Exped DownMat or NeoAir sleep pad for my wife

BushcraftBrainTrust

BushcraftBrainTrust

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Jan 16, 2009
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I'm thinking about getting an Exped DownMat or NeoAir sleep pad for my wife. Does anyone have any input or ideas on these 2 options?
 
I have both of these pads. They are so different that I find it curious that you are pitting them against one another. :) What they both have in common is comfort. What seperates them is insulation.

The Downmat is an excellent winter pad where the extra R-value is important enough to justify the additional weight. The only thing I don't like about this pad is that you can't (or shouldn't) inflate it with your mouth, as it will damage the down.

Conversely, the Neoair really shines during warmer months as it allows you to carry a pad that is much smaller and lighter. I have heard of people using the Neoair down to the low twenties but many of them found it necessary to augment it with a small CF pad. I haven't used the Neoair yet but I love how small it packs!
 
I absolutely love my downmat. My bag isn't superwarm and it helps alot on the lower end of the temp range. Kind of big and heavy but super comfortable. The chair kit for it is also great.
 
I have an exped synmat7 (not the down version). The thing is fairly light and super comfortable. I really like the integral pump... no extra parts needed and no blowing my lungs out to get ready for bed at the last minute.

I don't do a whole lot of cold weather camping, so I was mainly looking for something comfortable and easy to use.
 
The downmat is the rolls royce of winter camping mats. I've slept comfortably in my hammock at 20 degrees with nothing but a downmat under me, and I'm confident that it could take me to 0. That's WITH wind whipping underneath the hammock. Laying directly on the ground, I doubt there is any weather cold enough that I'm willing to camp in, that would make me want any more insulation than the downmat. It's a phenomenal cold weather sleeping pad. And it packs surprisingly small for how warm and comfortable it is.
 
I have the NeoAir and love it. My buddy has a downmat and loves it. I dont think you can wrong with either but if weight and size is an issue go with the Neo. If warmth is an issue go with the Exped.
 
that's an easy one :) for winter the downmat, for summer the neo

my wife said on our first trip w/ our new neos' that is was the very best she has ever slept in the backcountry- I'd concur, the fact that they are very light and pack very small are big bonuses
 
If it's not for winter camping do the synmat 7. I have one and so does my GF, we love them.


EDIT: They synmat is actually rated down to like zero F if I recall correctly with an R-value of 6 which beats out even some winter themed mats.
 
chopchop said:
I have an exped synmat7 (not the down version). The thing is fairly light and super comfortable. I really like the integral pump... no extra parts needed and no blowing my lungs out to get ready for bed at the last minute.

I don't do a whole lot of cold weather camping, so I was mainly looking for something comfortable and easy to use.
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it much better myself.
 
Are you going to be car camping? You might want to consider taking another pad to put on top of the Downmat to flatten it out. My wife is not a fan of the ridges, so I take a Z-Rest to add on top when we are not backpacking. I have two of the DownMat 7s, and they are fantastic pads. As others have mentioned, always use the included bag to inflate, since using your mouth will ruin the down.
 
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