Thermarest Valve Repair

Many campers and backpackers use Thermarest mattresses to sleep on. Because they self-inflate, you don't have to carry an air pump. Cascade Designs, the manufacturer, uses plastic valves, which can break or get jammed with grit and deform. Luckily, that doesn't happen often, but you can be prepared for such an occasion with a Thermarest valve repair kit, which includes a new valve and glue. With a few tools, the repair goes quickly.

Things You'll Need

  • Pliers or multi-tool
  • Stove
  • Pot
  • Thermarest valve repair kit
  • Spoon
  • Water
  • Knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Grip the old valve of your Thermarest mattress with a pair of pliers and pull it out. Because it's glued in, you need to break the bond. Twist the valve back and forth to do that.

    • 2

      Boil a pot of water on your stove. Drop in the glue pack that came with the repair kit and boil it for three minutes. Remove the glue pack from the boiling water with a spoon.

    • 3

      Open the glue pack and spread the glue over the new valve stem. Work quickly because the glue begins to harden once it's removed from the water. You have about one minute in 20 degrees F.

    • 4

      Push the new valve into the hole that the old one came out of as far as it will go.

    • 5

      Let the glue set for 10 minutes before trimming away any excess glue with a knife.