exped 7 or 9? for my blackbird

[spidennis]

I'm researching and shopping for a down air mattress (dam).
I'm thinking about the exped 7 or 9 deluxe.
I'm leaning towards the 9 .....
I like the 25" width ...

what do I need to know about these?
I'd be planning to use this in my hammock (of course)
and on the ground for kayaking trips.

is the air pump something I need to get, worry about, other, etc ....

I'm also wanting a good down sleeping bag ..... suggestions?

who and where is the best price on the pads and bags? service?

for starters, is this normal pricing?
http://www.backcountrygear.com/catal...ail.cfm/EXP207

[Alan]

I have an Exped DAM 9 DLX and love it! I'm going to start using it more often in my hammocks and for ground dwelling situations.

[spidennis]

I have an Exped DAM 9 DLX and love it! I'm going to start using it more often in my hammocks and for ground dwelling situations.

I should have looked into your dam while you had it at the group hang, dang it!

so how warm of air temp can you go with the 9? does it get just unbearable on warmer nights?

[spidennis]

I found the 9 dlx for 140 and free shipping

[Alan]

so how warm of air temp can you go with the 9? does it get just unbearable on warmer nights?

I haven't really used it much except in my recent backyard test hangs. I hope UncleMJM will see this thread and comment. He uses his DAM quite a bit and may be better able to help.

Hope to get more time with the DAM in the future.

[spidennis]

how does it pump up?
I've heard different reports .....
some use the separate pillow pump,
I've heard of the integral pump,
a stuff sack pump, etc ....

and can you inflate and deflate it while in the hammock?

and have you tried leaving the deflated pad in the hammock
and rolling it all up and putting it away like this?
will it stuff down small enough?

[TinaLouise]

I have both the 7 and the 9 reg. These were part of my "tent" camping days and when I first switched to my Clark, I tried them out to see how they would work. The 9 worked very well for me. The 7 worked but... I found that I was fighting it all night long trying to keep it under me. With the 7, I used my backpack inside my hammock as insulation under my legs and feet. Again, it works, but I just could not keep it under me. I tend to flip and flop around quite a bit when I first get into my hammock before I go to sleep so this causes the DAM to move about some. If you're not a big mover inside the hammock, you probably will have a better time of it. Again, I didn't have as much of a problem with the longer 9. I did find that I had to let out some of the air from what I was used to putting inside them when I slept on the ground. And as for pumping them up, I just use the stuff sack that the DAM is pack in. It works well but I found it more difficult to keep the larger 9 dry if I was pumping it up in the rain. These things are much easier to pump if you're inside a tent than on the ground under your hammock!!! I used to carry the 7 backpacking, the 9 was just to much weight for me unless I was car camping.
I didn't use a sleeping bag with these DAM's, I made down quilts and they switched over to my hammock with a little tweeking of the pattern.
Gotta say, having the 9 inside my hammock and laying on it, it is very comfy!!! I just didn't like pumping it up or carrying the weight of it.
TinaLouise

[Alan]

how does it pump up?

I use the integrated pump. Takes me maybe a minute or two to properly inflate it.

can you inflate and deflate it while in the hammock?

Not really sure you'd be able to inflate it while in the hammock. That really needs to be done before it's put into place. However, I insert the DAM with the deflate valve at my head so I can at least let some air out. I tend to overinflate the DAM a little bit and then adjust it by letting some air escape until it's just right.

have you tried leaving the deflated pad in the hammock

No, but I guess it could be done if you have a large enough stuff sack.

will it stuff down small enough?

Trust me when I say that you'll never be able to get it back into the small stuff sack it comes with. Just give up on that thought right now. I deflate mine and roll it up like a Thermarest Ridgerest pad.

[lama3646]

I have the DAM 9 DLX and LOVE the extra width, 26". It stays put in the double layer of the WBBB. I have not had troubles rolling off it or chasing it around the hammock. As far as temperature testing, I have only been out a few nights so far. The lowest I have tested was into the 30's....with no problem.

Pricing looks about right at Backcountry Gear. I bought mine from REI...can't beat their return policy if you find out that you really don't like it.

Never had a problem pumping it up. Keep in mind that you will need to pump it up on the ground. To keep it clean, I carry a thin plastic sheet to keep the mud off the mat while inflating.

Hope this helps.

[lama3646]

Mine is the integral pump...works great. Just place your hands over the pump, on the diagram of hands, and lean your body weight on it. Up and down, up and down....think CPR....I was leery about the stuff sack style of pump. (it looked too complicated for me, but that is just me)

Like others have said, it is very difficult to roll it tight enough to fit back into the original bag. It is heavy if you are into counting grams. But for me, I like the flexibility of being able to use it in the hammock, or let my kids take it for tent camping. More bang for your buck.