Exped downmat 7 or Stephenson DAM.

If those are the only choices, the exped downmat 7, though I have an exped downmat 9 and THAT would be my preference.

Robert,
It looks as though you decided to upgrade your sleeping pad for your upcoming trip – it will help a great deal. Narrowed it down to some good selections aswell. Theres a bunch of posts on this subject which are fairly fresh on the boards, so you should do a keyword search. That said, I own the Downmat 7 short and after the first night sleeping with it, I got down on one knee and proposed. I can't imagine any temperature that would require more insulation – mine comes in at 24 oz with the pump/stuff sack. Takes a little time getting used to the pump, but no major task. One night on the DM7 and you probably won't go home to your wife ;O – treat her well my friend.
Steve

Steven, Your right, it is time to upgrade the pad. I guess 24 oz is the price to pay for warmth.
I bet it really gets cold up there in Canada. Would you share your choices of winter gear?

P.P., Why did you choose the Exped 9 over the 7?

Robert,
Warmth and comfort.

Robert,
Do a search for "Sleep Mat Systems". There was a recent thread on some light sleep systems that some of the members use.
As for Canada being cold, dang yes – but I can't wait for the big dump of snow – lotsa fun!
I won't get too specific because there are plenty of threads on this subject – and members with much more experience pushing a winter setup then me, but if I use my WM Versalite, a DM7 short and sleep in a one man tent – I'd be warm and toasty to about 0-5F wearing just a base layer. Hope that helps.
Steve

I have been surprised by people selecting the Exped over the Stephenson DAM. I have only used the Stephenson DAM a couple of times (borrowed it from a friend) I have only looked at the Exped in the store and see it's specs on a website. But it seems that the DAM is warmer, lighter, and I thought I remembered that they were approx the same price. Am I remembering something wrong? For people who said they would prefer the exped over the warmlite, I would like to know why.

I have owned both, either is fine. Bear in mind that the Exped is only 70" long. It was a little too short for me, so I sold it and had Warmlite make a long one for me with a little extra down in it. The stock version's down fill seemed kind of sparse to me, so I returned it for one with overfill.
Tom

Reason for selecting DM7: It was readily available at my local MEC, which happens to be about a 10 minute walk from my place. If I went at it again, I would probably try the DAM.

Regarding the pad length, I just put my pack under my legs. My DM7 short comes to below my bum.

My experience with the Stephenson DAM is limited. I own an older Exped Down mat (have to look but it's the 7 or similar, not the 9). Their is no doubt that the Exped has more room for you to roam about upon. If you want the extra room it is the way to go, but if you can feel comfortable on the more coffin-shaped Stephenson DAM then by all means go that route since it is considerably lighter. Pumping the Exped might be marginally easier but then again I know DAM owners who have never had a problem with their pads.

I take my Exped when I winter camp and am pulling the gear with a pulk. If I am carrying it all on my back I go with a more conventional closed cell foam plus regular (e.g., Torsolight) combination.

** Ken **

To answer the question of why I chose the Exped Downmat 7:

Excellent reviews at both BPL & BGT plus great price of $83.95 at Backcountry.com – with free shipping.

Due to their weight, hadn't even considered a down pad.

Then I saw the low price at Backcountry.com, checked out reviews, and decided to get one.

JRS

I am getting very interested in the higher R value, compactness, and lighter weight of a DAM over the combination of my ProLite 4 and therm-a-rest Z Lite Regular pad that I am using now for winter. The comment was made by Kenneth that the regular Exped 7 that is 70” long has more room than the Stephenson’s DAM. When I look online at the 60” circumference Stephenson’s I see a pad that is 24” wide at the shoulders and 70” long; although tapered I don’t see how it is smaller, but I will stand corrected if someone has been on both. In any event I am also interested in the 64” circumference DAM that is still many ounces less that the Exped 7 and 74” long.

For those who do own Stephenson DAMs, how compact are they to pack? Thanks.