Originally Posted by
staehpj1
My sleeping pad is a NeoAir, but the volume is similar to a BA pad. It takes 15 deep breaths to inflate to where I usually want it. That is maybe 45 seconds. At the volume of a frame pump it would probably take thousands of strokes on my bike pump.
I am guessing that maybe the OP has a pad with down or some other insulation that he wants to keep dry, hence the reason for not wanting moist breath in it. Still a low volume pump like a bike tire pump sounds like a very poor answer.
That is my situation. Everyone said my Big Agnes Air Core was a breeze to inflate. (Is that a pun?) My only time inflating by mouth it took me (actually the wife) significantly more than the 10-20 breaths everyone was claiming. Maybe we just wanted ours harder than most. (Cue Michael Scott: "That's what she said!")
I ended up buying the BA "inflator". It's essentially a ripstop stuff sack with a 'nozzle' type end. You put the 'nozzle' over the pad's inflator thing, open the bag up as much as possible, close the main opening of the bag and then squeeze the air into the pad. Reopen the bag to fill it with air, close it and squeeze. Rinse. Repeat as needed.
It does take longer than mouth inflation. But, I am concerned with the moist air in the enclosed, insulation filled pad. I can just imagine all the cooties that are growing as I sleep.
A side benefit is the inflator is also a fine stuff sack. So, you are not taking up valuable pack room with a specialized use piece of equipment.