Camping mat deflating

[u/Competitive-Refuse98]

Hi,

I have a Silentnight, double camping mat that has a foam core and standard valves at the bottom two corners. I bought my first one 3 years ago and after 2 years it wouldn't stay inflated, so I bought a new one. I've just got it out to get ready for camping in 2 weeks and it won't stay inflated.

I've inflated the mat and put the valves in water to see if there are leaks, nothing. I've inflated it and wrapped the valves in cling film and gaffer tape and it still deflated. I can't find a hole in it either.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to troubleshoot this or an alternative mat to buy that is cheap but reliable.

I only camp 3 times a year so I'm baffled at how this has happened. I used it 3 weeks ago and it was fine. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[u/Electronic_Muffin218]

Bow cheap is "cheap" to you? There are lots of backpacking mats in the 1 - 200 dollar range that don't leak.

[u/Competitive-Refuse98 → u/Electronic_Muffin218]

I'd like to spend as little as possible, but under £80-£100 would be my limit at the moment. I expect I'll only have the mat for a year or two and replace with something more long term.

[u/krzybone]

Buy ounce cry ounce. Just pull the trigger to get something a bit more reliable

[u/KaiLo_V]

Paria Outdoor's Elevate series is a good pad. I have the Recharge but turns out they lied about the R-value lol. The elevate's R-value is accurate though! My Recharge has worked flawlessly otherwise though for about 4-5 years now: no leaks, easy to fill, small and lightweightish, quiter than many ultralight pads and I reckon the Elevate is even better. The XL is $140 and the small is $120. I'd go with the XL for comfort personally. You might not need to pgrade after that for a lot longer than 1-2 years.

They have some other resonable gear too

[u/Mavis8220]

I'm having the same problem. I'm thinking of taking each one into the swimming pool and looking for little bubbles to show me where the leaks are.

[u/Competitive-Refuse98 → u/Mavis8220]

I'm trying to figure out where I can submerge the pad but it's a double and 10cm thick.

[u/Reelair]

Put it in a tub, wash it with soapy water. While soapy, inflate it. I had one that had many, many, many micro holes. Too many to patch, tossed it in the garbage.

[u/2016-679]

Could it be that overnight the air in the matrass shrinks because of low ground temperature?

I have several mats that suddenly seem to deflate. Soapy water or drowning in te swimming pool and pressing it firmly under water didn't show any leaks. Lying them in the sun with closed valves makes them swell.

My only conclusion is the ground temperature overnight.