Thanks for the info, Kate. And since rei doesn't give the depth specs, I'm assuming that it's the same as for the UL7, for example: 2.8 inches. Please tell us if that's not true!

I need a Spot for My section hike for the PCT this summer

The thickness of the mat is just a bit less than the UL 7. The outer baffles are about the same but the inner ones seem slightly smaller. I couldn't feel any difference between the mats (tested on a hardwood floor).

I was hoping to use the 20% off on a Delorme inReach explorer. I spoke to REI and was told the coupon isn't valid on any device utilizing gps technology. Had to pay full retail for it, minus my measly dividend, unfortunately.

OK, so I bought 2 synmat hyperlite M and 1 synmat hyperlite MW. But…not at REI. I used backcountry.com instead. For the accomplice…I can try the 2 M synmats, but if its too narrow I could try one M and one MW. It still is a substantial weight savings over two UL 7s.

Yes, REI has a better return policy, but backcountry had everything in stock too, and I could use the 20% coupon on all items (separate orders), with free shipping, plus….12% activejunky discount instead of 6% for REI…and…I wasn't charged sales tax (so another 6% savings). 12% difference between the two stores which is $16 or so.

Just another option for anyone who still hasn't bought anything.

Yes, I have a little bit of REI dividend but I can always ask for cash after July 1st.

I did not need Priority Shipping on my MSR Mugmate, but placed my order for three items, one of which was the Mugmate Friday morning early. It arrived Saturday for my pickup at the Post Office, here in CA. Used it this AM camping, did not need it so quick.
Duane

Thats a shame, Don't know what to get now with discount. that was all I needed. Most of my gear comes from cottage makers.

Last question on the new synmats–winterlite in particular. Exped has gone to a single valve. One reviewer said that they had problems getting all of the air out when they rolled it up. Anyone have experience with the single air valve?

Looks like I'm going with the winterlite m wide–hopefully the taper won't be an issue. I've always had a non tapering pad.

I emailed the ever-helpful folks at Exped, and the 25" LW tapers to 16" at the foot end.

Had a couple of cold nights this spring on my old version 1.0 NeoAir pad, so I used my dividend and 20% off coupon to significantly subsidize a new NeoAir Xtherm MAX pad.

I'm a pretty stocky guy and the 20" wide pads are already on the narrow end of what (barely) works for me. I was pretty pleased to see the MAX versions of the Xtherm offered; no taper. Had been putting off getting a newer Xlite or Xtherm specifically because I didn't like the taper.

I considered the Exped offerings, but again, not liking the taper on the new pads and not a big fan of having to carry a special inflation bag to minimize adding moisture into the pad.

Not challenging the logic, but the Exped inflation bag serves a great dual-purpose as a dry bag for clothes, sleeping bag and so on.

OK, I called exped and the taper lengths for the pads are as follows:

hyperlite M: 13.8"

hyperlite MW: 15.7"

hyperlite LW: 15.7"

I was thinking the MW would have a wider foot than the LW (simply b/c the long version is…well…longer, and I would think the taper "angle" would be the same on both, so the MW would be wider). But, I guess not…the MW has a more aggressive angle.

And yes, I also love the schnozzle. I've gotten better with how to use it (watch the alpacka packraft inflation videos…I use the same twist method at the top of the bag) and I can inflate a UL 7 in 1 and a half bag fulls. I bet with the new hyperlites I could do it in 1 bag full.

True, you don't have to worry about moisture in the neoair's….but that is only half the issue. I hate blowing them up with my lungs…just not fun.

Oh, and talking about the 1 valve issue. I had Exped UL pillows, which use the 1 valve system. They include a little tab/stick thing that is permanently attached to the valve cover. Just stick that in the valve and no issues.

Interestingly, the Exped synmat UL 7 had 2 valves, and the deflate valve also had a rubber cover on it, but one that would release air when there was pressure on it. But that was annoying…it slowed down the process greatly. I removed the rubber gasket on it (easy/trivial to do) so the deflate valve was completely open, which was way nicer.

Not sure why they put those on there….the red exped pillows also have 2 valves but the deflate valve didn't have a gasket on it.

According to rei specs, the winterlite Mwide is five inches (!!!) wider at the shoulder than the UL7. but it may be narrower at the foot. I'm still not sure. But the picture that opens this thread of the downmat winterlite Mwide shows a mild taper. It seems highly likely that the Winterlite M-wide would have identical proportions. Thinking about how I sleep, I can live with that trade off. I might actually prefer it to my square-cut UL7.

Schnozzles rule! They really do function well as a wp liner for your pack–and I've tested this in the field, unfortunately. Plus they inflate a pad just great.

Good to hear about the valve…another improvement, if it works.

"OK, I called exped and the taper lengths for the pads are as follows:

hyperlite M: 13.8"

hyperlite MW: 15.7"

hyperlite LW: 15.7" "

Judging from the pic I posted, that doesn't seem right. The pic in the first post is a Downmat M/W and a Medium. At the foot of the M/W, it looks to be very close to the wide of the Medium at the shoulder, which would be 21" according to Exped's own spec page. Measuring by using a ruler and the picture (which is not exact my any means, just a rough estimation), it looks like the medium/wide tapers to 18". It really does not look like 15.7", so who knows why that is. Perhaps they revised them sizes since that photo was taken at a trade show a number of months ago.

Hopefully some of us will get our orders in the next day or two so we can know for sure. I got the Long/Wide so I'll take some measurements as soon as it is delivered.

Also, here is a pic of how the Xtherm (2014) tapers. This is the LARGE/WIDE version. The measurement is taken at 72" from the top the mat. It seems to have a much more 'severe' taper than the new Expeds.

Ok…so received the new hyperlites. First impressions are mixed.

