I had to laugh when you mentioned Asia! I visited Thailand last January and I think the bed I used ruined my vacation. Some of the worst back pain I ever experienced. So, I'm heading over to Thailand again this year, but will not be caught dead without a good mattress pad. Thanks for the review. I may look at one of the higher-end Exped's, but just seeing what's out there at the moment. Basically, I don't really care what the thing cost, a good nights rest is worth the dollars.
great review ;) , I've been using the old original thermarest air since it came out and loved it (so comfortable ) , as for a mini pump , thermarest sell a tiny little battery powered pump that gives 25 inflation's off two AA batteries , they are very expensive but it only takes 2 12 minutes to inflate , a final 3 or 4 pumps with your mouth and that's that , one tip is to fully inflate then leave it for a while then a few pumps before bed time and it stays firm all night ;)
Thanks Charles. I once camped next to a guy using a hammock. His tie off string broke twice during the night. We all had a good laugh hearing him crash to the ground in a dead sleep. And, luckily, the guy wasn't hurt too bad.
Super review. Thanks. Noisey, yes I agree. I'd rather spend the extra $100.00 and get the Exped MegaMat 10. Yes heavier and bulkier, but if you're using a car no worries. Thus you have a better quality, longer lasting, and super super comfortable. It will take a beating more so too. Exped Megamat 10 is 30 inches wide and 4 inches of super comfort.
Excellent presentation! I've probably mentioned this before, have you tried a camping style hammock yet? Ups and downs for everything, but if you're planning ahead, have trees and camping, can't beat the comfort of a hammock. Depending on makes and models of the accessories, it can be smaller and lighter than tent camping. Anywhoo, keep 'em coming!
Sylvia, thanks for the great review. To clarify, the EXPED mat does come in a long and wide version and would be the same size as the Thermarest product. EXPED also sells a Schnozzle Pumpbag so no more need to use the mini pump(I've never been a fan!). For 2017, the UL mats will come with the Pumpbag included! As for the blown baffle, EXPED is very good at warranty and would most likely replace that mat. R value; EXPED is the only company that I know of that currently uses independent testing on R Values. Thermarest tests their mats in-house. I don't know about the smell you are referring to. I own several EXPED and have owned Thermarest mats and do not notice a difference. I DO NOTICE that the mylar crunch of the Thermarest mat does not go away over time, especially when is it quiet i.e., in the great outdoors or in a quiet hotel room. I no longer own Thermarest. I'd like to hear what you think of your Thermarest now that you have used it for a year.
These are great points. I could add my experiences with that same Synmat UL, I've had it for 3 years. Positives: +light and packing volume is very small +comfortable (in my opinion) +super fast to inflate with the schnozzle pumpbag, two and a half bagfuls is all that's needed. Pumpbag also doubles as a drysack. +fast and easy to deflate and pack Negatives: -slippery, this is only an issue if you set up your tent in a slight slope -noisy on a wooden cabin floor. In a tent the mat is silent. -quite narrow, but there are larger sizes available Other: -Warmth: I've never had any issues (used it in around -2 celsius (28F) at the coldest), but it's not the warmest mat available. This is a thing to consider if you get easily cold. -Mine has never deflated during the night, the mat in the video has clearly a leak. -I just smelled my mat and didn't notice anything. However, I have only a sample of one mat so can't rule out the smell issue. There might be differences between the production batches etc. All in all, I'd say that the Synmat UL is a great mat but the lightness brings those couple drawbacks. For me those are not bad issues, I sleep in cabins very rarely and in the wilderness it's usually not hard to find a level tent spot. I would definitely recommend it for hiking use. However, if you are willing to sacrifice a little in weight and packing volume the "basic" Synmat is a better option. It's much quieter and not slippery. I think it's R-value is also a bit greater but don't take my word for it.
