I *think* i'm about to buy self inflating mats for camping next weekend (fed up with airbed and don't want to sleep on one with a baby) but having read a few threads here I'm slightly concerned about transporting them. I understand they need to be stored flat at home when not in use but surely it is ok to roll (fold?) for packing in the car? I don't think they would even fit in the car flat!
we've got two self inflating mats which the Ds and DD use, (no good for me and OH) they came with straps connected to them rolled up in a storage bag, and thats the way we keep them between trips and over the winter
Its not good to leave a self inflating mat in its rolled up state but you can. If you use it regularly (monthly) like me then I keep it rolled up wduring the season and then leave it inflated under the bed in the Winter. Certainly ok to roll it up while transporting it.
------------- Nigel
March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle
Aye, best to store unrolled with the valve open unless they are being transported or are in regular use. Especially so if the storage bag involves a fold and a roll rather than just a roll. The mats contain a "memory foam" that expands when unrolled, drawing air in. If they are left too long with the air out, the foam becomes more of a "forgetful foam" and you need to top up by blowing.
Storing you matt open, helps it to gain its shape, untill the time comes to roll it up and transport it, and then when you deploy it, it will then go to it's shape better, according to the instructions that came with my matt's they all say to store open. if you can transport your matt open then all the better, but for most the only way to transport is rolled up, obviousley a very tight roll is not as good for the matt as a loose roll, but at the end of the day it depends on how much space you have, and how long the matt is going to be in transportation for.
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Topic: Transporting self inflating mats
