Foot Pumps

May 2005

Despite the labour- saving appeal of mini- compressors, there will always be a place for a foot pump in your boot. They are cheap, compact and can be used anywhere, so there is no excuse for not keeping your tyres correctly inflated, ensuring your car's handling and fuel economy are not compromised.

Pumps come in either single or double barrel versions. The single cylinders are usually cheaper, but need more footwork than their twin barrelled big brothers. All the units here had a pressure gauge, but it is worth checking them with a reliable stand-alone unit. So which model blows its competitors away?

Verdict

Michelin proved it really is the tyre expert in this test with its double barrel pump taking top spot. Clarke Air's value-for-money twin cylinder unit takes second, while the cheap and cheerful Polco pump takes third.

Top 3

1. Michelin Double Barrel
2. Clarke Air Double Barrel
3. Polco Single Barrel With Gauge

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