Should you buy an Exped Ultra 5R?

Are you thinking about buying an Exped Ultra 5R sleep mat? Here’s my long-term review and thoughts on it after a few uses on my wild camping trips in the UK...
Check out the Exped mats at Trekitt 👉 www.trekitt.co.uk/sleep-shelt... (or just google it).
Don’t forget to buy things through my affiliate links below to make me rich, and subscribe so I can be a full-time KZbinr 😁
Questions? Drop me a comment. I reply to 99.97% of them.
Cheers!
Ben 🤓
📦 GET SOME GEAR
All my camping and filming kit : www.amazon.co.uk/shop/daleyou...
📩 GET IN TOUCH
Website : www.daleyoutdoors.com
Email : [e-mail]
Instagram : / daleyoutdoors
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
Some of the links above generate a tiny commission. This is at no extra cost to you, but it does really help to support the channel, so thank you! 🙌

[@tomdhanji]

Nice review, I have the same mat and found it to be great so far. Not yet had the courage to get out over winter and make use of its full temp range but aiming to build up to that for next year with more regular camping throughout this year.

[@HillDogTV]

big fan of exped, gone from a 9 to the 5r.... very much enjoying it

[@garethbirch7168]

Thanks for your verdict I've been waiting to see your good and bad points I can live with them it's a mat for me 👍keep your videos coming thank you

[@DaleyOutdoors]

Glad it was useful Gareth 👍

[@bobhead6243]

Good Honest Review , Mats are an interesting topic , everybody has their favorite make and model , myself , i never use them ! .🙂

[@annebeginn2034]

Thanks for the honest re view, this maybe the one for me. Still haven’t got an insulated mat

[@DaleyOutdoors]

No problem Anne. Glad it was useful 👍

[@TheRealSteveEllis]

Thanks for the review, one I’ve considered but not sure I need it. Always looking for a decent excuse to buy more gear really but between my klymit insulated and an Uber light I’ve been fine in UK conditions year round. Not done anything REALLY cold though

[@davidhale1568]

I went for the 3R wide mummy am more than happy with it, found trekit to be a good knowledgeable shop, I found it slightly better than my sea to summit equivalent but the extra shoulder width feels much better. Good review.

[@DaleyOutdoors]

Cheers David 👍

[@TheCarmacon]

which S2S do you consider as equivalent? The S2S ether light xt insulated? That's the one I went to instead of the Exped Ultra - specifically for highland camping in Iceland, so I figured the S2S's fabric with a combo of 30D and 40D threads is a bit more robust.

[@gbner9991]

i would also know which equivalent you compared it too?

[@davidhale1568]

@@TheCarmacon hi compared to my sea to summit xt insulated which is possibly a bit more robust tho having said that my sea to summit had a tiny leak on one of the spot welds took a week to find it! I could have sent it back as a manufacturing fault but fixed it with a tear aid patch

[@Curlew-Corner]

Thanks Ben. I have the previous -20 version Exped and am interested in the new model, so your review was very helpful. My present mat is mummy-shaped but I’d go for the rectangle next time. I don’t think the mummy shape is suited to side sleeping.

[@DaleyOutdoors]

I had a mummy shaped xTherm and when sleeping in my side my feet kept coming off it 🤦‍♂️

[@charleswinters7129]

I had a 7 Exped down mat and it was the most comfortable mat I ever used. It did eventually blow a seam. I going to buy a new one. May go for a wide one this time.

[@DaleyOutdoors]

It’s definitely worth going wide IMO 👌

[@Tiger-789]

How long did it last before it blew a seam?

[@iwalker3809]

Been very happy with my 3R mummy shaped . Would also recommend.

[@gbner9991]

is it warm?

[@iwalker3809]

@@gbner9991 I've not had a cold nights sleep on it so far, but would probably switch to a warmer pad if camping from now through the winter here in north of England.

[@gbner9991]

@@iwalker3809 that makes sense, I would love if this pad had just a little higher R rating

[@GrizzlyGaz]

Looks a good pad 👍

[@DaleyOutdoors]

Matches your T shirt too 😆👍

[@tHaH4x0r]

If you think the material is too thin, they have the 'dura' series as well, which is more robust and a bit cheaper than the ultra series. Trade-off: weight.

[@DaleyOutdoors]

It just feels thin but has been strong enough (so far) 👍

[@williamjones8017]

Which of the older mats does this compare too I have the exped synmat winter ul m and is amazing but not wider enough so looking to sell and upgrade also looking at the 7r any ideas tia 😉

[@DaleyOutdoors]

It’s a follow on from the synmat 7 I’d say

[@andrewdouglas5020]

Ben have you tried the Unigear camphy 3? It’s a lower R rating at 2 but it’s by far the most comfy pad I’ve had and at £55 it’s excellent value.

