Flextail Max Pump 3 | High Speed Pump Review

Hey there, Tom From AQ Outdoors here. When it comes to inflating pack rafts and inflatable kayaks, there are plenty of options, but one of our favourites is the Flextail Max Pump 3. It's an ultra-compact multi-tool that is helpful not only on the water, but around your camp as well.

With the Max Pump's high airflow, included adapters and a few other great multi-tool uses, this is somthing that may not solve all your paddling problems, but it'll certainly make life easier. Let's break it down.

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What Makes the Max Pump 3 Handy

The Max Pump 3 is small enough to easily justify bringing along on a paddling trip, especially when space and weight matter. If you’re heading into the backcountry with a pack raft, the last thing you want is a bulky pump taking up valuable space. This little pump gives you a convenient way to move a lot of air without adding much bulk to your kit.

It comes with a range of adapters that work with pack rafts, inflatable kayaks and plenty of other inflatables. You can also add your own adapters if you need a specific fit, which makes it a surprisingly versatile option for different valves and inflatable gear.

With more than 500 L of air per minute, it makes quick work of the initial inflation. Instead of spending several minutes pumping by hand, you can let this little pump handle the bulk of the job while you can relax and take in the scenery. For larger inflatables, that can save a fair bit of time and effort, especially when you’re eager to get on the water.

Inflating and Deflating Your Boat

The Flextail Max Pump 3 really shines when you’re inflating a pack raft or inflatable kayak. It’ll quickly get your boat filled with air, but there’s an additional feature that helps make it shine: it can also work in reverse.

By using the right adapter on the intake, the Max Pump can suck the air out of your inflatable at the end of the day. This helps you get a much tighter deflation and a more compact package, which is particularly useful with pack rafts.

Anyone who has tried to squeeze every last bit of air out of a pack raft before stuffing it back into its storage bag knows that this can be one of the less glamorous parts of paddling. Having a little mechanical assistance makes packing up considerably easier.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is another pleasant surprise. You can generally inflate five or six pack rafts, or around three inflatable kayaks, without running into battery-life issues. Actual battery life will vary depending on the size of the inflatable and how much air you’re moving, but that’s still impressive for such a small pump.

When it’s time to recharge, the Max Pump 3 uses USB-C, so it’s easy to charge from a wall adapter, power bank or vehicle. That’s particularly convenient on longer trips where you’re already carrying USB-C charging gear for other electronics like your phone.

You don’t need to dedicate much space in your pack to keeping the pump charged, and you can easily top it up whenever you have access to a power source.

The One Thing to Keep in Mind

The biggest limitation is also the simplest: this is a low-pressure pump.

the Max Pump reaches just under 1 PSI, so most watercraft will still need to be topped off with a high-pressure pump such as a pack-a-pump, K-Pump or another appropriate pump. Getting your boat to its recommended pressure is important for stiffness and overall performance, so don’t leave the high-pressure pump at home.

The easiest way to think about it is that the Max Pump 3 handles the volume, while your high-pressure pump handles the final pressure. That makes a great combination for paddlers who want faster inflation without carrying a large electric pump.

If you’re already carrying a small high-pressure pump, the Flextail Max Pump 3 can complement it nicely rather than competing with it.

Other Uses Around Camp

The Max Pump isn’t limited to boats. Its included adapters work well with camping mattresses and mouth hoses, so you can use it to inflate your Therm-a-Rest and other inflatable accessories. That can save you from spending even more time manually inflating your sleeping pad after a long day on the water.

It’s also handy for other inflatable gear around camp, making it one of those small pieces of equipment that tends to find more uses the longer you own it.

And because it doubles as a flashlight, it can pull double duty around camp too. Whether you’re packing your boat after sunset or rummaging through your gear in the dark, having a light built into something you’re already carrying is a nice bonus.

For its size, the Flextail Max Pump 3 does a lot. It’s compact, rechargeable, powerful for its size and useful for both inflation and deflation. It won’t replace a high-pressure pump for most inflatable boats, but as a fast way to get the bulk of the air in, and a convenient way to get it back out. Overall it’s a pretty handy addition to a paddling kit.