Exped Flex Mat – lightest folding ccf pad. smaller pack size

[Monte Masterson]

I’ve always avoided torso and full length ccf sleeping pads because of their bulky size and the fact that they provide less comfort per gram than inflatables. But this new Exped Flex Mat has got me to thinking. If you could pair one of the Flex Mats up with the lightest inflatables (Uberlite for example), you could have more peace of mind for just few ounces. And you’d also get more R value and a bomber piece of camp furniture.The pad comes in 2 lengths, a torso (XS) Flex Mat that measures 47.2 ” X 20.5 (0.7″ thick) and weighs 202 grams or 7.15 oz. The listed weight from Exped is 7.9 oz, however, ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk weighs every item they put on their website and I trust their numbers. If anybody has a Flex Mat and you’ve weighed it I’d love to know your results, as well as your overall impressions. Pack size is 7 liters for the torso length and 10 liters on the full length 72″ (M) 10,85 0z.  Flex mats are considerably smaller (pack size) and lighter than the Thermarest Z-Lite, but are they as comfortable?

Link is the 72″ (M) version,

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/sleeping-mats-c58/closed-cell-foam-mats-c137/flexmat-m-sleeping-mat-p13585

Pic is of the torso (XS) 47.2″ long 7.15 oz.

[Michael B]

I see the R-value is 1.5, compared the the GG 1/4” Thinlights estimated 1.0. If you need the stiffness of the thicker pad for something, or are really sensitive to the .5 R difference, I could see getting the Exped, but I would prefer the Thinlight for my setup, as it is lighter and slightly longer than the XS Flex Mat. If I needed the extra torso warmth, I could just double over the Thinlite. Super tough, no texture to catch debris in.

[SIMULACRA]

If you don’t mind rolling vs folding: 20″x 72″x 1/2″ Plastazote 8.7oz/246.64 g. Can be used just by itself or w/ the Uberlite

[Author]

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