Topic
Downmat UL vs Synmat UL
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Downmat UL vs Synmat UL
- This topic has 12 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 3 years, 3 months ago by Denys.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Dec 26, 2012 at 9:46 am #1297371
Downmat UL – 5.9 R value
Small, 64×20, 16.7ozSynmat UL – 3.1 R value
Small, 64×20, 15.2ozSeems to me to be a no brainer. 2.8 R value for 1.5 oz.
Is there something I'm failing to consider? How do their packed sizes compare?
Why would I choose the Synmat over the Downmat? Moisture gets trapped in the down?Has anyone had experience with the Downmat UL XS (47×20) and a CCF piece beneath your feet?
Thanks :)
Dec 26, 2012 at 10:05 am #1938294Dec 26, 2012 at 10:07 am #1938295I didn't realized the two were so close in weight. I bought a Synmat earlier this year, and now I want a downmat for winter camping.
Maybe I should sell my synmat!
Dec 26, 2012 at 10:10 am #1938297I was wondering if it'd be possible to modify the schnozzel bag by cutting it in half and making a new roll top closure. It would be a size more suited to serving as just a sleeping bag drybag and be roughly half the weight.
I also considered the pillow pump, but it's just SO heavy. :P
Dec 26, 2012 at 10:36 am #1938304AnonymousInactiveI think you have a typo.
The Exped site says the Downmat UL Small is 18.7oz, not 16.7oz.
Still at 18.7oz the Downmat is a no-brainer for fall, winter and spring camping.Dec 26, 2012 at 10:39 am #1938306http://www.backcountry.com/exped-downmat-7-sleeping-pad
this is where I got the 16.7oz weight.
"[XS] 14.8 oz,
1 lb 0.7 oz, [M] 1 lb 4.5 oz, [LW] 1 lb 10.5 oz"Dec 26, 2012 at 10:41 am #1938307I have a Synmat UL for 3 season use, but I prefer the thicker and more durable non-UL Downmat for winter because it's usually the only insulation underneath me. Below 0F at night, I add a CCF pad too, both for extra warmth and insurance against a failed inflatable.
Dec 26, 2012 at 10:48 am #1938311I'm planning to cut a piece of GG 1/8" pad to the length of the Downmat UL.
I'm thinking about using some velcro tape to keep the pad under the Downmat to protect it from the ground.
The 1/8" pad gives my pack a bit of structure, so its purpose is "dual use" – giving my pad more durability as well.
Dec 26, 2012 at 11:03 am #1938315The Snozzle might be able to double as a pack liner. Its about the right size.
BTW: I got a Medium Downmat UL7 for Christmas and will be trying it out this weekend. It is 19.75oz for the mat and 2.10 for the Snozzle. Two inflations of the snozzle blow the mat up fwiw.
Dec 26, 2012 at 12:30 pm #1938344I use the Schnozzle as a stuff sack / dry bag for my sleeping bag and down sweater. Works fine.
Dec 26, 2012 at 12:37 pm #1938347The pump bag is a must. I just used the SynMat UL and pumpbag combo over the Christmas weekend backpacking in west Texas where it got down to about freezing one night. I definitely can say the pad is pretty warm. But yeah the down mat would obviously be better (now if only I could find a long-wide downmat UL used for the same deal as my synmat UL). But the pumpbag inflates the mat to firm in two bags worth of air. I top it off with 2 breaths just to get it firmer for my heavy @ss (I figure the moisture from two breaths isn't that bad).
As far as stuff sacks go the Schnozzle is nice. I actually only put a few bit of clothing into it and just roll roll roll, squeeze out the extra air until it's all vacuum sealed, and close the schnozzle. It'll stay reasonably well vacuumed for about 36 hours and makes wedging clothes into crannies in my pack very easy while guaranteeing they'll stay dry if I take a dunking or get rained on.
Dec 28, 2012 at 10:45 am #1938815I have both in regular if you have any specific questions.
Dec 17, 2020 at 5:46 am #3689477RE: “”Brad Rogers BTW: I got a Medium Downmat UL7 for Christmas and will be trying it out this weekend.”””
Hey Brad! How did the Downmat UL7 workout for you????
THANKS!
.d
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.