Giga Pump 2.0 | Micro Review

The Basics

Weight: 3 oz (pump only) 

3.75 oz (with attachments and bag)

Capacity: 1300 mAh 

Materials: Primarily plastic. 

Contains lithium ion battery.

Special features: Multi-functional, three  light settings, rechargeable battery, and compact design. 

Price Range: $30 to $35

Find it on Amazon

Overview

While the Giga Pump 2.0 may seem like a luxury item to some, it will save you plenty of  time and effort when it comes to camp chores. Well worth the extra 3 ounces in my opinion. Instead of filling and refilling a pump sack over and over to inflate your sleeping pad, just hook up the Giga Pump, sit back, and let it do the work for you. It comes with 5 attachments: 4 nozzles for inflating and 1 for deflating/vacuum sealing. A drawstring  carrying bag is included too.  As if taking some of the work out of setting up camp wasn't enough, it can also serve as a lantern with three light settings. On the top of the pump is a small detachable handle that can be hooked to the gear loft loops integrated into most tents. Over all, the Giga Pump 2.0 is a great investment for backpackers interested in adding a helpful gadget to their camp chore routine without adding a hefty weight penalty. 

Pros

• Lightweight and compact. Depending on your gear, it can easily fit in the stuff sack with a sleeping bag or pad. 

• Built in light has three modes: low - 40 lumens, medium - 160 lumens, and high - 400 lumens.  I rarely use the high setting. Low offers plenty of light while getting tucked into the tent at night.

• Handle at the top easily attaches to gear loft loops. No need to fumble around the tent while awkwardly holding your headlamp. 

• Long battery life. I typically use this on three day trips, and it lasts the whole trip without needing a recharge. According to the product description, you can get about 10 hours of light on the lowest setting. 

Cons

• Nozzle attachments can detach from the port while in use. It helps to position the pump on its side between the baffles of the sleeping pad. 

• Inflation ports on sleeping pads vary by brand. So, finding a nozzle with a perfect fit may be a problem. Thankfully the silicon suction cup nozzle is very versatile. I've found it to be the best one when inflating my Nemo Tensor.