While surfing the web at random motivated by a short attention span and a lot of free association, I started looking into methods of repairing my sleeping pads.

I've had several different models of thermorest and they seem to be prone to having pinhole leaks. One has about half dozen patches, and the other has had a pinhole. The repair kit uses a heat bonding patch similar to what I used to use to glue arrow points in place. It's hard and, to my way of thinking, entirely the wrong adhesive.

I started using bicycle inner tube patch kits and they actually work pretty well, although it's a little iffy. The patches don't always stick.

I now have several more inflatable pads. My big Agnes pad came with its own patch kit, my other two didn't. I hope I don't have the same level of problems that I had with thermorest, but need to be prepared.

I researched a patch kit made by adventure medical kits which includes a tube of seamgrip adhesive and a couple of patches. I was actually thinking of using a silicon adhesive (Loctite stick & seal) which seems to be a similar product. Could probably just smear it over the pin holes. One of the thermorest mats seems to have been repaired exactly that way. A piece of nylon fabric for large hole or tears would be useful. I've also seen repair tape (fabric with adhesive) for tents which should also work for short term.

Comments? What works for you?

For pinholes in Thermarests, Seam Grip. It is a polyurethane adhesive rather than silicone - better adhesion. Recommended to me by Cascade designs customer service. Can fix a bigger leak as well if used with a fabric patch. Also great for gluing on velcro to keep your pillow in place. Don't know about other brands of mats, although it sure sticks to my POE pad, so I'd bet it would fix a pinhole on one of those as well. Easy to try it.

I agree that silicone adhesive won't stick to standard air mats, which are polyurethane coated nylon. I've tried stripes of Silnet on several different pads to reduce slipping, and it peeled right off (lots of dried Silnet shreds on the tent floor!). Instead, try Seam Grip or similar made for polyurethane coated nylon.

I only use air mattresses like the Neo Air or Big Agnes Q Core.

I carry silicon and nylon patches for the Neo Air, and the Q Core came with a kit. Haven't had to use either.

I gave up on Thermorest pads and started using Ridgerest foam pads because of the leakage.
But, for what it's worth, here's what I've done over the years to patch the things...
1) Thermorest patches. Which don't work all that well.
2) Shoo Goo. Worked pretty well on its own. Works better with a piece of paper as a patch. Takes a while to cure.
3) Super glue and a piece of paper. It's all I had at the time and it worked very well. Still.
4) Bike peel and stick patches. Feathered edge road patches are best. They work in a pinch but don't stay on long.

I did some research on repairing shoe soles and found that McNett makes a urethane thermoset product to repair soles. They also make SeamGrip and Aquaseal which are other urethane products. They describe how to use the AquaSeal to repair inflatable rafts by simply covering the hole.

They also make a product called Tenacious Tape which they claim will stick to most surfaces.

I can find SeamGrip at the local outdoor outfitter. Never comfortable about using tubed glues because they dry out, but I now have some options for both temporary and permanent repairs. Thanks for the clarifications and comments on its use.