FlexMat Plus

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?

It is thicker, but not as thick as Exped's previous model the Exped Flexmat Plus. However, it does have a higher R-value than the Flexmat Plus. See: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1supp9i/exped_flexmat_plus_vs_the_newer_exped_flex_3r/ I'm a side-sleeper and I've continued to use the Flexmat plus because I don't need the higher R-Value, but I do need the greater cushion.

Just the CCF pad. To be clear, I can't side sleep on a Nemo or Thermarest CCF pad. But on the thicker Exped Flexmat Plus, I can do it. I don't own the newer Exped Flex 3R, so I have not tried it on one of those.

I'm a 54 year old sidesleeper. Years ago I used a Thermarest zlite ccf pad, but as I got older I had to move to an inflatable. However, about a year ago, I switched to an Exped Flexmat plus ccf pad and am very happy. (it is a thicker pad).

Not sure where you are located, but I have a Flexmat Plus in long/wide that I have only used for 2 nights that I can sell (I'm in the US). I like the pad, comfort wise. I just chose to replace it with size medium Flexmat Plus.

For people that haven't tried it yet The exped flexmat plus has a break-in period. It's harder foam and your first few nights the "peaks" can be annoying. They eventually dimple and it becomes a great pad

I own: Thermarest Z-Rest, Thermarest Ridgerest, Nemo Switchback, Exped Flexmat Plus, Zotefoam, Evazote, Ensolite, etc, etc. Hands down, the Nemo Switchback is the one I grab. More comfortable than the Z-Rest, which bottoms out. The Exped is too bulky, and isn't know for great durability.

[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).

That makes sense to me. It’s basically the same stuff as typical R1.8 accordion pads, but with larger dimples. I don’t see how big dimples add an entire R digit, especially when compressed by a human.

Speaking of this, [Alex Hibbert demonstrates using 5 layers of CCF for -40 weather](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTP1ZcPXn8Q&t=282s). It's an older vid from the same guy that BigRob mentions, but it's more directly actionable since Alex has not finished designing his new system yet. It can be done, and there are some reasons to do it, but "lightest weight" isn't one of them. For weight and bulk, air pads win. As Alex points out, one of the features of inflatables is that they can "uninflate", which is an issue where he's going. But he's a bit north of the PCT... As MoonSandals suggests, you're going to have to do more testing for yourself. It's not super complicated: just add layers until you're comfortable. Some noteworthy pads to consider: * [Exped FlexMat Plus](https://www.expedusa.com/products/flexmat-plus) (thickest accordion-style pad due to large dimples). Some people like to use a flat topper over this pad. * [Nunatak EvaZote](https://nunatakusa.com/59-ccf-sleeping-pads-genuine-evazote) (high density version of smooth roll-up pads, available in several thicknesses). * [Thermarest RidgeRest](https://cascadedesigns.com/products/ridgerest-classic-sleeping-pad) (thicker than most other roll-ups).

Pulk\*. Alex skied half the length of Greenland (and back) in four months, unsupported. That's the ultimate in "ultralight backpacking", but not the way we usually think of on major trails with towns every few days. [Longest Unsupported Polar Arctic Journey in History: story of world-record 'Long Haul' expedition 4K - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dfrNqPwVgo) (\*) CCF is bulky but not especially heavy. If necessary, you could strap more than one to a backpack without shifting the balance.

Maybe. I recently got an Exped and a RidgeRest to try as a pair, similar to what you describe. They are comfortable enough on the floor, but I haven't tested on roots and rocks yet. The Exped pad is available in a wider width than most other accordion pads.

[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).

The Exped Flexmat Plus is very comfy when new. Unfortunately, the dimples collapse with use. The extra width is luxurious but makes it harder to pack.

Have you checked out the CCF options from Japanese cottage mfgs? Field Record recently released [a lightweight pad](https://www.fieldrecord.jp/product-page/fr-sma10-sleeping-mat-al10) with a layer of heat reflective film sandwiched between two layers of LDPE foam. They don't give an R value. Along similar lines, you could buy some heat reflective film and place that in between the two Z-lite mats that you already use. Yamatomichi sells a mat made of XLPE that weighs half of what a Z-lite weighs at the same R value.