Initial Report

INITIAL REPORT - FlexAir™ Pillows
Ralph Ditton
Review Date: 10th May, 2006

Personal Information
Name: Ralph Ditton
Age: 54
Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight: 79 kg (174 lb)
Email: rdassetts@optusnet.com.au
City: Perth, Western Australia.

Backpacking Background

I have been walking the Bibbulmun Track in sections over four years. My goal is to complete the 964 km (603 mi) and become an end to end walker. So far I have completed approximately two-thirds of the Track from North to South, and a quarter in the opposite direction. I have evolved from carrying a heavyweight load -- approximately 28 kg (62 lb) including food and water--to being a midweight backpacker, averaging 18 kg (38 lb) at the start of a trip. My trips are usually between three to five days duration.

Product Information
Manufacturer: FlexAir.
URL: http://www.flexair.com/
Year of Manufacturer: Not stated.
Made in: China.
Models: Standard: 267 mm x 368 mm (10.5 in x 14.5 in).
Airline: 318 mm x 483 mm (12.5 in x 19 in).
Dual compartment Spa Essentials: 483 mm x 318 mm (19 in x 12.5 in).
Material: Non woven flocked synthetic with Polythene interior.
Colour: White.
MSRP: US $24.88 for a case of 50 (Standard).
: US $30.05 for a case of 50 (Airline).
: US $2 each approximately for campers when brought singly. (Size not stated).
: Not stated for Spa Essentials which come in a 6 bag or a 10 bag lot.

standard pillow
My Measurements
Models: Standard: 360 mm x 260 mm (14.2 in x 10.2 in). Weight (incl. straw): 21 g (0.74 oz).
Airline: 475 mm x 310 mm ( 18.7 in x 12.2 in). Weight (incl. straw): 26 g (0.92 oz).
Double compartment: 468 mm x 316 mm (18.4 in x 12.5 in). Weight ( incl. straw): 33 g (1.16 oz).
Length of straw: 203 mm (8 in).

Comment on measurements
My measurements were taken from the edge, past the weld line which is approximately 10 mm (0.4 in) in from the edge. All measurements were taken with the pillows fully deflated.
The weights were done on the scales of my local Post Office.
There are two versions of sticky labels attaching the straw to the pillow containing instructions on how to inflate/deflate the pillow.

instructions on inflating/deflating

sticky label with inflate/deflate instructions

Expectations from the Web site
The various web sites under the umbrella of Little Rapids Corporation do not give a large clear picture of the pillows. There is a smallish picture of two of the pillows. One is blank and the other gas "Print your logo here". Delving further into the web page by clicking on the "Medical and Beauty" link, I followed the prompts and I got a general idea from enlarging the picture of Code Name 51038 FlexAir 150.
The manufacturer's web site has the following to say about Code Name 51038 FlexAir 150:

A convenient elevation tool that provides instant support
Inflates in seconds for immediate use as a support to position head, arms, legs or other body areas
Adjustable valve allows pillow to easily be inflated or deflated as adjustments are needed
Available in 2 versatile sizes that stores flat: 50 pillows = 4 inches (102 mm)
Cost-effective alternative to bulky pillows and pillowcases
Durable poly interior with comfortable non woven exterior
White
19" x 12.5" (483 mm x 318 mm)

I could see that the pillow could also be used as a support for a limb in a medical situation due to its small size compared to a pillow used in a bed to sleep on.
The pillow does indeed inflate in a matter of seconds. After six deep puffs, the pillow was fully inflated. The deflation was just as easy, although I needed a flat surface to make the expelling of air easier.
What I saw on the web site is what I expected.

Initial Impressions

When I removed the pillows from the envelope I was surprised to see a straw attached by way of a sticker to each of the pillows. I did not give any thought as to how to inflate the pillows. I waited on the post for them to arrive from another tester who was unable to complete the test so I had no details of the web site to explore before their arrival. Going to the web site I found a mention of straws. It is under "Pillow instructions". By clicking on this title the instructions mention a straw.
The tab where I had to insert the straw was a bit difficult to spread open to insert the straw. The two sides of the tabs being plastic wanted to stick together.
Inserting the straw between the plastic tabs after they were opened was very easy. There appears to be a funnel effect on the straw. When I insert the straw say, at the top or bottom of the tab, the end of the inserted straw slides to the centre.
When I withdrew the straw, the air valve self sealed. The valve is flat and I could not detect it.
There is no odour present which is pleasing. Plastic can sometimes have an unpleasant smell.
Rubbing the non- woven synthetic fabric surface of the pillow against my face revealed that it is not rough on my skin and did not want to catch on my beard.

I blew up a pillow to find out how it felt to rest my head on. At full inflation the pillow was too hard for any comfort that I was looking for, so I deflated the pillow in stages to find the happy medium. For me, the pillow is best at three and a half deep puffs.
One thing I did become aware of and my wife also commented on was that the pillow was very noisy when I moved my head around on the surface. The noise was crinkly, like when I handle a crispy potato chip packet. The noise was amplified during a still night when I tried it out.
Due to the mild criticism that I received from my wife, the pillow is definitely not conducive to being used amongst other sleepers.
When I am out in the field, it will be used in my one man tent well away from other sleepers.

I have not tested the model with the dual compartments. It looks interesting. As I surmise it is the Spa Essentials dual compartment pillow, I will try it length ways so that my head and neck rest in the groove with the inflated chambers resting on either side of my face, especially when sleeping on my back. In addition, I will also try it with the groove horizontal for comparison.

Product Description
The FlexAir Pillow is inflatable and adjustable with the amount of air desired and disposable when it becomes damaged or dirty from body oils. When it is deflated, the pillow can be folded or rolled and takes up very little space. There is minimal weight, ranging from 21 g to 33 g (0.74 oz to 1.16 oz).
A straw is provided to inflate the pillow or it can be inflated by using the mouth. To deflate, insert the straw or any other long, sturdy and thin object such as a full size pencil, between the tabs to break the seal.
The small and larger pillows are a one air chamber unit, whereas the Spa Essentials is a dual chamber unit that has to have each chamber inflated/deflated separately.

Testing
When I am out in the field over the next four months which will be Autumn and Winter I will examine and test for the following:

Will the surface of the pillow be cold on my face or will I have to wrap it in clothing?
Conversely, will the surface of the pillow become hot and moist from my head perspiration thereby creating a clammy environment?
Will my head rest comfortably on the pillow or will it tend to roll off?
As I normally have a high pillow at home and I am predominately a side sleeper, will I find that the maximum height that I can use without my head slipping off, be high enough for my comfort?
Will the pillow slide around on my self-inflating mat when I am trying to sleep on it?
How many nights will I be able to achieve before the pillow needs to be retired just through regular nighttime use?
Will the crinkly noise irritate me when I am trying to get to sleep?
Will there be any failure of the seams and/or valve?
Will high humidity and fog make the fabric damp and unpleasant to sleep on?
Will the air inside the pillow become like a freeze block as the night temperatures will drop to -5 C (23 F)?

In addition, I will report on any other aspects that may arise during the course of the test.
Thank you FlexAir and BGT for the opportunity to test this innovative product.

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