Exped - FlexMat

I haven't used it standalone below 2C. In winters gobe by, I have "stacked" with GG thinlight, Switchback and Klymit Xlite torso size (it's kinda like a frame rather than a total inflatable). Or another combo was Switchback with shorter sections of Exoed Flexmat- orange one. This is my conundrum at the moment, and I have moved to a much colder climate. I have ordered a thermarest womens prolite plus self inflating mat in short 120cm size as when side sleeping that will have all but my toes on it anyway. It's R Value is 3.6 I think and it weighs 450g. With a CCF I think I will be ok subzero as anecdotally I fond ccf in those conditions perform better than the R value would suggest, whereas the inflatables I had pre-2021 always seemed to perform worse than advertised. I know it seems very old-fashioned and not UL to get a SI mat, but unless I really have to get an inflatable mat for Winter, I would really rather not.

I have three; Exped Ultra 5R, Exped Flex, and Exped Deep Sleep. Ultra & Flex are my backpacking pads and the Deep Sleep is for car camping. Side and back sleeper that runs hot. Spring/summer/fall in the PNW. Go wide/long since you like to roll around.

I hated it like hated hated it.

Phenomenal mat! This is the one I'm currently using. Try a couple nights car camping with it, or sleep out in the backyard, before taking it on your long trek. Works for me, no inflatable required.

Would it work? Yes. They’ll do the job, but they’re just not that comfortable. Just about everyone these days uses an inflatable. R values are generally higher (shouldn’t matter for you), they’re compact, weigh about the same, but most importantly, they’re pretty comfortable. The only real downsides to inflatables is they can be pricey, and they will eventually get a leak.

I love mine, it goes under my Nemo insulated pad when I know it's going to be cold.

I exclusively sleep on CCF mats. the best budget, packable and easily available option is the Decathlon MT500. The warmest is the Thermarest Ridgerest but it's bulky. The epxed flexmat, Thermarest Z lite and Nemo Switchback are all good but a bit more pricey. Don't get hung up on R values like you would with an inflatable pad. for some reason CCF mats always feel warmer, i think due to the density of the material. I've slept on ice in the alps with CCF mats. As always though it will depend on the person and you'd need to exercise caution with a young en.

I did the PCT with one of these. Actually half of one. It was fine. If I did another thru hike, I’d prolly use the same one.

what worked for us was separate cots (I love the back support and it doesn’t matter as much if the ground isn’t perfectly flat) and closed foam insulated pads like the Exped or REI Camp Dreamer. Hold hands when you want physical touch Also a sleep mask and ear plugs. I was waking up to every snap, crackle and pop before. Deafening outside noise reducing visual stimulation helps.

I've tried both the Exped Flexmat and the Flexmat Plus. They rate the thinner version at R1.5 and the thicker version at R2.2, but TBH I really can't tell the difference at the low end of the range (air temps at 30 to 40F). I felt cool through my pad using the Flexmat. I thought I'd be warmer taking the Flexmat Plus, but I really wasn't.

This is my current pad. Comfortable down to about 40°F. Works well for me as long as it's not going to be cold.

I have an Exped Flexmat. The R-value is 1.5 which isn't really sufficient on its own in winter. But definitely better than whatever the R value is of a deflated air mattress. And if you add them together you get the cumulative R value (well kind of). In my book it's well worth 300gr.

They're great, however if you're planning on spending any length of time on the trail do yourself a favor and carry this AND an inflatable. A couple of nights of semi-comfortable sleep are fine if you get to go home thereafter and crash out in your bed. Otherwise, on an extended section or thru you'll need zeros to catch up and your sleep quality impacts your risk of injury.

I loveeee this mat! I also have an thermarest neoair, which I defenetly prefer! But this flexkat is great for above 5 C°. Try tk find soft grount. On stone etc it might be uncomfortabke.

I always wake up with pools of water in every divot

It works fine the width can be annoying when bushwacking or hurdling trees. I moved to a 20" pad and cut my wide one down to 5-6 panels for my dog or to use with a full 20" sometimes IMO a good pillow with a lot of height to it is key if your going CCF If you dont yet have the exped pad and can afford say a nemo or thermarest 20" ccf id try those if you wanna do a ccf they have a slightly higher r value and are better to hike with PROS: i like the simplicity and durability of ccf pads especially because my dog cant pop them and you can use them as a sit pad or a stool when folded they are great during breaks for that reason CONS:obviously they aren't as comfortable especially the 1st night or two but if your doing big miles anything is pretty comfortable at the end of the day My 1st PCT section hike i brought one of the expedition mats and an inflatable pad. My inflatable pad ended up popping in a manor that was un repairable and I was soo thankful to have the ccf Since that trip I use a ccf pad 90% of the time That being said ccf is not for everyone or most people

