Exped SynMat UL Review
Cons: Not very warm, not very durable
Manufacturer: Exped
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Exped SynMat UL | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $149.00 at Amazon | $174.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $179.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $139.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $129.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Comfortable, lightweight, small packed size | Very light, super compact, comfortable, versatile, warmer than normal XLite | Comfortable, quiet, lightweight | Lightweight, small packed size, included pump sack | Comfortable, light, small packed size |
| Cons | Not very warm, not very durable | Noisy, expensive, delicate materials | Expensive, heavier than the NeoAir XLite | Not as comfortable as Ether Light and same weight, thin | Not very warm, can feel boaty, expensive |
| Bottom Line | Very comfortable but not very warm, we'd recommend it for summer backpacking trips | A great choice for your long backpacking trips, this pad is light, compact and warm | Comfortable and warm, this model will have you sleeping like a baby out on the trail | Scored decently well in all our metrics, and has an excellent packed size | Not the warmest of pads, but it inflates to be a huge, cushy mattress |
| Rating Categories | Exped SynMat UL | NeoAir XLite | Ether Light XT Insulated | Ultralight Insulated | Big Agnes Q-Core SLX Petite |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Weight (25%) | |||||
| Packed Size (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Exped SynMat UL | NeoAir XLite | Ether Light XT... | Ultralight Insulated | Big Agnes Q-Core... |
| Measured Weight | 14.6 oz | 12oz | 15 oz | 14.6 | 16.6 oz |
| ASTM R Value | 2.9 | 5.4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.2 |
| Thickness | 2.8 in | 2.5 in | 4 in | 2 in | 4.5 in |
| Width | 25.6 in | 20 in | 21.5 in | 21.5 in | 20 in |
| Packed Size | 10.4 x 4.3 in | 9 in x 4.1 in | 11 x 4.5 in | 4 x 9 in | 8.27 x 3.94 in |
| Tested Length | 77.6 in | 66 in | 66 in | 72 in | 66 in |
| Bottom Material | 20 D Polyester | 30D rip HT Nylon | 40D nylon | 40D nylon | Ripstop Nylon |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This comfortable, light sleeping pad has lots of surface area to spread out and packs down very small. It's not the warmest of the bunch though.
Performance Comparison
Warmth
As we've already mentioned, the Synmat UL is not super warm. It's ASTM R value is 2.9 which is on the low side. We'd recommend this pad for mostly summer trips where the ground isn't too cold. If you want to stretch your backpacking season with the Synmat, we'd recommend getting a good piece of foam to bring along with for extra insulation.
Comfort
The Synmat is one of the most comfortable products in this review! We really like the rectangle shape of the pad, it cradles your arms more than a narrower or tapered pad and is a good thickness for side sleeping. We also like that the materials are quiet, no crinkling when moving around, and there is an anti-slip coating that stops you from sliding around in your sleeping bag if you're on a slight angle. The Synmat UL kind of feels like the air mattresses that you would use floating on a lake when you were a kid, except with more insulation.
This pad seems to be slightly shorter than most women's pads that on average are about 66' in length, whereas this one is only 64.2". Our 5'5 tester felt like her feet were falling off the end a little.
Durability
We haven't fully had the chance to put the Synmat through its paces, but it's made of a 20 Denier material, which is the wimpiest of all the deniers in this lineup, suggesting that its materials are probably the most delicate. Although at first glance the coatings on top of the material may give it added protection. Exped says of its coatings: "PU polyether film laminate, Hydrolysis resistant, Oeko-Tex 100 certified" whatever that means!
Weight
Although we don't think that the Synmat necessarily deserves its "UL" designation, it is one of the lighter pads in this review, weighing in at 14.6 ounces. It comes with an included pump sack that is made from pretty light materials, an additional 2 ounces if you feel like carrying it. The pump sack is a little strange, but was very effective at inflating the mat.
Packed Size
The Synmat does pack down quite small. Coming in just below the very top of the pack in this category.
Value
We think that the Exped Synmat UL is slightly on the pricey side and not the greatest of value. Because of it's low R Value, it's hard for us to recommend it over some of the other similarly priced, or less expensive models we tested. If you're looking for exclusively a summer pad that's super comfortable - and you can find it on sale, it could be worth it.
Conclusion
We like the Synmat UL and think it is a comfortable and lightweight choice. If it was a little bit cheaper, or a little bit warmer we'd be more inclined to give it a stronger recommendation. Otherwise, it could be a great choice for long summer backpacking trips, or just floating in the pool.
— Jessica Haist