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Exped mats


freepete

4-Nov-2011
4:23:28 PM

Hi I'm thinking of buying an Exped mat, http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/sleeping-mats/exped-sim-comfort-5-sleeping-mat.html seems like a good deal.

Anyone had experience with Exped gear?


StuckNut

4-Nov-2011
4:30:23 PM

I purchased the Exped Synmat from those guys - love it.

grangrump

4-Nov-2011
4:52:53 PM

Exped mats are very warm - nice for snow. Had some leakage issues a while ago, hopefully now fixed.

http://www.bivouac.co.nz site always drops out for me - almost impossible to use.

patto

4-Nov-2011
10:54:42 PM

Exped mats are fantastic. Though the SIM comfort is a car camping mat, it really isn't that appropriate for hiking its bulky and heavy. The most popular mats are the down mat 7s, they are hands down the best all round mat. There have been other threads on chockstone about them look here for one discussion:
http://www.chockstone.org/Forum/Forum.asp?Action=Display&ForumID=6&MessageID=18127

This is the dowmat 7:
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/sleeping-mats/exped-downmat-pump-with-wide-valves.html

I own the ultralight. Which is MUCH lighter though less robust than the other mats.
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/sleeping-mats/exped-synmat-ul-7.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE SPAM BELOW, (I AM AFFILIATED WITH THE WILDERNESS SHOP, DELETE IF INAPPROPRIATE)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Wilderness Shop is having their big sale on this weekend. Sunday is the last day. The downmat 7 is selling for $150. Other exped mats are available, telephone orders and mail is accepted.


freepete

5-Nov-2011
7:00:57 AM

Yes I agree -flaky as hell, but it's fun to convert those prices to Aussie dollars when it's working!


freepete

5-Nov-2011
7:03:53 AM

On 4/11/2011 patto wrote:
>Exped mats are fantastic. Though the SIM comfort is a car camping mat,
>it really isn't that appropriate for hiking its bulky and heavy. The most
>popular mats are the down mat 7s, they are hands down the best all round
>mat. There have been other threads on chockstone about them look here
>for one discussion:
>http://www.chockstone.org/Forum/Forum.asp?Action=Display&ForumID=6&MessageID=18127
>
Thanks will check them out, SIM is pretty heavy as you say.
>
>The Wilderness Shop is having their big sale on this weekend. Sunday
>is the last day. The downmat 7 is selling for $150. Other exped mats
>are available, telephone orders and mail is accepted.

Nice!


freepete

5-Nov-2011
7:05:35 AM

On 4/11/2011 StuckNut wrote:
>I purchased the Exped Synmat from those guys - love it.

How's the weight? Would you schlep up a hill with it in your pack? Cheers

gm84

5-Nov-2011
9:00:55 AM

+1 for the Synmat UL - a little bit thin but if you are careful its fine for everything except the snow. Super light, small and comfy.

The only downside is that its a little tricky to deflate completely, but you get the hang of it pretty quick.

go for down if you're a big snow camper.

patto

5-Nov-2011
10:28:03 AM

On 5/11/2011 freepete wrote:
>On 4/11/2011 StuckNut wrote:
>>I purchased the Exped Synmat from those guys - love it.
>
>How's the weight? Would you schlep up a hill with it in your pack? Cheers

I'd happily carry it up a hill. The standard M of both the Downmat and the Synmat is about 850g. This is a bit heavier than all but the larger Thermarests or other lightweight self inflating mats. But these mats are FAR warmer and more comfortable. Both are very good mats, the down mat is warmer. For snow there are no better mats.

If weight is the issue the the Synmat UL is the the way to go. This thing is amazing and has to be held in the hand to be believed. Its lighter than most full length Thermarests but far more comfortable. Only drawbacks is less puncture proof (though I haven't had problems) and more slick plasticy surface to sleep on.

