"Reviving" a Thermarest?

Bronco638 · 02-27-2013, 12:53 PM

A friend of my wife's offered us her old Thermarest sleeping pad. Her parents run an outdoor/camping/army surplus store in central Illinois so I figured she would have stored it 'properly' (unrolled) all these years. Sadly, she did not. It's been rolled up for at least 10 years, if not longer.

At this point, will it "come back to life" if I unroll it, inflate it and let it sit like that for a few months (until I plan to use it, this Summer)?

Or, is it shot?

TIA, Dave.

SloMo228 · 02-27-2013, 01:04 PM

I have never left a Thermarest rolled up nearly that long but I have had them bounce right back after being rolled up for 6 months to a year. Give it a shot, I guess. Worst case is that it's shot, but I would imagine that it will come back at least most of the way.

It might help to add a couple breaths into the valve to inflate it a little extra.

wavygravy87 · 02-27-2013, 08:47 PM

As long as it aint been bakin in the sun it should be alright. Just unroll it and blow it up tight with lung power and let her chill out overnight. Open the valve the next day and let the moisture from your breath dry out. I store mine unrolled with the valve open. They can get funky if filled by mouth and left closed for a while.

Bronco638 · 02-28-2013, 08:34 AM

It's been stored indoors (in her camping equipment, I would guess) based on the fact that the stuff sack is the exact same color as the mattress itself. I would think that the stuff sack would be somewhat sun bleached if it had been exposed to light all these years.

I'll unroll/inflate it and see what happens. Thanks for the feedback.

kruzuki · 02-28-2013, 10:18 AM

I have 3 Thermarests.

They come rolled up from the factory tighter than you could ever get them! And who knows how long they have been sitting like that in the store.

ParaMud · 02-28-2013, 10:30 AM

I have 2 therma rests in the garage that have been rolled up for 20 years. No problem. They even still hold air.

Bronco638 · 03-01-2013, 08:30 AM

Hmm, well, OK then. I feel better about my 'freebie' now.

Thanks All.

erda · 03-01-2013, 04:35 PM

If you have a problem with it, Thermarest stands behind their products and will take care of you.

02-27-2013, 12:53 PM	#1
Bronco638 ^OP Nobody Home Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Itasca, IL Oddometer: 2,902	"Reviving" a Thermarest? A friend of my wife's offered us her old Thermarest sleeping pad. Her parents run an outdoor/camping/army surplus store in central Illinois so I figured she would have stored it 'properly' (unrolled) all these years. Sadly, she did not. It's been rolled up for at least 10 years, if not longer. At this point, will it "come back to life" if I unroll it, inflate it and let it sit like that for a few months (until I plan to use it, this Summer)? Or, is it shot? TIA, Dave. __________________ There are some simple thruths......and dogs know what they are - Joseph Duemer Andy holds the lead. And he will, all the way to the Highway. Today is his day.

02-27-2013, 01:04 PM	#2
SloMo228 World Class Cheapass Joined: Sep 2012 Location: SE Michigan Oddometer: 258	I have never left a Thermarest rolled up nearly that long but I have had them bounce right back after being rolled up for 6 months to a year. Give it a shot, I guess. Worst case is that it's shot, but I would imagine that it will come back at least most of the way. It might help to add a couple breaths into the valve to inflate it a little extra. __________________ - Steve GL1000 x2 GL1500 DR350

02-27-2013, 08:47 PM	#3
wavygravy87 Adventurer Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Decatur, Abalabamala Oddometer: 55	It's prolly good As long as it aint been bakin in the sun it should be alright. Just unroll it and blow it up tight with lung power and let her chill out overnight. Open the valve the next day and let the moisture from your breath dry out. I store mine unrolled with the valve open. They can get funky if filled by mouth and left closed for a while. __________________ Current ride: 2009 Black DR 650 Dream ride: 2009 White DR 650

02-28-2013, 08:34 AM	#4
Bronco638 ^OP Nobody Home Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Itasca, IL Oddometer: 2,902	It's been stored indoors (in her camping equipment, I would guess) based on the fact that the stuff sack is the exact same color as the mattress itself. I would think that the stuff sack would be somewhat sun bleached if it had been exposed to light all these years. I'll unroll/inflate it and see what happens. Thanks for the feedback. __________________ There are some simple thruths......and dogs know what they are - Joseph Duemer Andy holds the lead. And he will, all the way to the Highway. Today is his day.

02-28-2013, 10:18 AM	#5
kruzuki Studly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: I'm Thorny! Thornhill ON and Thornbury, ON Oddometer: 676	I have 3 Thermarests. They come rolled up from the factory tighter than you could ever get them! And who knows how long they have been sitting like that in the store. __________________ I'm allergic to asphalt, whenever I touch it I get a rash.

02-28-2013, 10:30 AM	#6
ParaMud Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Orange, CA Oddometer: 444	I have 2 therma rests in the garage that have been rolled up for 20 years. No problem. They even still hold air. __________________ 04 KLR 650 07 KLR 650 06 sv650s 07 Ducati Monster

03-01-2013, 08:30 AM	#7
Bronco638 ^OP Nobody Home Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Itasca, IL Oddometer: 2,902	Hmm, well, OK then. I feel better about my 'freebie' now. Thanks All. __________________ There are some simple thruths......and dogs know what they are - Joseph Duemer Andy holds the lead. And he will, all the way to the Highway. Today is his day.

03-01-2013, 04:35 PM	#8
erda Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Great White North, EH! Oddometer: 181	If you have a problem with it, Thermarest stands behind their products and will take care of you. __________________ Current ride: 2009 Bandit 1250SEA Previous rides: 2009 V-Strom 650SEA; 2004 Kawasaki Ninja 500ex

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