Downmat UL 7

[Strider]

Downmat UL 7 - can get one for $160 with free postage.

Anyone seen one in the flesh yet? Do I or don't I?

[Strider]

Pulled the trigger! Will let you all know how it pans out

[Strider]

It's here!

Much much much more comfortable and better build quality than the Neoair it replaced.

Going to sleep on it tonight for the final verdict tomorrow

[Strider]

Ok well spent my first night on this last night.

Apart from underinflating for comfort to begin with, and waking up with my shoulder on the ground once the temp dropped, this thing is amazingly comfortable! I've learnt to pump it up hard to begin with, and it becomes more comfortable through the night.

Warm, warm, warm!

Durability appears excellent, even with the lighter fabrics than the original Downmat.

The Schnozzle Pump Bag works very well and takes under 30 seconds to inflate the mat.

On the scales:

Downmat UL - 565g (as claimed)
Schnozzle Pump Bag - 70g
Stuffsack - 17g
Repair Kit - 11g
TOTAL 664g

Overall very happy with it

[stepbystep]

Let us know how it holds up after some trips Strider.
I've been considering getting this mat. Looks more comfortable than the neoair and the weight difference is worth it IMO. Just dubious about the Exped build quality.

[gayet]

I've been waiting for the review, Thank you.

Where did you get it from? me thinks I may make the plunge....

[Strider]

Mainpeak, but you just missed their 30% off Easter sale!

The build quality is miles ahead of the Neoair. Considering both cost similar money, the difference is stark.

[stepbystep]

The build quality is miles ahead of the Neoair. Considering both cost similar money, the difference is stark.

My reasoning is the long history of vertical baffles joining on the Exped mats, hence my questioning of build quality, but whatever....

[Strider]

The build quality is miles ahead of the Neoair. Considering both cost similar money, the difference is stark.

My reasoning is the long history of vertical baffles joining on the Exped mats, hence my questioning of build quality, but whatever....

That's why I avoided them initially too.

However, the Neoair was just so noisy/narrow/uncomfortable that I had to get rid of it and Exped was the obvious next choice. I was actually looking for a Synmat UL but they were sold out, and the DM at $160 down from $229 was simply too hard to pass up!

2 year warranty on Exped UL mats. And they have a history of excellent customer service too.

[Dale]

Keen to hear how the UL7 performs Strider. Now that Kookabay has closed its doors the Exped looks like the next best alternative for a light down mat.

[Strider]

Keen to hear how the UL7 performs Strider. Now that Kookabay has closed its doors the Exped looks like the next best alternative for a light down mat.

It's really going to depend on what you're hoping to hear. I don't intend on doing any snow camping, so unfortunately won't be able to give much review in that regard. Though, in terms on long-term durability, I'll keep you posted!

[ninjapuppet]

. Now that Kookabay has closed its doors the Exped looks like the next best alternative for a light down mat.

......errmmmm what?
i just bought a pillow from him before xmas. when did this happen and why?!?!


and with the downmat, is there any other method to pump it up or you HAVE to use the supplied pump? (other than using your breath)

[ninjapuppet]

ok, got it.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=42520&startat=60

shame, i thought Bender was a good guy to deal with until i read this. looks like this UL7 really is the next best thing on the market now. even compared to the stephensons.

[Strider]

and with the downmat, is there any other method to pump it up or you HAVE to use the supplied pump? (other than using your breath)

You have to use the supplied "pump". But in a pinch I would rather use my breath than sleep on the ground.

[mjdalessa]

Mine was comfortable for the first ten nights or so; now its got a slow leak for no apparant reason. Can't say I'm too happy about waking up in the night on hard ground.

[Strider]

Mine was comfortable for the first ten nights or so; now its got a slow leak for no apparant reason. Can't say I'm too happy about waking up in the night on hard ground.

Are you talking about the Downmat UL that was just released in the past couple of weeks?

[rebro5]

I've also received mine and very happy with it. So far only slept on the floor of a holiday cottage, but it was certainly comfortable
I had planned on getting the synmat UL 7 but the 30% discount put the downmat to a price close enough to what I had budgeted to spend. Snow camping could now be on the agenda!

rebro

[Strider]

I've also received mine and very happy with it. So far only slept on the floor of a holiday cottage, but it was certainly comfortable
I had planned on getting the synmat UL 7 but the 30% discount put the downmat to a price close enough to what I had budgeted to spend. Snow camping could now be on the agenda!

rebro

How fast is the inflation sack! So much better than huffing and puffing into the old neoair.

Sent from my MB526 using Tapatalk 2

[clancoster]

Bought one in the Mainpeak Easter sale also. Soooo warm. Almost no cold up through the mat. I am 110kg. I pump it up hard and no touching the ground like most mats. Awesome mat.

[Strider]

Almost no cold up through the mat.

Almost?! Where are you? Antarctica!?

[Strider]

These are on sale again guys. Good price and free shipping too I think.

http://www.mainpeak.com.au/outdoor/slee ... l-7-m.html

[Dale]

Yep - bought one tonight. I got the small - so very happy with a 500g pad that has an R rating of 5.9...

[Strider]

Yep - bought one tonight. I got the small - so very happy with a 500g pad that has an R rating of 5.9...

You won't be disappointed! What is your current mat, our of interest?

[Dale]

Hi Strider - am starting to get a collection but main go-to mat has been the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Pad and has worked to about -2 in a single wall shelter. Have the regular which weighs 620g so it's not a bad light weight and warm option for the money. I'm getting the down mat as this will help me extend temps and keep my sleeping bag option light. Well - that's the plan anyway...

[Dale]

Just took delivery of mine and inflated it - very comfy and looking forward to taking it for a test drive. Like the inflation sack method - similar to how you inflate an Alpacka packraft. The good news is the inflation sack can do double duty as a stuff sack and pillow. Nice !

[Strider]

Just took delivery of mine and inflated it - very comfy and looking forward to taking it for a test drive. Like the inflation sack method - similar to how you inflate an Alpacka packraft. The good news is the inflation sack can do double duty as a stuff sack and pillow. Nice !

How good is the sack! Literally 20 seconds to full inflation!