I believe the pads are ASTM R rated and the R rating is correct. I would put the foam pad under the air mattress to keep the cold and moisture out of the mattress and just put a thin cover over the mattress if necessary. Great video Thank you
I pull a pulk and Use a pulk bag by RAB. Its water proof.and I inflate the pad...I use a thermarest classic foam pad and exped down mat7 with a Valandre thor -40 bag and it goes in the bag and I zip it up. I strap it to the top of my pulk when I set my tent up ( Helsport Patagonia 3...) I just slide the whole unit in the tent unzip the RAB cover and im done. simple. I learned this while in Norway its pretty much how everyone does it there for expeditions.
You could use your heel and foot to blow it up via internal pump (without the boot on :) ). Put the heel on the hole and let yours toes down afterwards. Its much easier and faster. Anyway, I find the internal pump of my Exped just a gimmick. In cold weather the sponge is taking much more time to grow back, so it doesnt absorb much air, therefore it takes forever to inflate it. I much prefer to use a schnozel bag and inflate it via the purge/exit valve, then just adjust it a bit with the internal pump. Otherwise its a nice pad, but my next Exped will be without the integrated pump.
I’ve had a exped syn mat lw for about 4 years . Really comfortable untill a chamber came apart internally creating a large bubble in the middle of the mattress . Time to shop for a more durable brand .
Exped had an issue with this from 2012-2015ish era pads. If you call them they might replace it for free, even out of warranty as this is a known problem with their older pads.
Do you sometimes shake it to get the down even? I had it proped against the wall for couple days to check for slow leaks. It did lose couple pumps worth. Will keep my eye on some fibers on the out valve. Maybe its good to shift down to foot end for warmer weather use. :)
Aaron, I enjoy your videos and certainly, due to your expeditions, you’ve got cryo cred. (You can plagiarize ⬅️ that, as my gift to you) Now for my question: What is “cold soaking”? And wouldn’t it be much better to put the foam on the bottom so that it insulates the downmat from the ice, and primarily allows your body heat to heat the airspace inside the downmat? It seems the foam on top somewhat prevents your body heat from heating the air inside the downmat. Fwiw, I just returned from a little expedition inside the Arctic this winter and used the downmat straight on the ice with no other insulation beneath me and was quite comfy, albeit in the balmy air temp of -10-0 F
Why did you not use a nordic bedding bag on you Antartica trip? Would that not have saved a lot of effort unpacking, inflating, packing and compressing every day?
@@ALinsdau shouldn’t it be on the ground tho, in my opinion down is cold until your body heats it. Your blocking your body heat from the down surely. I’m only here because I need answers too. I’ve bought this pad it’s currently in the post so I’m no expert 😂. I live in Edinburgh Scotland about 120m above sea level and my summit camps will be above 915m. I’ve nowhere safe to try it out if my sleep system fails I’m night hiking down and I don’t wanna do that. Hence why I paid a fortune for this pad. Happy hiking guys
why did you go for medium 20x72 size? wasn't it too narrow? or short? Remeber from the other video you said to always get the longest pad. Considering myself Xtherm currently for Denali and wondering if Regular will do.
@@ALinsdau so yo had 77incheslong Epxped in Antarctica? I'm 6ft tall as you and consider between 25x72 or 25x77 xtherm. I've always used 20x72 pads but never done anything close to 21 or more days haul and wonder if few extra inches would help.
Great information Aaron! Thanks for the detailed walk through on your extreme cold sleeping system.
That tip of putting the foam on TOP of the mattress is clutch
Thanks - it really makes a difference.
Awesome review and great information. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
I believe the pads are ASTM R rated and the R rating is correct. I would put the foam pad under the air mattress to keep the cold and moisture out of the mattress and just put a thin cover over the mattress if necessary.
Great video
Thank you
Thanks for watching!
