Exped - Ultra 1R
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Last updated: Dec 30, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
208
57
"I can take it down to like 25-30F very comfortably."
"Pads like the Xtherm (with good convective heat loss mechanisms) outperform pads like the Tensor XC (minimal convectove eat loss mechanisms) even though the Tensor XC has a higher tested rvalue. ... Stevens testing reinforces what I have also been seeing in the field while testing dozens of pads in every temperature possible. ... The other issue is that companies are designing to max the ASTM standard and "taking advantage of" the hole in the standard in order to push really high r-values that don't hold up when you're all of a sudden in air temps of -40."
"I slept on a simple switchback in 7°F weather last month on Hagerman Pass in Colorado... It was warm enough."
270
92
"I just put up with the pinholes and patching them on trail because I can't sleep better on any other pad. ... There's a huge difference in comfort depending on your body between the dimpled baffling of the Etherlight/Tensor and the horizontal baffling of the Xlite. ... I can't sleep on horizontal baffling despite all the good features of the Xlite. ... I'm a side sleeper and my arms and shoulders ache and/or fall asleep or go numb on the Xlite. For whatver reason I can only sleep on dimpled baffles (tensor, etherlight)"
"I sleep all night and no body aches."
"This specific pad and its sibling, Ether Light XT Insulated, have been my primary pads the past four-ish years. ... They are 4" thick and the most comfortable pads I've used, probably tied with the NeoLoft. ... Never woken with my arm numb, and the only pad I've ever slept seven-plus hours straight-through."
24
12
"It’s the first ultralight mat I’ve used that doesn’t sound like a bag of chips when I move around — no annoying crinkle from the heat-reflective foil. ... The outer fabric is also surprisingly quiet."
"My favorite part is that they're soooo quiet. No rustling or rubbed-balloon sound when you roll over."
"Insulation instead of reflective layer is quieter ... Can’t stand the crinkly noise produced by reflective layer models. ... I find they’re less noisy than the reflective pads. ... Overall, i find expeds less noisy."
41
15
"reliable ... I’ve been using the same inflatable pad for 6 or 7 years now and I’ve never had an issue with punctures or leaks"
"used a double wide exped for numerous years with zero issue."
"I've used it for about 80 days over several trips. It's a very robust build."
2
0
"I had a hole in my Exped, out of warranty, had to pay for shipping but they repaired it and shipped it back for free. Super nice of them."
"Exped repairs pads for the cost of shipping to Tacoma."
Disliked most:
59
87
"Dropped about 9ozs and kicked myself the rest of the way down the trail for being so gullible. ... I could really feel those 9ozs off my back."
"stupidly heavy mondo king pad"
"For pack-in or hiking its FAR too heavy."
8
2
"Personally I was not able to sleep comfortably on the Exped MegaMat Lite, or its siblings (Dura/Versa/Ultra). ... A through-line in my testing of these is the vertical baffling: I regularly wake up and find my arm is numb. ... But in my adulthood I've probably maximum only got about two hours of sleep at a time on a design like these."
"In my opinion the Megamat vertical baffles don't help with comfort at all, though they might help with the feeling of support if thats what someone was looking for. Not for me."
9
3
"the exped still makes noise ... the noise caused by the sleeping bag sliding around on the pad ... I turn over nonstop all night long and am insanely sensitive to noise."
"sooooooooo loud"
"(Exped backpacking style inflatable pad) not as quiet!"
4
3
"Over time, the Exped began to leak ... As best I can tell, the rubber lining inside the fabric begins to slowly degrade and develop pinhole leaks. ... You never hear leaking air. You just wake up in the morning with your hip touching the ground (I’m a side sleeper)."
"Mind you, my Exped mat has never been the same since I camped in a prickle patch."
"Expeds CAN leak"
0
1
"on Exped pads, DO NOT simply pull the flap to open the valve. BE SURE to hold the part of the valve that is permanently attached to the pad fabric separately so that the forces of opening the flap do not tear the valve out of the fabric."