Yeah, I had a great time sleeping on mine at 23, but that was a while ago and I have back problems now

Pros: light, can’t be punctured, can be used as a seat or pad on most terrain Cons: thin, will become thinner in the middle, not much padding, not very warm once temps drop into the 40s at night I used mine from Georgia to Maine on the AT, but did ship out my Thermarest NeoAir XLite for the last month or two when it got colder. Putting it on top of the foam pad was nice.

I don’t find these comfortable. Lightweight - yes. Comfort - no. I just bought my second xped and it is bulkier but so much more comfortable. You feel as if you are being rolled off. And yes you can let them down which helps but still uncomfortable and then when you sit up you are on the hard floor.

love my xped for car camping. kind of a cross between the two

if it helps i think i'm on year 5 with it.

I have an Exped. Not loud. And of them can make some noise sliding about on say tent floors, depending on the relative texture etc of the fabrics. Not way to know for sure until you try it. Or, more easily, just use something between them if it's an issue.

Support. I had a hole in my Exped, out of warranty, had to pay for shipping but they repaired it and shipped it back for free. Super nice of them.

My exped is a piece of magic.

My exped is really comfortable and warm

I've used it for about 80 days over several trips. It's a very robust build.

Same. OP, given that you have the space, I would recommend memory foam or something similar. I use a 6” trifold mattress, but in your case, given that you have the space and have trouble sleeping, I would recommend a normal one-piece mattress for you. If you do use the Exped, the secret is to adjust the air pressure. Everyone is different, but for me, if I let out air until my butt just barely touched the floor while sitting on it, that would be ideally comfortable (though not as comfortable as memory foam) when I laid down on it.

Exped pads are highly underrated!

After various attempts of finding the right set up: Exped on top of a cot. Watch for REI sales for the Exped, and watch the garage sale area for the cot.

A sleeping pad is not the spot you sacrifice for the minuscule weight savings possible. I use an Exped mat that is like 4” thick, extra wide, XL, and insulated and I’m not even sure it’s heavier than the 1” Thermarest I used for 20 yrs prior.

I (64M) swear by my Exped. Not cheap but comfort in a relatively small package. It comes in a bag that can be attached to anything. YMMV

I (64M) always used a cot when camping. REI had Expeds on sale and I have read such good things about them, so I bought one. They are the best mattress for camping I have ever used. Even weighing 230lbs, side sleeper, I would have a tough time touching the ground through the mattress. They are quick to fill up with the enclosed hand pump and quick to deflate. They are light and I now prefer it over the cot that I have used for many years.

Megamat is a good choice. We have one and like it. Yes they can be punctured, but they’re expanding foam, not just air, and they’re easy to repair. They’re also warm when the weather is cold. We also have these for multi-day river trips, and I actually prefer them to the Exped. Sooooo comfy, and tough as nails. [Landing Pad](https://www.aire.com/product/30-landing-pads/) You can just strap them together with a cam strap. Either way, you’re right to abandon air mattresses.

We have expeds and they are awesome. At our heaviest using them I think one of us topped out about 215lbs and comfort wasn't compromised at all. We are both side sleepers. Hopefully someone closer in size to you will respond, but I hope that's slightly helpful! Add: I did just look and exped states their weight limit is 330. So maybe that might not be the best option.

I used to have a S2S pad and I really liked their baffle design. I replaced it with an exped but even though it’s thicker it doesn’t feel as good to me.

I'm heavier and shorter than you and side sleep on Exped mats just fine.

I really like my exped. I bought it on sale from REI and I still thought it was expensive but in retrospect it’s worth full price. I have [this](https://a.co/d/jbKmmg3) air pump and it works great. I have a double & single pad and have no issues getting them back in their storage bag. Not familiar with the other one you’re looking at fwiw.

Check REI Resupply for an Exped, they’re an excellent product but often returned because of user error

i have several Expeds and I don't think they're that loud at all.

I use an Exped, but then add a foam topper from Walmart cut to size for extra comfort. 

You've tested *all* of them? You find the Nemo more comfortable than an Etherlite XT? An REI Helix? An Exped? A Rapide SL? That doesn't compute for me. The Nemo is more comfy than a Neoair but well below all of those.

