New 2015 Exped Mats (with data table + help me choose)

The 2015 Gear Show reports I've read listed the synmat Winterlite at R6 and the Downmat at R8…I wonder if those were too optimistic?

It sounds like you already have your mind made up and just need reinforcement, so I think going with the Synmat hyperlight and the Downmat would be a good choice, too. Personally though, I will never use a 20 inch wide mat ever again. To me, sleep is one of the most important things when backpacking and I will gladly carry a few extra ounces to sleep on a 25 inch wide mat. For reference I am 6 feet tall and about 190 pounds so it definitely depends on your size.

Thanks, Drew. Yes, context helps. I'm a bit smaller at 5'7" 160 lbs. I sleep on my side. I've never felt the medium DownMat to be too small, but I'm intrigued by the extra width of the MW.

A little off topic but does anyone know if there is a hard release date for these pads?

How long have you had your downmat ul?
I'm wondering how many nights of one can expect to get out of one?
How is the downmat "dying? Whats it failure mode?

Mine is dying as well – but to me that means multiple punctures on the bottom (solely my own laziness and user error) as well as a top-sided blowout courtesy of CharlieDog. This was a comical volcano of down blowing into my face and my tent before I could actually FIND the hole (I was blinded by the down explosion), so at this point I'm not even sure how much down is in there.

But each of these is user error and totally my fault (well, I'll take the blame for Chuck), but it just demonstrated to me that you actually do have to be nice to inflatables and can't treat them like CCF pads. duh.

I have +100 nights on my Downmat. Knock on wood, I've never had a puncture. The problem with mine is a delamination issue between the baffles. Exped is replacing it under warranty (with help from Nick, who is always incredibly responsive and helpful).

I'm assuming Nick at Exped is following this thread: what is the denier of the various sleeping mats? After a not very good experience with the Neo Air Xlite (13 punctures patched and it still would not hold air all night long–I returned to REI), puncture prevention through a thicker, more durable material has become a priority for me.

Thanks, and happy trails,
Jo Jo

P.S.–Oh, never mind. I finally found the reviews on line–20 denier for the hyperlite and winterlite. I'm just not that careful. I think I'm going with a Static V.

If you're looking for a durable, well insulated mat, the TAR Xtherm fits the bill. 30 denier on top and a whopping 70 denier on the bottom. I've had two 60lb + dogs walk across mine without issue and I've used it (carefully) directly on the ground with no discernible issues. I had the klymit static V insulated prior to that, but needed something a little warmer for snow camping.

FYI I was just told by Chuck at Cascade that for the x-therm they switched from a bottom of 70 denier nylon to 50 denier poly, mostly to address noise complaints. Not sure if the net result is any more or less durable. The "noise" I was concerned about in the store has never been an issue for me in the field.

I heard March for these but would love to know when they are actually coming out.

I emailed exped about them – apparently their shipment is caught up in the port mess. they are shooting for March 16 now

I'm a big guy, and really have enjoyed my UL7 LW. It's the most comfortable mat I've used to date. I will definitely eyeball the Hyperlite LW, and see if the mummy cut works for me, so I can lose 5 OZ and have a smaller stuff sack.

Nick @ Exped tells me the new mats are ready to ship.

Does anyone have any additional feedback on M vs MW? I'm still torn between the options. The thread below has a lot of positive feedback on the older model MW, but I'm just not sure if I want to take the weight penalty for my smallish frame (5'7" 165 lbs).

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=88341