Exped MW or LW

[Mitchc]

I have decided to purchase an Exped Synmat UL 7. However, I can't decide if I should get the M length or the L length. I'm 179cm tall and fairly skinny around 70kg. I am prepared to take a little weight penalty for the wide, because I toss and turn a lot and sleep with on my side, with my knee out. Others who are of similar hight to me, what length pad do you find works the best? I don't tend to mind my feet hanging over the end of my bed, so I'm leaning towards just the M length to save 40g

[Aidan]

I had the same dilemma but was offered advice from RonK to grab the M for my 180'ish cm and kg in the 90's.
Turned out to be good advice as from memory the LW was pushing the boundaries of one of my tents lengthwise.
I like it fine, so never got to try a LW.
Your mileage may vary

[perfectlydark]

I recently just purchased an LW, at 175cm and 85kg its beautiful. The extra few cms you have shouldnt be an issue, ive got spare mat at both ends but there woukdnt be much spare in your case.

[sambar358]

I'm 6'2" and am OK on the standard-length M Downmat but I found it a bit too narrow so I went with a Wide/Long Downmat 9 and for me that's much better. But back when I bought that mat Exped didn't offer any MW mats (Medium length/ Wide width) which they now do so ideally for me anyway a MW mat would suit me fine as I don't mind a bit of hang-over at the feet end but I like the extra shoulder width that the W mats provide. Cheers

s358

[J M]

I'm about 6'1" and fairly skinny and I have a LW mat. It's a fantastic mat - plenty of room for me however like Aidan said, check first to see if it will fit in your tent properly. Sleeping in my tent with two mats this size is a bit of a squeeze! Next time I buy a mat it will be a smaller size.

[neilmny]

I have decided to purchase an Exped Synmat UL 7. However, I can't decide if I should get the M length or the L length. I'm 179cm tall and fairly skinny around 70kg. I am prepared to take a little weight penalty for the wide, because I toss and turn a lot and sleep with on my side, with my knee out. Others who are of similar hight to me, what length pad do you find works the best? I don't tend to mind my feet hanging over the end of my bed, so I'm leaning towards just the M length to save 40g

I'm about the same height and have an LW for similar reasons. I've never found myself "hanging" off it and have no regrets.
The LW is longer as well so you have to watch the floor length in your tent to make sure it fits but your pillow won't fall off the end.

[Mitchc]

I have a TT ProTrail on order, which will accommodate either lengths. I think I will go for the MW and justify the 40 grams on a better pillow. My next problem is I'm having trouble locating the MW for sale on any Australian websites. Can find a M, and LW with a MW in the hyperlite, but not a Synmat UL 7

[perfectlydark]

If you cant find it one of the stores might be able to order it for you

[Mitchc]

If you cant find it one of the stores might be able to order it for you

I'll probably do just that, and see if they can order in an Exped down pillow for me as well to save mucking around with everything

[andrewa]

Have a look for one of their inflation bags as well ( not the pump)....think it attached with a snooze or something similar sounding....I find the built in pump a PITA to use. About to make my own inflation bag /stuff sack tomorrow, if I can sort out some tubing that will fit the valves ( if it all comes together, I'll post it on MYOG).

A

[neilmny]

The bag you want is a schnozzel and they are great, pump and grouse dry bag all in one.

[sambar358]

Mitch.....here's a link to an Exped Synmat MW in AU.....nice and cheap too but they have the integrated pump which I too found a PITA to use. I'd spend another $20 on their schnozzel inflation bag and like Neil said....they also double as a great LW drybag as well. Cheers

s358

http://www.bushcraftequipment.com.au/st ... eeping-Mat

http://www.bushcraftequipment.com.au/st ... -Schnozzel

[Mitchc]

The bag you want is a schnozzel and they are great, pump and grouse dry bag alll in one

I saw these in my research and they look a handy piece of gear because I still need a dry bag for my quilt and jackets etc so that will kill two birds with one stone. I've read reviews people also use them to shower with?

[Mitchc]

Mitch.....here's a link to an Exped Synmat MW in AU.....nice and cheap too but they have the integrated pump which I too found a PITA to use. I'd spend another $20 on their schnozzel inflation bag and like Neil said....they also double as a great LW drybag as well. Cheers

s358

http://www.bushcraftequipment.com.au/st ... eeping-Mat

http://www.bushcraftequipment.com.au/st ... -Schnozzel

That's not the UL unfortunately. That mat comes in at around 1kg opposed to 550g for the UL. Not a whole lot cheaper to warrant double the weight haha thanks anyway

[Bluegum Mic]

http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/181717604025?nav=SEARCH

[Aidan]

No built in pump in my Synmat 7 UL.
I use a pump pillow like the one in this link:
http://www.summitgear.com.au/exped-pillow-pump/

[GPSGuided]

I use an Exped mini pump for my Synmat UL sleep pad and pillow. It's small and light enough from my perspective and importantly, durable. Takes a little while to pump up a mat but there's usually no shortage of that at camp.

