The Exped SynMat 12 LXW is the grand behemoth of the SynMat family. Built with the new 3D construction it offers mattress like comfort and incredible insulation making it perfectly suitable for extreme winter conditions. For such a big mat it has a surprisingly small packsize, admittedly it wouldn't be my choice for lightweight backpacking, but if you if dont need to carry it too far or you have just got to have the ultimate warmth and comfort the SynMat 12 XLW is the mat for you. This fantastic mat would be ideal for car/van camping, family camping and is suitable for use all year round, especially for those who really feel the cold at night.
The mat has been designed to be durable, super comfortable and yet still compact with 12cm deep air chambers filled with 200g/m² Texpedloft Microfibre which provides warmth down to -20°C yet is easily compressed for a reasonable 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. The new 3D construction gives this mat vertical side walls and a virtually flat sleeping surface, its just like a warm and lightweight mattress. Another really clever thing about this mat is that Exped have made the two side air chambers larger than the others, this creates a slight 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 150D brushed polyester is used for the top of the mat and the base is made from 75D polyester, both fabrics have a TPU Polyether film laminate to prevent air loss and stop water ingress.
Inflation is simple using the included Schnozzel Pumpbag, which can also act as a waterproof compression bag to keep your mat clean and dry in transit. Simply attach the Schnozzel Pumpbag to the inflation Flat Valve (watch the video), this valve sits nice and flat against the face fabric so it is far less susceptible to damage. You can use your breathe to blow up the mat but we thoroughly recommend that you use the Schnozzel Pumpbag, not only is it a lot easier than blowing it up yourself but it will not introduce moisture into the mat that could freeze and dramatically reduce the mats performance. To deflate simply open the separate deflation valve and squeeze out the air; you can also gently tap the one-way flap on the deflation valve to fine tune the mats firmness once it is inflated.
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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Top fabric: 150 D/75 D Polyester, brushed, 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: 200g/m² Texpedloft Microfibre
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3D Construction providing vertical side walls and a flat sleeping surface.
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Schnozzel Pumbag included
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Flat valve technology