Exped - Ultra 5R
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Last updated: Dec 10, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
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3
"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 Ultra 5R and don't find it loud at all."
"I have the rectangular wide & it's been comfy and I've never found it noisy."
9
7
"Only difference is the Exped breaks down much smaller than the knock offs."
"They are light and I now prefer it over the cot that I have used for many years."
"I have not noticed the size in my pack at all"
24
4
"and warm (much much warmer than I would ever need if I didn't plan on going down below 5°c!)"
"I have used it in -2 conditions, the side of my body that was on the mat was plenty warm ... And I feel the cold, so to be warm on the mat is saying a lot."
"Been plenty warm down <0°c>-10°c."
53
5
"I'm exclusively a side sleeper and my backpacking set up I wake up pain free, so proper support for spinal alignment is so crucial as well as adequate cushion for hips and shoulders."
"I tried several pads (foam and inflatable) as a side sleeper and the Expeds are AMAZING. ... I actually get good nights sleep on trail with them"
"I sleep on a Exped Ultra 5r AT HOME every night. ... Cradles me just right with the outer "tubes" a little fatter than the midle ones."
3
0
"as a side sleeper the horizontal baffles stop my leg from sliding off onto the ground, which can be uncomfortable and cold."
"Lengthwise baffles are always the best. ... one can easily feel or sense that one is not about to move off the pad and even that one is centered on the pad. ... The Exped has slightly larger "in diameter" edge tubes, so that also helps one sense in total darkness where one's body, legs, and feet are on the pad."
"Large side baffles (like the Big Agnes you linked, I think) keeps you from flinging yourself off the pad."
Disliked most:
21
2
"Going forward I will use my exped 5r coupled with a ccf, mammut bamse extreme, on top at those temps."
"Both might be slightly cold depending on where you're going in mid-may as there can still be snow on the ground or the ground could still be frozen even if the snow has melted. I find frozen spring ground as cold as snow in the middle of winter."
2
8
"Expeds are constantly in the re-supply and a pain in the ass to pack back up."
"Not OP but it's definitely a thick pad when packed up, especially the MW. ... One downside though is that it's pretty thick when rolled up, so it does take up decent space in my bag."
"it’ll be half the size of an exped."
0
9
"decidedly not UL"
"I find the exped a little more comfortable to sleep on, but still always take the neoair because of the lighter weight, which is more comfortable in my pack."
"exped states their weight limit is 330. So maybe that might not be the best option. ... Yeah it would suck to spend that much and then end up with leak issues."
16
1
"At some point, you can't put more air inside, but the pad remains pretty soft. ... When I sleep on my side, my hip is almost touching the ground"
18
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)."
"Too hard and it feels like a spring ready to bounce you off if you roll over"
"At some point, you can't put more air inside, but the pad remains pretty soft. ... When I sleep on my side, my hip is almost touching the ground"
Exped Ultra 5R in rectangular wide. You will love the lengthwise air chambers and how quiet this pad is. Not to even mention the side bumper action feature.
r/Ultralight • Looking for a 25" Sleeping Pad ->Exped has wide pads that are very quiet. The 5R is warm enough for me to 20F for sure, so in rectangular (not mummy) it might suit you. If you believe that noise comes from a pad squeaking against the fabric of a tent floor, then putting a 1/8" thinlite (or goodnite) CCF pad between an inflatable and tent floor will create enough friction to "lock" the inflatable in place and prevent squeaking. Also such a CCF will add to warmth [and weight]. And the lengthwise air chambers may help a side sleeper stay centered on the pad. I still have to wear earplugs to sleep but I imagine that you do as well because of the frogs, toads, crickets, and katydids that are tremendously noisy at night.
r/Ultralight • Quiet side-sleeper pad for 30+ F temps ->I also want to mention that the valves of some pads are not designed to be mistreated. For instance, 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.
r/Ultralight • My sleeping pads never seem to last more than a few months ->Lengthwise baffles are always the best. Why is that you may ask? I think one reason is that one can easily feel or sense that one is not about to move off the pad and even that one is centered on the pad. The Exped has slightly larger "in diameter" edge tubes, so that also helps one sense in total darkness where one's body, legs, and feet are on the pad. I sleep on my back, on my stomach, on my left side and on my right side, and everywhere in-between. Also it is helpful to get a mummy-shaped pad to save some weight. Also helpful to get a wide pad. Also helpful to have a virtually noiseless pad.
r/Ultralight • Recommended Sleeping Pad for Back Sleepers ->I'll offer a contrasting viewpoint: My Exped pads can be inflated to be quite firm with the Schnozzle pump sack that they come with. I usually have to let some air out. If I use my Pad-Pal inflator then I have to blow in another partial breath. My hip doesn't come close to bottoming out, but I am not very heavy myself.