The good, is that its still the same smooth/silky fabric which is nice for quilt users. The xlite and expecially xtherm have a sticky texture so I couldn't turn over as easily (I'm a side sleeper that turns through the night).

And, the side tubes are larger just like the UL 7, which makes it harder to fall off the mat, and makes the entire width useable (unlike the xlite).

Weights are accurate to exped's website specs, not REI specs. Not sure where REI is getting their numbers…they say a M weighs 11.6 oz, and MW 14.4. Exped lists weight at 12 oz and 15 oz respectively. My weights show 1 M at 12.0 oz, the other M at 12.1 oz, and the MW at 14.8.

Width measurements also are accurate. Actually, I'm measuring close to 20.5+" width towards the top (though I measured the UL 7 as 20.5" as well…so I'm not sure exactly how exped measures). The foot is 13.8 or around that…can't measure too closely to the 1/10th of an inch, on the M and 15.7 on the MW.

Here is the M on top of the MW

M on top of the UL7

MW on top of the UL7

Ok, so….I would recommend the MW for a back sleeper. It kept my elbows on the mat. I'm not a back sleeper though, so I don't think the MW did much comfort wise for me over the M, at least not 2.8 oz worth. The extra 2 inches of foot width didn't really do much. I still have 2 weeks on the sale so I might return the MW and get a M, or a winterlite pad or something.

Now, the M vs the UL7….whether the 4 oz difference or not is worth it is a good question for me. I do like the UL7 b/c I can put my feet in basically any position and they are not falling off. I also like that I can put my hands near my pillow in the UL7 and they are nicely on the mat. With the hyperlite…I would need to put my hands more underneath my pillow to make sure they stay on the mat b/c of the head taper.

Which, speaking of pillows…a quick blurb about the big sky dreamsleeper pillow…I think its the best. Just throwing that out there.

Anyway, with the pillow, I do have to be careful on the hyperlite so it won't fall off since a lot more of the large rectangular pillow is not on the mat. Might need to put some gear at the top of the shelter to keep the pillow wedged better. Its not really a problem with the ul7.

So, yes…of course the taper is going to be not as comfortable as a rectangular shape, simply b/c there is less mat "real estate". I'll have to decide for myself whether the 4 oz is worth it or not and the only way will be with trial runs. I think it will be fine though.

Ok, and…the biggest issue I see with the hyperlite…is that the tapered side baffles do not have ANY insulation in them. So, not all of the weight was due to the mummy shape…there is also less insulation. Exped didn't bother with cutting the insulation to shape the taper of the side baffles…they just left it out completely.

You can kind of faintly see it in this pic.

What also needs some trial runs is two M hyperlites and the accomplice.

My initial thoughts are that its going to be fine.

Yes…the toe width is not as wide as the toe box of the accomplice…but the accomplice toe box was hanging off the 2 UL7s too…I just wasn't really noticing it.

The UL7 is the exact same length as an accomplice (regular length)

But….who sleeps like that? You would have to have your pillow off of the mat (and off the insulation of the mat) in order for the toe box to not come off with a 72" mat. The quilt is going to be several inches lower..kind of like this ->

color is off in this pic

So, the quilt hangs off the mats anyway, so having just more of the quilt off the mat won't make a big difference ->

The head area shouldn't be an issue. The hyperlites kind of angle off/away from each other, but so does the accomplice quilt. The accomplice quilt "flap" that is in the middle of the couple is quite wide…it covers the gap between the two tapered heads.

Thanks for the initial impressions. When you say side 'valves' I assume you mean the side baffles/chambers…? If so, that is rather lame that they skimp on that, but if it doesn't affect the warmth then I guess I'd be okay with it. I get my downmat winterlite tomorrow so I'll see if it's also the case with that.

I didn't really need much. I bought the kids and myself some long handled spoons for $2 each, GF got a micofleece wash cloth, I got an emergency bivy that I noticed was $2 cheaper at Kittery Trading Post, a map of the Allagash Wilderness waterway and a bottle of permethrin. Closest store was in Reading, and since we were in MA to go hiking with her cousins, it was worth the trip.

Thanks for doing all that, back n forth between the UL7 and the Hyperlite.

Thanks for the photos. I'm considering the hyperlite LW to replace a UL7 LW. The foot end of the LW hyperlite is only 16". But at 6'3" and size 13 feet, I fear I'd have a lot of overhang off the foot end sides. That's a big jump from the 25" I have now.

Yes, I am referring to the side baffles…sorry, I've edited my post.

I would think it would affect the warmth…since sleeping on my side my butt is usually on that last side baffle…but maybe I wont' notice?

Well, the DM Winterlite L/W finally came today. Initial thoughts:

-Weight is 24oz, which is close to advertisted
-Material is very soft and smooth (coming from a 2014 xtherm)
-For the L/W size, it seems quite small compared to the L/W xtherm. I am 6' even and it seems just large enough for me. Any smaller or shorter and I'd have no room to move my feet or torso. If you're 6' or taller, definitely get the L/W. I am 190ish, which is moderately slim for my height, so keep that in mind, too.
-The Shnozzle bag that comes with it is fantastic. It really make it worth it for the small premium over the Synmat winterlite. Filling the bag up twice easily inflated the downmat to the proper level.
-Comfort seems great; I might try it tonight.

Pictures below are the L/W downmat with a REGULAR xtherm, 2014

Do the side baffles have insulation?

The side baffles do not appear to have insulation. I checked quickly and they didn't feel like the other baffles. I'll check again when I get home to be sure. I still think it's 'dumb' that they didn't put any there…

Comes in a shade over the 1lb level on my scale for the long wide, which I find strangely annoying. Seems like a good bit of gear though.