I have an Exped. Not loud. And of them can make some noise sliding about on say tent floors, depending on the relative texture etc of the fabrics. Not way to know for sure until you try it. Or, more easily, just use something between them if it's an issue.
r/CampingandHiking • Sleeping Mats Recommendations? ->My exped is a piece of magic.
r/bicycletouring • Sleeping pad recommendations ->My exped is really comfortable and warm
r/bikepacking • Recommendations for sleeping pad ->I've used it for about 80 days over several trips. It's a very robust build.
r/bikepacking • Recommendations for sleeping pad ->Same. OP, given that you have the space, I would recommend memory foam or something similar. I use a 6” trifold mattress, but in your case, given that you have the space and have trouble sleeping, I would recommend a normal one-piece mattress for you. If you do use the Exped, the secret is to adjust the air pressure. Everyone is different, but for me, if I let out air until my butt just barely touched the floor while sitting on it, that would be ideally comfortable (though not as comfortable as memory foam) when I laid down on it.
r/overlanding • Most comfortable long term sleeping mattresses/pads? ->Exped Ultra is comfortable and ultralight. Pretty affordable, too. Give it a try.
r/Ultralight • Therarest Neoloft VS. Zenbivy Flex Air Mattress ->I had a Tensor and it was uncomfortable for me as well. I’ve found Exped inflatable pads comfortable. My favorite right now though is the Neoloft.
r/backpacking • Are inflatable pads uncomfortable for anyone else? ->Exped utra pads are great and highly underrated. Zen bivy light half sheet and light quilt is amazing with it. Game changer for me.
r/AppalachianTrail • I can’t get comfortable to sleep on the trail. Help me with a sleeping pad, please. ->Exped pads are highly underrated!
r/Ultralight • Very poor sleep on the NeoAir X Lite NXT. Recommendations? ->After various attempts of finding the right set up: Exped on top of a cot. Watch for REI sales for the Exped, and watch the garage sale area for the cot.
r/camping • Camping Cots ->Any Exped Med-Wide pads fit the bill. Incredibly comfy to boot. They are more expensive but a good nights sleep it worth it imo. Best investment I made for camping. I got my Deep Sleep for just over $100 on sale.
r/camping • Need 72in long 3-4in Thick Self Inflating Sleeping Pad ->Ahh ok then yea low or no R-value would be fine in those cases. Klymit also makes a good lightweight low R-value pad, it's what I used in Texas and worked quite well in warmer weather. Not as heavy or thick as the one you linked, but much lighter and packs down smaller. Great if you're backpacking but there are better options if car camping imo. Exped Ultra 1R is also a good pad, the more insulated 3 and 5 are also popular for colder temps. I've used the Dura versions which are a heavier/more insulated version and it was comfortable. I've also heard good things about Nemo Tensor but have no experience with it.
r/CampingGear • Lightweight Air Mattress Recommendation ->A sleeping pad is not the spot you sacrifice for the minuscule weight savings possible. I use an Exped mat that is like 4” thick, extra wide, XL, and insulated and I’m not even sure it’s heavier than the 1” Thermarest I used for 20 yrs prior.
r/motocamping • What‘s the comfiest (ultralight) camping mat for dual sporting? ->I (64M) swear by my Exped. Not cheap but comfort in a relatively small package. It comes in a bag that can be attached to anything. YMMV
r/camping • best camping mattress that packs small? ->I (64M) always used a cot when camping. REI had Expeds on sale and I have read such good things about them, so I bought one. They are the best mattress for camping I have ever used. Even weighing 230lbs, side sleeper, I would have a tough time touching the ground through the mattress. They are quick to fill up with the enclosed hand pump and quick to deflate. They are light and I now prefer it over the cot that I have used for many years.
r/camping • Exped Megamat or alternative ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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