View Full Version : down filled air mattresses -- why not more popular?
Elaikases
10-25-2016, 23:16
Realized that Stephenson's Warmlite is still in business, and now selling their air mattress separately.
http://warmlite.com/down-air-mattress-alone/ and https://backpackinglight.com/stephensons_warmlite_down_air_mat/
The saw that there were 7 cm and 9 cm down filled air mattresses. https://smile.amazon.com/Exped-DownMat-Pump-Sleeping-Pad/dp/B0038WFX0E/ref=smi_se_mit_rcol_smi_2628204422?_encoding=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&pldnCmp=rcol&pldnCrt=my-impact
Though exped is no longer sold by REI.
http://www.summitpost.org/outdoor-gear/down-air-mattress/548
I was wondering why they aren't more popular.
There has to be a fill, or bubbles, or baffles. To act as an insulator, air can't be allowed to circulate. Thermarest uses a spongy material as fill. I imagine down could fill the same purpose and be even lighter as a fill material.
Elaikases
10-25-2016, 23:26
https://smile.amazon.com/Exped-DownMat-Pump-Sleeping-Pad/
Wonder how heavy it is (shipping weight 1 lb?). I'll do another search on Whiteblaze. All I've found so far are the synpads and not the down filled ones.
Elaikases
10-25-2016, 23:29
Ok. Some are still for sale. https://www.rei.com/product/881904/exped-downmat-xp-9-with-pump But around three pounds. Too heavy for most non-winter use. I should have done more research.
Elaikases
10-25-2016, 23:30
Though they have a 1 lb version. http://www.exped.com/international/en/product-category/mats/downmat-ul-7-s
Elaikases
10-25-2016, 23:33
And a synthetic lightweight for couples. https://www.rei.com/product/896427/exped-synmat-hyperlite-duo-sleeping-pad
Feral Bill
10-26-2016, 00:47
Neither especially light or cheap.
DuneElliot
10-26-2016, 08:45
I picked up an Exped Downmat on sale at my local sporting goods store when I developed a slow leak in my regular air pad. It is definitely warm and weighs 23oz, but I prefer my Klymit insulated pad...it just fits me better.
saltysack
10-26-2016, 19:17
I'd guess $$$ is main reason but also compressed down doesn't insulate well....xtherm works for me...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Expensive and heavy. I'll bet you a bag of roasted peanuts Tipi Walter uses one... :)
(I mean that in a kind, humorous way that you'd speak to someone you've known online for years)
DuneElliot
10-26-2016, 20:02
Just as an FYI for the naysayers, a downmat uses down in the same manner as a sleeping bag or quilt. It is oly compressed while packed and then provides great insulation when inflated.
Just as an FYI for the naysayers, a downmat uses down in the same manner as a sleeping bag or quilt. It is oly compressed while packed and then provides great insulation when inflated.
Does the down ever get wet from moisture from your lungs over time?
saltysack
10-26-2016, 20:13
Just as an FYI for the naysayers, a downmat uses down in the same manner as a sleeping bag or quilt. It is oly compressed while packed and then provides great insulation when inflated.
I've never looked at one or used...I was just guessing..but assumed same reason a quilt makes sense as down under your body gets compressed therefore provides lil insulation value...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
kayak karl
10-26-2016, 20:22
most of the naysayers say.....heavy and expensive. ??
DuneElliot
10-26-2016, 20:24
Does the down ever get wet from moisture from your lungs over time?
Mine came with a very lightweight hand pump, so no. I think it weighed 1oz
I've never looked at one or used...I was just guessing..but assumed same reason a quilt makes sense as down under your body gets compressed therefore provides lil insulation value...
Not at all, it is within the air chambers that are blown up by air.
DuneElliot
10-26-2016, 20:25
most of the naysayers say.....heavy and expensive. ??
Slightly heavier, but depending on the model not that expensive
Sarcasm the elf
10-26-2016, 20:47
I think the short answer to why they're not more popular is not enough people do the type of deep winter camping that calls for serious R value pads and those that do probably have their own system dialed in. Personally I would have considered one if I didn't already have a setup that works for me.
saltysack
10-26-2016, 22:22
Mine came with a very lightweight hand pump, so no. I think it weighed 1oz
Not at all, it is within the air chambers that are blown up by air.
Aaaah I get it...interesting but I've already got over $300 in air mattress think I'm good....just need to find a damn pillow that I like!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Rain Man
10-27-2016, 22:54
I was wondering why they aren't more popular.
I am also guessing they trap moisture in one's breath, not to mention become moldy.
DuneElliot
10-28-2016, 08:19
I am also guessing they trap moisture in one's breath, not to mention become moldy.
As mentioned above, they come with light-weight handpumps. You are not supposed to use your mouth to blow them up.
wiiawiwb
03-21-2017, 07:24
It would if you used your breath to inflate it but you don't. Exped uses a "Schozzel" which is a bag you use to fill then inflate the mat. I have the Downmat 9 and Synmat 9. Both are very warm. When on top of the Downmat 9, warmth resonates from below. It really is an amazing thing and makes sleeping in cold weather easy.
Gambit McCrae
03-21-2017, 08:10
I am a long time user of Exped - Long time being 4-5 years now. I use a synmat 7 Long Wide for 3 seasons.
I use a downmat 7 for cold weather.
And a downmat 9 for snow or sub 15* weather.
I have nothing but great things to say about these pads, and expeds customer service. I can tell a significant difference in all 3 pads that I use.
When transitioning from syn to down, my quality of sleep goes way up. I am not a good trail sleeper, but for example this past weekend I spent 2 nights on the downmat 7 and did not wake up 1 time the entire night. That is unheard of for me.
Warmth: When coupled with a good down bag I sat toasty warm thru winter nights on these pads. Not only do they have down, but they are made of a much tougher material then the synmat.
Weight: Yes they are a bit heavier but so is winter camping in general. With a downmat you are paying for warmth, and durability. not really a product that fits into the big 3 when speaking of purchasing: Weight, durability, price. In the instance of the downmat, its expensive, heavier, and durable. I guess durable could be replaced with quality and make more sense.
Price: Downmat 7 in LW is $175 right now on moosejaw. For the good sleep and warmth along with durability I receive from this pad, I value it enough to approve the purchase I made.
Mold: I am a huge mold freak. Most of my gear either spends time being used, or airing out at home. I have not found any evidence of a mold smell in my down mats after 2 years of use. I also store them in my backpack with the valve open, and when I get home they spend a couple days laid out with valve open.
schnozzle: This is a great item to have and I have enjoyed using it this year. hard to impossible to use while sitting in your tent, but if windy at all outside, you can get your pad blown up in 2 bag fulls.
Internal Pump: Complete junk and the downfall of the product. My downmat 9 has an integrated pump, and I do not use it.
Does the down ever get wet from moisture from your lungs over time?
They use bag pumps so it doesn't get your breath.
...
Though exped is no longer sold by REI.
...
Not totally accurate. REI still lists 2 of the Exped down mats.
https://www.rei.com/search.html?q=exped+sleeping+pads&origin=web&ir=q%3Aexped+sleeping+pads&page=1
Wayne
Does the down ever get wet from moisture from your lungs over time?
I have an older Stephenson down filled mattress. You use the stuff sack to inflate the mattress to avoid moisture.