to leave them lying flat with the valve open.