I pull a pulk and Use a pulk bag by RAB. Its water proof.and I inflate the pad...I use a thermarest classic foam pad and exped down mat7 with a Valandre thor -40 bag and it goes in the bag and I zip it up. I strap it to the top of my pulk when I set my tent up ( Helsport Patagonia 3...) I just slide the whole unit in the tent unzip the RAB cover and im done. simple. I learned this while in Norway its pretty much how everyone does it there for expeditions.
You could use your heel and foot to blow it up via internal pump (without the boot on :) ). Put the heel on the hole and let yours toes down afterwards. Its much easier and faster.
Anyway, I find the internal pump of my Exped just a gimmick. In cold weather the sponge is taking much more time to grow back, so it doesnt absorb much air, therefore it takes forever to inflate it.
I much prefer to use a schnozel bag and inflate it via the purge/exit valve, then just adjust it a bit with the internal pump.
Otherwise its a nice pad, but my next Exped will be without the integrated pump.
The integrated foam does take forever to expand when its cold. And if it becomes moist - that'd be a nightmare.
Great review, thanks!
Thank you...glad I could help!
I’ve had a exped syn mat lw for about 4 years . Really comfortable untill a chamber came apart internally creating a large bubble in the middle of the mattress . Time to shop for a more durable brand .
Let me know if you find something better for sure.
Exped had an issue with this from 2012-2015ish era pads. If you call them they might replace it for free, even out of warranty as this is a known problem with their older pads.
Your supposed to lay on the black side, valves down. That will eliminate the nylon cold issue
Either side feels cold when it's -40º.
Do you sometimes shake it to get the down even?
I had it proped against the wall for couple days to check for slow leaks. It did lose couple pumps worth. Will keep my eye on some fibers on the out valve.
Maybe its good to shift down to foot end for warmer weather use. :)
My air loss issue was just because I used tinypump and it blows warm air. Need to add air once it cools down.
No, I just let the airflow do the work.
Aaron,
I enjoy your videos and certainly, due to your expeditions, you’ve got cryo cred. (You can plagiarize ⬅️ that, as my gift to you)
Now for my question: What is “cold soaking”? And wouldn’t it be much better to put the foam on the bottom so that it insulates the downmat from the ice, and primarily allows your body heat to heat the airspace inside the downmat? It seems the foam on top somewhat prevents your body heat from heating the air inside the downmat.
Fwiw, I just returned from a little expedition inside the Arctic this winter and used the downmat straight on the ice with no other insulation beneath me and was quite comfy, albeit in the balmy air temp of -10-0 F
Cold soaking - the nylon feels like metal. It happens below 0ºF / -18ºC.
Why did you not use a nordic bedding bag on you Antartica trip? Would that not have saved a lot of effort unpacking, inflating, packing and compressing every day?
Do you have an example link to share? I'd love to see the setup.
Wait... does the Z-Rest defeat the purpose of an insulated down mat?
Nope...they complement each other in backup and extra warmth.
@@ALinsdau shouldn’t it be on the ground tho, in my opinion down is cold until your body heats it. Your blocking your body heat from the down surely. I’m only here because I need answers too. I’ve bought this pad it’s currently in the post so I’m no expert 😂. I live in Edinburgh Scotland about 120m above sea level and my summit camps will be above 915m. I’ve nowhere safe to try it out if my sleep system fails I’m night hiking down and I don’t wanna do that. Hence why I paid a fortune for this pad. Happy hiking guys
What goes into your summer pack the the total weight is less that the weight of the xp 9-2.25lbs?
I'll have to do a video on this.
why did you go for medium 20x72 size? wasn't it too narrow? or short? Remeber from the other video you said to always get the longest pad. Considering myself Xtherm currently for Denali and wondering if Regular will do.
I got the short pad for weight while backpacking. However, for snow camping it's annoying. I bought a regular length for winter.
@@ALinsdau so yo had 77incheslong Epxped in Antarctica? I'm 6ft tall as you and consider between 25x72 or 25x77 xtherm. I've always used 20x72 pads but never done anything close to 21 or more days haul and wonder if few extra inches would help.