exped DAM 7

**slowhike** · 02-27-2007, 23:41

a couple week ends ago (2/17 & 18) in linville gorge, the center of one of the valves popped out as i was inflating the DAM about 10pm.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...5/P2180051.JPG
the next day, mon, i took it back to the local outfitter where i got it.
he sent it back to exped (w/ stick still glued in place).
today he told me that they had another DAM 7 on the way to replace it.
he offered me the choice of waiting until it got here or taking an exped DAM 9 that he has in the store.
the DAM 9 is about 7 ozs heavier & besides, the DAM 7 has done me well. a couple times it was cold enough that i felt that i needed to put a ccf pad underneath it to help out.
so i believe the DAM 7 will fit a wider range of my needs. i'll wait.

**Coffee** · 02-27-2007, 23:53

Cool, it is nice to see companies stand behind their gear.

**headchange4u** · 02-28-2007, 19:12

Good choice. If they DAM 7 works well for you, why carry the extra weight of a DAM 9. I 'm glad to here that they took care of you.

**slowhike** · 03-08-2007, 22:41

i picked up the new exped DAM 7 today. the shell seams to be a slightly different fabric (more krinkly) & the plastic valves are clear instead of black.
they didn't give my friend at village outdoors outfitters any explanation or any feed back at all. just sent a new mat.
i hope that if they have had others w/ valve problems, they have looked at making some changes.
we'll see how she does.

**Coffee** · 03-08-2007, 23:34

Keep us up on this. I wonder if it is a hammock induced problem like was mentioned on another thread. At some point I am going to have to get a really really thick pad for the ground days, or trips where it could go either way. I was thinking a thick DAM.

**slowhike** · 03-09-2007, 06:46

Originally Posted by hammock engineer

Keep us up on this. I wonder if it is a hammock induced problem like was mentioned on another thread. At some point I am going to have to get a really really thick pad for the ground days, or trips where it could go either way. I was thinking a thick DAM.

they sure are comfy. & most people don't have any problems... i guess i'm just lucky

**NCPatrick** · 03-09-2007, 08:43

But I bet you didn't FEEL so lucky when the valve blew at Shortoff at 10pm.

**slowhike** · 03-09-2007, 17:30

Originally Posted by NCPatrick

But I bet you didn't FEEL so lucky when the valve blew at Shortoff at 10pm.

well... no, but i just sat down & did what i had to do

**Just Jeff** · 03-10-2007, 08:12

The valves on my first one and its replacement were both transparent brown - it's Lexan according to Exped's customer service.

I've been thinking about the inflatable mats. They've got some distinct advantages...most notably packability. They give outstanding insulation for the amount of pack space they take up. And they're comfortable, too.

But consider being three days from anywhere and getting a non-repairable leak. That'll be a consideration for anything I take mine on. I have the skills to compensate, but making a duff bed or something similar each night is pretty time-consuming. Most of my trips are within a day's hike of a road so it's not that big of a deal, but still something to consider.

**slowhike** · 03-10-2007, 08:46

yeah, that's why i'm becoming more convinced that when temps are expected to get somewhere in the 50s & lower, it starts to become more important to have a ccf pad in addition to the air mat.
it could be just a torso length in milder conditions & it could be folded & used as a sit pad.
if the air mat had a leak that couldn't be found easy or if you were just to tired & cold, the ccf pad would be enough to get you by until morn.
of course i would still sleep on the un-inflated air mat too, and anything else needed... empty pack, etc.
next day maybe the problem w/ the air mat could be fixed under better circumstances.
the ccf underneath the insulated air mat also extends it's comfort range significantly.