[nq111]

i'm 6'3" and never had an issue with the M for size (although I am fairly used to sleeping on narrow mats). I do use a LW for my hammock but never feel the desire to take it for the tent.

On thing though, as the mats are fairly thick you will notice if you do roll off them more than the old CCF or self-inflating mats.

[neilmny]

...................On thing though, as the mats are fairly thick you will notice if you do roll off them more than the old CCF or self-inflating mats.

Not with the LW, that's why I got it for the extra width more than length. With a standard width mat of any type I used to end up half on the floor.
I should add that I have the UL9, luxury and yes, heavier, but very comfortable and rated R6.0.

[andrewa]

Was just fiddling with my Exped mats (down at 7, and synmat 7) and thinking about making an inflation bag, and noticed that I have the small (162 cm) narrow (52cm) mats, which I find great - and I'm 182 cm, 86kg. I sleep on side, and normally have a rucksack under my feet. The small mats seem hard to come by now - although just found a small UL down mat on bushcraftequipment.com.au, which I bought.....along with a schnozzol and an inflation bag, so I suppose that the inflation bag project is now no more!
BTW, I also noticed that the R value of the synmat UL is a lot less than the normal synmat, which is a lot less than the UL downmat....

A

[markg]

I have the 9LW and love it. Only gripe is that when I deflate it there is a little bit of an odour that comes out of it. I have only used it 3 times. Don't know what would cause the smell.

[neilmny]

I have the 9LW and love it. Only gripe is that when I deflate it there is a little bit of an odour that comes out of it. I have only used it 3 times. Don't know what would cause the smell.

How do you inflate it Mark?
I use a schnozzel bag on mine and don't have any noticable problems.

[markg]

By hand. It has those hand marks on the mat, you simply put your hands on it and push away.

[neilmny]

By hand. It has those hand marks on the mat, you simply put your hands on it and push away.

OK Mark I was confusing it with the UL9 LW which has to be blown up by an external pump or by mouth.
I was thinking that by mouth the humidity from a persons breathe might have some effect.
Is the odour sort of plasticy? Might just be the materials it's made from.
I haven't noticed anything odd with my UL9.

[tazrich]

I'm 177cm and 85kg and use the ul7 short, I also toss & turn a lot and haven't rolled of mine yet. I have an Olympus tent and 2 pads just fit side by side

[Mitchc]

Went to two shops in Sydney today, first just flat out said they couldn't help me with a MW with ordering one in. Safe to say I didn't stay there long and moved onto the next shop.

Next shop didn't know they actually made an UL7 in MW but suggested I contact the supplier, and gave me some decent help. Asked him about the down pillow or the Hyperlite MW, and once again got a look like I was from Mars Knowledge was lacking a little bit but the service was good helping me best he could, so ended up picking up the Synmat UL7 in a LW, couldn't be bothered messing around with a supplier to save 40g. Also, ended up walking out with the Exped REM pillow, a schnozzel bag (which is A LOT bigger than I was expecting), and a 450ml Titanium cup, so I'm pretty well set for my trip in July

[neilmny]

A suggestion mitchc, don't pump it up hard, this may just be personal preference but I usually pump it up to a point where
if I'm laying on my side my hip is just off the floor. To the eye it looks a little bit wrinkley at this level when your not on it.

[GPSGuided]

I agree with Neil. I suspect at least some of those who encountered blow ups of these UL mats were related to over inflation. Then when accidentally stepped or knelt on at speed, the pressure inside exceeds the mechanics... Pow! Inflate to a level that's enough to keep the body off the ground. It's not designed to support a foot on point pressure.

[Strider]

I agree with Neil. I suspect at least some of those who encountered blow ups of these UL mats were related to over inflation. Then when accidentally stepped or knelt on at speed, the pressure inside exceeds the mechanics... Pow! Inflate to a level that's enough to keep the body off the ground. It's not designed to support a foot on point pressure.

I think a lot were related to being inflated until "hard" and then left in the sun. Air inside expands and the baffles just can't take it.

[GPSGuided]

That's another obvious one too, all leading to excess pressure, either sustained or acute.