An odd 'review'. You say the Thermarest has an R value of 5.7, and claim that is the highest rating any inflatable camping pad, and yet Exped have been making their 9cm Down Mats with an R rating of about 8.0 for many, many years, so that claim is just not true. The Exped Synmat there is of course much cooler than the Exped Downmats. And then the size. Your arms fall off the sides of the Exped mat? Well of course! It's not suitable for back-sleepers. It's only suitable for side-sleepers. You have discovered that after 5 years use, and now want a wider mat, but it's not a 'fault' of he Exped mat. Back sleepers need the wider version of the Exped mats, which will no doubt be a similar size to that large Thermarest pad. I personally have the longer, wider version of that same Exped Synmat, I'm much larger than you, and I can attest that it's fine for back-sleeping, and my arms don't fall off the edge, whereas my standard-width Exped Downmat (7cm thick and TOO WARM for summer camping, btw) is fine for side-sleeping but too narrow for back-sleeping. That's not a 'fault' or any kind of fair comparison. The narrower mats are for side-sleepers, and Exped themselves say that they suit 'most people' as 70% of the population are side-sleepers. By the way, and I only just discovered this, so I don't know if it was the case when this video was posted, but Exped now do an 'MW' (Medium/Wide) size, which is wide enough for back-sleeping but no longer than the standard size. Unless you're over 6 feet tall, there's no point in having that extra length, and in fact I struggle to fit my 'LW' (Long/Wide) Synmat in my hiking tent, due to the excessive length. I'm 5 feet 11 inches, and have no use for the extra length, but like the width. I'm sure the Thermarest pad is good, but this seems a very strange way of comparing things.
I agree...a 20" pad is just too narrow for all but the tiniest sleeper. Always go for the 25" wide pad in any brand. Great comparison. Thanks!
Great basic review. Confirms what I wanted to know. Thank you very much.
I had to laugh when you mentioned Asia! I visited Thailand last January and I think the bed I used ruined my vacation. Some of the worst back pain I ever experienced. So, I'm heading over to Thailand again this year, but will not be caught dead without a good mattress pad. Thanks for the review. I may look at one of the higher-end Exped's, but just seeing what's out there at the moment. Basically, I don't really care what the thing cost, a good nights rest is worth the dollars.
great review ;) , I've been using the old original thermarest air since it came out and loved it (so comfortable ) , as for a mini pump , thermarest sell a tiny little battery powered pump that gives 25 inflation's off two AA batteries , they are very expensive but it only takes 2 12 minutes to inflate , a final 3 or 4 pumps with your mouth and that's that , one tip is to fully inflate then leave it for a while then a few pumps before bed time and it stays firm all night ;)
Thanks Charles. I once camped next to a guy using a hammock. His tie off string broke twice during the night. We all had a good laugh hearing him crash to the ground in a dead sleep. And, luckily, the guy wasn't hurt too bad.
Is this your house?
Mary Clark yes.
so did you buy both beds?
+Mary Clark I've been using the yellow pad for the last 5 years. I bought the grey one.
Great review. Awesome work.
Great review. Really helped me make up my mind. Thermarest it is.
Super review. Thanks. Noisey, yes I agree. I'd rather spend the extra $100.00 and get the Exped MegaMat 10. Yes heavier and bulkier, but if you're using a car no worries. Thus you have a better quality, longer lasting, and super super comfortable. It will take a beating more so too. Exped Megamat 10 is 30 inches wide and 4 inches of super comfort.
Excellent presentation! I've probably mentioned this before, have you tried a camping style hammock yet? Ups and downs for everything, but if you're planning ahead, have trees and camping, can't beat the comfort of a hammock. Depending on makes and models of the accessories, it can be smaller and lighter than tent camping.
Anywhoo, keep 'em coming!
Nice review...Thanks so much!
