Exped Synmat 7

[Tijereyes]

http://www.rei.com/product/780367/ex...-pad-with-pump

Can you post a link to the $39 deal? The link above is the only one I see.

I also found this one:
http://www.rei.com/outlet/search?query=synmat

Still not $39, and I don't think it's the same pad. I'm also interested in the link.

[JCook5003]

It looks like they sold out, they had the large version of the pad on sale for $39, I just ordered them last night. This is the product link in my order receipt. I ordered two of them.

http://www.rei.com/product/852801/ex...-2012-closeout

[dakine]

I'm getting pretty bad cold spots on the synmat in 40 degree weather. The pad is fully inflated. Pretty disappointing, it barely manages to provide better insulation than 1/2" closed cell foam. I'm using the large wide LW version.

[VictoriaGuy]

I am actually looking to pick up the downmat 7. Does anyone have any experience with those?

I have a DownMat9 LW and it seems like a well-made mat, though I only have a dozen nights or so on it. I bought it for tenting and then bought the Exped Ergo hammock because the DownMat fit it. It's a good combination.

Pricey, though. On the heavy side for backpacking, but what's a good night's sleep worth?

With the downmats, I'd advise buying the 'Schnozzle' bag and valve adapter (if necessary) - about 4 'bags' of air inflates the 9LW completely. The built-in pump (not in all downmats??) works but is a bit slow - good for topping up the mat if necessary. As you probably know, you should not add moisture into the down mat more than necessary, which rules out blowing up the mat with lung power.

The valve caps need to be snapped in firmly - I either didn't do this or had a bit of contamination in the deflate valve the other night and ended up on the (rocky) tent pad. I assumed the pad had sprung a leak but testing at home eliminated that possibility...and left me feeling a bit foolish as I'd had to re-pump a few times to get through the night. Trying out a new tent.....my hammock was in the kayak and at 1 am I wished I'd hung it up!

[DeRozea]

I have the down exped 9 FL. built in hand pump right inside the pad. love it. SPE is required but it is warm. I have used it in my eno dn,, 1.9 db switchback and my thunder bird from DH. I have found that with the first 2 hammocks, a flatter pitch worked much better( 10-20*) than the diagonal lay. that's just me though.

[TonyYarusso]

I have the AirMat Basic UL, SynMat 7 UL, DownMat 7 UL, and DownMat 9, in the LW except for the AirMat. I've used these a lot on the ground and they're fantastic, and now am using them in the hammock. With the wide pads I can get away without SPEs if I'm careful in my positioning. Sleeping on the DM9 currently - thermometer read 20F this morning.

[KMACK]

I want to love my Exped UL7 but I'll be returning my second one to Exped because it does not hold air.