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Add the SynMat UL 7 to your ultralight arsenal.

The ultralight SynMat UL 7 provides some serious insulation when you're counting grams and cutting the tags out of your undies to cut weight. The welded baffles of the SynMat are filled with microfiber insulation to eliminate cold spots and provide a comfortable night's sleep in the backcountry without going over on grams.
  • Ultralight material provides abrasion and puncture resistance
  • SynMat UL 7 pads have a temperature rating of 24 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius)
  • Compresses to the size of a 1/2-liter water bottle for easy packing and transport
  • 2011 Outdoor Gold Award from OpPad in Sleeping and Innovation category
  • Stuff sack and repair kit for quick field maintenance

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Exped SynMat UL 7

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Here's what others have to say...

2 5

Eion

Member since 

One ended up with thousands of small holes due to faulty material, while the replacement the baffle blew creating one large baffle from two baffles. I looked after both as per instructions. Thermarest have been better!

Granite

Member since 
Groups:
Posted on

New for spring 2012 is the Schnozzel Pumpbag. Doubling as an ultralight waterproof stuff sack, the Schnozzel Pumpbag is used to inflate Exped mats without integrated pumps, such as the DownMat UL 7, SynMat UL 7, SynMat Basic 7.5, AirMat Basic 7.5, AirMat Basic UL 7.5.

Granite

Member since 
Groups:
Posted on

SynMat UL 7 is designed for the ultralight backpacker, cyclist, traveler or anyone who needs sleeping comfort and warmth with a minimum of weight and bulk. Kaj shows us the details.

5 5

Eric B.

Member since 

This mat has it all, and it should for its category leading price. The size, weight, comfort, and included repair kit are the main selling points and aren't equalled by any other mat I've seen. My backpacking buddy uses a Thermarest that's larger, warmer, and thicker, and I always look at it with a little envy when setting up camp, but when packing my bag or wearing my backpack, I'm always thankful I bought this. I've used it in sub-zero conditions, on multi-night backpacking trips, car trips, and even for guests at my house and my hips and shoulders never touch the ground while using it (even sleeping on my side). Proper inflation level is key, so figure out what's best. No rips or leaks, easy and quick to fill and deflate, and doesn't make as much noise as a Thermarest.

5 5

RhysieOz

Member since 
  • Gender: Male

I have a Reg UL and a LW UL and I wouldn't go any where with out one. If I'm hiking or kayaking with my OR Advanced Bivy I use the regular size as it gives me a little more room, otherwise I use my LW for everything else. I like the extra comfit of the LW. I would highly recommend getting the schnozzle pump bag. I also have a Synmat7 Reg with the built in pump and using the pump bag I can fill the LW UL in a quater of the time it takes me to pump up the Synmat. You can also use the pumpbag as a dry bag to keep your mat in while hiking. I have had the reg UL for over a year and have used it in some pretty nasty places with just a tarp and no ground sheet (expecting to wake up on hard ground) but still no punctures. The material is a lot tougher than it looks. In summer I use a Therm-a-rest fitted sheet on my mats (a lot cheaper and easier to purchase than the Exped fitted sheets) as I don't like the mat material touching my skin, it can get a little clammy but the fitted sheet fixes that issue.
Great year round mat.

5 5

Daniel Hupp

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

The ExPed Synmat UL 7 is one of the best sleeping pads I have ever used. The weight of the pad is perhaps the lightest you can go while maintaining the signature comfort of the ExPed brand. The 2.8 in. that the Synmat UL 7 provides is more than enough to keep you off the ground, and the insulation is quite enough to keep you warm all the way down to freezing temperatures.
In comparison to the Therm-o-Rest XLite pad, the ExPed contests weight-wise, without sounding like an opened bag of potato chips. With they SynMat UL 7, you get maximum comfort with minimum weight. Try it. You'll see what I'm talking about.
In short, the ExPed UL 7 is my favorite sleeping pad that I have used, and I am, without a doubt, going to continue to use ExPed products in the future.

5 5

sdap66164

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

After much research, my wife and I decided to try the Synmat UL 7 with an eye toward our next major trip, which was a 3-week backpacking trip through the Yukon.

