Review – Exped Downmat 9 DLX

Continuing the series on outstanding gear I’ve found over the years, the next item that I’d have to list is the Exped Downmat 9 . The first phase that comes to mind when thinking of this is sleeping mat is along the lines of that old clique, “…pry my cold dead hands off it!”

I know I’m not the only one who has taken note of the phenomenon that the ground is getting harder, and let’s face it, without a decent nights sleep, you’re just not having as much fun as you could. Like most, I originally used self-inflating mattress, but after a few nights would develop some soreness. It was while planning my trip to the Queen Charlottes, that I decided to take along a inflatable mattress. It’s much smaller pack size would allow me more room for food. It was serendipity that I found it much more comfortable. This was a wedge shaped backpacker’s design and evidently developed a leak I just couldn’t find nor repair, so began my hunt for my next air mattress.

At 6’ 2” and broad through the shoulders, I was hoping to find something a bit wider and longer then my previous wedge shape bedding which was comfortable but my arms had a tendency to wind up on the cold ground. The Downmat 9 with its dimensions of 76 x 26 inches was more then enough to keep me off the ground. Despite the fact that it’s down-filled, which allows for an incredibly warm nights sleep, it packs down in it’s own ingeniously clever dry bag to around 7 x 5 inches.

How can a dry bag be clever? Well, in attention to keeping the mat dry, it also functions as a bellow for pumping up the mattress. I’ve found about 10 pumps to give the right firmness. The one-way valve also purges air out once the mat is re-packed back in the bag. Want more? How about an exceedingly comfortable pillow which attaches to the mattress!

You can easily find and read the specifications about this mattress, but let me just testify to the comfort; I honestly sleep as well on this mattress as at home, first night and every night there after.

Since I purchased mine, Exped has come out with different versions and styles with a synthetic fill model as well. Give them a try if you can. I’m sure you’ll be well pleased.