I have heard a lot of good things about the Exped down mat and also that they fail. I am considering the 9. Anyone here had experience with them. I heading to the Peninsula in a month and a half and wanted something more comfortable for sleeping on my side than a Thermarest.

I have the 9 and the new 7 with internal pump, no problems with either. I use the 9 for camping off the ATV and the 7 goes in the backpack.

I have had no issues with my 9. They are a little hard to inflate with the bag system, but other than that no issues, and it is very nice to sleep on.

R.

Just been thinking about mats tonight, and really I think I have them all, including the new NeoAir. The Exped is the most comfortable and I've used it extensively without fail (can't say the same for three Big Agnes' that are flat in my basement). I took the Exped to Alaska goat hunting last year and had to add air about every other day, but it never went flat. I still have a nagging feeling about taking an inflatable on a "big" trip as anyone can fail.....I will carry an extra-large section of closed cell foam for a sit pad that can do double duty in case of a leak.
Don

I recently purchased a 9 with the new pump and it's very comfortable. It'll be my winter pad, but I'll also have a ridge rest along in case it fails. It seems like the Exped mats work great, until they don't. I won't risk not having a backup pad when I use one.

For longer distance back pack trips, I'll only take my ridge rest, both for safety and for weight savings.

I've used an exped downmat 9 deluxe for the past few years and I love it. The tad extra weight (compared to some of the superlights) is more that worth it when it comes to comfort. Some hunters spent the night in our spike camp last year during a storm (we were down at our base camp) and they burnt the inflation bag on my kifaru stove. So now I just blow it up with my mouth (I guess this is a no-no due to potential internal condensation, but in my mind, it's already paid for itself). It's definitely warm and comfy. I'm a side/stomach sleeper so I think it was my best option although I've thought about trying to go lighter.......until I think about that good night's sleep.

Doc,

Which Big Agnes pads do you have, and what broke on them? Just curious.

For the OP, I've no experience with Exped, though I've been enjoying the Neoair I've got alot. The thick inflatables really are comfy, though I can get decent sleep on almost anything if I'm warm enough.

Carl

I think they are the dual core pads. Honestly I see such good reports on the internet, but mine seem to go flat.
Don

I have had two of the older (elephant trunk inflatable bags) ones, a dlx 9 and a regular 9 for the wife.
They were easy to inflate, both have been returned, mine began leaking down from the valves, impossible to deflate as they filled up. Wife's valve pulled off when removing the bag, had the whole black thing in my hand.
Both were replaced with the new integrated pump, and while they are a little more difficult to inflate, there is nothing more comfortable. For long backpacks, I take an old thermarest, but if I have plenty of time, these go along for sure.

-AHM,I also have an extra elephant trunk inflation bag for the dlx 9 if you want it to prevent mouth inflation, send me a pm and I can get it to you.

Awesome JonS....PM sent.
Thanks,
Alan

I have the 9 and put a hole in it the last trip doing a little bushwacking
The good part is the patch kit worked!

The little extra weight is worth the comfort.

has anyone used one of these in a Hennesy hammock?--Thanks--Bill

Yes. It makes for a very comfortable night's sleep if you have the patience for getting it in place properly while settling in for the night, especially with the chair kit since it helps flatten the back profile.

The 7 regular on top of a 3/4 Ridgerest works well for me down below freezing, but you can encounter some cold spots where you elbows and shoulders come hang off the side and come in contact with the uninsulated bear pinata. Just lay a jacket or extra clothes along the side and forget about it.

The 9DLX in the HH is, well...deluxe hammock accomodations with the only problem being getting out of the thing. The extra width makes for a super comfortable night's sleep.

Thanks, Bush-- How DO you get in the thing--fold the bottom 1/4 back--feed it between your legs-- move it to the side?--How'd you do it--Thanks--bill

Good grief...I just read my post again. Believe it or not I actually have a formal education under my belt.

Anyhooo...

To answer your question, I typically arrange the pad(s) and sleeping bag diagonally (the HH hammocks are designed to sleep in diagonally if you did not already know that) such that all I have to do is turn, sit and lay back into position. The "door" automatically closes behind you and velcro's shut. Then, grab the pad(s) under your ribs with your left hand, press down and over with the right hand on the opposite side of the hammock under your hips, thereby scooting your torso over into a more diagonal aspect inside the hammock. Then, arrange a jacket or whatever clothing you happen to be wearing next to your shoulders/elbows, zip up the bag and go nighty-night. Like anything it takes some getting used to, but it is easier to do than explain.

Good luck.

And make sure you quit drinking beer several hours before bedtime!!