Does Mold Grow In Sleeping Pads? | NeoAir Xlite
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- Опубліковано 13 лют 2019
- Can mold grow inside a backpacking sleeping pad? I see this talked about all over and I even at one point after buying a new sleeping pad intentionally bought a pump sack for it so that I wouldn't introduce wet air into the pad. Well, lets take a look and see if there really is mold growth in a backpacking sleeping pad after 8 years of use!
I took my Thermarest NeoAir XLite and cut it open after having the pad in use for 8 years. This was a sad moment, but sharing this info with all of you was important to understand better how the gear we use works for us while on the trail.
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Dude, this video is graphic! I felt like I got punched in the gut when you made that first cut. Wow what a sacrifice. A true gear review. Wow.
Dustin Allen - Hike & Chat Me too...especially when I’m pricing out air pads and he cuts his....😧
Bigfoot did this to his pad a couple of months ago.
The anxiety that left my body when you busted the myth! So glad I didn’t cut mine open!
Thanks for taking one for the team!
I so appreciate this video and your sacrificing your old pad to make it. I had been considering using a pump on trail because of this concern. I think there are still issues with inflating by mouth, but this has always been my biggest by far, and it's nice to see how clean the inside of your pad really was! The inside of my neoair must be delaminating (based on what you've shown here), but it's performance continues to be great for summer hiking, and this really sets my mind at ease about continued use. Thanks.
This gets a subscribe. Seriously, thanks for doing this. I think you saved me buying a new pad.
Top notch video! It saved alot of us from doing the same thing in private. I am happy to see you shared the experience! I always wondered how they were constructed! Thanks again for another awesome video!
Yeah if anything seeing how this pad is built is worth the pad sacrifice! Ha ha. Thanks Rick!
Really useful thanks. Before watching this I held my Thermarest up against a window and I was really concerned that it was mold, but having watched this I now understand what the shadowing is that I am seeing across the mat.
I'm still in shock that you took scissors to a great pad, but this was an awesome video. This was incredibly helpful to put my mind more at ease with regard to mold in my inflatable pad.
Thanks for the long term review on this subject and for your sacrifice! Another hit on the stuff sack air pump is that you still need to use your own breath bacteria anyway for the last few puffs to get the sleeping pad fully inflated. The stuff sack also sucks as a stuff sack.
Just as I am about to buy a pump sack this video pops up. Thank you!
I died a little inside when you cut it open......RIP my comfy friend.
Thanks so much for this!
Thanks for this video. I just came back from a trip and for the first time I can see what looks like mold through the outer layer of my xlite. Not sure if I should be concerned or not. Mine is also very old. 10 years or so. Thanks again.
THE BIGGEST MARKETING SCAM WE ALL FELL FOR.
I never even heard of mold growth inside sleep mats, UNTIL the invention of the pump sack.
Sleeping bag ratings BS....
BTU stove out put BS....
And now mold in mats BS....
Your sacrifice was worth it, thank you so much.I too fell for the marketing scam. You da man...bex
Such a useful video! Thank you so much for your sacrifice!
well done - top vid from a research point of view - thorough - nice one brother
Wow, that's a bit shocking. Thanks for sharing that. I've personally seen a couple of pads filled with mold myself though (both exped). Interesting stuff!
Good job - if there was any pad that was going to have mold, I agree it would have been this one!
Good to know as well as seing the inside. Thanks
Right on, always wondered about that.
Great dissect! Love my Neoair even more!
Andrew Uy thanks!
Backcountry Exposure I know it's heartbreaking to cut open your 8 year old pad but thanks to you we are informed. Big thumbs up man!
Thanks for tearing that apart for us! RIP NEOAIR!
Huck Outdoors 👊🏻
Referencing this vid on an upcoming podcast episode....Wow! Thanks!
Backpacking and Blisters right on! 👊🏻
You monster! Love the video though and I was also curious about this issue.
@backcountry Exposure do you clean the outside of your pads ever and what products do you use?
How did you store this matress? Keeping it inflated and the valve open, and in a warm place, surely keeps the moisture away from the fabric.
Honestly what's the difference with mold? I want to know if blowing in to your sleeping pad makes it colder in extreme cold? What are your thoughts on that?
Tx for taking a look! I would say the diff. may be that we live in a much drier climate here west of the Rockies. Airing out would play a difference too?.. RIP the pad child.
Joseph Shanks I agree. It’s likely the results will be different in a super humid environment.
Good job
When holding my NeoAir against strong light i see something that looks like mold, but from your demo it seem that is is just a bit deterioration of the reflective materiale.
THANKS!
