Exped mats?

[J M]

Has anyone had any experience with the exped mat range? I've been looking at the downmat and the synmat, in the 'LW' version. I'd be using it for hiking trips all throughout the year, snow included. I've thought about the therm-a-rest mats, but they're way too noisy (something to do with the internal baffles) for me...a bit picky but they're also quite a bit more expensive than the exped's.

Any thoughts on the ultralight vs. normal versions? Are the UL mats easy to puncture at all?

Cheers

[Strider]

I have a Downmat UL7. It is the most comfortable sleep I have ever had away from my own bed. As for durability, it survived my idiotic father jumping on it with his full weight - say no more!

[lawrence]

^ same here, recently got the downmat UL7 for winter, as my Big Agnes Air Core wasn't very comfortable nor did it help much with the cold.
Had one camping session with it, and a few sleeps on my bedroom floor too, I was actually surprised at how comfortable it was.

I have the exped pillow too. My sleeping setup of a Downmat UL + Down quilt + Large Exped pillow + Goosefeet Down Pillow case (down everywhere!) gives my bed a run for it's money.

[neilmny]

I have the Synmat UL9LW and at "90mm" it's a whole lot better than my old 25mm SI mat.
Haven't punctured yet but anything will. Just make sure you have no spikes and rocks under the mat.

[nq111]

Have a couple of synmat UL's and like everyone else rate them highly.

I actually did puncture one (3yr old jumping on it on a dry lawn with thistles) however it was very easy to repair (though finding the actual hole was hard).

[Strider]

it was very easy to repair (though finding the actual hole was hard).

Which raises an important point. I keep the repair kit in my first aid kit at all times.

[neilmny]

it was very easy to repair (though finding the actual hole was hard).

Which raises an important point. I keep the repair kit in my first aid kit at all times.

Hmmm good idea Strider I think will relocate ours as well.

[Joomy]

Had a Synmat UL 7 Regular length for about a year and now upgrading to an LW. I'm going to take a schnozzel pumpbag and small repair kit (comes with the mat) with me whenever I take it out, but I never had any problem with the last one.

[J M]

I think I've decided on the downmat 7 UL long/wide version. Should be warm enough to deal with some snow and light enough to carry easily. Not to mention that's it's huge! (197 x 65cm I think)

Thanks for all the posts!

[Joomy]

I think I've decided on the downmat 7 UL long/wide version. Should be warm enough to deal with some snow and light enough to carry easily. Not to mention that's it's huge! (197 x 65cm I think)

Thanks for all the posts!

My system will be Synmat UL 7 LW with a thin foam (3-5mm) mat under or over to boost it in colder temps. If you're not going to do proper cold weather (-10C, i.e. main range in winter) then this combo is warm enough, lighter and more versatile I reckon.

[madmacca]

I agree with Joomy on this one. I use a 3mm foam mat under my synmat - improves the insulation, and protects the mat from sticks, thorns, etc.

[J M]

My system will be Synmat UL 7 LW with a thin foam (3-5mm) mat under or over to boost it in colder temps.

I'd rather not carry two mats though - one of the things I like about the exped mats are their small packed size (relative to my current mat). I am hoping the downmat will be my 'do everything' mat for all conditions. Hopefully the the floor of my tent and groundsheet (yet to purchase, thinking either tyvek or 'polycryo') will protect the mat enough.

[nq111]

My system will be Synmat UL 7 LW with a thin foam (3-5mm) mat under or over to boost it in colder temps. If you're not going to do proper cold weather (-10C, i.e. main range in winter) then this combo is warm enough, lighter and more versatile I reckon.

+2
CCF mat is also a fail safe 'just enough' in case the synmat does blow out.