Hah yeah- I still use a 10y/o Exped Symnat UL. Vertical baffles, r value around 3. 13.5oz with the repair kit. With just one exped official repair, its lasted around 3000 miles.
I keep considering changing it and have never found something to justify a change.
My exped synmat UL 7 popped a baffle after 10 years. Was sad having to go shopping right before a big hike buy I was pretty happy with my new mummy 3R LW.
I haven't found the exped pads particularly noisy, especially compared to thermorest. My favorite trick though is using a lightweight sleeping bag liner as a fitted sheet. Keeps the pillow in place, gets rid of all the noise and as a quilt user it's much nicer than sleeping on the bare mattress
I carry this type of pad for added cushion and as a backup for a possible failure of my main Exped Synmat 7. I would not use something like this alone because I would feel the hard ground and not sleep. Add the few pounds and get an inflatable and sleep like a baby.
No the sleeping bag won’t help much. To get a significant bump in comfort you’ll have to jump into some heavier pads that are still compressible enough to bring backpacking. Pads like the Thermarest Neoloft or Exped Megamat Ultra.
I have a Tensor All Season and find it comfortable, however my Exped Synmat 3D (older version of the Megamat Ultra) is definitely more comfortable. My brother has the Rapide SL which is similar to the Tensor in comfort.
obi_wander
