I recently picked up an Exped Schnozzle Pumpbag for my Synmat UL 7. After a few snow camping trips this year, I had too much unwanted condensation inside the mat after inflating it. In addition, it can be a (small) pain to inflate it at elevation. The new UL Downmat comes with a pumpbag, but the UL Synmat does not. I'm quite impressed with it, especially the multi-use functionality. Anybody else have experience with the Schnozzel? Isn't it fun just to say the word schnozzel?

I didn't realize how big the bag actually is. With a roll top closure, it's a perfect size for a pack liner, and at 2.25oz. nearly the same weight as a trash compactor bag.

Loaded with a sleeping bag, long underwear, down jacket, socks, hat, etc.:


Inside an Ohm, not fully compressed:


Fully compressed in the Ohm:

And to top it all off, it's a great pillow, much better than my previous inflatable pillow because you can really control the size of it:

You could line it with an OPSAK and it would make a great food storage bag as well.

Edited by Tomlike on 04/17/2012 22:01:47 MDT.

I just picked one up for pretty much the same reasons, and am likewise impressed with it! Using it for protecting sleeping bag, etc, is exactly the same secondary use I thought of. Pillow? Great - but what are you filling it with? Mike C!'s inflated sandwich baggies? (Assuming all clothes worn on a cold night)

How was the UL Synmat in the snow? Warm enough?

Cheers!

Edited by grampa on 04/17/2012 22:22:35 MDT.

It's inflated with...air! I just filled it up with air, as you would for inflating the mat, roll up and close the top, then you can control the size of it with the valve. Wrap a jacket around it to keep its shape and instant pillow. I used a torso length Z-Lite with the Synmat and was plenty comfortable in mildly cold temps (upper 20's, 20deg. bag).

Edited by Tomlike on 04/17/2012 22:32:37 MDT.

I just ordered one tonight. Can't wait to use it with my Synmat UL! Also will get the adapter to use with my Downmat for winter camping fun!

Rick

Rick - where did you find the adapter? Having picked up the schnozzel at REI last week for my Synmat UL7 LW, I realized that the flatvalve adapter was needed for my integrated pump Downmat 7. No sign of that at any of my local retail Exped dealers.

Oh and agreed, the schnozzel is massive. It takes just three, or maybe three and a bit bags (if I'm careless) to inflate the LW pad.

I haven't actually ordered the adapter yet, I'll wait until the fall when I start using my downmat again. I found it at a few places online, but backcountry.com has it for 9.95, and they also have a 15% coupon for the next two days.

Rick

Tommy, do you mean that you just filled it with air, rolled and closed it, and it remained inflated all night? That's amazing. I never would have imagined that a lightweight rolltop seal could be so airtight.

I had been toying with the idea of ordering one of these bags but hadn't yet pulled the trigger until I saw this thread. Just ordered one and am excited to try it out with my Synmat 7.

I just saw the video for the pumpbag yesterday, and I'm incredibly impressed. My first thought was, "How can I muyog one of those for my BA IAC?" But doesn't BA make a pumpbag as well? How does it compare to the exped?

What kind of fabric is the pumpbag made from? Does it hold air for the whole night when used as a pillow?

BM

The BA pumpbag is about a third to a fourth the size of the Exped one - much smaller. It's fitting works with "outie" valves - like on the ThermaRest. The Exped fitting works with the "innie" Exped fittings. (Or at least the Synmat UL ones!)

@ Tommy: I'm amazed and cheered that the bag holds air overnight! That's excellent! Thanks so much for the report!

Edited by grampa on 04/18/2012 12:33:56 MDT.

The Schnozzle looks really nice, I would get one but I already use a pillow pump.

I also bought the pumpbag at the recent REI 20% off coupon sale and used the bag a couple of weeks ago for a backpacking trip. I was thrilled how easy and fast it was to inflate my Synmat UL7. I also used it as a semi-compression sack/waterproof protection for my sleeping bag and night clothes. Never occurred to me to use it as a pillow. Will try that on my next trip! It's also large enough to stuff everything inside it and use it as an internal waterproof bag inside my ULA Circuit. Won't have to take a pack cover now. Love those multiple use items....

Did anyone notice that the little envelope the schnozzle pumpbag came in would make a great map case?

Clear plastic, hemmed edges, top zipper! It's not waterproof, but otherwise would be an excellent map case! Free with your schnozzle pumpbag!

Will this work with a NeoAir?

No, sorry. The Exped pad valve is an "innie", and the NeoAir is an "outie". They don't play well together!

I have both UL and regular Downmat..
So the Schnozzle doesn't work on the hand-pump of the built-in-downmat pump. BUT it works on the deflation valve once you remove the little rubber gasket that prevents air intake. It is quite easy, just gently pull it out. inflate, close valve cap. Use hand pump if it needs a pump or two extra.

I found it very easy to put the little rubber flap-gasket back into the deflation valve as well. Couldn't see bothering with another 'piece' to make the shnozzle adapt when there is already a compatible valve on the old downmats.

My Schnozzle pumpbag arrived today and I gave it a quick test. Took less than 2 bagfuls of air to inflate my Synmat 7.5 basic. Very easy to both fill the pumpbag and fill the synmat. Using the foot loop with the 2nd filling of the pumpbag made it a bit easier to push the air into the mat. So far, looks like a very good purchase.

Thanks for the post.

2 or 3 bagful of air to inflate a pad is insane. With my BA pumphouse, I usually need around 15 pumps to inflate my BA dual core.

I wish Schnozzle had an adapter for BA pads.

Mine arrived today too, will test it out this weekend and see how well it works!! It looks like it'll work out great!
Rick