sleeping gear/system

[Quirt]

How do you like your Exped Downmat? I was thinking of getting one.

I can comment on mine...It is the "real deal" in cold weather or if you have sleep, back, and/or hip related problems. Very warm and comfortable. Provides more than enough loft to help me wake up without issues from bad hips and arthritis in my lower back and hips. In fact besides a hammock it is the second best sleep system I own. I've slept on frozen hard packed ground and even with my arthritis as bad as it is...no problem.

I have last years model and this year's newer model is superior. The only nemesis is the pump system. The newer model is suppose to have fixed that. Also it takes some getting used to the valve (mine leaked on me one night). The valve I later found out was due to operator error and not product defect. However, you've gotta figure it out.

Highly recommended...especially with the newer pump system.

 

[BushcraftBrainTrust]

I have an older version and I've read that the pump system is better on the new ones, although I've never had a problem. They have the best R value for inflatables and the Deluxe model is 3 inches thick and 26 inches wide - great for those of us with wider proportions.

Little more bulk, but comfort doesn't get any better and I have Thermarests, Z-Rests, and a Big Agnes Air Core. It will certainly help retain the warmth rating of your new sleeping bag. Coupled with a good winter bag, and winter camping is much more enjoyable.

I've always wanted one of these, but of the three people I know who have them, they've all had downmats fail at inopportune times: i.e. on a trip. 1 valve and two holes. I've had Therm-a-rests fail [once a lightweight one holed on a rocky bivy], but my oldest one [and most robust] has never given me any problems and it's nearly 20 yo. The Exped Downmats are luxurious!

I can comment on mine...It is the "real deal" in cold weather or if you have sleep, back, and/or hip related problems. Very warm and comfortable. Provides more than enough loft to help me wake up without issues from bad hips and arthritis in my lower back and hips. In fact besides a hammock it is the second best sleep system I own. I've slept on frozen hard packed ground and even with my arthritis as bad as it is...no problem.

I have last years model and this year's newer model is superior. The only nemesis is the pump system. The newer model is suppose to have fixed that. Also it takes some getting used to the valve (mine leaked on me one night). The valve I later found out was due to operator error and not product defect. However, you've gotta figure it out.

Highly recommended...especially with the newer pump system.

Thanks for the info guys. Sorry 91xlt if my question through off your thread. I was just thinking of adding an Exped to my sleep system and everyone has some great gear and opinions.

 

[91xlt]

no worries, i am very interested in hearing all opinions...makes for a better choice imo

 

[Ankar Sheng]

I've got a wiggy's 2 piece sleeping bag, very nice bag, very warm, but quite heavy and bulky and a Big Agnes air mattress. The Big Agnes air mattress is awesome, thicker & better R value than any of the self inflating pads, and packs down to the size of a loaf of bread. The down filled mats were better on paper, but inflating them with breath would put a lot of moisture into the down, so I'm skeptical about those.

I just picked up another 'sleeping system' from the surplus store, too good of a deal to pass up. For $140cnd I got a down filled sleeping bag with a removable cotton liner, goretex bivvy bag and a self inflating sleeping pad. The bag cinches up around the neck so there's a separate insulated hood that covers your head and shoulders and has 2 straps that go under your arms. I haven't used it yet, but I think this setup might be superior to the mummy bag, the hood hugs your face nicely and the opening is always where it should be, with mummy bags when you turn your head you end up breathing in the bag.

This is pretty old Canadian military gear, some of it could be from as far back as the 60's, but the pieces I picked out are in great shape! Some of the bags had flat spots, but this one is nice and lofty all around, and the bivvy had only 1 little cigarette burn in the draw string channel.

 

[BlackHills]

I only use down sleeping bags specifically b/c their warmth to weight/compressibility ratio is insanely good. Waaaaaay better than synthetics....<snip>....Feathered Friends in Seattle makes some very beautiful bags [all handmade in the US]. If you get a 'continuous baffle' bag, you can 'shift' the down on top to the bottom to get a bit more latitude from your bag in warmer months. Pair that with a Therm-a-rest and you're golden.

A big +1 to that. You couldn't pay me enough to use a synthetic bag ever again. If I was in the market for a new bag it would be from FF or Western Mountaineering. Those two companies are head and shoulders above the rest in my eyes.

I realize that down isn't the best choice for some people because of the environment they live in, but if it's not real wet where you are you can't beat a good down bag IMO.