What about pads insulated with down or some synthetic material
Wow you are a hero
I have a Klymit Stativ V insulated pad, would be interesting to see if anyone has done this to a pad like mine
This video is old now but I've recently used my xlite alot and after I had it packed for a week or so (mistake), directly after, its now covered in dark spots on the inside (visible thru). So likely mold..? Also have a friend with the same problem. Not sure what to do.
How can I find out of the thermarest hiker is mold treated?
Interesting experiment, must have been hard making that first cut. Even if there was mold growth, does it really matter? Plus if you use one of those pump sacks, who's to say you're not pumping moisture in from your surroundings, i.e. on a wet or humid day?
Cheers
Robin
Dang, I wanted one of those... I think i was in as much pain as you bro, lol. But thanks for the sacrifice, good info, i always wondered if this was true, I'm going to still keep bringing my airsack w/ my sea to summit pad, it's lightweight, keeps my pad smaller and much easier than huffing and puffing my pad up
Pump sacks are awesome for saving the lungs and not passing out!
Interesting. I have a neo air Xlite that I’ve had since 2014. It’s still functional but I do see some dark discoloration through the yellow fabric. I assume it to be mold. I still use it though not very often as I have other pads I find more comfortable. But when my main concern is weight, I bring it along.
I am about to replace my Neoair mattress, would you please share what other more comfortable mattresses you have found? tnx
@@nonamenoname2618 I would get the Big Agnes insulated Q-core deluxe. This pad is the most similar to an older model pad I have. I like the quilted style of the pad. Also the edges of the pad are raised so you are more cradled in the pad. This helps you stay on it on not sliding off it. The R-value is good. Although if temperature is my biggest concern, I use my Neoair Xtherm just because it has a higher R-value. But the insulated Q-core is the most comfortable from the one I tried. I haven’t purchased a new pad since 2017, so there may be other good options I haven’t explored.
Any issues using the pad at sub-freezing temps when blown up with your mouth?
Good to know. Now I'll never have to cut my sleeping pads open to find out for myself haha
Amy Routt I cried a little after... but it’s for science!
That was tight situation with the siccors! I believe this video is goin to change peoples minds about mold in the mattress. Lot of videos showed mattress against light and then you can see the light coming thru the mattress unevenly. I assume that's just the foil braking off from the plastic and letting the light thru uneven.
Actually havent seen any video someone opening their mattress and proving there is actual mold inside!!
Dince this video is goin to be a youtubeHIT, you should ask thermarest for a sponsor package for positive advertisement.
Keep it up.
I wonder if it were different if you lived on the east coast like Fl. with humidity...
I did not believe mold growth would be something to worry about, but after only 3 summers of usage (maybe have used it 15 times) my Neoair matress (same type as in video) has something that clearly resembles mold growth inside. It is not just a darker shade but consist of darker dots and some are colored slightly green.. So I do not believe it to be the isolating material flaking off.. I still believe it to be quite rare, and I was unlucky as I still stored the matress in a dry place with the valve open, but it is not rocket science that it should be able to occur.
In a previous video of yours when you decided to replace the Xlite, you said that when it was not inflated, you could see it was black inside with mold. If after cutting the mat open there was no mold, what was the black you could see inside?
I had made an assumption in that video when I said I was replacing it. That's a big reason I cut this open so I could see.
With the new Nemo Tensor Alpine Ultralight, I guess sacrifices have to be made. 😎
What did you replace it with?
Sadly, it may depend on the type of sleeping pad or local conditions. I have a Nemo Tensor (insulated) pad that I’ve slept less than 100 times on that is developing mold on the inside (you can see it from the outside). I don’t use the pump sack, and I don’t really take any care, just deflate it, throw it in the bag, keep hiking, and into the basement when I get home.
I’m hesitant to put a light water bleach/vinegar mixture in there, since I don’t want to destroy the pad or introduce any more moisture into the mix. For now I’m just using the pump sack / hair dryer (on low) to cycle some warm/dry air into it a few times after camping trips.
WOW! Not really a concern on mold, but I have been curious on what's "really", i.e., not just what's in the video ads, inside the neoair. Thanks!
p.s., looking through my
SCIENCE!!! 🙌
Tim Watson I’m like the new age bill nye, just a lot dumber!
I’ve only avoided blowing into a pad because of the build up of moisture in the pad, and this...particularly over a multi day/week etc winter hike, will in turn gather and freeze. Essentially lowering the R-Value of your pad at a time where the result at the least could be uncomfortable....heading towards possibly dangerous.
However, the whole breath and mold in pads is from the foam era, where it definitely caused/causes mold.
Atb
Dean
Wales, UK
cool, thanks!
Ommgggh 😩😩😩😭😭😂😂😂🤣 7:25!!!
I felt that on such a deep level!!
And I only RECENTLY started hikking backpacking!!! Jesus!! So I don't have anything nowhere NEAR as old as 8 yo!!
