Exped - FlexMat Plus

I used this exact setup for most of the CT this year. I found it to be very comfy.

I used a combination of a cut down Xped Flexmat plus and a GG 1/8th inch folded in half for most of the Colorado Trail and that was super comfortable. That set up weighed around 18oz. This past fall I picked up a Yamatomichi UL pad 15+, I’ve spent 1 night on it, so I can’t give a detailed report on it other than it kept me warm, but the 200cm length only weighs 8.2oz. I cut the extra length and I’m now using it as the back pad for my KS40.

I own an exped flex mat plus and find it no more comfortable than a standard thickness mat. The additional width is nice.

I have both and use both depending on the trip. My two most used sleeping pad options are the Flexmat Plus by itself or 6 panels of the Switchback with a 1/8" GG Thinlight on top. On their own I found the Switchback more comfortable out of the box, and the Switchback packs down much smaller and it "wants" to stay folded while the Exped has a tendency to want to spring open until you get it strapped onto the pack. The flip side is that once both pads had worn in a bit I found the softened up Flexmat Plus to be noticeably more comfortable on hard surfaces than the softened up Switchback. If I'm sure I'll be able to be find a nice and relatively soft campsite or if I'm just going as light as possible then I'll take the Switchback/Thinlight combo and if I'm less worried about the weight/bulk and can't be as picky about campsites then I'll take the Exped. Usually that means that when I'm solo I'm taking the lighter option and when I'm with friends I'm taking the Flexmat Plus. The huge caveat is that these are really personal things. For each pad you'll find people who say it is super comfortable and people who say that sleeping on it was torture, and they are both probably right. It sounds like you're probably in the lucky crew that will end up preferring CCF pads which is awesome, and the nice bonus is that you could end up getting 2-3 to try them out for less than the price of a single UL inflatable.

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.

I use exped flexmat plus paired with a decathalon roll pad that I've modded to fold. I don't think I'd recommend the flexmat plus solo, but it works well as a system. I'd also be tempted to try the nemo switchback as it generally gets the best reviews for ccf.

Don't get a liner, get down boots and a down balaclava instead. Much warmer for the weight. As for the pad, fix it (soap water to see the bubbles), get an xtherm but you'll probably have another leak at some point. Or get a closed cell foam pad like the Exped Flexmat Plus which won't ever leak. The r value is much better than the number suggests (due to lackluster test methodology). As general advice, lightly suffering on a thru hike is unavoidable sometimes. If you just started give your body time to adjust and read up how can influence perceived sleep temperatures. It's a skill.

It will pop.  I bring an Exped Flexmat Plus torso length and a Thinlight full size. Comfy, UL, versatile and never deflates.

Closed Cell Foam ftw. They're bomb proof, warmer than equivalent R value blow up pads, much cheaper and serve as a siesta or sit pad. The Exped Flexmat Plus is the comfiest at 1.5 inches thickness.  I cut mine to torso length and combine it with a Gossamer Gear 1/8 inch Thinlight (full length). No blowing up, no popping.

Exped Flexmat Plus is the thickest CCF pad. Cut down to torso length and with a full size Thinlight it's a very comfy setup.

I'd be curious to try a Prolite for the lower volume. But if you liked the Switchback, try the Exped Flexmat Plus. It's the thickest CCF pad and has a little more R value. I cut mine down to torso length and use it with a thinlight. 

It's been great for me in three season but that's subjective. However not feeling a difference between these pad's performance is unusual. Are you sure conditions were comparable? It's not just temperature but moisture etc.

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.