Flextail Zero Pump: Tested
At Aus Geo ADVENTURE, we’re often bombarded with the latest and greatest outdoor kit. Some emails make us laugh, others groan, and many are promptly discarded. But occasionally, a product catches our attention just enough to land in our “must check this out” folder. That was the case when Flextail hit the web with bold claims that their flashlight-sized pumps could do everything from blowing up an air mattress to inflating a car tyre. Naturally, we were sceptical. We debated it on the trails, argued about it in the pub, and finally decided to put the speculation to rest. Armed with a Flextail Zero, we headed into the backcountry to see if this tiny pump could deliver effortless sleeping-mat inflation or if it was just another gadget destined to run out of juice at the worst possible moment.
Design
The Flextail Zero Pump is a compact 25mm x 75mm, 58-gram micro-pump that leverages Flextail’s proprietary AIRVORTECH™ Technology 2.0 to deliver 180 litres per minute at 2.5kpa. In simpler terms, it’s a lightweight, snack-sized aluminium pump designed for inflating and deflating camp mats and pillows (but don’t expect it to fill your bike tyre; there’s a bike-specific model for that).
While the unit itself weighs a featherlight 34 grams, I’ve learned that battery-powered devices, without a battery, are about as useful as a compass without a needle. Once you pop in the included 3.7V / 650mAh rechargeable CR123A battery (conveniently equipped with a USB-C port), the weight rises to 48g. Add a rubber nozzle, and you’re looking at a still laughably light 58g.
On a full charge, the Flextail Zero emits a quite acceptable 68dB and can inflate a standard sleeping pad in less than a minute. With a running time of up to 25 minutes, it’s capable of inflating a regular camp mat 20 to 25 times before needing a recharge. The package includes the pump, rechargeable battery, a USB A to C cable, a lanyard, and six different nozzles for various sleeping pads.
In the field
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. Before heading into the backcountry, I debated: “Do I need another gadget weighing down my pack, especially when my trusty ‘non-battery-powered’ pump sack already gets the job done?” After much pondering, it hit me – the Flextail Zero is lighter and more compact than the 58g pump sack supplied with my sleeping pad. So, with a backup lungful of air just in case, I tossed the Flextail in the lid of my pack and got ready to hit the trails… well, snow.
On setting up a winter camp below Mount Twynham in Kosciusko National Park, it quickly became apparent that the hype surrounding Flextail Zero’s ease of use is not unfounded. This thing is tiny but mighty. Sorting my bed was as easy as unrolling my pad, plugging in the pump, and double-clicking the power button. (Why double-click? So it doesn’t turn on in your pack) 58.7 seconds later (Yes, I timed it), the Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions Mummy pad I had was fully inflated inside my tent. At first, I wondered if the super-thin aluminium body of the Zero would survive multiple ski/split-touring trips, but after several weeks and a few camps struck and reset, this tiny champ didn’t even flinch. It handled two of my buddies’ pads, and my own pad, all multiple times, and always in under a minute. As for the nozzles, it comes with a bunch of rubber ones to fit most pads, but I stuck with the one that matched the Nemo Tensor I was evaluating at the time. Fortunately, the same nozzle worked for my friend’s older Therm-a-Rest, so we all won.
It doesn’t just stop at inflation, however. The Flextail Zero also serves as a vacuum, which I didn’t think would be very useful… until I was stuffing my sleeping bag while the little “Zero buzz box” sucked all the remaining air out of my sleeping pad. Genius. While it is only IPX4 water resistant, the Zero performed remarkably well in wet snow conditions, but I kept it tucked away from anything wetter than that.
Of course, no product is perfect. The biggest downside? The sound. It’s not super loud, but its high-pitched whine is less than ideal when trying to enjoy a sunset over the mountains. It’s over in under a minute, so I can live with it. And while the battery life is solid for short trips, a battery level indicator would be excellent, and longer adventures will need a recharge. Thankfully, it charges just fine from a power bank, so it plays nice with solar setups.
The final word on the Flextail Zero Pump
The Flextail Zero Pump is a well-designed and practical tool for hikers, campers, and anyone looking to save some breath with a small but capable air pump. It’s not for the toothbrush-trimming ultralight brigade, who rely solely on their lungs, but its portability, multi-functionality, and impressive power will make it an excellent addition to many people’s outdoor kit. Though it may not be the quietest tool in your pack, its convenience far outweighs its minor drawbacks.
RRP: $89.95
See Flextail for more info on the Zero Pump and other pumps in the Flextail range.