My oldest stuff is about 9 months old!! Hahaha
Woowww!! Hahaha I felt you on such a level!! And was crying too!! 😭😭😭😩😩😂😂🤣😂🤣 Omg it was amazing to see it opened!! I'm so thankful and grateful that you sacrificed you precious veteran neoair!!! You are a real backpacking hero!! Hahahaha
I was soooo sure, convinced, that there would be SOME kind of mold!! Wow, what the heck? I'm soooo impressed!!
But, I do think that it could be THIS construction and this company - extherm- and that there are other pads that have and do get a lot more mold bacteria buildup!! I have seen Paul messenger and one of his pads has got mold! So I don't think the myth is altogether busted, it's just that either you were very lucky, or this construction and materials pad are fantastic and survived against mold!!
Nothing like a ThermaRest. I always thought that was a myth. Good video
Definitely a quality product. Maybe this means I have to get an Xtherm 😂
@@BackcountryExposure love my XTherm
I had mold on top of this one (mainly b/c i forgot to pull it out after rainy trip day) but not inside. If you believe you have mold inside, my recomendation is to use a UV / ozone light to neutralize the bugs. It will not kill them but neutralize reproduction
Is this also true for those self inflating sleeping pads?
Wow I have a neo air and would have said you are wrong. Mine came with a little motorized air pump, although a couple of lung fulls are needed to top it off. Love my thermarest. Oh and my sea to summit Aeros inflatable pillow.
Wandering Aloud With Mark never used the air pump. Sure beats getting light headed 🥴
Super cool to see the construction behind this.... care to show us the inside of your tensor too (or will we have to wait 9 years for that)? 😝
Outbound Jesse 10 years! 😂
I’ve never once blew up my neoair xlite without the pump sack.. and I’m not sure I ever will!! Old habits die hard.. and I’m a big wuss! 😂
REI has a pad pump that i use on my nemo tensor pad.
Awesome!
In the stone age I used rubber or vinyl air mattresses and never thought or worried about it. They cost maybe $10 or $15 bucks not $180.
I was dreading watching this video... 😎
I have found this video a bit excessive and long to explain that mould doesn’t grow inside when blowing directly into the valve. I personally used the same mat for 17 months cycling.
I have been using the sack pump for 2 reasons. First, if you have to inflate your mat every single day for a long time and after a day cycling you want to do it quickly. Also mould grows inside if you use it for very long time especially when you cross extremely hot countries. I’m the night you create heat and condensation forms inside. It’s not ideal for hot weather but it has been essential when sleeping at -10.
Second, I have found the sack/pump very handy to keep inside the bike panniers and I have been using also a simple plastic bag with the valve in it.
I believe that if you use it for prolonged periods and in hot weather you get mould inside. I’m not going to cut mine as I am still using it (although it deflates slowly during the night).
I can see the mould in mine!
I've heard some pads have coatings to help prevent mold on the inside. I've also seen vids where the pads were thin enough that when they shined light through it, you could clearly see the mold accumulation inside. Also sure it's fine, if you just don't inhale the stuff. Either way cool vid, but yeah. I'll ref the vid if I can find it
Joshua : I watched a video by UK blogger, 'Paul Messner' that demonstrated mould in his Thermarest pad. He did not go as far as cutting his pad open though, to prove beyond doubt.
Where and how the mattress is stored might be a factor but this was certainly an interesting video. I hope Thermarest sent him a complementary mattress for his efforts. I would imagine this video can only help their sales figures.
I thought the whole mold growth only happen in pad filled with foam or down. I could be wrong.
What kind of weather have you been hiking in with the pad? I'm thinking that the mold may occur when camping only in warm and moist climate?
Hiker in Estonia yes that would be a key consideration. Primarily here in Utah where it’s quite dry. So to say it won’t ever happen can’t be said.
@@BackcountryExposure It's quite dry / cold here in Estonia as well so now I know that I don't have to panic about my mat. I was totally made believe that even with few blows I will ruin my expecive mat! So, thank you for the video and sacrificing your mat for us 😀
It's probably because you regularly change the air inside the mattress thus providing an aerobic atmosphere. Possibly if you were to leave this air mattress for a year or so without changing the air it might start growing mold in an anaerobic atmosphere.
I definitely have mold inside mine. You can see it through the yellow on the outside.
I’ve never heard of it causing mould if I’m honest. The only times I’ve heard you shouldn’t blow into a pad is for two reasons, both I feel are pretty much common sense. The first is breath contains a lot of moisture. When the moisture is inside the pad and cools, this will turn into water droplets, which in turn will turn to ice, lowering the R Value.
The second is when using natural or synthetic insulation. Wether it’s down, or a synthetic fibre, the more insulation surface area there is, which in turn should amplify the problem of breath condensing and freezing.
With there being a valve, it’s a lot easier getting moisture in, than getting it out again.
