The Alpenblow Micro Inflator is an ultralight device for inflating air mattresses that weighs 8.1 grams (0.3 oz). That’s not a typo. It doesn’t have a very powerful motor, so it can’t inflate a huge heavy sleeping pad like an Exped Megamat, but it is more than adequate for inflating the air mattresses that backpackers use. For example, I’ve tested it out on the NEMO Tensor Elite, the Exped Ultra 5R, the Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm NXT Max, and the Sea-to-Summit Etherlite XT Insulated and it inflates all of them with ease. You still have to top off the pad with a few breathes at the end, but not having to blow it up from scratch or wrestle with an inflation sack is a relief after a hard day of hiking.

• Weight: 8.1g
• Power: 2.0 W
• Energy: 18 mAh at 5V
• Expected Lifetime: 30,000 hrs
• Pad Adapters: NEMO, Therm-a-Rest, Exped, Big Agnes, Sea-to-Summit

The Alpenblow is a tiny battery powered fan that comes with adapters that fit different sleeping pad valves. It doesn’t have an onboard battery or even an on-off switch, which is why its so lightweight. It has a USB-C port so it can be powered with a power bank which most backpackers carry these days to recharge their phones, headlamps, or satellite messengers.

Pad adapters are required for different sleeping pad valves

You simply plug in a USB-C connector and it’ll run until you unplug in. Inflation times will vary depending on the size of your pad, but it only takes a few minutes to inflate most pads. There’s a table of inflation times for different pads at https://www.alpenglowgear.co/pump-performance and if you submit a time for your pad, you get 20% off coupon!

If you’ve stepped away during the inflation process, no worries. The fan isn’t powerful enough to over inflate your pad or cause it to burst. While the fan will keep running as long as it has power, the air flow with reverse direction and flow out the back of the unit.

Inflating a Therm-Rest NeoAir Xtherm NXT Max with the Alpenblow Micro-Inflator

The Alpenblow comes with four sleeping pad adapters out of the box the are compatible with NEMO Layflow, Big Agnes, Exped, Sea-to-Summit, and Therm-a-Rest Winglock valves. An additional adapter pack is available for Legacy Therm-a-Rest, Legacy NEMO, and Klymit air mattresses. The only downside to this approach is that the adapters are easy to lose although it helps that they are colored hot pink!

While the Alpenblow is a neat and useful gizmo, one of the things I appreciate the most about it is that it does NOT have a built-in battery. Most backpackers carry a backup battery today (which is seldom drained completely) so having yet another device with its own battery would have added unnecessary weight. Clever.

Disclosure: Alpenglow donated an Alpenblow for review.

SectionHiker never accepts payment for gear reviews or editorial coverage. When you buy through affiliate links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Help us continue to test and write unsponsored and independent gear reviews, hiking and backpacking FAQs, and free hiking guides.