Exped DownMat Sleeping Pad

I've tried several different makes and models of pads looking to find one that was comfortable on my over 50 year old hips and still light enough that I could carry while backpacking. Found this one and decided to bite the bullet and spend the $$. I've had this one out now on 3 trips and enjoyed every nights sleep. The one time the temps rose pretty high, I just put the pad inside my silk liner and slept on top of it. I got the short size and use my backpack at my feet. Actually I'm pretty short myself so with having a bag stuffed with clothes for a pillow at the head means just my feet are off the other end. Works for me. I found you do have to make absolutely sure that you have both air valves closed tightly, do that and no leaks. Blowing up is easy once you get the hang of it. Practice at home a few times before trying it out in the woods!! I also like how I can roll it up into different sizes, that makes it so much easier to place inside my backpack. My next most comfortable pad is a therma rest trail comfort. Much heavier and my hips will sometimes ache in the mornings. Plus it doesn't pack small, I always have to tie it to the outside of my pack. The therma rest will be for sale!! The bag I use is a down quilt that I made. I made 2, summer & winter and so far I've only used the summer quilt with this pad. Can't wait to actually try out both the winter quilt and pad in really cold weather.

Great pad! Used it for the first time last weekend. Got to the lean-to and everyone got out their self inflaters. I pulled out the downmat 9 dlx and everyone was jealous. Quality is excellent. Liked it so much that I just ordered the uninsulated version for summer trips.

Purchased for comfort and the occasional use on snow. Expensive and heavier than other possibilities, but its durability (with caution) and cushiness with warmth justify those downsides. After carefully considering this purchase, I count it an investment and do not regret the choice.

I have back problems, and sleeping on a typical camp pad or thermarest causes sleepless nights with sore and tenderness the next day. These DownMats are absolutely amazing! I feel like i am sleeping on by featherbed at the house! They are a bit bulky when packing, but if you have a sick down bad like the Marmot Helium EQ, you can make up for the space with a bag that condenses to the size of a loaf of bread. If you have back problems, pick one of these up...Chriropractor recommended!

my only issue is i bought the short and i should have bought the regular. while it is extremely comfortable the short puts my knees is an uncomfortable position that i feel the next day. when i tried this out in the store it did not seem like it would be an issue but for those with bad knees i would suggest getting the regular or long (ill be getting a larger one before my next bike tour).

Just used it in -20 weather, absolutely warm, easy to set up and pack away. Runs a bit heavy. Very-very comfortable.

I've had this mat for 2 years and have been extolling its virtues to all my outdoor enthusiast friends. It is so light and so compact and so warm and comfortable. It packs down so small and the stuff sack works great as your pillow. The biggest drawback is blowing it up with the stuff sack, which is very frustrating. I actually gave up and blow it up with my mouth, which puts moisture on the down and eventually will force me to buy a new one - but is will be worth it. Don't buy any other mat if want luxury and superlight!

I'll admit it, I never really get a good night's sleep, even at home, so camping is a total crap shoot for me. However, the very first time I used one of these pads from Exped, I slept like a rock. I've used this pad exclusively for the last few years, in winter and on 3-season trips, and my sleep in the backcountry is almost better than at home. Takes a little while to get used to inflating this mattress, but it's literally the best sleeping pad I've ever used.

I have 2 of these Mats - a Downmat 9 for my wife who is a colder sleeper and a Downmat 7 for myself. Having used a Thermarest Prolite 4 for the past few years I can say that this mat just blows the Thermarest away for comfort and warmth. Although the Downmat is slightly heavier, I have taken a slightly lighter sleeping bag with me on my last few trips as the insulation in the Downmat easily compensates for the lighter bag and I was just as warm but far more comfortable due to the extra thickness of the Downmat (and the total weight was the same). No more sore hip bones ! It is worth a practice at home to get used to blowing the mat up with the stuff sac but once you get the hang of it - it is a very simple process. A rolled up fleece in the stuff sac also makes for a very, very comfortable pillow. All in all, a fantastic mat. Highly recommended - my old Thermarest Prolite 4 is just sitting on the shelf in my cupboard and I can't see it moving from there now.

Well, I haven't actually tested the sleep pad out in the woods yet, that is coming in three weeks. I did test it on the living room floor and it was great. I wish it came with instructions though, as it took me quite a while to figure out how to inflate it!! I am new to camping and this was definitely designed for someone who has done this before. It is very compact when rolled up and doesn't take up much space.