I have that Wellax pad. It was actually pretty great in 20 degrees for the first two trips. Then it stopped inflating fully. I just bit the bullet and switched to Exped.

Expeds CAN leak, but they're expensive and built really well. They're different from regular air mattresses because they have foam inside them which insulates you from the ground really well. Nemo makes a similar product. Exped also has great customer service (from what I've heard) and can patch your mattress if it gets holes.

If you have one nearby, REI has sleeping pads blown up you can lay on and test out. Everyones body and sleeping preferences are different. Once you figure out what kind of baffles you prefer, finding a sleeping pad will come easier as there are so many options. Especially if weight isn't an issue. I have a Nemo Tensor. It has quilted baffles. Everyone loves it, and it hurts my back and hips so bad. I also have an Exped pad and one from Zenbivy with vertical baffles. I love these. They cradle my body better. Thermarest is super popular. Most are horizontal baffles. They don't look comfy to me but it seems like people sleep well on them. Sea to Summit and Big Agnes are other popular sleeping pad brands. What kind of temps are you expecting? You'll want to choose a pad with an R value appropriate to your camping needs. Most choose a 3 season with an R value between 2-4. I would stick on the upper end if you're a cold sleeper.

I loved my Expeds before I got my camper. I now use a 6” memory foam mattress and wouldn’t be able to go back.

I have a couple exped mats and knock offs like Hikenture and Qomotop. They are not phony in the sense that the insulation ratings are way off. I camped in freezing temps for the last 5 years and am very toasty on every trip. I can't tell the difference in insulation properties between the brands. Only difference is the Exped breaks down much smaller than the knock offs.

Yep. Exped is almost as comfortable as our home mattress.

I brought my exped and put it on top of the mat provided by the tour operator. I’m glad I did because the ground was rocky and on cold nights I was happy to have the extra insulated layer.

Exped, thank me later

Voordeel van exped is de opbaaszak. Die werkt echt beter dan die van andere merken

Try the Nemo Tensor, the Exped pads, and the Big Agnes Rapide (heaviest, but thickest). You should be able to lay on all of these at an REI if you have one nearby. They should have all the most popular ones blown up and ready to try.

I've used my Exped for 500miles. I've never had a problem with it. Personally, I would only buy Exped or Big Agnes sleeping pads because they're the only ones I've never seen leak. Anything by thermarest is trash.

We put on exped on top of our air mattress.Gets us about 16 inches off the ground and it has a headboard so pillows don’t slide off. We’re car campers as well so we have room to pack some extras for comfort!

Exped 100%

Side sleeper. I use Exped. This is the main reason I haven't tried a Thermarest or Rab pad yet, no lengthways baffles. I love them and they can really help you stay on the pad if the ground is all over the place.

I’m not sure there’s a best one per se, there are a lot of equality pads out there and the one that best fits you and your needs might be the right choice for you. My favorite is Exped but I love my Nemo’s as well. My personal opinion tho is that you have nowhere to go but up. After fifty plus years of buying and using outdoor gear I can say that I actively despise only one brand, Klymit. And that’s all I have to say about that.

As often as you camp, I'd recommend investing in an Exped. The two single mats together is a cool idea too...to give you both independent spaces for movement, but still retaining proximity.

Yeah I have an exped but the only reason I got it is space is tight and I wanted something that fit under my seat. I love it though. 

Exped makes some great pads. I got mine for weight and pack size and it’s the most comfortable pad I own

Exped makes a great mat. But you might want to look at the thicker thermorest pads as an option as well

I love this pad! We got 2 from Costco years ago and one has a hole. We’ve upgraded to Exped and cots for car camping, but I would have gotten another one of these if they were still available. The Exped is definitely a bulky mattress style, though.

Always go wider than you think. It’s way more comfortable. Also the exped stuff is great with their layer of memory foam. I think they now have a single

I also want to mention that the valves of some pads are not designed to be mistreated. For instance, on Exped pads, DO NOT simply pull the flap to open the valve. BE SURE to hold the part of the valve that is permanently attached to the pad fabric separately so that the forces of opening the flap do not tear the valve out of the fabric.

My valve failed on the first trip I used it on. It's an easy fix to replace the valve, but still... Mind you, my Exped mat has never been the same since I camped in a prickle patch.

Dit is HET antwoord! Exped matten liggen geweldig, kan ik alleen maar aanbevelen. Het is alsof je thuis op je eigen bed ligt.

We use an air mattress cot and it works fine. We also have 2 expeds that we couple together and use on trips where we don’t need the under bed storage space of the cot. Someday we will figure out how to do expeds on a cot and then we’ll really be living!

