Exped DownMat 7 Sleeping Pad?

[Womble]

I used the synmat 7 pump last weekend on my second hang in my DL. Isolation is good, no CBS at 40 F. But you add a new parameter in the search for a comfy position, which is the amount of air to pump in. I pumped abt 3/4 which seemed still too much to find a good asym position. But that can also go on the account of sag.

I do the inflating with the 'schnozzle' solution using an exped compression bag as a pump. 4 -5 squeezes and the pad is full. Another advantage with this is that the pad can be in the hammock instead of the floor when you pump

[turnerminator]

+1 on the Schnozzle-no Exped downmat should come without one

2 squeezes and the mat is full.

I've spent 14 nights on my new 9 lw mat in the hammock and on the ground and it functions in both. I still prefer an UQ though.

[Womble]

2 squeezes and the mat is full.

You must have a big compression bag

[turnerminator]

You must have a big compression bag

Standard exped bag apparently

Looked like 20-30l.

[SteveO-H2O]

I used a DownMat 9 (long and wide) in 4 degF with little wind and I was fine. Yes, do not fully inflate.

[HangingOut]

I gave my Exped 9 downmat to my daughter because I thought it was too heavy. I went to an Exped UL 7 Downmat this spring because it is lighter and has a much better R-value. I tried several methods to keep it from shifting but now just use a Big Agnes Zirkel 20* bag that has a built-in pad sleeve. It works great and gives me a nice comfy nights sleep. I have a slightly different opinion about inflation level. I keep mime blown up full. It gives me a flater lay and helps me stay diagonal. But that's just me. Your milage may vary.

[dave_p]

+1 on the Downmat 7 UL. I have the long-wide version and two pumps from the shnoz bag inflates to ~30 percent; just enough so the mat fits the contour for a good diagonal lay and provides good insulation. No CBS in 50* weather (awaiting colder weather). Agree with other poster that the 20" width might be too narrow.

Getting it rolled up to fit in the original bag is a pain (rolling up in bed of hammock), so I just fold in half/roll and store in the shnoz bag (all air evacuated); takes up less space, and is only slightly heavier than my HG 40* UQ. Used both recently and was ultra-warm. Takes about a minute longer to set up or stow compared to an UQ.

The pic in my gallery shows the pad and TQ combo with DB.

[HangingOut]

Yeah, ditto on having a hard time getting the Exped UL 7 back into the original bag. I gave up fighting that and now just use a slightly larger bag from one of my therm-a-rest pads. Also, I tend to use a small volume pack and ususlly end up putting the rolled-up pad on top the closed pack under the top lid.

[dakotaross]

...I have a slightly different opinion about inflation level. I keep mime blown up full. It gives me a flater lay and helps me stay diagonal. But that's just me. Your milage may vary.

Does anyone have any experience with a Exped DownMat 7 Sleeping Pad. I am thinking of giving the 47"X20" for use in my HH asm backpacker.

+1 on more air in the shorty pads - they do make for a flatter lay. With longer pads, no matter what I do, the ends wind up making for more of a banana shape than just the hammock itself.

I used to use a Big Agnes insulated short in my Explorer with a SPE to account for side insulation. In a different hammock now and tried the L&W Downmat 9, which is ultra warm and comfy, but too long for a hammock. Great on the ground, though, and from what I hear its great in a bridge hammock.

I think the DM7 is a very good compromise, down in weight/bulk from the 9 but still pretty darn warm. Got to think about side insulation, though. Would love to see a 25-26" wide & short pad, but I don't think anyone makes one.

[Mustardman]

I've used both the 9 and 7, wide and regular size, in my Blackbird, and they always worked pretty well. I vastly prefer them to something like a thermarest, which I also used in the BB and hated.