SLUK Discount: Exped Dura four-season camping mat | Product Review

How many times have you bought cheap airbeds in your life? If you’re anything like me, I’d say we go through at least one a year. 

Our most recent purchase, earlier this year, was your typical Coleman’s double-airbed. You can see it above on the seat of the Lambretta. It gives you an idea of packed sizes in comparison to the Exped we’re reviewing here.  The Coleman was to replace another identical one that literally let us down.

Then, tipped off by friends from the Trojan SC, we discovered Exped, a high-end outdoor brand. We thought we’d give one of their seemingly expensive but very good quality, insulated 4-season sleeping mats a try.

How much?

Firstly, let’s get the sting out there. These aren’t cheap by any stretch of the imagination. Our 5R Duo M costs £285 – that’s about the cost of a weekend’s accommodation in Scarborough next Easter and with a sleeping mat you don’t get breakfast either. Luckily we have a SLUK discount offer on all Exped products.

This isn’t ‘just another’ airbed though. This is an insulated, four-season sleeping mat. It’s about half the size when packed away of a conventional blow-up airbed and weighs half as well (specs at the end). Also, you don’t need to carry a pump around with you and less weight is always a good thing on a scooter.

The mats come with a two-year warranty and a repair kit.

Mummy-style

With Exped mats (they also do a full range of sleeping bags, tents and various other outdoor equipment) they’re designed for adventurous types, so should be way more durable than an ordinary airbed. They’re also season-rated, so depending on the type of camping you do and your own comfort levels, you can opt for the ‘summer use’ Ultra 1R right through to the full expedition Dura 9R.

We’re both quite small so went for a 4-season, 2-person 5R Duo M (there’s a larger LW version as well). The 5R is a mummy-style shape, rather than oblong (like the LW) so it tapers down at the bottom. It also features two separate air chambers, so if your partner likes a firmer mat than you it’s not a problem. The outer edge of the mat is slightly raised to help keep you on it, rather than being able to roll off in the night.

There are single versions, larger versions and season ratings for warmer climates and colder ones.

Video: Schnozzle bag inflation

Inflating these mats is simple and can be done anywhere, no pump is required. They come complete with a schnozzle pumpbag, simply open the two ‘in’ valves and attach the schnozzle bag to one of them, waft some air into it and roll it up to force it into your mat. It’s actually quite a quick and effective way to inflate and it means you’re not having to carry a pump or remember to check the batteries in a pump. It also stops any moisture being put into the mat, which can happen if filling it using your lungs. Moisture equals cold. Once you’ve got enough air into one side, inflate the other. Even after only using it a couple of times I can inflate that mat in less than three minutes (2:17 on the stopwatch). The valves self-seal as well so you don’t lose pressure when you take the nozzle out.

The schnozzle bag also doubles up as a handy, lightweight waterproof roll-top bag.

Note: Be sure the ‘Out’ valves are closed when inflating – see the video outtakes as to why!

Shown here on top of the double Coleman’s airbed for size comparison

Cosy nights

We used the mat recently at a rally and despite it only being 7 cm thick (our Coleman’s is 22cm) we had a couple of really good nights’ sleep. Because it has two separate sides (basically two single mats welded together) with air chambers running the full length it makes for a really comfortable night. It’s also a lot quieter when you move about on it and you don’t make your partner bounce up and down every time you turn over/get up for a wee.

I know which one I’d rather carry on my scooter, the Exped is small enough to go into my Oxford bag with my clothes and weekend essentials…

Warmth

The main thing for me though is its warmth, you can feel heat radiating from it. I’m usually freezing when camping at any time of year but was toasty on this occasion. This mat is rated down to -20.

We both liked it so much that we left our usual airbed at home and used this one for a recent five night family camping trip. It stays inflated for days, is comfortable to sleep on, is warm and packs up to a decent size. It also deflates very easily and packs into its carry bag without fuss.

When my missus is impressed by something you know it does its job very well!

Get an extra 30% off the sale price on all Exped products by using the ‘SLUK20’ code!