Air Track Pumps and Inflation Guide
Quick answer: inflate an air track to 40 to 100 mbar (about 0.6 to 1.5 PSI), set by feel: softer for learning new skills and firmer for power tumbling. Don't go above 150 mbar (about 2.2 PSI) on a Powertrain air track. Air tracks use the standard SUP valve, so any stand-up paddleboard pump fits, and an electric pump inflates a 5m track in about 2 to 3 minutes.
Need an air track or a pump? Shop air track mats: every Powertrain air track can be ordered with an optional pump on its product page. You can also browse our air track pumps.
Air tracks can be inflated with a foot pump, a hand pump or an electric pump. Which one suits you depends on the size of your mat and whether you'll have power where you train. Larger mats and air barrels are quickest with an electric pump, but at a park or the beach without power you'll need a hand or foot pump.
How to inflate an air track, step by step
- Unroll the track on a clean, flat surface, away from anything sharp.
- Open the valve cap. Check the pin in the centre of the SUP valve is in the up (closed) position, so air goes in but can't escape. If it's down, press it and turn it to pop it up.
- Push the pump hose onto the valve and twist it to lock it in place.
- Pump until the track feels right: press it with your hand and stand on it to check. Most people use 40 to 100 mbar.
- Twist the hose off and screw the valve cap back on.
To deflate, open the cap and press the pin down and turn it to lock it open, or run an electric pump in reverse. Then roll the track up from the end opposite the valve.
How much should I inflate my air track?
Air tracks use the same valve as inflatable stand-up paddle boards (iSUPs), so the same pumps fit both. The pressure is very different, though. A paddle board is pumped as firm as possible, while an air track needs some spring and softness for bounce and impact protection.
Air pressure is measured in mbar (millibar) or PSI (pounds per square inch). Most pump gauges are made for paddle boards, which run at 10 to 15 PSI (700 to 1,000 mbar). An air track usually runs at 40 to 100 mbar (about 0.6 to 1.5 PSI), which is too low to register on many gauges, so most people set the pressure by feel.
| Product | mBar | PSI |
|---|---|---|
| Air track (normal use) | 40 - 100 mBar | 0.6 - 1.5 psi |
| Air track (Powertrain maximum) | 150 mBar | 2.2 psi |
| Paddle board | 700 - 1,000 mBar | 10 - 15 psi |
Softer (lower pressure): more cushioning, like a crash mat, for learning new or scary skills. Firmer (higher pressure): more bounce, like a sprung floor, for power tumbling.
Air track foot pumps
Foot pumps suit smaller mats such as 1m air spots. They're single-action and easy to use, because pumping with your leg takes less effort than with your arms. They're slower than hand or electric pumps but work well on small mats. The Powertrain 1m air spot comes with a pump included.
Air track hand pumps
Hand pumps are the best option for smaller mats, or when there's no power, such as at a park or the beach. There are two types: single action and dual action.
Single action pumps push air into the mat on the down-stroke only, like a bike pump.
Dual action pumps push air in on both the up-stroke and the down-stroke, so they inflate much faster. They're the best manual option, especially for larger mats. Most switch to single action by opening a cap on the pump, which helps when the up-stroke gets hard as the pressure rises.
Air track electric pumps
Electric pumps are the easiest option for any size of mat when you have power, and they're much faster than manual pumps. The video shows a Powertrain 600 watt electric pump inflating a 5m x 1m x 20cm air track in 2 to 3 minutes.
Most electric air track pumps stop building pressure when they reach their own limit, and you'll hear the pump noise change when that happens. Many also have a reverse mode: swap the hose to the other end of the pump and it deflates your air track in seconds, ready to roll up.
Don't use an electric pump on damp ground, in the rain, or if you or the mat are wet.
How to inflate an air track without a pump
You can't inflate an air track properly without a pump: a 20cm drop-stitch track needs more pressure than you can reach by mouth. If you don't have an air track pump, these will work:
- A stand-up paddleboard pump: air tracks use the same SUP valve, so any iSUP hand or electric pump fits.
- A 12V SUP pump: runs from a car's power socket, which is handy at parks and the beach.
Air mattress and pool toy pumps usually don't fit the SUP valve, and many can't reach air track pressure.
The best pump set-up for your air track
For a 1m air spot, a simple manual pump is enough. For larger air tracks, most owners have two pumps: an electric pump for speed at home, and a manual pump as a backup for parks, the beach and anywhere without power.
Summary
- Run your air track at 40 to 100 mbar (about 0.6 to 1.5 PSI), and never above 150 mbar (about 2.2 PSI) on a Powertrain track.
- Air tracks use the standard SUP valve, so paddleboard pumps fit.
- Use an electric pump at home and a dual action hand pump when there's no power.
Ready to buy? Every Powertrain air track can be ordered with an optional pump on its product page.