We tested the mats in Colorado and Utah all summer and loved them, but the real test was cold, wet weather in the Yukon, which was almost a daily occurrence. These mats kept us aloft in soft, elevated warmth no matter what the temperature.

We did get a bit of condensation build up due to the general dampness of the trip, but I called Exped customer service and they gave us detailed instructions on how to rid the moisture from the mats. We did as they suggested and it worked great.

By far the most comfortable, convenient and lightweight/packable sleeping pad I've ever used. I would strongly recommend this product to anyone.

5 5

michael

Member since 

Ive tried a number of pads, im not going to name them all, but I like this one the best. Its actually very warm and it does feel wider than any neo-air!

Whats seals the deal is the valve system, it seems too complicated but its genious.

5 5

Laura Burt

Member since 

Can't even describe how much more comfortable this sleeping pad is than my Thermarest, which i purchased only 2 years ago. The level of comfort is out of this world. It packs down to nothing, so it fits in my pack and stays dry! I used to have problems with waking up in the middle of the night because my hip hurt from hitting the ground through my women's specific Thermarest Plus. Not even an issue with this pad. It is pricey, but a solid night's rest is worth the extra money!

5 5

Cara Jones

Member since 

I camped for 5 days in Moab. It was extremely comfortable. I've spent many years of sleeping on self inflating pads and always waking up with my hips hurting because I sleep on my side. I did not have this issue at all with this pad. I did not feel the ground at all. Now I want one for myself!!

I currently own a Thermarest NeoAir and...

Retlod

Member since 
Posted on

I currently own a Thermarest NeoAir and find it very comfortable. My wife, however, has forbidden me from using it ever again because it makes so much noise when I shift around. For those who have never slept on one, it sounds like someone handling a bag of potato chips. Does this Exped make noise as well? I hope not, because I really want to camp with my wife again and need a new pad!

Thomas Ogasawara

Member since 
Responded on

This is much quieter, it has a more "fuzzy" texture than the plasticky feel of the neo air, so it doesn't rustle and crackle.

Maybe "matte" is a better word, I can't really describe it.

Eion

Member since 
Responded on

I haven't tried the NeoAir but the Exped still makes a noise to wake me up and the wife when I try and move. I wish both companies could look at this problem.

Baffles came unglued after < year of...

the outdoors are fun and stuff

Member since 
Posted on

Baffles came unglued after < year of use. It was after storing it w/o use for several months, maybe that was that problem? Anyone else see this? It still inflates, but it blows up like a balloon with no baffles, unusable at that point.

Otherwise love it - use it even in snow in tents and just bivying.

Dave Marcus

Member since 
Responded on

Ok? Have you tried warrantying it? Both Backcountry and Exped have good warranty policies.

It sounds like you were storing it rolled up. That's bad for the pad. When you get your new one, store it unrolled.

the outdoors are fun and stuff

Member since 
Responded on

Yeah, getting a new one for free is no problem. I just ordered the downmat UL as a replacement actually (unfortunately backcountry.com doesn't carry this, but REI does). It's only 4oz heavier, but 2x the R value.

OK will try storing it laid out. Actually just read that storing it unrolled and inflated is best. Thanks!

Eion

Member since 
Responded on

Yes - Had the same problem and I always store it unrolled deflated.

4 5

WallDiver7

Member since 

This pad is among the best that I have used or tested. It's stated weight is spot on. It is warm to the stated temp. rating. I just got back from a 3 night/4 day trip in the Gila. The first morning was 22f (lots of humidity; ice all over the inside and heavy frost on the outside of the tent). I was using my Marmot Pinnacle 15 and wearing a complete base layer (with socks and beanie). I was just beginning to become cooler lying there talking myself out of the bag that morning. (I would definitely go back to my BA Insulated Air core if it were to be any colder.) I have owned the BA Insulated Air Core, the BA ClearView, the BA REI Sand Mountain Insulated Air Pad (same as the BA Insulated AC but with only 6 cambers instead of 7.) As far as sleeping comfort, I fine the SynMat UL7 at least as comfortable as the BA pads... possibly a litte more comfortable. The UL7 is just not as warm as the BA insulated Air cores. If it weren't for the ridiculous expense of this pad I would hands down say buy this one..... but this is crazzzyy (say it like Nacho Libre would) to ask this much. At this price EXped should include turn-down service! Oh, forgot to talk about durability: My dog is pretty hard on anything in the tent. This pad made it through three days of him clawing at it.
Update : During late summer of 2012 on the CDT (many nights on it by this point), I lost the check flap of the valve on the inflate side. Exped replaced this mat with a new one. Thanks Exped!