(Yes I'm a biased exped fan so take what you will about my comments)

Have a look at the exped website. Otherwise this is a good comparison summary:
http://www.wildernessshop.com.au/Sleeping_Mats___Bivvy_Bags.pdf


freepete

5-Nov-2011
1:28:18 PM

On 5/11/2011 patto wrote:
>On 5/11/2011 freepete wrote:
>>On 4/11/2011 StuckNut wrote:
>>>I purchased the Exped Synmat from those guys - love it.
>>
>>How's the weight? Would you schlep up a hill with it in your pack? Cheers
>
>I'd happily carry it up a hill. The standard M of both the Downmat and
>the Synmat is about 850g. This is a bit heavier than all but the larger
>Thermarests or other lightweight self inflating mats. But these mats are
>FAR warmer and more comfortable. Both are very good mats, the down mat
>is warmer. For snow there are no better mats.
>

Sounds like a winner thanks

>If weight is the issue the the Synmat UL is the the way to go. This thing
>is amazing and has to be held in the hand to be believed. Its lighter
>than most full length Thermarests but far more comfortable. Only drawbacks
>is less puncture proof (though I haven't had problems) and more slick plasticy
>surface to sleep on.
>
>
Willing to carry a bit more to be warm

>(Yes I'm a biased exped fan so take what you will about my comments)
>
>
>Have a look at the exped website. Otherwise this is a good comparison
>summary:
>http://www.wildernessshop.com.au/Sleeping_Mats___Bivvy_Bags.pdf

dmnz

5-Nov-2011
6:26:04 PM

Never found the Downmat that comfy. Preferred the Insulmats if inflatable.

Though to be honest, I like the closed cell foam feel, namely the Ridge Rests, the best.


pezz

5-Nov-2011
7:08:41 PM

I have the downmat 7.
More than happy with it

RNM

5-Nov-2011
11:15:17 PM

Also didn't find the expeds comfortable (Downmat 7). Was super psyched after hearing rave reviews, but was never able to get them firm enough for my dodgy back. Just a warning for anyone who prefers a firmer sleeping pad set up. Ultralight Thermarest all the way for me.

dmnz

5-Nov-2011
11:48:03 PM

it's like beds and how some people like/need firmer and others don't based on preferences as well as body shape/size

I also know people who refuse to take Downmats on really cold trips, because when they pop, well you're pretty screwed. Which begs the Q, why the down mat in the first place if not for the cold??

That being said, I know lots of people who love the things.

DOD

6-Nov-2011
4:28:31 AM

I've Had 2 Exped Downmats and I've had 2 complete Delaminations.

I'm back with my 7 year old Thermarest pro lite and couldnt be happier!

the 4 season Neo Air also looks good
http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/trek-and-travel/neoair-all-season/product


MrsM10iswhereitsat.

6-Nov-2011
11:52:16 AM

On 6/11/2011 Mr DOD wrote:
>I've Had 2 Exped Downmats and I've had 2 complete Delaminations.
>I'm back with my 7 year old Thermarest pro lite and couldnt be happier!

Were they covered by warranty, or did the manufacturer disown you?


freepete

6-Nov-2011
12:33:43 PM

On 6/11/2011 DOD wrote:
>I've Had 2 Exped Downmats and I've had 2 complete Delaminations.
>
>I'm back with my 7 year old Thermarest pro lite and couldnt be happier!
>
>the 4 season Neo Air also looks good
>http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/trek-and-travel/neoair-all-season/produ
>t

+1 on the warranty query - sounds nasty, esp as I'll be in Nepal....

patto

6-Nov-2011
3:19:42 PM

That is not the first time that I have heard of delaminations with exped. If it happened to you twice then I can understand you staying clear.

I do know that some retailers will handle warranty returns for exped delaminations.

That Neo Air looks awesome! Has the warmth of a down mat and almost the lightness of an UL. I would love to know how robust it is.


StuckNut

6-Nov-2011
10:41:40 PM

I like to sleep on my side - so the extra thickness really saves my shoulders.


ado_m

7-Nov-2011
9:34:34 AM

i have the ultralight exped mat, it's amazing light and small - but not for winter, you really feel the cold coming up. i sure hope it doesn't puncture on a trip....

There are 21 messages in this topic.