Exped UL 7 Mw?

I have no experience with the wide version, though you may want to check out this thread from a while ago where a few people discuss it:

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

Sorry when I try to make the link an actual link it breaks it somehow, copy paste should work though.

I remember that thread, Jesse, but it really didn't have much info about comparing the 2 versions of the UL-7. I'll probably just hit REI tomorrow and have them pull one out of the packaging so I can test it out. Of course as a geek would do, I'll bring my scale to weigh every one they have and pick the lightest one for testing, then buy that one if I like it.

I recently received mine from REI. I haven't spent the night on it yet but it should really help me sleep. I am a rotisserie side sleeper and I was always "falling" off the 20". I had the big LW pad but I am only 5-7 so the length was a waste for me.

I hope Exped is successful with the MW so they come out with an uninsulated version as well. Expeds cushion the best of all the pads I have tried.

T

I haven't tried the Mw, but I do have the 20-in one, and my experience is very different from TC's above. I find as an active side sleeper that the width of the pad is a lot less important than it is for a back sleeper (which I used to be before my back went bad). A back sleeper's arms tend to hang off a too narrow pad, either touching the cold ground or going to sleep (or both). In the fetal position, my knees, feet, and/or rump are off the pad at any given time, but they don't fall down. I'm 6'5".

So I think that means you have to try the pads yourself and see what works for you.

I am using a MW now, side sleeper…works great!
Warm but not as much as the Big Agnes's
Q Core, and lighter! Yea!

I'm also a side sleeper and find it's not that big of a deal to have the 20" pad under me, even as I spin the night away. But when I DO want the extra width is when it's cold out and when my butt does get cold hanging off the edge.

I emailed Exped about maybe doing the downmat UL7 in MW, and they said not yet, but depending on the sales of this one they may expand to other models. I put in my vote for a MW of the downmat………when I really, really want my fetal position butt to stay on the pad :)

Thanks for your helpful responses. I guess I'll just need to find out for myself at REI today.

OK, so I bought one yesterday. REI had 4 of the Mw UL7 pads in stock. I weighed each one, which ranged from 636 gm down to 627 gm (guess which one I chose). After blowing it up with my trusty Schnozzel at home, then letting a wee bit of air out to reach my preferred inflation level, I measured the width–it was 24.5", or 4.5" wider than my regular UL7. And the weight (without the repair kit) is 1# 4.2 oz., which is 4.4 oz. heavier than my 20" x 72" UL7 (15.8 oz.). So I get one extra inch of width per extra ounce carried, and I'm trying to figure out if that tradeoff is worth it to me. It is quite a bit more comfortable when lying on my back, but no real difference when side sleeping (which is what I do). Still, it's my second-lightest pad (if you disregard that silly Klymit Static V), so I suppose that I should just keep it.

I noticed that they've beefed up the inflation valve membrane a bit over the 2012 version, which should help mitigate the occasional problem of the valve flap not closing quite right and allowing air to slowly escape.

Now, I need to do my snow-melt dance so that I can get up into these mountains and try it out. Darn it, Exped makes some great products.