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Between stuff like this and the prototype NBA basketball, seems like fabrication techniques are getting us slowly to the point that inflatable-anything of all s

Between stuff like this and the prototype NBA basketball, seems like fabrication techniques are getting us slowly to the point that inflatable-anything of all sorts will be things of the past, no?

zwieback 3y ago
It's headed that way, I recently bought a "self inflating" air mattress for camping and I love it. Basically memory-foam, still has air pockets but no pump needed.
- swader999 3y ago
  Nice, avoids the dreaded four day hike with a popped camping pad.
  - dredmorbius 3y ago
    "Self inflating" means that the mattress will expand (and draw in air) without a pump or use of your lungs. Lie on it with a puncture, however, and it will still go flat. Containing the air is still required to provide support.
    - swader999 3y ago
      So not like the space tire. Noted.
- tokai 3y ago
  Self inflating mattresses are over 20 year old tech.
  - rootusrootus 3y ago
    Not only that, but in my experience they usually kinda suck. They are super thin, and with age they start to take quite a while to inflate. For the tiny amount of air in the pad, you could fill it with your lungs in a few breaths at most. I've been happier with non-foam inflatables that roll up much more compactly, and blow up to be two or three times thicker.
    - wil421 3y ago
      My experience is similar to yours. I had to start blowing air or sucking air out of the “self inflating” port to sleep or pack the mattress/pillow.
      - zwieback 3y ago
        Ok, now I'm sad! I hope the one I bought recently is a bit better than the old ones you guys tried, we'll see. I've only used it a handful of times so far.
    - LargoLasskhyfv 3y ago
      Therm-a-rest stood my test. How often did you use it, or rather, how did you store it? I've put mine to the side of the some wall, inflated, not rolled up. Used heavily every few weeks or months for a few days from about 2008 to 2014, after that only about two times a year for a few days. Can't complain.

Between stuff like this and the prototype NBA basketball, seems like fabrication techniques are getting us slowly to the point that inflatable-anything of all sorts will be things of the past, no?

zwieback 3y ago

It's headed that way, I recently bought a "self inflating" air mattress for camping and I love it. Basically memory-foam, still has air pockets but no pump needed.

swader999 3y ago
Nice, avoids the dreaded four day hike with a popped camping pad.
- dredmorbius 3y ago
  "Self inflating" means that the mattress will expand (and draw in air) without a pump or use of your lungs. Lie on it with a puncture, however, and it will still go flat. Containing the air is still required to provide support.
  - swader999 3y ago
    So not like the space tire. Noted.
tokai 3y ago
Self inflating mattresses are over 20 year old tech.
- rootusrootus 3y ago
  Not only that, but in my experience they usually kinda suck. They are super thin, and with age they start to take quite a while to inflate. For the tiny amount of air in the pad, you could fill it with your lungs in a few breaths at most. I've been happier with non-foam inflatables that roll up much more compactly, and blow up to be two or three times thicker.
  - wil421 3y ago
    My experience is similar to yours. I had to start blowing air or sucking air out of the “self inflating” port to sleep or pack the mattress/pillow.
    - zwieback 3y ago
      Ok, now I'm sad! I hope the one I bought recently is a bit better than the old ones you guys tried, we'll see. I've only used it a handful of times so far.
  - LargoLasskhyfv 3y ago
    Therm-a-rest stood my test. How often did you use it, or rather, how did you store it? I've put mine to the side of the some wall, inflated, not rolled up. Used heavily every few weeks or months for a few days from about 2008 to 2014, after that only about two times a year for a few days. Can't complain.