In a nutshell, if there’s ‘fibres’ synthetic or natural, use a pump bag.
A final word......Sacrilege!!!! That was Ultra painful to watch, but even worse seeing Zero mould or damage, so no need to damage or even stop using the pad. My deepest sympathies at this dark time in your life.
Dean
Wales, UK
Hey what a premo pad
You were saved by living in a dry climate on the East coast or any real humid area probably different story. Also how well you care for your pad. Holding your pad to sun would reveal any dark spots.
East coast is far from dry anywhere. Way wetter air than anywhere on the west coast.
Ive never seen any mold in anyone's thermarest. Even if there was a little mold, it wont hurt anything. Where I live you cant set foot in the woods without stepping on some kind of mold. 😀
@Yonatan Guyver Some molds cause zero problems in small amounts like what we get in house dust unless you have allergies, but some can cause serious health concerns especially in large quantities that could be found in mats. Mostly all types of fungi are like this . Mushrooms for example can be great for us yet some can be highly dangerous.
@Yonatan Guyver They're not trapped you can easily still breath them in . Some are as small as 3 microns , meaning they can travel through plastics no trouble.
@@K.F.L dude, air is smaller, and it stays inside! //worst i could imagine is if you blow it up and some air (with whatever) would come back out a bit, but still there is no mold, so nothing to debate about lol
@@EasyX2y Yeah, air is smaller but no mat retains all the air . Especially when laid on
Ok no mold, great (perhaps the pad is protected against potential moisture) ! BUT is it also a myth that the pad isolates less good if i blow up the pad with the mouth because of moisture going in? i think it is hard to measure! because i imagine a decrease of a already high value wouldn t be remarquable at all hm?
They should also send you a fresh one for free since you saved them business!
It only takes 11 breaths to blow my NeoAir Xlite regular up
Pump sacks are still the bomb-diggity.
Thanks for the sacrifice.
Any time!
Thermarest even States that they made these pads with anti mold fabrics. So that's why you don't see any mold. If you would do this to a cheaper pad you will definitely find a lot of mold
outdoor and bushcraft yes and no. I have seen a neo Air with mold in it from someone in a much more humid environment than where I live.
I can fix the bottom of that pad
Thank you for myth busting!
My xlite does have black discoloration inside the structure. Now I didn't cut it open but I can't imagine this being anything else other than mold.
I guess it's worth the question whether mold inside a sleeping bag is something that is supremely negative as long as it doesn't damage the underlying structure of the mattress.
But imo the conclusion of this video that the xlite cannot get moldy inside is simply too broad. Yours didn't get moldy but some simply do.
Baruch Meir my pad is just one sample of potential thousands. Basic statistics, so yes, likely that there are pads out there with mold growth inside.
@@BackcountryExposure hey thanks for the answer. Didn't want to appear condescending. Really love your videos! :)
Wow. You wanted to get a new pad because you thought it was moldy. Well....it was still too loud anyway. I wonder if the mold myth is more towards self inflating pads since they use foam. Thanks for throwing away your money for us to learn. :)
I hope you get enough views to buy a new pad :)
Mold needs moisture and food....I am not sure what the food source would be inside of a pad though ?
On_The Road bought a new pad a while back to replace this one. So not looking to replace it.
Good thing you'll make it back in ad revenue (hopefully)
Mech-E it’ll take a while... 🥴
Mold can be white, pink, orange....
I gave a like for the NARLY bacteria he put in his pad
I don't believe that, this pad is waaaaay to clean to be 8 years old.
I gave this a thumbs down because you MURDERED an innocent pad! Poor pad, it had a long life still in front of it! I've had mine maybe 4 or five years and love it so much I would never murder it. Just me. That is the best pad out there in my opinion. Did you at least give it a decent burial? Was taps played? So sad!
COAR OAS ah man! I had already decided I wasn’t going to be using the pad anymore since I have replaced it with a longer/wider pad. Yes I could have sold it, but I felt it would be beneficial to sacrifice the pad to share what others may not be willing to do.
I bought mine at least 4 to 5 years ago and I don't think any other pad compares to it. Funny thing is when I decided to go high end on the pad (I had two low end air pads that let me down on trips) so I thought I would get the Neo. I looked for a better price as it was around $150 at the time. I looked and campmoor had women's irregular for $99.99! I jumped on it. I never looked back, as that pad is sooo comfortable. Since it is a woman's, it has a slightly higher R value and it is literally my body length. I think it's maybe 5'11? I love that pad. The only thing that I would trade it for is the Xtherm.
The women’s version is the way to go!
Yup, a little lighter and a little warmer. It has a flower pattern and is more opaque than the male version. I can see through it to the Mylar. So I know there isn't any mold.
Thought you were going to destroy something valuable.