4 in Sleeping Pads
Exped - Ultra 3R Duo
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Based on 1 year's data from Mar 2, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
50
6
"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."
"we all sleep super well"
"the Expeds are AMAZING. ... I actually get good nights sleep on trail with them"
7
1
"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."
7
1
"Picked up the Exped Ultra 3R next and man that thing is durable ... the pad is more durable than the XLite (in my experience)"
"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."
12
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 synthetic insulation reduces heat transfer due to airflow unlike in many mats that have foil ‘insulation’."
4
1
"I love my Exped Ultra 3R and 5R LW (77.6 x 25.6 x 3). I'm also 6'2", 225lb weight and they are perfect for me, confortable and lightweight. ... Yes, I generally side sleep. I the vertical baffles help prevent me from sliding off and i never find that I bottom out."
"Side sleeper. I use Exped. This is the main reason I haven't tried a Thermarest or Rab pad yet, no lengthways baffles. I love them and they can really help you stay on the pad if the ground is all over the place."
"Large side baffles (like the Big Agnes you linked, I think) keeps you from flinging yourself off the pad."
Disliked most:
5
1
"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."
3
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"
1
6
"on 5+ nighter with a bear can, the bulk and weight would no longer be worth it for me."
"I think the bigger issue with this pad is that it doesn't roll up very compactly. How is this going to fit in your pack?"
"There’s a weight penalty"
AdeptNebula 1.0I got one years ago to try as a couples mat and it was way too small for us, but felt like a very nice one person mat. Great option if you really want to sprawl out in luxury and not have a car camping heavy mattress.
Exped 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.
kongkongha 1.0That is what I use . Works well
Mission-Calendar-372 1.0I 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.
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.
odinborn 1.0For car camping, my wife and I (and usually our chocolate lab) share this combo, and we all sleep super well: 1. CCF pad 2. Exped Duo Ultra 3R pad on top 3. Kelty Double-wide 20F The dog has her own pad and sleeping bag, but ours is much better I suppose. I could never sleep well on cots, and our entire sleep system can fit in a duffel bag.
SharpLanguage9026 1.0Great option for those that rock 2 person tents! Unfortunately the epxed duos won't fit in my 1p
z0hu 1.06'1.5" here at 250 pounds. I own an exped Ultra 5R LW, Ultra 3R Duo LW, Dura 5R Duo regular, and some Nemo roamers (like megamat). When solo I use the 5R LW. When I'm tent sharing with 1 of my kids, we share the 3R Duo. When I'm with 2 kids, Dura+ultra 5R. They all feel similar to me, kinda airy feeling mattress but they don't compare to the roamers which feels like my bed at home. I inflate them pretty much to their max also, I guess I'm used to a firm mattress, which isn't the case for everyone. Still feels good to me on my side. When I sleep on the Dura 5R regular my feet hang off and it's not bad but long term I would definitely prefer the longer pad, especially in cold or wet conditions. People here mention UL being ok with shorter pads but if you are considering this megamat ultra that's not the same realm haha. I used to use a short foam pad that just went under my shoulders and butt and it's definitely not comfortable, but was definitely ultralight. Tbh I get the megamat ultra market. People who wanna go backpacking with a nice mattress a step above these other ones, but it's all about how important that is to you. I could carry that on a one or 2 nighter probably as a luxury but on 5+ nighter with a bear can, the bulk and weight would no longer be worth it for me. But if it's the only way someone could sleep, then I can see it being an option.
After_Pitch5991 0.4I 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 0.4After 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 0.4As 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 0.4Totally 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.
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