[@DaleyOutdoors]

No mate, I might try one in the summer 👍

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

I am literally just about to do a comparison of my existing pad I have used for a few years, and a new one KilosGear gifted me. They say it’s r rating is 4 so will see how that is. Also a bit bulky, but possibly good for winter warmth. I’m not copying promise 😂

[@DaleyOutdoors]

🤣

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

@@DaleyOutdoors I was going to an exped pad, but they sent this so will see how it is. Some good winter camps coming up soon 👌🏻

[@xVictim]

Hello Ben, you said that -5°C with the 3R should be enough. I will use the mat for bikepacking from June to September. The ground temp can be around 0°C that time, would you take the risk to have some cold nights, instead of taking the extra weight and pack size?

[@DaleyOutdoors]

I'd personally take the weight and buy a mat that I can use all year. If you're not camping any colder a higher rating should do.

[@xVictim]

@@DaleyOutdoors Thanks, I've ordered the 5R, even when it's kinda overkill. I like to be on the save side and have a nice sleep, just in case.

[@sergeykaprantsev5192]

What are your thoughts about the Dura version of this mat? Is it worth the higher weight?

[@DaleyOutdoors]

I don’t have the Dura version 🤷‍♂️

[@kohort1]

When you sit up, do you bottom out? Also does it lose pressure through the night? Mine seems to lose a little air and i don't think it's air temp related. So i bottom out a little more in morning when i sit up. It's still comfy as long as i pay flat. But i can't seem to find the leak under water.

[@DaleyOutdoors]

Might be contraction. If you pump it up in the warm air it’ll contract as it cools over night. Same with any mat. I always top mine up before going to sleep.

[@kohort1]

@@DaleyOutdoors I thought that at first, but I'm just not sure. I top it off right before bed and have to top it off at least 1x at the crack of morning. And I could a second time but I'm getting up anyhow. But not a full on deflation.

[@dilarus8231]

Ooh, is that Skele tor, or Veloci Rap tor in the background there?

[@DaleyOutdoors]

It’s Skele behind me on this one 👍

[@Eightball69]

I've got a SynMat 7 and it's really good so wouldn't hesitate to get the Ultra. Trekkit are excellent too, great service 👌

[@DaleyOutdoors]

They sure are 👍

[@BruSwayneable]

Hay buddy, we spoke on here a little while ago about this recommendation. Ive tried it 3 times now and do not find it comfortable on my side at all, i feel like my knee comes far to low to the ground and maybe its because its vertical baffels.. i desperately wana get this sleeping system right before i go wild, tested in a garden these first few attempts and the sleeping has been a nightmare. My big consideration is if i need a double width mat and whether or not that will solve the issue. At the moment i would need alsorts of pillows to prop my knee up to feel remotely comfortable. Any thoughts on this? Appreciate your knowledge man. Thanks, Ash

[@DaleyOutdoors]

How are you pumping it up? I found that the pump sack never got it totally inflated and there was space fora couple of breaths to top it up.

[@BruSwayneable]

@@DaleyOutdoors just with the pump sack, omg do you think thats what it requires to be comfy? 🤞 if so, ive totally overlooked that and i have heard you mention it in other videos

[@DaleyOutdoors]

@@BruSwayneable it’s worth a try. You might also need to top it up a tiny bit before you go to sleep. As the temp drops at night the air in it will contract slightly. Try it 🤞

[@BruSwayneable]

will give it a go, out of interest have you ever used a double sized one just for your self and was it better for the spreading out at night

[@DaleyOutdoors]

@@BruSwayneable no I’ve only used a single one

[@TrevsOutdoorsandWellbeing]

What the difference with the synmat 7 that’s what I’ve been using it’s it worth the upgrade

[@DaleyOutdoors]

It's lighter, made from recycled materials, and a cool lime colour 🤣 I started with a Synmat 7, it's a great mat and probably not worth the upgrade.

[@TrevsOutdoorsandWellbeing]

@@DaleyOutdoors nice one Ben thanks 😊 for the reply

[@DaleyOutdoors]

@@TrevsOutdoorsandWellbeing no problem 👍

[@jessylikesithard]

will this fit into a hammock?

[@DaleyOutdoors]

No idea. Won’t depend how big your hammock is?

[@jamesalexander4926]

It's a bit pricey for me I use a fold up mat like a Z lite from Decathlon. I would like an air pad but a cheaper one.

[@user-qg2zd1nv1r]

it is the best