down filled air mattresses -- why not more popular?

[wiiawiwb]

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]

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.

[Ethesis]

Does the down ever get wet from moisture from your lungs over time?

They use bag pumps so it doesn't get your breath.

[Venchka]

...

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=ex...ng+pads&page=1
Wayne

[Nooga]

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.