All my gear is almost in place and ready for my first venture out in September, the only thing missing are tarp poles (from here very soon providing there is still stock) and a camping mat. I'm looking at the Exped Synmat UL but wondered if when purchasing these usually come with the pump, or do you generally have to purchase it separately?

Also, are they pretty durable? Just wanted to make sure it isnt going to pop the first time i use it outdoors!

The Synmat UL doesn't come with a pump but in reality it doesn't really need one ... the synthetic insulation won't suffer much if you blow it up by mouth. I find that mine always has a certain amount of moisture in it even though I use a pump sack.

The Downmat-lite does come with a pump (small hand one). The mat's about 150g heavier than the Synmat but quite a bit warmer and can be bought cheaper if you shop around.

Durability of all the Exped mats seems to be very good, I've not heard of any failing.

HTH

Allow me to add my two pence worth.

I bought a UL7 the other week, I had used one previously, so I knew what I was getting. On my first use I blew the mat up with no issues.
When I bought mine I bought the pillow pump as it seemed like a good solution to two issues. In use as a pump it is rubbish, it takes a certain nack that I just can't get, so I end up just blowing the mat up. As a pillow the pillow pump is brilliant very comfy and a great shape, but if you dopn't need the pump you could just get a nice light down pillow.
The mat is also excellent, packs down to nothing and weights very little. The 7cm thickness is ace, so much better than my Thermarests.

s8tannorm wrote:Durability of all the Exped mats seems to be very good, I've not heard of any failing.

Mine went down one night, though it turned out I had just drunk too much rum and not put the plug in very well

I find mine easy enough to blow up without a pump

Been using mine for well over a year now. Even had it set up on the col du midi up Mont Blanc. Fantastic bit of kit that is essential for insulation during colder spells. I haven't seen a full length with less pack size anywhere else. I'd get it and not worry about a pump at all. It takes a minute to blow up but make sure you blow it up as solid as can be :0)

I made my own 'schnozzle' pump bag for my synmat using a 30l bin liner and a plastic adapter for connecting a washing machine to waste pipe. Blows up the mat in about 3 - 4 fills of the bag and it weighs practically nothing.

Cheers for the advice everyone! Once my birthday rolls around wednesday, i will probably end up placing an order for one.

Forgot to say how impressed I've been with this mat - extremely comfy and warm - I sleep almost as good on this as I do in my own bed

Just about to pull the trigger on an Exped Downmat Lite, like other down products, i am presuming i need to be careful where moisture is concerned? Those that own them, would you use them directly on the ground, or carry a something with you to protect it?