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Exped Synmat or Downmat? Exped Synmat or Downmat?
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Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon




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  #16  
Old 8 Apr 2009
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Got the synmap pump 7 DLX from a shop in NZ in the end.

Where did you guys find this revised info. A contact within Exped?
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  #17  
Old 9 Apr 2009
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Exped Info
I can usually get good info on Exped. My partner has worked closely with Outdoor Research, Exped's North American distributor, for over 20 years. But frankly, I think Mattcbf600 is about the best source of info on most of this stuff!
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  #18  
Old 28 Jun 2010
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Exped Downmat 7DLX
After a poor first nights sleep on a thermarest at Ripley 2010 I decided to get the Exped Downmat from Les @ Traveldi... AWESOME is my conclusion!

xXx
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  #19  
Old 2 Jul 2010
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I'm travelling with a short DownMat at the moment. Using my sheepskin from the saddle for the feet/legs overnight. Before that I had a SynMat, which failed twice & was replaced twice (second time for the short DownMat).

I have no clue as for why my first two mats failed – the only thing I can think of is that they might have been over-inflated. This CAN be a problem if you have a large temperature difference between night and morning (deserts).

I was extra-careful with them, always used them inside the tent. The first mat lasted 40 nights, the second lasted a mere 15-20(!) nights before one of the inside/middle seams broke.
I've been on the road for 2 years now & met quite a few other people who described similar problems.

So: Generally I think they're good and very comfortable. But they need a lot more TLC than Thermarests. And because of the large air volume, they inflate/deflate very quickly with temperature changes.
In Sucre/Bolivia, I did a test inside my hostel room before I headed out to the Salar. Inflated the DownMat around 6pm (sunset, about 20 degrees) –
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  #20  
Old 2 Jul 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FTCamping View Post
ull Throttle Camping, carries them. Full Throttle Camping
I looked @ your site a while back then realised your US Based Lol

keep u p the gd wk
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  #21  
Old 20 Aug 2014
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Originally Posted by Bjorn View Post
I'm travelling with a short DownMat at the moment. Using my sheepskin from the saddle for the feet/legs overnight. Before that I had a SynMat, which failed twice & was replaced twice (second time for the short DownMat).

I have no clue as for why my first two mats failed – the only thing I can think of is that they might have been over-inflated. This CAN be a problem if you have a large temperature difference between night and morning (deserts).
I've had two Exped DownMat 9 and both failed. The first had a slow leak and the down pooled leaving cold spots, the replacement they sent developed leaks at multiple points (this is a phenomena that others have experienced and there's a YT clip regarding this). It was hard to accept that the quality and/or development of these mats so bad, because they are absolutely the most comfortable mat I've slept on by far. Unfortunately I will have to look for an alternative because they too expensive to take a chance with.
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  #22  
Old 20 Aug 2014
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I've had both Down Mat and Syn Mat, they are both very comfortable but the Down Mat seemed a bit too warm at times. Both mats sprung leaks, not due to external forces but due to individual components in the mat puncturing the material. I'm looking at a camp bed now as these mats are just too expensive to risk punctures.
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  #23  
Old 22 Aug 2014
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My first Exped down matt (the old style version ) lasted well but failed after 6 years - Exped replaced it even though the warranty had expired - I have had the second one the newer version with a built in pump for about 4 years now - its not been used so much as i have been broken a bit so not away as much but its still works fine I never fully inflate the down matt i always leave it just a little bit soft from fully inflated as i find that more comfy. Maybe the failures are down to over inflation.Excellent mat - more so on frozen ground, bit warm in hot weather. I also use an Exped tent - seriously good kit and for back packing have recently bought a superb and well designed Exped backpack that also is excellent. I think i becoming a bit of an Exped groupie !!!! Jake.
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  #24  
Old 22 Aug 2014
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Originally Posted by Tourider View Post
I've had both Down Mat and Syn Mat, they are both very comfortable but the Down Mat seemed a bit too warm at times. Both mats sprung leaks, not due to external forces but due to individual components in the mat puncturing the material. I'm looking at a camp bed now as these mats are just too expensive to risk punctures.
I have exactly the same issue with my 9LW Syn Matt, it have sprung multiple leaks over the years, I've found one which I fixed, the last one I cannot find which drives me insane.

I like the matts but I find that they are a bit too flimpsy.
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