4 in Sleeping Pads
Exped - Ultra 3R
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Based on 1 year's data from Mar 2, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
48
3
"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."
"the Expeds are AMAZING. ... I actually get good nights sleep on trail with them"
"Personally I found pads with lengthwise baffles much more comfortable side sleeping. ... it is the most comfortable mat I tried."
26
2
"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."
"the Expeds are AMAZING. ... I actually get good nights sleep on trail with them"
"Personally I found pads with lengthwise baffles much more comfortable side sleeping. ... it is the most comfortable mat I tried."
9
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'm a light sleeper and before could get woken up by moving or by my hiking partners, with the new gen Xlite/Ultras that rarely happens to me now."
"Doesn’t sound like a potato chip bag when you move around."
9
4
"I recently slept on my Exped, straight on the ground (but in a tent) at 15⁰f and had no issues with the cold."
"The ultra 3/5R models are also warmer than their R value suggests. The ASTM testing doesn’t model a person moving and pumping air around inside the mat. The synthetic insulation reduces heat transfer due to airflow unlike in many mats that have foil ‘insulation’."
"the exped is the comfiest and warmest hands down."
7
2
"They are light and I now prefer it over the cot that I have used for many years."
"I got mine for weight and pack size"
"I’m not even sure it’s heavier than the 1” Thermarest I used for 20 yrs prior."
Disliked most:
2
5
"There’s a weight penalty"
"it is bulkier and heavier for the same warmth rating."
"Not the lightest"
6
3
"I bought a 3R that I haven't even taken out yet (need a ground setup for skyline this year) and I've already got buyers remorse. Out this way, the extra grams are def worth the extra insultation."
"probably a bit cold when temps are approaching the lower end of your range. ... Was entirely too cold for us where it gets colder than your range."
"Not the warmest"
0
2
"(Exped backpacking style inflatable pad) not as quiet!"
"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."
MrTru1te 1.0I use the small rectangular version of the 3r. Plenty warm enough down to freezing. It feels warmer than only 3 of r vallue. I can sleep on my side just fine with the rectangular version and I chose the small one since it’s long enough for me at 175cm since I ralrely sleep with my legs straight. If I don’t inflate it to the max it’s quite comfortable and I’ve had the same issues that you describe with many other brands including thermarest and Nemo. Edit : I was able to get it cheaper than the xlite where I live. I’m in eu. Also the pump sack is awesome and doubles as a good pack liner when I store my clothes and sleeping bag.
After trying pretty much everything, I tried the thermarest prolite XS for fun. For some very strange reasons I sleep very well on such a minimalist pad. And that’s the thinner discontinued version not the prolite plus. I only sleep on my side. Other pad that I really like is an exped 3r size S. The rectangular one.
Unparalleled_ 1.0Personally id avoid thermarest cause they are so loud. They also come in weighing over spec often, so they warmth/weight advantage is a bit smaller than it seems. If you are considering other options. I think that the vertical baffles are way more comfortable. Exped, big agnes do these. A good deal on an exped mat in the UK https://www.expeduk.com/products/ultra-3r?variant=44171519230266&country=GB¤cy=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20269517648&gbraid=0AAAAApwKUJuFrFp2UHLTjT1Yw3J7Jtb3K&gclid=CjwKCAjw3f_BBhAPEiwAaA3K5PDLOMRlNwjFmZzPRNER1N8ldFP9UYieepFeWgIYz7oR24VeuniABRoCUAkQAvD_BwE
AdeptNebula 0.3Exped Ultra is comfortable and ultralight. Pretty affordable, too. Give it a try.
I’d get the 3R and supplement with a CCF pad for the occasional sub freezing trips. That’s my personal setup.
After_Pitch5991 0.3I am an Exped Ultra 3R and 5R fan. I feel like they are highly underrated in the hiking community. My opinion is they sleep warmer than rated, are super comfortable, quite and cost less than a lot of pads. Just an FYI if you want another possibility/option. Edit: Sorry, I forgot this was Ultralight. I was thinking it was the Appalachian Trail sub.
I backpack a lot and have a lot of bad back issues. I always dial my gear in at home before going into the field. I like Exped Ultra pads, I mostly use the 3R. They are highly underrated and are super comfortable for me. I use the trekology pillow. I have expermented with two in the past but I am back to one. I have used sleeping bags and quilts. Bags are out for me. Quilts are more comfortable. This year I went with the Zen Bivy light bed and it is very comfortable. I flip and flop all night and love this quilt/half sheet so far. I can get into any position for comfort.
I use the Exped Ultra 3r and love it. Their pads are highly underrated.
Exped pads are highly underrated!
an_atomic_nop 0.3After most of a thru with a 3R it's the only sleeping pad I would ever want on the AT. Comes with great pump sack. Get in a bag on top of it for winter.
burgiebeer 0.3As far as $/warmth ratio, this one is the winner. $50+ cheaper than S2S, Therma, Nemo and really comfy. I love mine.
The 3R is a pretty incredibly value for an 18oz pad at around $150. The 5R is probably better for being in Maine outside of summer.
Cupcake_Warlord 0.3Totally agree on the Ultra, I've got an Ultra 3R currently that is my 3-season pad but the Elite is substantially lighter and isn't really a direct competitor, Uberlite was discontinued ostensibly because of the high failure rates and warranty claims/returns.
Dasbeerboots 0.3I got an Exped Ultra 3R for like $60 on r/ULgeartrade. Try this sub and FB Marketplace/Craigslist.
EricC2010 0.3This is what I use and love it.
gijoe4500 0.3I 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.
6'1, 260 lb side sleeper.... Exped Ultra 3R is my pad of choice for my climate, but they have some with much higher R-values. It's more comfortable, to me, than either the Nemo Tensor or Thermarest X-Lite.
I was that way until I found the right sleeping pad and pillow situation. I'm using an Exped Ultra 3R and an Exped mega pillow. It's amazing.
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