The Instaflator - A Closer look
A little while back, I posted about the Instaflator. I didn't have much experience or information with it until I met the inventor: Mile Miller. Mike is a great guy and a very creative designer. Here's a quick video of him demonstrating the Instaflator with my Insulmat sleeping pad.
Weight with adapter shown in video: 1.7 oz.
Weight without adapter: 1.5 oz.
MSRP: $3.99
The Instaflator - A Closer look
Reviewed by Jason Klass
on
October 03, 2010
Rating:
Reviewed by Jason Klass
on
October 03, 2010
Rating:
17 comments
Very convenient and smart product. I can definitely see the immediate benefits to the winter hiker needing to inflate a larger insulated inflatable mattress. I've seen this type of inflation method used on the Packrafts, but this one looks much lighter.
Very cool video! It's good to see it actually being demonstrated by the person who invented it. One of those genius inventions that leave you asking "Now, why didn't I think of that?" I'll be ordering mine this week!
Pretty smart idea, as usual it is the simple ideas that work the best. (But I wish my tent was big enough for me to kneel upright so far from the other end of the mattress!)
The "issue" with the Instaflator being long really isn't an issue at all in my opinion. Who really finds themselves in conditions where they cannot be outside of the shelter for a few seconds? In the event of having to inflate your mattress in a downpour, snow, wind, etc. have your appropriate outer shell on, step outside your tarp or shelter and blow up the Instaflator and start inflating.
This video is much better than the original video posted for this product, probably because it was focused more towards our type of crowd. Kudos on recognizing the humidity/moisture issue with sleeping pads. From the looks and sounds of the instaflator I worried about durability since it sounded like a plastic shopping bag, then I saw the price. At $3.99 I am ok with having to replace one as needed.
Matt, the plastic was a concern for me too. But when I saw it in person, it seemed to be a very durable material. I think it will last a long time.
Eugene, I agree stepping outside the tent for a few seconds isn't really an issue ... but I still wish I could kneel upright in my tent so far from the end of the mattress. I can barely sit upright in the middle of it! ;-)
Simon,
What kind of tent do you have? I absolutely have to have a tent I can site up in or it drives me nuts.
I agree with Matt - it's great to see it being used on a backpacking pad; I wondered how it would work on something heavier than the swimming pool raft in the video on Mike's website. It's simple, ingenious, and it works! I'll be able to inflate my Big Agnes air core pad without feeling like I'm having a stroke. :)
Got my Instaflator and it works like a charm! I have a petite size rectangular Big Agnes Insulated Air Core pad and those of you who have that pad know how heavy it is and how much air it takes to inflate it. I always ended up dizzy and headachey after inflating it. But now? It's a cinch! Thank you, Mike Miller!
Do you think this could have multiuse as either a pillow (partially inflated and folded) or as a width extension for sleeping pad (partially inflated an run alongside the pad)?
srparr-
That's a GREAT multi-use idea; however, it would be very loud. The plastic is pretty crinkly so it might keep you (or your hiking partner) up at night if you're light sleepers.
> very durable material
I don't agree with you on that point. It's very lightweight plastic. But it may be fine for a long time if you treat it gently, and pack it in a container for protection.
I couldn't get the adapter made of clear vinyl tubing to fit over the valve of my Big Agnes Clearview pad. But it fit over the valve of my Big Agnes Iron Mountain pad. I can probably find some tubing that will fit from Home Depot.
Beyond mosture introduced from ones lungs. I have asthma, as a result i have to bring enough gear for an emergency bivy on any hike in case of an asthma attack. Normally i have no problem inflating my Big Agnes isluated air core pad. Durning an attack it's not going to happen. With something like that it means i can ditch the foam pad, and cary just the inflating pad.
I'm impressed. Does it really weight 1.5 oz? Is there any way to reduce that? That's the same weight as the Big Agnes Pumphouse which does double duty as a dry bag ($16 on Amazon).
Now that's cool.
Be warned, I had mine split vertically along a side seam of the bag when inflating pool toys under normal conditions with generally gentle treatment. I liked it so much that I immediately went out and purchased another one. The plastic is more durable than the seams.
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