Ask The Experts: Exped's Sleeping Mat Range

Rob talks to Sam Green from Swiss brand Exped about their range of sleeping mats; from the fast and light Ultra models, to the bombproof and comfortable Duras, and finally the do-it-all Versas. All of the models in the range feature recycled materials and come in a range of weights and temperatures.
#campinggear #camping #trekking #backpacking

[@monzarace]

I have the new Exped Ultra 7R downmat, and here's my findings so far: - Mummy shaped with straight sides. Very clever and makes it easier to fit more inside any tent. That's a plus. - Slightly raised outer beams, albeit only very slightly. Helps preventing you falling off the mat. That's a plus. - Grey color. While it doesn't work as a sos signal flag, it is more discrete and eye pleasing. That's a plus. - New double valves. Helps getting air out. Well, not really. It's slow and doesn't deflate itself by any means. That's a minus. - Comes with very light weight multi purpose Schnozzel bag for inflation and general stuff sack. Works really well. That's a plus. - Thickness. This mat is relatively think, which adds comfort. That's a plus. - New surface treatment. No ore anti slide material on surface. Exped says my new mat is made of a better material that does not warrant the anti slide treatment. Well. It's slippery and not as good as the old model. That's a minus. - Weight. For a minus 30 deg cel. mat, it's light. Mine is a long wide mummy version, and it's very light for it's R-value. That's a plus. - Length: Mine is Long (wide) version, and it's still kind of short, probably to save weight. That's annoying, when you are in a very cold environment with a very good sleeping bag. Feet's are off the mat, or your stiff that you keep warm in the foot end. That's a minus. - R-value: Very warm and nice. A little bit cold on raised sides, and also works well in warm temps. No sweating. That's a plus. - Sitting through resistance. Nope, I sit right through, despite being only 77,5 kilo. Actually, I find it hard to pump up sufficiently as well. That's a minus. - Air chamber design. Along body. Works okay and certainly better than the multi bubble design I have on some other ones. But you can still feel the chambers. That's a plus overall in this category. - Anti-puncture resistance. Mine is fine and have not delaminated nor punctured so far (one season). I will bring it up higher this September. That's a plus. - Spot and moisture resistance. Despite Exped told me it's easy to clean, it is certainly not easy. I cannot clean it to be clean. It does attract spots and lines. That's a minus. my conclusion: Well, if you are a serious user and use it seriously for it's intended use, it's a no go. I am irritated of falling off and my feet or warmed stiff are cooled off, because of the mat, despite Long, being too short. Btw. I have two of the Ultra 7R mats, so I know my plus'es and minus'es are not just for one mat, which may be off somewhat., but represents the final product. I feel Exped exagerate the highlights apart the R-value, and the mat is certainly not better than it's predecessor. I would prefer the old model. My advice is to at least try it out at a friends place or borrow one, or at least get the shop to inflate one for you, to see, if the points I have spoken about, is a minus for you, before buying, and certainly before you go up high. That's my real life experience with the near new Exped Ultra 7R LW mummy mat. Not a commercial. The rest is up to you. Kind regards.

[@Drzzlt]

how tall are you? the LW is almost 2 meters long

[@Langsebben]

Is the ultra not as robust as the dura? I’m a kayak camper camping on rocks and stuff. And I bring the kids. I wanna buy a dua LW but I can’t really decide if it’s the ultra or dura.

[@MrSilentliu]

I have a Synmat 7 M. What is its equivalent in the new classification?

[@ukclimbingofficial]

The Ultra 5R is the closest has a very similar set of stats (R-Value/Temp Rating etc..), but with the benefit of being significantly lighter - 585g vs. 855g

[@Storfiskarn24]

That's wrong. Dura 5R, the biggest difference is no integrated pump

[@christophdollis1955]

I hope this is better than your Exped MegaSleep 25 sleeping bag was - that was awful. Temperature rating was WAY exaggerated. They LOOK good, but I'd have to really examine its actual performance, not just your claims about it. I'm glad REI takes returns!

[@ukclimbingofficial]

Whilst it was a few years ago now, the EXPED Downmat HL Winter mat received Best in Test in our 2018 Insulated Inflatable Sleeping Mat Group Test because of how well it actually performed in reality (as opposed to what is claimed within a press release). Here's a link: www.ukhillwalking.com/gear/camping/sleeping_mats/insulated_inflatable_sleeping_mats-10097

[@GrizzleGear]

Ultra 3r mummy is impossible to find. I'm beginning to think it never existed in the first place

[@ukclimbingofficial]

Interesting, let me do some digging and see whether or not there’s an eta (or if they are - as you’ve suggested - an elaborate work of fiction).

[@GrizzleGear]

@@ukclimbingofficial I actually reached out to them yesterday and they got back to me and said that they should be shipping out to vendors by the end of March. No one in the US has any of the mummies right now.

[@ukclimbingofficial]

Ahh, great news - glad you got an answer!

[@neilburrows6670]

No concrete info on denier, weight or pack size or comparison with equivalent competitor product.