How to Deflate a Sleeping Pad

Learn the fastest and most efficient way to deflate your sleeping pad at camp

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Save a few minutes of your day at the campsite by knowing how to properly deflate your camping sleeping pad. Once you open the air valve, don’t try to stuff the pad straight into your backpack. (It won’t fit, no matter how hard you try!) Don’t try to roll and compress it from the air valve side either, and certainly don’t try to squeeze the whole pad at once. To properly deflate your camping sleeping pad, compress and roll it from the opposite side of the air valve, kneeling on the pad to expel air as you go. Now you can fold it up, close the air valve, and fit it in your bag with ease.