5 5

Isaac Rogers

Member since 

This is hands down the warmest, lightest, comfiest pad in its weight class. Sure the downmat 9 is much warmer, but it also weighs more than twice as much. The valves are well made and the fabric of the pad is durable for the weight. The thickness of this air mattress seems too good to be true when considering the weight and it packs down smaller than any full length pad. This pad is magical and works for everything but winter camping.

5 5

Optimus

Member since 

I am an EXPED user for life! you just can't beat this pad for packed size, weight, comfort and R value combined. I have this one and the down7 pad love it also, but just to heavy for most backpacking trips where you don't absolutely need the higher R value that's why I bought this one. Anyhow love it and would highly recommend this pad to anyone.

5 5

Jerry Lewis

Member since 

I have not yet used this enough to speak to it's long term durability, however, I am impressed with how comfortable this pad is. I have used a couple different kinds of Thermarests: the Prolite and an older basic model, along with the RidgeRest (sp?) foam pad, and was never so comfortable as I was the few nights that I spent on this pad in cold weather. The very first night I used it was unexpectedly cold because we planned poorly and didn't watch the weather. We had planned on 35 to 40 degree F temps but when we woke up our full Nalgene bottle was frozen solid and my in-pack Camelback was slushy. Later we learned the temps were about 22 deg F. I was in a sleeping bag which should have been only comfortable down to about 30 deg F based on previous usage, but was undoubtably helped by this pad to keep me comfortably warm to well below freezing. The following couple of nights it wasn't as cold, but still below freezing. Because it was the only piece of equipment that was different from previous trips I am sure that this pad helped my trip to be comfortable.

It takes up about as much room as a Nalgene bottle, weighs very little, comes with a nice repair kit in case of puncture, inflates quickly by blowing it up (MUCH faster than a so-called self-inflating Thermarest,) and appears to be much more durable than the NeoAir.

Not only that, but this is the first pad I have ever slept on where I have awoken with no tingling or soreness from lack of circulation. It was so comfortable to sleep on it that I actually overslept. I hope that this pad proves to be as durable as it appears and lasts forever. I really love it.

The only downsides I have identified are (1) the cost, and (2) the problem that some people have complained about where their sleeping bag slides around too easily on it. I haven't had the sliding issue, but then again I was on mostly level ground the nights I used it. There are a couple of loops on it where you can lash your bag to the top of it, but I didn't have to do that.

I have become a huge Exped fan. They really seem to produce top quality lightweight equipment. I also have their inflatable pillow and have nothing bad to say about it either.

5 5

J. Troxell

Member since 

My wife complained after sleeping on my NeoAir pad one night, so for her birthday I ordered this pad and a NeoAir All Season pad for her to try as well. We both independently arrived at the conclusion that we like the Exped Synmat UL 7 the best of the pads - we both liked the baffles running lengthwise as well as the extra thickness (0.3") and the extra width (approx 1") when compaired to the NeoAir bags. Since we likely won't be sleeping below freezing anytime soon (young children with us), the R-value of the UL7 is more than sufficient for our needs. I like the flap valves that Exped uses on their bags, although I will definitely be investing in a shrink bag and shnozzle for inflating the pad in the future.

If you go on Exped's website, they explain that they use an actual synthetic insulator inside the pad (as opposed to the reflective barrier to capture radiant heat like the NeoAir bags), and Exped went the extra yard and laminates the insulation to both the top and the bottom of the bag so that it won't degrade over time from being compressed repeatedly. Whether this actually turns out to work is obviously yet to be seen, but as far as first impressions, the UL7 is a winner.

I've used this sleeping pad down to 35F paired with a Big Agnes Horse Thief bag, and the sleeping pad performed extremely well.

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