Description
This is an alternative inflation/deflation valve system that closes and seals with a pressure-fit gasket instead of threads. The valves are made from red PVC, and in my test setup (pictured) I am able to stand on the inflated pillow without the valves leaking or popping open.
One nice feature of these valves is that a third valve closure can be modified and installed in your inflation bag so it plugs directly into your packraft with a perfect fit – no more messing around with hoses or trying to match the unusual thread size in a Boston valve.
When I first received these valves, I thought they might be too hard to operate to be useful in a packraft (the seal is quite tight), but once they are glued into the fabric they are much easier to open and close – simply pull on the tab to open and press in the domed center of the closure to close.
These valves might not be ideal in very cold (sub-freezing) temperatures, but for most applications they are a viable alternative to a Boston Valve. They have a lower profile, which makes rolling your packraft into a small bundle easier and makes them less likely to snag on things, and even though two separate valves are required to make a complete system, the pair together is lighter than a single Boston valve, at 21 grams (0.74 oz).
