Exped

SynMat 9 DLX

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Overall

#129 in

Sleeping Pads

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score60% positive
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Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: Jul 8, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit IconBecauseSometimesY
8 months ago

Most will tell you “you need an underquilt”… but if you prefer the little extra structure/support from a pad, like me, then a pad will do JUST FINE! I have an under quilt, but prefer and pretty exclusively use an inflatable pad. I think what works best is a mummy shape with rounded corners and tapered foot end. I use an older exped synmat LW (long wide) mummy shape pad, basically same as current exped 3R pads. It fits great in my hammock (hammock gear circadian). It’s super comfortable, I don’t get any cold spots at my arms or feet. Would also work great if I ever needed to ground camp. .. you don’t “need” and under quilt, if you have a pad that works well with your setup.

Reddit IconPewPewThrowaway1337
6 months ago

I’m not your size, but I do have a really hard time sleeping on the really small pads that people seem to love. Exped sleeping pads are the only thing I’ve found that I can sleep well on, and I happily carry them knowing there are lighter pads out there. For reference, I’m an athletic 5’9” 190 and my Exped SynMat is a Regular length, but “Wide” version. It takes up most of the floor space in my Nemo Dragonfly 2p.

Reddit IconDesperate-Action4684
4 months ago

Exped has a 5R version out- just picked one up but haven’t used it yet; I used a 3.5R version in Yellowstone Lamar Valley last September with a Feathered Friends Flicker 20 degree. At age 64 not going back to closed cell foam- just more lunges more farmer walks with dumbbells and more frequent training hikes with loaded pack. I like polyester sleeping pads because if I don’t cover enough ground during the day I do a great job making up for it at night when I’m sleeping and a polyester sleeping pad helps me stay on the pad. Yes it weighs more. So… more lunges…more training hikes…and better sleeps at night on trips. Nemo Tensor used to be polyester but they switched to nylon to market a lighter weight pad.

Reddit Icon64-matthew
11 months ago

What country are you in? It may have a different name. I'm in Australia. There are two. Exped downmat XP 9 LW Exped synmat 9 LW I have the synmat. If l was backpacking l would have got the down one. I have no idea what XP means, but LW is long wide. Good luck

3 months ago

I use an xped 9cm thick. Absolutely a winner.

Reddit Iconziptiefighter
9 months ago

I've had four Expeds. Still have two. Both have the built-in pump. One has synthetic fill. The other has some down insulation which makes it good for ~10F colder than without. The first two developed tiny leaks (could not find them even with submerging). They were a few years out of warranty. Exped still replaced both. I appreciate a company that stands behind their products. I also like side-sleeping. I have not used these as much as what you will. So durability...🤷

Reddit IconAggressive-Foot4211
about 2 months ago

If you get a Big Agnes it will squeak against the tent floor all night when you move. I use Exped. Not completely noiseless, but built differently than the Neo pads and not a Big Agnes. I have a discontinued Hyperlite, will replace it with an Ultra when it develops too many leaks just as I did the Synmat. I wish they still made the Hyperlite.

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1
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2
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3
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4
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad

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5
Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft™ Sleeping Pad

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80% positive of 130 users

Very comfortable, good service, but heavy and bulky for backpacking.

Rankings by Use Case

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