On The Trail - Episode #1 - How to Cut and Reseal a Neoair

[LoveRise]

Can anyone tell me if you can use this method on the blue neo Trekker! I want to try it as soon as possible if it would work the same. Thank you!

[WisconsinEric]

Is the material used in this Neoair the same as the material used for the Thermarest Trail Pro?

A friend wants a 25" wide custom Trail Pro in the womans length.

[SCOTTHHADDON]

I was really scared to death to try this. I'm glad I did! Thanks for your instructional video. I was viewing RedwoodOutdoors video of his 6lb pack & gear when he mentioned your video. Thank you for shaving 8oz out of my pack!

[thebr0dy]

*hole

[thebr0dy]

*hole

damn it

[thebr0dy]

My already short neoair has a hole in it. do you think if i got a piece of another neoair to use as a patch i could iron a patch straight on? would the fabric in the middle protect me from ironing my pad shut? the whole is very inconveniently located for a cut.

Cool video-- ballsy to cut one without being positive it will reseal.

[Suluk46]

@thebr0dy

I think if you introduce heat to any part of the pad, you will have a high likelihood of a bond occurring. I haven't seen your actual failure but the heat activated adhesive is only on the inside of the fabric so I am not sure how well it would seal if you patched it from the outside in the same manner. My initial thought was to cut a hole right through the pad and seal the edges. Give it a try - maybe it'll work!

[trevreiten]

I picked up a large (77x25) damaged, at a Cabela's "bargain cave". It had burn damage at the foot end. I'm a side sleeper, and was looking for a sleeping pad this wide (but $170.00 - OMG). Long story short - I now have a 16 ounce 62x25 inch Neoair that only cost me $25.00! Thanks Steve :o)

- Trevor

[Suluk46]

@trevreiten

Nice! I love hearing success stories like that. Actually, I have heard from many people who used the video to repair their Neoairs. Glad I could be of help!

[KnqsX]

Steve, very inspiring. I also wanted a L for the wider 25" width but just don't need more than a torso length at about 35". I'm curious about this "bonding". Is it essentially melting or fusing the materials together? You didn't mention using any cement or adhesive so i had to ask.

[Suluk46]

@KnqsX

The material already has a heat activated adhesive on it - that's how they seal it to begin with. No need for anything but the heat of an iron to reseal it.

Steve

[knarfster]

Do you think it would be possible to make one of the Neoairs into a mummy bottom?

[Suluk46]

@knarfster

I don't think making a mummy shape would be possible, or it would at least be extremely difficult. The baffled chambers run horizontal and I don't think it would be possible to seal the sides after cutting.

[terrarosagear]

Fantstic stuff mate. Well done. good to see the gutsy experimenting. Safe trails.

[kc7fys]

I'd love to copy that cuben quilt you [had made]. Where are the materials available, and do you have more details? Thanks very much.

Jonathan in St. Paul

[Suluk46]

Hi Jonathon,

All the info for the quilt is in the video and comments. If you need more information, you can contact Tim at the website shown in the video...youtube doesn't allow links in the comments section or I would post them for you.

Steve

[Torsten1345]

If you want to have a comfortable but very robust and relatively lightweight mat, use the TAR Z- Lite and a thin 0,5 cm Evazote on the top. Great combination.

many greetings and fun in the forests,

Torsten

[Torsten1345]

Hi Suluk,

thanks for your work! The Neoair is an interesting mat, but think of the finish, it is not very robust. I give her some few nights in the forest, before delaminating. But of course it is much more comfortable than Prolite, Z- Lite or even Trail Pro. I cant sleep on a half mat, otherwise it would be a great option cutting down the high price;). East Germans use an Evazote, West Germans the Downmat, they needed more Comfort in Capitalism, we like the russian experience.

[Wannert]

@Torsten1345 :

Lol about what u say and belive: West Germans use the Downmat, they needed more comfort in capitalism.

The big difference was that the people in West Germany had the right and freedom to choose and buy the stuff they wanted to. While the people in the east had no right to choose in that dictatorship. There was no selection of anything in communism! i`am more than happy that I grew up in West Germany. And ..eh i got different Evazote mats, too! Are u wondering?

[dedicated2outdoors]

thanks mate ill check out the site. me and you have a different approach to backpacking. i like firepower. but light is good as well i think a good balance between these styles is best.

[dedicated2outdoors]

i understand your philosophy. to me it wouldnt be worth the 8 ounces weight can easily be cut from your pack in other areas, such as the pack itself my GoLite is 3 pounds. but hey whatever floats your boat i was just amazed that you would do that to save a half a pound (8ounces yes i know what a half of pound is) I do disagree with you tampering with a good product but at least you were smart at engineering this modification and it worked. good luck to ya mate

[Suluk46]

D2O,

I understand that UL principles may seem extreme or foreign to you. I make this assumption based on your statement that you use a 3lb backpack to save weight (ie. mine weighs 7.9 oz). To enlighten you, I recommend you head over to the "suluk46" website  and look at some of my gearlists in the "adventure" section. I think this will give you a much better understanding of the type of gear used by myself and others aswell. Maybe even learn a thing or two. Enjoy!

[dedicated2outdoors]

ok, im still trying to figure out why the fuck you would do this? even if your an untralight minimalist backpacker, you saved 6 or 8 ounces, your sleep pad is useless to insulate head on the lower half of your body, and you ruined a good warranty so if it pops out in the backcountry your screwed. was it really worth 8 ounces?

[Suluk46]

Hi D2O,

I welcome all comments/questions.I'll answer yours in order...

1) Go to 0:20 to get your answer on why I did this.

2) 8 oz is 1/2 pound (about 10% of my base pack weight)

3) Clothes go under my head

4) 1/8" CCF Sheet, backpack, and gear go under my legs

5) Warranty - a sacrifice I am willing to make in order to lighten my load

6) Yes, it was worth it.

If you educate yourself on UL philosophy and techniques, you'll find there are many of us out there who think alike - it's great fun!

[Fjaderlatt]

Just so I understand this: The fabrics have this built in capacity to bond when heated. No need for any extra glue?

[Suluk46]

Fjaferlatt,

You are correct, there is no need for additional glue to seal the fabric. The inside of the fabric is coated with a heat activated adhesive. The heat from the iron is all that is required to bond the fabric.

Steve

[Suluk46]

Just an update for those waiting: I have roughly 20 nights on the modified pad with no issues. Several other people who have performed the same procedure have reported no leakage and great results. Thanks for watching!

[solobackpacking]

I can do that...

Not exactly rocket science.

Thx

Please fix the sound.

[Habichtshorst]

Cool stuff, though the sound really is a big issue.

[Suluk46]

Hey Guys, thanks for watching! I must apologize for the terrible sound problem - . I used a point and shoot camera but have since acquired a proper video camera. New episodes will be much higher quality and no sound issues. Thanks for your patience.

If there are any aspects of the video which are unclear, due to the sound, or any other reason, feel free to e-mail me or comment here and I will clarify.

Steve Evans

[NeezyDeezy]

cool idea

(sound quality is a big issue)