Exped Synmat Hyperlite / UL7 blown baffle issue

I can’t speak for all of the blown baffles, but when I had an issue with my Downmat UL 7, it would have been a 2013 model, or thereabouts. Certainly pre-2016. Haven’t had any issues with the other two Downmat UL 7s we own, though I am a little more careful with them now!

My Exped Synmat UL 7 S from 2011 had the baffles problem. Its replacement has been good since then with the only problem being a puncture or two.

Can someone confirm that the failures were all pre-2016?  My circa 2013 Synmat UL 7 is still going strong, although it hasn’t seen a ton of use.

Of course not. Production issues, excessive use etc. will still happen. I can however confirm I have not seen any warranty issues with mats we sold after the fix where I work. We saw, and still see, quite a few of the pre-2016 with blown baffles.

I just had my pre 2016 hyperlite with a blown baffle…barely had any use. I sent to exped for replacement and I certainly hope that I get a 2017! Bonus points if they send me a new 2017 package that also includes a schnozzle now? A free schnozzle for my hassle would be great.

And…..from the description on their site about the hyperlite ->

Clever Pumpsack included: The Schnozzel Pumpbag allows you to inflate the mat rapidly while preventing humidity from your breath affecting the insulation. It also doubles as an ultra lightweight compression stuffsack.

Which…is kind of odd…..unless they have changed the design, a schnozzle is not a compression stuffsack (it doesn’t have grosgrain cinch cords around it)….

@hjuan99

What year production is your Hyperlite?  And how do you like it by the way?  I’m stuck deciding between a medium and a medium wide, as I heard these run narrow.

From what I can tell, the only update for 2017 is a slightly more grippy honeycomb texture on the surface.  I’m curious if anything else (weights, etc.) has changed.

You can compress in the Schnozzel by using the valve adapter as a vent. Cap it off when done.

@ken t

Yeah…ok, I can see that…though for real compression I still think you would need straps attached to it (though I never compress anything that hard).

@david

I really don’t know exactly what year that hyperlite was….sorry.

But, I have tried a MW before…it didn’t feel like a big difference in width to me…I actually talk about my first impressions in depth here ->

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/102062/

Interesting that you really have to search far and wide to find anything related to this issue from Exped….they are keeping the problem  a well kept secret.  Interesting that I specifically asked an Exped rep on a recent  BPL editors forum about this very issue as I related my experience with a $250 winterlite….no response when given the opportunity….. I spent 8 nights on a blown baffle in the WRR so no amount of comfort is worth taking a chance on these bozos IMO. Just not an Exped fan.

I agree Russ W. Pretty poor customer service focus in my view. Funnily enough I am in the process of writing a lecture for my accounting information systems students on the revenue cycle and opening statement is “excellent customer service should be the focus at all times.” I feel this is something Exped simply don’t grasp.

I know my next mat will be either Sea to Summit or Therm-a-Rest. I am not going back to Exped given their lack of customer service.

I haven’t experienced the lack of customer service you are talking about though…..

I sent an email to exped at 2:57pm with a picture of my blown baffle…and got a reply back at 3:10pm with the warranty address where I could send my mat. It said the turn around time was 3-4 weeks…but…1 week later I got my return tracking number for the replacement that will get here on wed…

It was awesome customer service for me…

My problem wasn’t getting a refund since I purchased from REI… My problem was that there was a known issue and Exped handled it like a car maker with a defect that they really didn’t want to publicly acknowledge. I don’t get out enough to put up with that!

Well, got my new pad today…and yeah, its totally new in a retail package, but it seems like its still the non2017 version where it doesn’t come with a schnozzle or the new top fabric material…so a bit disappointed about that but …

I’m not even sure retailers have the new versions yet…I see rei is clearancing out old inventory too.

Hmm….and since the new material has a GripSkin coating….maybe I won’t like that as a quilt user. I know that I tried a …I think xtherm, that also had a anti slip coating which I didn’t like next to skin in a quilt…

@hjuan99

Did you get the Hyperlite medium?  How do you like it?  Weight on scale?  I’m curious…

My experience with exped has been nothing but good. Blue a baffle in a 2012 down mat ul7 in 2015 and they replace the pad with a new pad. No questions asked

@david

I had linked to my impressions before here ->

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/102062/

@hjuan99

I see that that thread is 2 years old. Did you end up keeping your Hyperlite the last couple years?  Any reason for the replacement?  Do you have additional thoughts on it after all this time?

I had two pre-2016 UL7’s and both developed blown baffles with Exped replacing the first one. After it happened a second time, I decided to switch to the Nemor Tensor and haven’t had any issues with a year of use. So far so good.

I’ve had two Exped UL7’s with blown baffles, both circa 2013. One baffle blew when I was drying it kinda close to a fire so I considered that one my fault and tossed it. The other one Exped easily warrantied.

I will also note that I had issues with the synthetic insulation coming unglued inside the circa 2014 warranty replacement. Towards the end of my 2014 PCT thru-hike, I could see that in about 1/2 of the baffles, the synthetic insulation was unglued and had slid to the bottom of the pad. I suspect that moisture from my breath probably contributed to making things a bit funky, but still this shouldn’t happen. The pad had a lot of holes anyways, so I tossed it after that thru-hike and now use a NeoAir Xtherm, which isn’t as comfy but is warmer and seems to last. I blow it up with the stuff sack to avoid mold inside and because I don’t want it to freeze closed when used in the winter.

I just had my 2016 Exped Synmat Hyperlight MW blow a baffle.  I went to REI but found I bought it in 2016.  I just reached out to Exped in Tacoma Washington (apparently my areas contact).  We’ll see if they reply or not.  Reading other post it’s a hit or miss of they respond.

I’m pretty sure that they  will respond. I would never characterize Exped customer service as hit or miss.

Exped has given me excellent cust service every single time.

They are a reputable company with heart.

Your pad might be out of warranty though (I think it’s only two years for the UL and hyperlight mats).

Good luck!

@Paul….  You’re correct.  I emailed my local rep and heard back within the hour.  I had my pad mailed out that afternoon for a replacement.

Great service from Exped!

I have a synmat 7 LW that I had used for 4 years for car camping, guest bed, and a few colder backpacking trips.  It blew a baffle on me, so I reached out to Exped and they replaced it with hardly any questions asked.  I took the 1st replacement mat out for a 20F campout with the scouts and it blew a baffle on me (maybe the 2nd or 3rd time it had ever been used).  Again Exped replaced it and their customer service was fantastic.  The very first time I unrolled the 2nd replacement mat, it leaked all night long and I had to air it up 4 or 5 times to make it through the night.  This time they were very leery of replacing it.  They apparently test every pad for leaks before they leave the factory, so they were fairly convinced I did it.  I guess there could have been something in my tent that punctured it on the very first time I unrolled and aired it up…..   but I’m thinking that was pretty unlikely.  Anyway, they paid shipping for me to return it to them.  They found the leak, patched it, and returned it to me.

So, long story short.  Great customer service.  But I can’t trust the pad to not blow a baffle on me.  So I only take it on colder weather car camping trips now, and I always leave a backup in the car.

Every time I contact Exped with an issue, I ask them to “Replace, Repair, or Recycle”. So far, they have replaced or repaired only. I even sent them my UL pillow with a blown baffle, and they replaced it. I’m glad they are still able to stay in business!