Exped - SynMat Duo M

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.

We have a Tarptent Double Rainbow; there’s plenty of choice for 2 man tents, but fitting in an Exped Synmat Duo wide (130cm) was important to us. The double mat is great as no gaps, but each side inflates separately. We’ve had sleeping bags with left and right zips, but now use a double quilt. We also have the two person Dutchware Double Dutch hammock setup which we love - separate hammocks with a spreader bar but one bugnet so you are under the same canopy. This was actually our photo on the Dutchware insta page https://www.instagram.com/p/CZUpiG3sgOq/?igsh=MW1rMDh2Y3B2c2d1Zw==

I floor slept with my Exped and a wool blanket, same results! My body evened out and woke up feeling much more refreshed.

cancel all these and get an Exped

I don’t know what mats you’re talking about, as my appreciation comes for the Synmat Duo that only has baffles inside. I think the same of the Downmat. Agreed tho, they let me sleep like a little lamb in the backcountry. 😴

I have an Exped Synmat and it's quite comfortable. It's more "air mattress" than my Thermarest Prolite Plus but more comfortable. So much so I'm insisting my wife use my Synmat mattress instead of her existing Thermarest on our next trip. I can handle the lesser one (I hope). I think basically if you're spending some money it's always going to be more complicated than "air mattress". I think OP means a classic vinyl sack filled with air. They tend to have poor support, zero vapor management, and are cold (because air convection inside the mattress takes all your heat and moves it to the ground).

G'Day Practical, I've had an Exped Synmat which I recently replaced with an Exped 5R (I haven't used this yet, but it is the successor the Synmat). The Synmat lasted quite a few years and I was very happy with it. Both mats are rectangular rather than tapered so I think you will be less likely to slide off it. I certainly never had any problems, which is why I bought the 5R. Regarding sleeping bags, I have a three season bag (Exped Ultralite 300, \~300 g down) which I can pair with an inner bag (Macpac Snowflake, 130 g down). I used this combination (along with a silk inner sheet) in Nepal up to 4000 m (in accommodation) and was always comfortable. Note, you didn't mention having an inner sheet. If you do not have one, I advise you to get one (silk, not cotton). I think it is worth buying quality products from reputable manufacturers. They will last you a long time and be reliable.

What time of year are you going? I've done a lot of camping in Iceland in a range of seasons over the course of about 7 trips, if you're going in summer you don't need anything particularly large, just think UK spring or Autumn really. I took a Synmat in May/June and it was fine. All I would say is that it's very windy and there are very few trees or vegetation so your tent needs to be able to stand up to the wind exceptionally well. I stayed at a campsite on the south cost where someone's tent literally blew away with about half their stuff in. It ended up in the sea. So get good pegs. The ground isn't very soily! Definitely take a ground sheet protector there's some spikey rocks.

Have an exped duo mat and sleeping bag that zip together. Extra blanket sometimes so the sleeping bag stays open and its more like a regular bed. No getting all trapped in there.

I have an Exped as well as the bestway one often mentioned here and the zen bivvy one, and the exped is the comfiest and warmest hands down. However I can’t remember which one it is exactly (it’s an old model, now deprecated, but 7 cm deep). Also has by far the best inflation system.

Fellow Edmontonian here! You can't go wrong with an exped for your sleeping mat. My wife and I are avid backpackers, and have used a double wide exped for numerous years with zero issue. We also share a double sleeping bag from big agnes, but upgraded to a quilt from Enlightened Equipment this year (haven't gotten out yet to test it however). Which trails are you hiking in Jasper and Banff? When during the season are you going? Altitude and time will also have an impact on the warmth rating you choose.

I have a double size Exped, and it is just too big for us to pack up for car camping. I went with sleeping pads so I could actually fit it in my car. I love the idea of cots, but I don’t know how people put them inside cars!

We do an exped double sleeping pad and double sleeping bag. We love being able to cuddle. I know they are expensive but if you take good care of it they last a long time. We have had ours for 6/7 years and we have had no issues with it