
4 in Sleeping Pads
Exped - Ultra 7R
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Based on 1 year's data from Mar 2, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
4
0
"And quiet. No potato chip noise, or rubber on tent."
"I have an Exped. Not loud."
"i have several Expeds and I don't think they're that loud at all."
20
3
"It quickly became my favorite to sleep on so I don’t use the traditional pads anymore."
"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"
5
2
"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."
"Very reliable."
"mine has lasted for years"
3
2
"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."
"and they’re pretty good in terms of weight."
7
1
"I choose it Everytime I go out…even in the summer now, due to comfort. ... It’s quite comfortable, and protects me from ground dips/bumps and cold earth, far better than my big Agnes."
"I recently slept on my Exped, straight on the ground (but in a tent) at 15⁰f and had no issues with the cold."
"For backpacking, I use either Exped Ultra 7R LW (when it is really cold) ... I find them warmer"
Disliked most:
1
5
"if 7 is overkill, you’re bringing unnecessary weight."
"There’s a weight penalty"
"it is bulkier and heavier for the same warmth rating."
8
1
"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)."
I've got an Exped 5R in a long/wide size. It's listed as 77.6" x 25.6" x 3". I had a 7R a couple of years ago in the same size. It was a 3.5" thick mattress though. Honestly they've been some of the comfiest sleeping pads I've owned. I'm pretty much the same size as you are as well. I'm 6'2" and 215. I've never found the size of the pad to be too short or narrow. And I toss and turn like I'm clothes in a dryer. There's plenty of thickness to keep you from sinking in even if you're a side sleeper. The only downside to the pad is it's packed size. Which is bulkier than the traditional suggested sleeping pads, but it's really not that bad for what you get. Also I just looked at the Megamat. The 5R has a higher r-value, is still 3" vs 4", but that megamat packed size isn't worth the extra space at all in my opinion. I think the bulk of the megamat will cause more problems than it solves in the long run.
Yeah 8 is pretty crazy, I have an exped 7R and sleep with it literally on top of snow with no problems. Slept in -20°C a few weeks ago and the pad was fine but my bag wasn’t warm enough
Get something with a super high R rating - higher than you think you need. Look for a baffling system that is either dimpled or vertical. For whatever reason, horizontal baffles don’t have a lot of “give” to them so they are less comfortable for side sleepers in general. Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xtherm is probably the warmest pad out there (not the highest R rating per se but the most effective insulation system means it is still warmer than other pads with higher R values). It may not the most comfortable for a side sleeper because of the horizontal baffles, however. But this is the pad you want if you want to prioritize warmth. If you want to prioritize comfort, Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro will probably not sleep as warm but will be more comfortable for a side sleeper because of the dimpled baffling system. Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions is also very warm and only slightly less comfy than the Ether Light. Exped Ultra 7R is a bit heavier and bulkier but is very comfy for a side sleeper. It uses down rather than reflective film for insulation. So it won’t be quite as crinkly as a lot of warm pads, but I’m not sure if the down insulation is more or less effective in this application. Big Agnes Campmeister Deluxe is quite bulky and heavy for a backpacking pad but is super, super comfortable and has a very respectable R value of 7. The other big, bulky “luxury” comfort backpacking pads - Exped Megamat Ultra and Therm-a-Rest Neoloft - are great options for comfort but with lower R values so they may be less warm than you might want. Other things to consider - even a well-insulated sleeping pad will only stay as warm as your body is able to heat it. The bigger the pad, the more of your body’s heat it will draw away from you. So don’t buy a massively oversized sleeping pad thinking it will automatically be more comfortable. For insulating purposes, something that is only as big as you need it to be will be more efficient for your body to keep warm. Make sure you take advantage of all the usual strategies for staying warm in the backcountry: Use your Nalgene as a hot water bottle and keep it in your sleeping bag/quilt with at night. Do some jumping jacks or other activity to get your heartrate and body temperature up before going to bed. Make sure you are properly hydrated and getting enough food to keep warm. Etc.
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.
Naturehike is not ASTM rated. Skip. The Rapide is a great pad but is a bit cold. If you want the direct replacement to this pad get the Boundary Deluxe, which is the new name for the Q Core Deluxe. However if you are going to go winter camping over snow go for a higher R value pad. Exped Ultra 5 Exped Ultra 7 Sea to Summit Etherlight XT Extreme Thermarest XTherm Nemo Tensor Extreme
Exped Ultra 3, 5 or 7
Same here. I bought the ultra 7r with coupon and gift car few months ago and debating if I should return for this one
The xped 7R is listed at like 1.4lbs for comparison but do you really need a 7R value? Around 4 has been good for me down into at least the 20sF. R7 is a lot for “3 season” use.
Exped. Over and over again. Although I have the 7R, I choose it Everytime I go out…even in the summer now, due to comfort.
And quiet. No potato chip noise, or rubber on tent. Although, you can hear the ‘swish’ of fabric on fabric, when sheets are not used. It’s quite comfortable, and protects me from ground dips/bumps and cold earth, far better than my big Agnes. I generally use about 60% of the possible inflation. That’s perfect, to me.
I've had four Expeds. Still have two. Both have the built-in pump. One has synthetic fill. The other has some down insulation which makes it good for ~10F colder than without. The first two developed tiny leaks (could not find them even with submerging). They were a few years out of warranty. Exped still replaced both. I appreciate a company that stands behind their products. I also like side-sleeping. I have not used these as much as what you will. So durability...🤷
Hiker here: if space is a main concern you will want an inflatable mattress (not a foam pad). Read up on R-values. Decathlon make a cheap mat that is small and comfortable, but is not warm at all. Exped makes a mat that bigger but also involves down, and is very warm. There are many options in between. Bagwise consider your ability to keep it dry. Down is better in any way except when wet. Then syntheric is your option.Absolutely do not trust the ratings on a bag. Go at least 10c lower on the comfort rating. You will be hungry, and therefore cold. I love me a Nemo spoonshaped bag, which is ideal for a side sleeper.
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