Description: (From their site) Exped DonwnMats: super comfortable, infinitely warmer and more compact than any other comparable mat of similar weight. Since down compresses so well, Downmats also packs very small. The integrated pump makes inflation easy.

As seen on the blog: Label : Exped DonwnMats

UPDATE : We have now use this on very hard rocky ground in Croatia. and even as a “float” when the campsite we stayed at and turned into a river. And what I can I say, these mats simply works we slept through and on anything didn’t even feel the water running under our tent.

end update…

A friend of mine recommended me Exped DownMat 7Pump DLX, “it’s the bee’s knees mate”. Nearly 3 inches thick filled with down, can do down to -24c. And lighter, and smaller packed, than most other mats that are half as thick. Yes it is a bit expensive I think the price on the street is around £120, but it is worth it.

And we decided to give them a go, because the last time either of us when camping we were sleeping on the good old foam mats. Yes for one night they might do the job, but never really get a good old sleep, too hard or cold. And you do lose around a 3rd of your heat through the floor/ground you are laying on.

There is a few other versions of the mats, but we picked the DownMat 7Pump DLX, which is …

Size: 193×65x7 cm / 76×26x2.8“
Weight: 1140 g / 40.2 oz
Packsack: 19 g / 0.7 oz
Packed: 27×14 cm / 11×5“
Fill Weight: 220 g / 7.8 oz
Temperature: -24°C / -11°F

So still shorter than me but then again I’m used to nothing being long enough for me and I tend to sleep curled up anyway. It is nice and wide so there is a bit of room to spread out on. The main reason for getting these mats, is that after a long wet and cold day in the saddle, we know that we have a very warm and comfy bed to crawl into.

Pull it out of the bag, fold out and start pumping, with the pump that is build into the mat, so no more misplacing the valve or other bits. It takes around 5min (depending on how fast and fit you are :) ) to pump up.

The mats are well comfy, you do not feel the cold from below or anything might be laying under. I would put bed lining between you and the mat if you are using a duvet, that is not needed if you are in a sleeping bag.

Packing up is dead easy too, though the air is not that keen of getting out, so you need to do a bit of rolling and pressing before you can start to pack it up. You need to do it nice and tight or else you will have problems with getting it into the bag it pack up with.

We have now use it for 7 or so nights, on hard rocky ground and damp cold grass and did we sleep just fine, oh yes. This along with the Alpkit SkyeHigh 800 sleeping bags is the best sleep I ever have had while camping. I’m not what so ever worried about the terrain or the weather where I’m going to sleep while touring because with this I know I’m going to to get a good night sleep.

Rating:

The Princess would say what pea ? If she slept on a Exped DownMat :) Worth the money, space and weight big time.

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