Exped SynMat 9 Pump DLX

Summary

The downside to outdoor exploration for me was always discomfort in the sleeping arrangements. No longer. The Exped SynMat 9 Pump DLX brings a blissful night's rest after an active day's hike or paddle. So much so, that I now need an alarm to wake me up. Light, packs up small, easy to inflate and durable, the Synmat 9 has made wilderness sleeping a pleasure!

This is by far the best camping mattress that I have ever used. It has provided five seasons of comfortable sleep during annual kayak explorations and shows no signs of wear. Our entire kayak group now uses the Exped SynMat 9 Pump DLX and everyone raves about how comfortable they are.

The downside to camping on the often rocky beaches of BC's wild west coast was trying to get a comfortable night's sleep. Too often I would toss and turn all night, warding off cold and numbness, and then, after a fitful night would wake up early and thoroughly miserable.

The first morning after sleeping on the Exped SynMat 9 Pump DLX, on the north coast of Vancouver Island, I woke refreshed and invigorated. Crawling out of my tent I called to my campmates to tell them that breakfast would be in half an hour.  hey gave me a series of rather peculiar looks for a moment or two, and then one of them suggested that perhaps lunch would be a better idea. I stood confused and asked, "what time is it"?  It was close to noon. I had slept around the clock!

That has never happened on any other camping mattress.

The Exped SynMat 9 Pump DLX brings a touch of luxury to the great outdoors.

Pros

• Big
• Thick
• Not very slippery
• Did I say thick?
• Not real heavy (by my standards, but not a UL pad)

Cons

• Big (maybe too wide)
• Weight (though still less then my old pads)

Size: 77.5" x 26" x 3.5" (197 cm x 65 cm x 9 cm). It's one BIG pad!! And thick, too!

Insulation value: -25 C or -13 F (R value of 6). I have not tried it in the cold yet but when I do I will update the review.

The mat is very large in size compared to most mats, almost too big. At 26 inches wide and 78 inches long, it is as big a me. I'm 6' 6" and 24" across at the shoulders. It also takes up most of my 2-person tent. There is just enough room for my pack and stuff. The big advantage of this pad is the thickness of the pad. At 9 cm, or 3.5 inches, it is quite thick and very comfortable to sleep on. 

When un-inflated, which is very easy to do, it rolls up to about 4" x 13" (folded in half). It weighs in at 41 oz, so just over 2.5 lbs. Most UL hikers would find this way too much weight, but for a lot of regular backpackers that may not sound like a lot of extra weight for a good night's sleep. I know for me it is worth every ounce.  

Inflating the pad is a little different then the normal blow up pad, but not that hard to do, and it is fairly quick for such a large pad. I would recommend that you try it out at home before your first trip, though, just so you have the hang of it in the field. 

Finally, this is not an inexpensive pad. At $149 plus sales tax (for Washington), mine cost just over $163, but how much is a good night's sleep worth to you?  To me it was worth it in every way.

One footnote: if REI had the option I may have gotten the SynMat 9 Pump which is 77" x 20" x 3.5". I think this pad would have done just as good, maybe, with my sleeping, but all that I was able to find was the DLX at any of the local stores and I did not have time for an Internet purchase.

Good Sleeping, Wolfman