ALPS Mountaineering Featherlite Air Mat

I first bought this pad 2 years ago when I was searching for a pad that was long enough for me (I'm 6'3") but didn't weigh a ton. I didn't need insulation since most of the camping I do is in fair weather, and I was hoping for something that packed smaller than my Exped pad. This foot the bill nicely! The built-in hand pump feature works, but my legs are always too tired to stay crouched long enough to use it. Luckily, the inflate/deflate valve works great, and the pad inflates in a couple of minutes or so -- I didn't get light-headed after the hike!The ALPS pad is comfortable, slightly wider that other lightweight pads, and LONG! Granted, I bought the long, but man! I was surprised. I also have a "tall" sleeping bag, but that thing barely fits from my toes to my head. This pad is great.However, I recently bought another for my boyfriend (he was jealous of mine). We went backpacking in the Trinity Alps in California for the 4th of July. We're experienced campers, so when we found a spot for our tent we cleared the ground of debris (sharp rocks, pine cones, etc.), put down the tent's footprint, then the tent, then our pads. The very first night (of a 4 night trip) my boyfriend's pad went entirely flat! Nothing happened to my pad (2 years old at this point). We checked the ground for debris -- nothing. Nothing sharp or abrasive in his pack (his knife was in the head compartment of his pack), and nothing sharp on our persons when we went to bed. Our trip would have been ruined, having to sleep uncomfortably on the ground, but we were able to patch the pad. Unfortunately, the included patch kit isn't so great, and the edges were nearly impossible to get securely glued down in the filed (lacking a nice flat table, etc.). So, the pad continued to leak, and we'd reinflate it a couple times during the night, each night. We took turns with the leaky pad (I felt so bad!), and were able to make it work.I really want to be able to recommend this pad; it's inexpensive, comfortable, and relatively light (for the cost). However, either something has changed with the quality of the material, or the product came defective from the company. I'm sad to say I'm going to look elsewhere for a new pad.

Pros: Thick, comfortable, inexpensive, pump built into the mattress (don't have to put your mouth on it to inflate)Cons: Slightly heavier and larger than ultralight backpacking air padsI've been using a 2-inch pad while backpacking for years and I've never slept on it very well. While my first night on this pad wasn't great, on my second night I slept for over 8 hours. the 3.5-inch Alps Mountaineering Featherlite pad never let any part of me touch the ground. The important part (and the critical difference between night 1 and night 2) was the level of inflation; I hadn't inflated it enough before sleeping on it the first night, but I pumped it up a bit more before night 2. This pad's thickness is its superpower, so make sure to give it enough air so that it can do its job.

So I absolutely wanted to love this backpacking pad. So much so that I purchased 2. I will break it down for you:Pros: Cost. This air mattress is a great alternative to the significantly higher priced backpacking pads available. I was able to purchase 2 for the price that would be normally paid for one of the more expensive brands and that was a huge selling point for me.Comfort. When this pad is inflated correctly it amazing to sleep on.Material Durability. When I go into the backcountry it is almost exclusively with 2 dogs. They jump on the pads and walk all over them with nay a mark.Repair Patch: Great for salvaging for the next air pad you buy to carry with you.Cons: Pump. This is not a self inflating pad and it requires you to hand pump to fill up. Why? I have no earthly idea. It is entirely not needed and adds extra weight at exactly zero added benefits, except for the fact that when it is cold it helps you warm up since it takes a good 5 minutes to completely pump up. Furthermore, you have to flip it over to pump up. Not a big deal IF you don't have to pump it up again in the middle of night, so then you have to take the sleeping bag off, fumbling around on the tent floor in the dark to figure out how to maneuver laying again to pump it up.Valves. Oh dear God. They do not work. They simply do not work. I have gone on 6 trips with these stupid things and exactly zero times have the pads stayed inflated. No matter what you do, how tight you get the the valve on the bottom. I do have the older models with 2 valves. Again I ask, Why? Easier deflation they said. I say another way to let the air leak out, which will happen. I began carrying my multitool pliers with me just to make sure it was tight and even then it did not work. I took them apart and made sure they weren't being overtightened and even then they still leaked. I pumped them up at my house, let them sit overnight with ZERO weight on them. By morning, they had lost 50% of the air. I checked for leaks numerous times and found none.Bottom Line: Clearly with this product you get what you pay for. Want a nice air pad that is cheap? Find a good one on SALE. Do not be conned into thinking that this will be a valuable alternative for you because it will let you down onto the ground about 3am and you will be up in the tent pumping the thing back up again. Do not purchase, save your money and buy a better brand.

I'm 6'4" and had trouble finding a narrow, light sleeping pad. This solved my issue. I fit on with room to spare. Packs down to a reasonably small size. Narrowness an advantage as it's not way bigger than a sleeping bag so you can actually get 2 into a 2 person tent. My kids were wrestling on it while family camping and it held up to that punishment. First time inflating takes a while but after that it is fairly quick/easy. Very nice not to need a pump.

It's super comfortable and I loved it. Just pumping it up is a bit of a pain and I already had to fix mine.That it needed to be fixes was my own fault though... I had it in my car and forgot to open the valves when coming down from a mountain. Puff the air extended and it blew. Got it fixed with the included kit though and now its as comfy as it always has been. Also it's light to carry around.I take one star away because of the way you have to pump it up.

I bought this mat hoping it would be a good budget friendly alternative to some of the higher end mats. It had a small leak the first time i used it(tent was set up on a flat wooden platform so there was nothing to pierce it) and has gotten worse since. It only leaked slightly to begin but now after 2 trips sleeping on it it deflates entirely and I've had to pump it back up during the night. My recommendation is to invest your money into a good quality mat.

As portable as it is easy to inflate. Great for minimalist camping. I was going to use it for something more comfort driven but it's too narrow for the intended purpose. I'm actually keeping it in my car as a "plans changed" mattress.

Bonne grandeur pour moi je fais 6 pieds, seul reproche je trouve le vinyle un peu mince,