 I notice the rave reviews the exped downmat 9cm has been getting, but has anyone tried the 7cm version (full length)? It's quite a bit lighter than the 9 but is it noticeably less comfortable, particularly for a restless, side-sleeper like me?
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 I use the 7cm version and can thoroughly recommend it.
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thanks glyn. did you try the 9 or choose the 7 on weight considerations? The 7 is not much heavier than a t-rest 4, yet nearly twice as thick.
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I have the 7cm version. (downmat that is...)
and It's very comfy. No more thermarest for me!
Gregor
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dicky, I got the 7cm on the recommendation of an employee of Lyon Eq't (who are the Exped UK dealers), he suggested the benefits of the 9cm over the 7cm were negligible.
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thanks glyn, that's food for thought.
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Hi Dicky,
I think I have to agree with Glyn. The difference will be only little.
If it really doenst matter how heavy a mat is, and you want 5star sleeping comfort Then the 9cm can be your choice.
If 4star (and a bit) is enough, and you want to save as many grams as possible then go for the 7cm. It will be fine. garanteed.
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Hey Guys. I got a t-rest prolite 4 and during a recent trip to Latvia I found I was crippled with back pain from it every night. I tried loosing some air out of it / adding air to it trying to find some kind of boyancy for my back with no luck at all. It keeps the cold out and its lightweight (i like keeping the weight down in the sack but not at the expense of a sore back). In the end I went to the local Supermarket and bought a traditional blow up job and threw the Trest prolite on top of it. This did the trick. I travelling the world in 2 weeks time and dont fancy lugging around a blowup as well. So can you guys recommend any product that will perform and put my back to rest. I will spend the extra for a peacefull nights sleep!!!! Cheers guys
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 Baz, I would strongly recommend the Exped Downmat - I've got the 9 (9mm of downy comfort -  ). I've had back problems in the past and never found my Big Airic from Alpkit as comfy as a trad. air-bed, though the latter all seemed to deflate over-night. OMers recommended the Downmat to me, and it's the most comfy thing I've found for camping - you can sleep on your side or your back. I suspect the secret for my comfort is the design of the thing - it's essentially tubular rather than the flat mat that the Thermarest and Airics are, and I think this gives better comfort when you've found the right level of inflation - which does take a fair amount of trial and error. I have mine well below full inflation. The Insul Mat Max thermo has the same construction and is lighter and cheaper than the Downmat, though you may have to import from USA or Australia, so time may be an issue. In any case, may you have a wonderful trip, and many nights of comfortable sleep.
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| Edited: 01/09/07 14:09 |
 I've got the Exped 9cm Downmat too (and it's wonderfully comfy), but I've only got the 9 because there was an absolute bargain deal on it a year or so ago. I reckon the 7 will be every bit as comfortable (the trade off is that it's only rated to -24C, not -38C!!), and if I wanted one to carry then I'd definitely look at the 7 or probably even the 7 Short. But then I have the Insulmat Max Thermo 3/4 which is almost as comfortable and a bit lighter. As Kate says, you need to get it from the US or Australia but you might have time yet.
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Hey Kate. thanks for the quick reply on this. I need something thats not gonna deflate over night. I do find the therma rest like lying on a slab of concrete. Do you think the Exped downmat would be better than Insul Mat max for my needs? Which would you go for if you were me? Tks for the reply
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- How deep is your wallet?
- How important is weight?
If cost and weight are issues, and you can get one in time (Sierra Trading Company got me something in about 4 days from order to my front door!), then the Insul mat max might be the one to go for. If not, I'd go for the 5* luxury of the downmat!
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the exped 7 or 9 then? weight versus comfort? What do you think matt?
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wallet = not a problem (dont want to scrimp on a good nights sleep) weight = i like to keep the weight down if I can, but again, i need a good nights sleep
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Exped Downmat Specs Click on the 'Models' link for full specs. Don't forget, you need to include the weight of the pumpsac/stuffsac to be able to inflate the thing!
(Insulmats can be blown up by mouth since the filling is synthetic) I look at the weight of the 9 and reckon I just wouldn't want to carry it!! There's the bulk too. So personally I'd look at the 7, and expect to be perfectly comfortable - it's still pretty thick - but realistically I'd probably settle for the Short and use my pack under my legs. Is that an option for you?
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No. I'm a tall lad! OK so the 9 is out. so its a toss up between the 7 or Insulmat Max Thermo ? Not too bothered about temp as I have a Rab goose down sleeeping bag which performs well
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 I have used a Downmat 7 for 48 nights this year and found it to be one of the most comfortable matresses I have ever used. Went back to my Prolite 3 for 7 nights last week just to test the difference and from the first night regretted not taking the Downmat. I would think the Downmat 9 is a little overkill as the 7 seems to cope well with the cold of Britain and the Massive Central.
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| Edited: 01/09/07 15:57 |
OK i bought the 7 full length online for 89 quid inc. free delivery I hope I like it!! Tks so much for the advice guys. 
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Any views on the short version versus the full length?
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The short version is very short, less than 2/3rds size. I ordered one for my wife and when it came it was much shorter than her Thermarest. We sold it on ebay and got a full length one.
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