How to Inflate and Deflate an OGERY Sleeping Pad
OGERY's foot-pump pads don't need a separate pump or your lungs, but the valve has more than one setting, and that confuses people on the first night. This guide covers the two foot-pump pads OGERY makes: the Ultralight 6" Inflating Pad, which is all air, and the 3" Memory Foam Self-Inflating Pad, which is foam and air. They inflate differently but pack away the same way.
Which pad do you have?
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| Ultralight 6" Inflating Pad | 3" Memory Foam Self-Inflating Pad | |
|---|---|---|
| Inside | Air, with tubular air-belt support | High-density foam plus air |
| Fills by | Built-in foot pump | Foam expands on its own, then you top up with the foot pump |
| Built-in pillow | Yes | No |
| Valve | Dual-layer | Valve with a first layer that lets air out |
| Time to inflate | About 1 to 2 minutes, by OGERY's figure | Allow 20 to 30 minutes on the first use |
Before you start
Clear stones and sticks from under the pad, even inside a tent. Unroll it fully and lay it flat with the valve end where you can reach it.
Inflating the 6" air pad
- Open the valve.
- Step on the built-in foot pump at the foot end with a steady rhythm.
- Keep going until it's as firm as you like. OGERY says a single pad fills in about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Close both layers of the valve tightly. OGERY's dual-layer design is what stops overnight leaks, but only when both layers are sealed.
Lie down and check. If it's too firm, let a little air out and close the valve again.
Inflating the 3" foam pad
- Open the valve and leave the pad flat. The foam springs back and draws air in on its own.
- On the very first use, give it time. OGERY explains that the foam starts out tightly compressed and recommends leaving the valves open for 20 to 30 minutes. Use the foot pump to help it reach full loft. It's much faster on later trips.
- Top up with the foot pump until the firmness suits you.
- Close all valves securely.
Deflating and packing (both pads)
- Open the first layer of the valve to let the air out.
- Fold the pad lengthwise into thirds.
- Roll it tightly toward the valve, with the valve still open, so the last of the air escapes. On the 6" pad, that means starting at the foot pump end. Kneel on the roll as you go.
- Close the valve so air doesn't creep back in, then slide the roll into the storage bag.
If it won't fit in the bag, there's still air inside. Unroll it, open the valve and roll it again, tighter.
Small things that make a difference
- Pack it dry. If there's dew or condensation in the morning, wipe it off before rolling.
- At home, store it loosely rolled with the valve open, out of direct sun and heat, so the foam in the 3" pad keeps its spring.
- Sharing a tent? The 6" pad has snap buttons along the side, so two singles join into a double.
For how thickness changes packed size across the range, see self-inflating sleeping pad thickness and packed size. For cold-ground warmth, sleeping pad R-value explained covers what the numbers mean.
Prefer foam? The 3" Memory Foam Self-Inflating Pad and the rest of the range are on the Foam & Inflating Sleep Pads page.