I'm looking at grabbing a lighter mat (specifically one that packs smaller) for when I'm attempting to be somewhat quicker, and less comfortable.

These two look like they fit the bill in one way or another.

Synmat HL M
Weight: 365g
Packed: 19 x 9cm
Rated: -6C

http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-cat ... ynmat-hl-m

Airmat HL M
Weight: 304g
Packed: 18 x 7cm
Rated: +4C

http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-cat ... irmat-hl-m

I'm wondering if the AirMat might not be warm enough for UK use... but I'm also fully expecting Stu to tell me to HTFU, so there's that too.

My only concern is that I've seen a number of reviews stating that they had the internal baffles fail on theirs... but I'm hoping that's something they've sorted out now from the early ones.

My wife has the HL, I've the Winterlite (not among your list I know). I've had an internal baffle fail on my first mat which was replaced when I got back from Iceland. It was a little interesting sleeping though Fortunately the baffle that failed was one of the side ones rather than the middle.

What I think are the causes are that A) the mat is inflated as much as possible & B) there's sudden and/or large pressure put on the mat, i.e. dropping onto it. This puts too much strain on the RF welds used so you get (and hear) a sort of unzipping/tearing sound as the weld undoes. The solution seems to be to inflate fully then let a bit of air out - a second or so of release will be enough. This lets the remaining air in the mat move around when you sit or kneel on it so that you don't get a potentially failure inducing excess of pressure.

There's not a huge difference in packed volume between the Hyperlite and the Winterlite, probably a Cm or slightly more in diameter, the HL is about the size of a 750ml water bottle. Of the two models you show, I'd go with the Hyperlite, for 60g and a small volume increase it will do you year round. If you *need* a pillow to sleep then note that you will be several Cm further off the ground so will need a bigger pillow.

Really, you might as well buy the insulated one. The additional 60g and slightly increased packsize are easily outweighed against the benefits of a good nights sleep ... and if I were going for the MTFU approach, I'd say don't take a mat at all

I'd definitely go for the warmer one, that a big increase in warmth for not much increase in weight

I was waiting for the "no mat" option. I'll never be that hard.

I appreciate the argument on the pack size... though as I already have a mat that packs to 20 x 10cm (SynMat UL M), I don't know if a cm off each dimension is worth paying £100 for. Plus, lets face it, I'm never going to have a "good night's sleep". It's just not going to happen.

The general idea is that everything will fit in a smallish saddle bag, and I don't have to worry about taking a front pack at all then.

Edit - Oh, and thanks for the info on avoiding baffle failure.

What's the price difference?

I have the Synmat HL and it's great. I have only used it down to around 3.5C overnight but was very warm in my down bag. One thing to be aware of is that Exped's R-values are American ones, which means they are something like 6 times higher than UK ones. From memory I think the HL goes down from a 3.3R value to something like 0.58 once converted. This only matters if you are comparing Exped mats with ones from another manufacturer, if you are just comparing two Exped ones then obviously it doesn't matter.

Just comparing Exped to Exped. Synmat is £30 more, but the Airmat isn't currently in stock anywhere, and as I'd need it for next weekend, it may turn out to be irrelevant.

Have you considered an Klymit X-lite? Truly tiny when packed and it won't improve your slim chances of a good nights sleep too much ... win win

I have looked at it, but I'm genuinely not convinced I have the body fat to pull that off any more. I'm way too bony for something as unsupportive as that.

The ozone looks interesting...

Don't forget the Synmat HL wide version. I'm a fidgety side/front/back/upside down sleeper and the extra width is nice.

Rich3rd wrote:Don't forget the Synmat HL wide version. I'm a fidgety side/front/back/upside down sleeper and the extra width is nice.

That's basically what I already own. Or at least, not the mummy shape version.

Far too much comfort for this situation!

and a schnozzle of course

Reading that those ozones are really no good for fidgety sleeps, which I definitely am.

I've a Klymit X-Frame. It's basically summer only as it has no internal insulation and is meant for use with a sleeping bag rather than a quilt but I have used mine (after last year's BB200) with a quilt and it was OK. Since getting the Winterlite it's now the mat I use for ITTs. It's 260g which isn't a whole lot lighter than the Exped Hyperlite. The HL is probably the best compromise between weight, warmth and price and if I were in the market it's what I'd get for all year round UK use.

I think all the Exped mats that don't have an inbuilt pump now come with the Schnozzle, it used to be just the down ones.

I know we are generally discussing Exped mats here but have you considered the NeoAirs? It's the usual alternative. Not everyone likes its crisp packet sound effects though.

Have a look at the Nemo Tensor Richard ... might tick enough boxes.

whitestone wrote:I know we are generally discussing Exped mats here but have you considered the NeoAirs? It's the usual alternative. Not everyone likes its crisp packet sound effects though.

Packs too big. Volume is the issue here rather than weight.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Have a look at the Nemo Tensor Richard ... might tick enough boxes.

Will have a look, cheers.

Check your bivvi bag for size if you go HL MW. Its a tight fit in a Hunka and allow a down bag to loft.

Re inflating did I read a recommendation on here to kneel or sit on one end of the mat when inflating to stop over inflating?

Richard - if you can wait until tonight I'll take a shot of all three mats Synmat Hyperlite M, Synmat Winterlite M and Klymit X-frame rolled up along with a water bottle so you can compare what the volume's like.

Cheers.

@Mariner. Tent (for this particular trip) so no worries about bivi bags. Only a tiny amount heavier / bigger than my tarp and I'm more comfortable putting it up / down quickly.

Do neoairs and synmats really pack that differently?

Surely comparable size and R value mats will have fairly similar weights and pack sizes? I'm sure there will be differences, but significant ones?

[I'm a neoair fan but have nothing against exped gear]

Just going by the numbers I've seen on their sites and the pictures of said mats rolled up.

As promised.

As promised.



From L-R

500ml water bottle
Klymit X-Frame full length mat
Exped Hyperlite M
Exped Winterlite M
750mm water bottle

The mats are rolled neatly but not excessively tightly.

Thanks muchly.

I ve an airmat and am looking to Upgrade to an insulated mat as I ve found it a bit nippy on occasions with a quilt. So I'd say just go straight for the Symat.

If you can find one in stock anywhere in the UK, you'll be doing better than I though