ALDI Self Inflating/4WD Mat Not Inflating

zealmax on 29/10/2016 - 12:24
Last edited 29/10/2016 - 18:04 by 1 other user

I went to Aldi this morning and bought few camping mats. It states it is 5cm self inflating mat.

However after opening the seals and letting it inflate for about an hour, it is about the same thickness as when I laid the mat. It is about 2.5cm thick after inflation. Where has the extra 2.5cm gone to? The pillow that came with it, inflates quite well and is about 8cm thick.

I might try opening another one and see how that one goes. I have very limited camping experience and these are the first self inflating mats that I have purchased.

Can anyone comment on their experiences and how the thickness is rated?

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • Cheap Charlie on 29/10/2016 - 13:31

    My experience has been you always end up blowing some air into self inflating mattress to get the most out of them.
    You could exchange/refund the mattress but I bet no matter what brand you buy you will end up having to blow some additional air in.

  • bdl on 29/10/2016 - 13:40

    I found I had to leave a similar mat open for about a week (with valves open) to let it expand fully prior to use.

  • lost in transit on 29/10/2016 - 13:51

    What do the instructions say..I thought it had to be open for at least 24 hours.. I'm not a big fan of them. My hip always touches the ground when I'm on my side.. Aldi will refund your money without question if you have a receipt.. Goodluck

  • zealmax on 29/10/2016 - 14:17

    well I opened all 4. All of them still flat. I will leave it open for few days and see what happens. When looking at the mat it seems there isnt enough slack in the plastic cover to allow it to inflate to 5cm. I dont want to blow in it, incase mold starts growing.

    • Cheap Charlie on 29/10/2016 - 15:02
      +1

      Maybe just use sheets and you can wash them after?

  • StewBalls on 29/10/2016 - 14:20

    I find it helps to stick them out in the sun first inflation and every now & again as well.

    • zealmax on 29/10/2016 - 14:30

      Makes sense. Unfortunately no sun for couple of days.

  • mskeggs on 29/10/2016 - 14:53

    You must blow some air into them before each use, the springy foam isn't enough to inflate them completely. This is the case for all camping mats.
    The difference is these need 2 or 3 breaths, as opposed to a regular air bed.
    You should also leave them out flat for storage. If you store them compacted, they will eventually compress too thin and not bounce back.

    • zealmax on 29/10/2016 - 16:01

      Well I blew them up. Not easy. Planning on leaving them in the inflated state for couple of days to see if it helps the foam expand and bounce back. All the germs from my mouth are in the mats now. I have a flu at the moment. I wonder if the next time I blow them up, I will catch my old flu again.

      • mskeggs on 29/10/2016 - 16:59

        That is not how illness works. You will have antibodies to prevent reinfection.
        I think you just need to be patient for a couple of days with these new mats.

        • StewBalls on 29/10/2016 - 18:44

          That is not how illness works.

          That's how evil works though…those mats are now cursed!

        • mskeggs on 29/10/2016 - 18:59
          +2

          @StewBalls:
          But they come with a free froghurt!

  • zealmax on 29/10/2016 - 20:56

    Thanks for your help guys. Besides the noob issues the quality seems as good as the Kathmandu ones I saw. The pillow is quite comfortable and better thatn the Kathmandu 5cm model. For $39 seems like a bargain.

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