The Exped SynMat 7 Long Wide is a supremely comfortable, warm and durable sleep mat from the Swiss masters of techy stuff. It is perfectly suitable for winter conditions, is lightweight, compact and this particular model is suited to taller users or for those wanting the ultimate in lightweight comfort. The SynMat 7 LW is not just for winter, it works equally well all year round for people who feel the cold.
The mat has been designed to be durable yet light enough to pack with 7cm deep air chambers filled with 160g/m² Texpedloft Microfibre which provides warmth down to -17°C yet is easily compressed for a sensible pack size. The really clever bit is how Exped have laminated the filling to the top and bottom fabric of the mat so when it is inflated the filling is automatically pulled apart to achieve maximum loft which lasts for the life of the mat. Another really clever thing about this mat is that Exped have made the two side air chambers larger than the others, this creates a concave profile that acts to keep you centralised on the insulation and also acts to stop you rolling off the mat in the night...genius!
A honey-comb embossed slip resistant 75D polyester is used for the top of the mat and the base is made from plain weave 75D polyester — both fabrics have a TPU Polyether film and hydrolysis resistant laminate film to prevent air loss and stop water ingress.
Inflation is simple using the integrated hand pump that is a doddle to use and has an ingenious method to adjust the firmness (watch the video). Separate inflation and deflation Flat Valves sit nice and flat against the face fabric so they are far less susceptible to damage. The hand pump is fast and efficient and far easier than blowing up the mat yourself with the added advantage of not introducing moisture into the mat that could freeze and dramatically reduce the mats performance.
Getting the right mat to suit your needs is far more important than the sleeping bag, you should be looking at the mat and sleeping combination to give you the temperature rating you need for the least weight and pack size. Bear in mind that your sleeping bag is only as good as the mat it lies on, once you get in your sleeping bag you compress all the insulation that’s underneath you, rendering it practically useless. Therefore it is essential to have a good insulating mat to protect you from the cold ground. An efficient insulating mat will enable you to choose a lighter sleeping bag keeping your pack-size and weight to a minimum.
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Integrated hand pump
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Top fabric: 75D Polyester, TPU Polyether Film Laminate, Hydrolysis resistant, Honeycomb embossed
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Bottom fabric: 75 D Polyester, TPU Polyether Film Laminate, Hydrolysis resistant
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Insulation: 160 g/m² Texpedloft Microfibre
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Concave profile
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Integrated hand pump
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Flat valve technology