My partner and I used to have the same problem where every time one of us moved, it felt like the other was on a trampoline 😂. Switching to a foam pad (we went with a double Thermarest, but I've tested an Exped before and it was great) made such a huge difference for our sleep.

The Exped is a game changer!

Get an exped and never think about comfort camping ever again.

Most comfortable is Exped by far. Not cheap though

Exped sleeping pads. I’ve had mine for 10 plus years and have insanely good R value.

Use Exped on my Coleman Cot - can confirm the 75-80% max inflation. Too hard and it feels like a spring ready to bounce you off if you roll over

+1 on the Exped but please get two singles. Don’t try sharing with your partner.

Exped is quiet and comfortable. It does not compete well on paper with neoair stuff, it is bulkier and heavier for the same warmth rating.

I have one Exped and one Therm-a-rest in this style. At first, they’re great. Over time, the Exped began to leak, and I think the TaR is now doing the same. As best I can tell, the rubber lining inside the fabric begins to slowly degrade and develop pinhole leaks. You never hear leaking air. You just wake up in the morning with your hip touching the ground (I’m a side sleeper). I stored both fully extended, with the valves open, so keeping them compressed in the sack was not the problem.

I agree with the Exped!

Love my exped and my paco pad. Paco pad is plastic welded memory foam and you will NOT touch the ground. i adore mine

This would be my pick as well, I'd just hook it to the outside of the pack. It's worth it for the sleep comfort.

Just slept on my Exped the other night. Super comfy, always a good night of sleep on it. Wish I'd bought it years ago.

Knockoff should be fine if you're ok with a much lower R rating. If you don't plan to camp below around 40⁰f then you'll be fine. I recently slept on my Exped, straight on the ground (but in a tent) at 15⁰f and had no issues with the cold.

Another vote for the Exped. HOWEVER, I freaking LOVE my UST Fillmatic and they have clips so you can connect two of them together. I’m 5’7” and my husband is 6’5”. When we shared a traditional air mattress, I was miserable. Everytime he flipped from side to side it bounced me around. When we have separate mattresses, I sleep much better. Just something else to chew on as you make your decision.

If you are camping a couple of times a month, I would absolutely consider investing in a better tent. It will make your lives easier. Yes, the convenience of the cheaper tents and being able to find them at any Walmart or bass pro shop around is nice, but you are at a heightened use. The features of a decently cheap REI tent will definitely help with sharing space inside a tent. Aside from that finding the right sleeping pads your bodies like is important. I found Exped pads to be my favorite. You can also try the micro cots.

Echoing what teddylexington said. Expeds are constantly in the re-supply and a pain in the ass to pack back up. Exped also has a limited warranty vs the Nemo roamer’s lifetime warranty. I can pack up a roamer by myself in 15 mins without breaking a sweat and it’ll be half the size of an exped.

unfortunately the site crashes on my Chrome Android Browser (Chrome 132.0.6834.122 / Android 13, Samsung S21 OneUI 5.1) When it comes to sleeping pads I only choose between Exped and Thermarest anyway. (still lots of choices from these two companies!)

I’ve had Thermarest, BA, Exped and Nemo Tensor and the Tensor is the best for me. Not as light as a NeoAir Xlite, but still respectable- I have a regular wide, more comfortable and I think warmer than any you mentioned. The REI Helix is also worth trying. Maybe buy both online and return the one you don’t like. If you don’t take it outside it would be considered a new return with tags and original packaging.

Exped are the best. In my opinion.

The Thermarest self inflating is rubbish. Just some thin foam that helps to expand and suck air into the pad. But you still need to inflate it further. My exped mat is filled in a minute with the pump sack.

I have bad discs in my neck and back, and can still side sleep on an Exped. They are a gamechanger for me.

Lost horizon is the same thing as exped. Probably same Chinese suppliers… I have lost horizon and we love it. It feels exactly the same as the expeds I’ve tried at REI.

Exped and Featherstone will work. They have vertical baffles and the other two are larger to help hold you in the mat. I have experience with Exped, but Featherstone is the more budget friendly of the two.

There are lots of better pads than this. Try Exped.

My exped is more comfortable than my normal bed.

I have a exped also and its more comfortable than my normal mattress.

I had an exped and it was fine. Then I got the Hest. Hest wins for me every time. It’s so comfortable.

I've been sleeping on my exped since June and I sleep so fucking comfortably every night. A real mattress is pretty high on my purchase list, but I'm honestly in no rush to upgrade