Exped AirMat 7.5 Sleeping Pad - 2007 BCS

Every time that I pull this out of my pack my friends are super jealous. I have spent about 60 nights on this pad both cycle touring and backpacking. This is the most comfortable pad that I have owned (previously have used thermarest) and as an added bonus it packs down super small. Only complaint is that it does feel somewhat narrow however this is an acceptable trade-off for its super low size/weight. It is cooler that other pads that I have used but even with winter time use it hasn't been a problem yet. Get one, you won't regret it.

More padding than anybody could ever need, and it's fairly light too considering the dimensions. The only problem with a pad that relies entirely on air is it doesn't insulate as well, and if you get a hole there's no foam padding to help compensate for loss of air. Be careful where you lay this pad to avoid punctures! I'd recommend it for warm/cool weather car camping or base camp use.

I used the 7.5 deluxe. The pros are it inflates easily, good padding for the weight, and the deluxe 25" width adds more comfort. The major flaw for me is it is very cold---not only does it have no insulation it seemed to suck the heat from my body. If you are doing warm/hot weather camping and want a thicker/wider pad this is for you. I cannot recommend it for anything other than summer camping though--unless you really bundle up or are a very hot sleeper.

This pad accompanied me on a backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon. Staying warm was not a problem as I use this in the desert. I only complaint according to my fellow trekkers it was a bit loud when I moved around at night. I slept wonderfully! No sore hips or back and it is lightweight. Blows up easily and will work with chair kits.

This is a must have. I use this pad all the time- it's light, the valves don't leak a bit, super cheap (compared to others), and WAY comfortable (no more shoulder or hip hot spots to wake you up at 3:00 in the morning). I sleep better on this pad than any other pad I've used before. I've slept in sub zero conditions as well and it was fine- if you're worried about convection (heat transfer) or sketchy ground, pick up some cheap blue high density foam camping pad for about $5 anywhere and strap that sucker on. The Exped Airmat is the best thing going.

I purchased the Exped AirMat because it came highly recommended based on compact-ability and comfort. The first 6 uses proved the recommendation true. I've never slept better, the pad was a considerable upgrade from the Therm-a-rest Ridgerest (http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Therm-a-Rest-Ridge-Rest-Deluxe-Sleeping-Pad/CAS0247M.html) foam I'd been sleeping on for years. Then the AirMat just stopped holding air. I would fill it, check for leaks, and find nothing. But time and again, I would wake up in the middle of the night and find that 1/2 of the Sleeping Pad system had deflated during the night. Perhaps the valve system is not strong enough to hold the air in with about 190 lbs of snoring camper on top of it? Overall, a great product, perhaps I just received one with a manufacturing defect.