Good stuff, Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼
fantastic review. very concise and informative 6 ounces more. il get it
Sylvia, thanks for the great review. To clarify, the EXPED mat does come in a long and wide version and would be the same size as the Thermarest product. EXPED also sells a Schnozzle Pumpbag so no more need to use the mini pump(I've never been a fan!). For 2017, the UL mats will come with the Pumpbag included! As for the blown baffle, EXPED is very good at warranty and would most likely replace that mat. R value; EXPED is the only company that I know of that currently uses independent testing on R Values. Thermarest tests their mats in-house. I don't know about the smell you are referring to. I own several EXPED and have owned Thermarest mats and do not notice a difference. I DO NOTICE that the mylar crunch of the Thermarest mat does not go away over time, especially when is it quiet i.e., in the great outdoors or in a quiet hotel room. I no longer own Thermarest. I'd like to hear what you think of your Thermarest now that you have used it for a year.
These are great points. I could add my experiences with that same Synmat UL, I've had it for 3 years.
Positives:
+light and packing volume is very small
+comfortable (in my opinion)
+super fast to inflate with the schnozzle pumpbag, two and a half bagfuls is all that's needed. Pumpbag also doubles as a drysack.
+fast and easy to deflate and pack
Negatives:
-slippery, this is only an issue if you set up your tent in a slight slope
-noisy on a wooden cabin floor. In a tent the mat is silent.
-quite narrow, but there are larger sizes available
Other:
-Warmth: I've never had any issues (used it in around -2 celsius (28F) at the coldest), but it's not the warmest mat available. This is a thing to consider if you get easily cold.
-Mine has never deflated during the night, the mat in the video has clearly a leak.
-I just smelled my mat and didn't notice anything. However, I have only a sample of one mat so can't rule out the smell issue. There might be differences between the production batches etc.
All in all, I'd say that the Synmat UL is a great mat but the lightness brings those couple drawbacks. For me those are not bad issues, I sleep in cabins very rarely and in the wilderness it's usually not hard to find a level tent spot. I would definitely recommend it for hiking use. However, if you are willing to sacrifice a little in weight and packing volume the "basic" Synmat is a better option. It's much quieter and not slippery. I think it's R-value is also a bit greater but don't take my word for it.
An odd 'review'. You say the Thermarest has an R value of 5.7, and claim that is the highest rating any inflatable camping pad, and yet Exped have been making their 9cm Down Mats with an R rating of about 8.0 for many, many years, so that claim is just not true. The Exped Synmat there is of course much cooler than the Exped Downmats.
And then the size. Your arms fall off the sides of the Exped mat? Well of course! It's not suitable for back-sleepers. It's only suitable for side-sleepers. You have discovered that after 5 years use, and now want a wider mat, but it's not a 'fault' of he Exped mat.
Back sleepers need the wider version of the Exped mats, which will no doubt be a similar size to that large Thermarest pad. I personally have the longer, wider version of that same Exped Synmat, I'm much larger than you, and I can attest that it's fine for back-sleeping, and my arms don't fall off the edge, whereas my standard-width Exped Downmat (7cm thick and TOO WARM for summer camping, btw) is fine for side-sleeping but too narrow for back-sleeping. That's not a 'fault' or any kind of fair comparison. The narrower mats are for side-sleepers, and Exped themselves say that they suit 'most people' as 70% of the population are side-sleepers.
By the way, and I only just discovered this, so I don't know if it was the case when this video was posted, but Exped now do an 'MW' (Medium/Wide) size, which is wide enough for back-sleeping but no longer than the standard size. Unless you're over 6 feet tall, there's no point in having that extra length, and in fact I struggle to fit my 'LW' (Long/Wide) Synmat in my hiking tent, due to the excessive length. I'm 5 feet 11 inches, and have no use for the extra length, but like the width.
I'm sure the Thermarest pad is good, but this seems a very strange way of comparing things.
Paul Mackilligin You’re spot on with what you said, 100% agreed
Nice review ..
Make more gear reviews!
TheMonkeykun Thanks for the encouragement. I'm just learning about video. It's time consuming but really fun!