+1 on the extra thick version
+1 on tie holes in the corners

I just got a hole punch, valves and some very interesting material for internal baffles. The material is 52g a square yard and looks like it stick just fine. I'm in the process of testing it.

additional material? extra thick? toggles? That sounds like extra weight. ;)

Haven't even started selling them yet and already suffering from feature creep. sad:)

-Tim

Features like holes in the corners is for weight savings of course ;)

Corner Tie-holes are very important so that if you have a Montbell sleeping pad (which have toggles at the corners), you can attach the pillow securely to the top of the Montbell Sleeping pad, to either be on top or above the sleeping pad. It is 1,000 times better having that pillow stay secure in place than otherwise. I have given up on Thermarest pads because they lack these corner toggles. I prefer the Montbell 5 foot long sleeping pad (at 16 oz) versus the 11 oz NeoAir pad (without toggles). I have a Montbell pillow which is about 2.4 oz and it has the corner tie holes. The proposed pillow, if it is the same size as the Montbell pillow, with tie-holes will save me an ounce and I'd be interested in it, provided it holds up as well as the Montbell pillow. The fabric in the Montbell pillow feels nice to the skin and I don't need a cover. I hope the inventor buys a Montbell pillow to compare his fabric feel and corner holes and size to that of the Montbell pillow.

Check it out! You may notice the baffles are slightly closer together. This helps stabilize and cradle your head even better. I don't use tie downs but they are no problem to add. Again weight is coming in at 1.3 ounces.

Edited by Bender on 10/20/2009 15:13:46 MDT.

WOW. I think I'm in love ;)

Yeah right! Like a typical gear head, love for the nine hundred and thirty second time!

Even though it saves weight, I don't think you need holes and grommets on the side with the valve. And wouldn't the pillow need to be 20" to match up with the pad?

Edited by skinewmexico on 10/20/2009 15:32:53 MDT.

Man, these look sweet! I'm ready to get 2! Can't wait for you to release them.

George is watching you :)

Looks great. Good work.

Do you think it really needs the type of valve you have? Not that its not a very fine valve or anything ;)

What about a "soft valve" that is basically a tail of material that you clamp with a small clip after rolling it a little. Sort of like a waterproof stuff sack.

Or, what about using a small section of flexible tubing and a simple friction fit stopper?

Or, maybe use a very small pill bottle or other plastic bottle with a screw top. Cut the bottom off and glue in like you are already doing.

Or, hit the toy store and find a small rubber blow up toy with a high quality push plug nipple and glue it in a hole from behind....

I have been trying without any luck to find a nice valve like this in bulk pricing. I like some of your ideas so I may play around. The current valve is 5.2g. I may be able to cut that a bit but only if it is totally reliable. I have found that rolling a corner does not provide a perfect seal.

Edited by Bender on 10/20/2009 21:34:03 MDT.

OK, Bender, first off, great work - this is turning into a nice product. Now, what about those of us who are crazy and want it even lighter? I'm just throwing this out there...what about a triangle to save the weight of the top 2 corners which will not be used. Then the valve located right at the top...it would look almost like the top section of a mummy pad.

Something like this (program isn't really designed to model pillows, but you get the idea right..). You can add your toggle holes on the bottom 2 corners.

Edited by Steve_Evans on 10/21/2009 10:57:54 MDT.

Here is a mini version that style at 16.6g and 5.2g of that is the valve. Dimensions are 2.7" thick and 8.5" wide. From the dimensions it doesn't sound that small but trust me it is. I skipped the tie downs on this one.

Edited by Bender on 10/21/2009 12:43:17 MDT.

Erm, so when do these go on sale??? I want one!!! ;-)

I'll give you $20 for it! And I'll 'review' it for use in my hammock!

James I just need to finish up my website and get a few more items in stock. I'm going to have a few regularly stocked items and also an option for custom work. I have fun making the custom stuff but it can be time consuming. I am very meticulous and I think its starting to show now that I have the right equipment.

I have the perfect idea for a valve. It will look absolutely professional and should weigh even less. It wont be good for large volume items like sleeping pads but a pillow is no problem. I'll keep you all posted. Anyway here is the little 16.6g guy all rolled up.


The palm reader said there was a pillow in my future?

Edited by Bender on 10/21/2009 13:09:47 MDT.

I compared your pillow's dimensions to that of the Montbell's 2.4 oz pillow:

your pillow: 3.5" x 07.5" x 12.0"
your weight: 1.3 oz
cubic inches: 315
per cubic inch weight: 0.004126984

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=33&p_id=1124290

montbell's: 3.9" x 10.6" x 18.5"
montbell wt: 2.4 oz
cubic inches: 764.79
per cubic inch weight: 0.003138116

montbell is lighter per cubic inch by:
23.961027 percent

I doubt if it is due to fabric difference, it might be per overhead items like valve -- wonder what else.

But Montbell's (I do own one and enjoy it) is only one size, and one shape. I like Bender's work!!!!