r/Ultralight • Recommended Sleeping Pad for Back Sleepers ->A similar thread from yesterday might be worth visiting: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1l5j7gk/noisy\_sleeping\_pad\_what\_is\_a\_good\_alternative/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1l5j7gk/noisy_sleeping_pad_what_is_a_good_alternative/) Exped Ultra 5R (aka SynMat Winter H) works for me below freezing temps. Also a WIDE pad is worth it for me. A problem with all these daily pad questions is that the daily responses are not representative of the universe of pad users. One probably has to read at least 3 months of such threads to come to the conclusion that there is no consensus. Good luck with your search and please report back what ended up working for you.
r/Ultralight • Can you help me choose my sleeping pad: cold side sleeper & up to slight freezing temps (woman) ->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. I'm sure the MegaMat Ultra is also very comfortable, thought the weight would be a deal breaker for me. If you are just interested in comfort, then I would also look at a large Thermarest Neoloft. [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Front.webp?v=1747222905) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/14158_thermarest_neoloft_ember_regularwide_angle_gearjunkie2024.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Thickness.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Length.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Packsize.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Contents.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Lifestyle.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Pump_Sack.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Lifestyle_2.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Lifestyle_3.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Lifestyle_4.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_Lifestyle_5.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Therm-A-Rest_NeoLoft_Sleeping_Mat_MSR_Tent.webp?v=1747836793) [](https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/preview_images/hqdefault_4af17b86-5265-4bb8-8ca6-4ccd61bc2141.jpg?v=1737734349)
r/Ultralight • Exped Megamat Ultra: talk me down ->Yes, I generally side sleep. I the vertical baffles help prevent me from sliding off and i never find that I bottom out. 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’. I think the Exped Ultra 3/5R are underrated, especially in North America. However I don’t think the 7R, with down insulation, performs as well.
r/Ultralight • Exped Megamat Ultra: talk me down ->Aside from weight, R value, and bulk, I would say the rest is subjective. I'm not doing much ultralight camping stuff atm so I am using a bit heavier Exped Ultra 5R and I love the thing, I fill it up to the max and it feels like I am on a real bed. Some pads if I fill them up to the max they are super uncomfortable.
r/WildernessBackpacking • Is the best sleeping pad subjective? Maybe seeking recommendations. ->6'1.5" 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.
r/WildernessBackpacking • Megamat “Ultra”… still very heavy ->I like my Exped 5R. 2 valves. a really nice inflation bag. Not very expensive. Comfortable. Just finished a trip in Alaska with it. Temps were 1C to 10C. Mine is the Long and Wide model and it comes in at 785 grams. Insulation rating of 5R. I'm an all over the place sleeper. I use an Enlighted Equipment quilt (with a foot box) instead of a bag.
r/CampingGear • Looking to improve my sleep, reduce weight and pack smaller by getting a new sleeping pad. Any help is appreciated ->I have the 3R MW and 5R MW. I’m going on a bikepacking trip next week with temps around 5-10 at night. I will bring my 3R. If I have the room for it on the bike I might go for the 5R. I will make the final decision as I pack my bike. I did buy a 7R to replace my xtherm, but the down seemed poorly distributed when I held it up to the light so I returned it. 5R with a ccf on top served me well at -5-10C last winter.
r/Ultralight • save me from sleeping pad hell pls ->They're all good pads. I find them all comfortable in their own ways. Exped has the nicest fabric, but it's also the thickest which I don't really like. The Nemo tensor is the overall most comfortable, no nonsense, best of all worlds. The Xlite is my favorite however. I like the horizontal baffles. The new NXT version isn't as loud as its predecessors. The mummy shape is tapered in the perfect places unlike Expeds mummy pads, I prefer it over rectangular ones.
r/Ultralight • Sleeping pad analysis paralysis ->Exped 5r Regular/wide. Were the same height so don’t get the long. Absolute beast of a sleeping pad!
r/AppalachianTrail • Best sleeping pads for larger tossier turnier gentlemen ->I sleep on a Exped Ultra 5r AT HOME every night. If I ain't worried over big miles, I take it backpacking. Cradles me just right with the outer "tubes" a little fatter than the midle ones. And I recommend a pillow that's tall enough for side sleeping. I usually take a thermarest x-lite on longer sections though, a little lighter and sleeps fine too.
r/AppalachianTrail • I can’t get comfortable to sleep on the trail. Help me with a sleeping pad, please. ->I second this. Love my exped 3R and 5R. The UL 5R is ~$160 and sleeps better than thicker pads I've used
r/backpacking • Three season sleeping pad that doesn't break the bank ->I 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.
r/Ultralight • How are people liking the Nemo Tensor Elite? ->Exped pads are highly underrated!
r/Ultralight • Very poor sleep on the NeoAir X Lite NXT. Recommendations? ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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