Exped Synmat HL

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Overall

#142 in

Sleeping Pads

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Sentiment score50% positive
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Last updated: Apr 17, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit Iconliveslight
10 months ago

Exped pads are often recommended as having less noise and being very comfortable. I own 3 of them. They have lengthwise air chambers. I like the 25" wide-at-shoulder mummy-shaped ones. They are thicker than many pads as well. Also putting a piece of 1/8" thinlite or goodnight EVA foam between a pad and a tent floor can stop it from moving around and reduce the noise it makes. Here's a photo of a pair of them in my tent: [https://imgur.com/a/F4cSV7j](https://imgur.com/a/F4cSV7j) Your question is asked frequently -- perhaps a few times every month, so a search may result in more opinions for you to consider. Added: Here's a video clip of me moving on an Exped pad as I pack my quilt, so that one might get an idea of the noise: [https://i.imgur.com/9vA9Ef1.mp4](https://i.imgur.com/9vA9Ef1.mp4)

Reddit Iconcaleeky
8 months ago

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).

Reddit IconDimitri500
11 months ago

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.

Reddit Icontakenawaythrowaway
3 months ago

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.

Reddit IconOphiochos
7 months ago

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.

Reddit Iconnancykind
9 months ago

xped makes a great pad/mattress, it's kind of a cross between the two, mine has lasted for years

10 months ago

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

10 months ago

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

Reddit Iconmountainprospector
5 months ago

I have an exped in my Rtt, have slept up to 10 consecutive nights with no noticable air loss.

Reddit Iconyuribotcake
5 months ago

Exped all the way. Love my green whatever name it is, it's insulated, so it's nice in cold months and works good in summer months.

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