New sleeping pad

[oldranger]

Russ,

the problem was in the internal flapper valve that prevents air from leaking. I learned to check it to make sure it was flush with the orifice. The Exped Downmat UL worked flawlessly for the remainder of that trip and on Markskor's and my 19 day trip in Yosemite. With my arthritic shoulders it is the only pad this old fart can get a decent sleep on.

Mike

[freestone]

Another design change coming for the Exped UL down mat to make it lighter.

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-news/ ... 936-7.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Flux]

Just spent 6 nights on the Thermarest X-lite.

Pros:
Comfy - as good as I have ever slept on camping of any sort, nice and thick. Lateral channels adjust to hips very well. I even let some air out to soften it up.
Warm - not a cold trip (40 for the low), but never a cold spot
Big - I got the big size and at 1lb, my whole body is on there no problem
Silent - this thing does NOT sound like a bag of potato chips at all, pretty darn quiet.
Small - packs up tiny, about like a 1l bottle.
Sticky - they put some kind of silicone in the material and you stick to it pretty good. Minimal slide around and waking up off the mat.

Neither Pro Nor Con:
You need a ground cloth and to pick your site well. Should not be an issue. i slept on decomposed granite without issue with a sil-nylon bottomed tent. I would just be careful with the durability.

Pricey, but you get what you pay for. This is an ultralight mat that is very plush.

Cons:
I already have moisture in there from blowing it up. I may contact thermarest to see if there is a trick to removing it. Long term it may end up weighing more. A sack pump might help this, but that's more weight.

You do have to be careful with it.

Hopefully it stands the test of time.

[fishmonger]

Another design change coming for the Exped UL down mat to make it lighter.

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-news/ ... 936-7.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

just got a UL 7 LW - taking it on the trail in about two weeks. first tests in the house were very promising. Most comfortable pad I ever had, and it blows up very quickly with the "shnozzle bag"

thin material, but that's what makes it light, not just the drop of the complicated built-in pump

[quentinc]

Russ,

the problem was in the internal flapper valve that prevents air from leaking. I learned to check it to make sure it was flush with the orifice. Mike

I just got one too, and that internal flapper valve makes me nervous. I had the same problem with it on the 2nd use, which leads me to wonder how long before it's no longer an easy fix. There's something very awkward about clamping the valve seal onto the valve. The pad sure is comfortable though, and folds up nice and small.

I bought the smallest inflation pump to try to save on weight and regret it. It takes forever to inflate with that thing -- I think I'll try the pillow pump instead.

[oldranger]

Q...

I've done about 20 nights since the "malfunction" with no problems. Heading out for 6 more nights in the Eaglecap Wilderness in a few more days.

Mike

[quentinc]

Thanks Mike, that's good to know. Mine survived my just completed 8 day trip over Taboose, although each time I tried to scrunch the seal over the valve after inflating it, I said a little prayer.

[87TT]

Just got back from 5 day trip with the Exped Symat UL7. Lets just say if I say how much I love it one more time, my wife is going to beat the snot out of me.

[ironmike]

Is anyone using pads (ensolite or otherwise), or does everyone just throw the Expeds down directly on their tent floor or ground cover?

[gary c.]

Flux, I'm really happy to hear that you didn't think that noise is such a big deal with your NeoAir X-Lite. I 'm waiting for mine to be delivered and ever since I've ordered it I've had second thoughts because of some of the reviews. For anyone else that is thinking about buying a Thermarest NeoAir E-Lite pad Campmore has a heck of a deal right now for what they are calling a "Irregular". The site says they are irregular because of color inconsistancies and are still covered by the Mfg Lifetime Warrantee.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40047" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;