Flex 3R

I appreciate your work. I've got the Exped Flexmat Plus (M) and have been looking at the new Flex 3R. I think that Exped might have some problems on their website with regards to the specs on this new pad and I suspect that you also saw this when putting together your information. Something just doesn't seem right. Both pads have the exact same dimensions (length, width, height) but have different weights. Now it would make sense that the newer pad with the higher R-value is probably heavier. But wouldn't the thickness need to also be greater?

[Exped FlexMat](https://www.exped.com/en/products/sleeping-mats/flexmat) and [FlexMat Plus](https://www.expedusa.com/products/flexmat-plus?variant=42267057029337)\* were available in LW size (77"x25"), now replaced by [Flex 1.5R](https://www.expedusa.com/products/flex-1-5r) and [Flex 3R](https://www.expedusa.com/products/flex-3r)\*, still in the same sizes. [Thermarest RidgeRest](https://cascadedesigns.com/products/ridgerest-classic-sleeping-pad?variant=41316889657478) Large is also 77x25" inches. [Seek Outside Matty McMatFace](https://seekoutside.com/matty-mcmat-face/) is 80x40". [Gossamer Gear Thinlight Rolled Wide](https://www.gossamergear.com/products/thinlight-foam-pad?variant=42879197511734) is 58x25". Mountain Laurel Design Goodnight is available in 80"x40" in both [1/8"](https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/goodnight-eva-1-8-foam-pad/) and [1/4"](https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/1-4-foam-pad/) EVA. (\*) The FlexMat Plus has large dimples that some people dislike when new. They flatten some with use, or can be covered by a thin EVA pad (Thinlight/GoodNight/Matty McMatFace).

I have both the new 3R mat and the older Flexmat plus, though I'm not a side sleeper so I cant fully answer your question, BUT... The thicknesses seem to be measured from the peaks of the foam, so the flexmat plus is touted as being "thicker" because of its huge pokey egg shell construction, but, in reality, the foam itself is actually way thinner than the 3R mat. Sleeping on both, I found the Flexmat plus super uncomfortable (you'll wake up looking like you slept in an iron maiden). Sure, it gets a bit better over time once it compresses down, but overall the 3R is far more comfortable right from the get-go.  The 3R foam is also alot softer and squishier in general than the Flexmat plus foam. Can't speak to how quickly it packs out yet as I've only spent a few nights on it so far. Of the two, I'd definitely recommend going for the newer 3R mat.

It’s definitely softer and more comfortable compared to the previous flexmat plus. That said, I personally tried sleeping on it one night and couldn’t hang. Even with some smaller pieces of CCF layered on top for additional shoulder/hip support, I just couldn’t find it comfortable. It was definitely warm enough for a night in the mid 30’s.

I have the FlexMat 3R long/wide pad and spent a couple nights on it. For me it's not suitable for backpacking because it's too bulky to want to strap to my pack. I can't imagine the smaller size one would be enjoyable for a side sleeper as the smaller one is only 20 inches wide. I did sleep well enough on it compared to other CCF pads (my go to is the Featherstone El Cordon as it's 22 inches wide). I was hoping it would be the holy grail CCF pad but it didn't turn out to be the case for me.