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While backpacking with an inflatable or self-inflating sleeping pad one runs the risk of getting holes in it.

This does happen fairly frequently, and while they do make kits, I would like to know what should be in such a kit if I were to purchase one or what components I would need if I wanted to put one together myself.

What would I need to have with me to fix the leak in the backcountry?

Charlie Brumbaugh
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    You can get patch kits for air mattresses. Most new ones come with patch kits. They're a pretty standard item in most all camping stores. – ShemSeger Feb 25 '17 at 23:33
  • I suggest that you ask for the pros and cons of inflatable vs foam pads. It is a more basic question. – ab2 Feb 26 '17 at 03:27
  • @ab2 See this question http://outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/15437/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-air-pads-vs-foam-pads-for-backpacking – Charlie Brumbaugh Feb 26 '17 at 17:52

1 Answers1

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Many manufacturers of inflatable sleeping pads sell repair kits.

Duct tape could be used in an emergency, but I would only use it as a last resort as it will leave a residue on your sleeping pad when you get back home and want to repair it properly.

Most kits will have something like the following items in them:

  • Seam Grip Sealer & Adhesive
  • Tenacious Tape Repair Tape or Tenacious Tape Repair Patches
  • Small patch brush

Seam Grip Field Repair Kit

Seam Grip Field Repair Kit

If I were to make my own repair kit I would add a few more items to make it a little bit more usable on other things.

  • Pencil or Sharpie to mark where the leak is
  • Rubbing alcohol to clean the spot
  • Cotton swabs to used with rubbing alcohol
  • Small pair of scissors to cut tape instead of just tearing it
  • small piece of very fine sandpaper to roughen up smooth surfaces if need be so the glue can bound better
Ken Graham
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