
4 in Sleeping Pads
Exped - Ultra 1R
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Based on 1 year's data from Mar 2, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
5
2
"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."
"I have an Exped. Not loud."
"i have several Expeds and I don't think they're that loud at all."
15
4
"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."
"Exped is almost as comfortable as our home mattress."
"I also have an Exped pad and one from Zenbivy with vertical baffles. I love these. They cradle my body better."
5
1
"Was concerned at how fragile it seems, but I've slept in some spikey places and never had an issue."
"I've used my Exped for 500miles. I've never had a problem with it. ... Personally, I would only buy Exped or Big Agnes sleeping pads because they're the only ones I've never seen leak."
"I haven’t had problems with them leaking like I did with the tensor."
1
0
"Exped repairs pads for the cost of shipping to Tacoma."
6
1
"I recently slept on my Exped, straight on the ground (but in a tent) at 15⁰f and had no issues with the cold."
"the exped is the comfiest and warmest hands down."
"on cold nights I was happy to have the extra insulated layer."
Disliked most:
5
2
"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."
"(Exped backpacking style inflatable pad) not as quiet!"
1
3
"There’s a weight penalty"
"it is bulkier and heavier for the same warmth rating."
"The Exped is definitely a bulky mattress style, though."
2
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."
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.
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.
Exped is good, several models depending on what kind of camping. For reference I’m 6’ 330lbs. MegaMat/DeepSleep used for car camping. Dura used for backpacking. You may also be able to use furniture foam which would be cheaper and can be cut to different sizes.
I've had my exped for around 4 years now, and it's never let me down. Was concerned at how fragile it seems, but I've slept in some spikey places and never had an issue. [this ](https://www.expeduk.com/products/ultra-1r) is the current version of what I've got, and can't praise it enough.
I can’t use anything over a 2 in summer or I sweat profusely on whatever side is against the mat. Sold my uberlite and picked up the 1R long/wide. Sleeps more comfortable as well.
I was using a backpacking style exped inflatable pad and recently replaced it with a self inflating one. Takes up a lot more space but far more comfortable (and quiet!).
Exped Ultra is comfortable and ultralight. Pretty affordable, too. Give it a try.
Most 20D pads seems to be "too fragile". Only exception seems to be the exped ultra somehow. But it's really hard to have a good picture on pads reliability.
I really like my Exped Ultra. Im a side sleeper and the vertical baffles are good for me - never had any problems with it.
I have a Nemo Tensor, Thermarest NeoAir X-Lite, and an Exped Ultra. My favorite of the 3 is the Exped. I haven't used the Rapide, but I'd put it in the same class as the ones I have. At that point, they are all so similar, buy the one that is the most comfortable for you. $20-30 less or more at that price point isn't huge, and is 100% worth it for more comfort.
I know they are light but the neoair durability isn’t great. Also Cascade (thermarest) just moved from Seattle to Reno and I bet things are super disorganized still I opted for the Exped Ultra series. There’s a weight penalty but I find them much more comfortable, and Exped repairs pads for the cost of shipping to Tacoma.
I had an Exped Ultra for many years, which was pretty comfortable, but wasn't a big fan of the vertical baffles. When it finally failed, Exped replaced it with a duo Ultra. Good customer service. Since then I've had the Thermarest nxt and a ZenBivy which I didn't find comfortable. I bought the Nemo Tensor Extreme last week from Backcountry for 20% off. I haven't really had it out, but I highly recommend it. Six foot, 200# side sleeper. I don't have to keep it rock hard.
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