Exped Downmat 9 Review by Trail Testers

Trailtesters review the Exped Downmat 9 inflatable mat. The test was conducted in sub zero temperatures in the Welsh mountains and the mat performed brilliantly. Its down filling means that it is warm even when the ground is frozen.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Exped
• Downmat
• Downmat9
• Trailtesters
• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Mountaineering

[Trailtesters]

The Downmat9 works very well in the British summer and winter. I have used mine on very wet hillsides and on boats, where there is a lot of moisture in the air and the mat has performed brilliantly. So no worries there.

[colblimp]

It seems to be a bit of a faff to inflate. Do you think the down mat is 'better' than a conventional mat?

[Trailtesters]

It's horses for courses really, The downmat is a faff to inflate, but offers a warmer mattress in very cold conditions, whereas the thermarest is easy to inflate but being thinner offers less of a thermal barrier, when say sleeping on ice.

[eightwillwontcannot]

I love my Downmat 9 but unfortunately it failed (due to manufacturing faults) when I was in Swedish Lapland.

I had a very, very bad experience with their primary representative company back here in the UK when I sent the mat back to them for replacement.

It took 6 months of 'negotiations' before the company sent me the newer model Downmat 9 to replace my old one - and i'm pleased to it say has performed perfectly!

Overall, a great product.

[Trailtesters]

sorry to hear that you had problems with your downmat. I agree the uk importer can be a bit slow off the mark. i am taking mine to arctic norway next month, so we shall see how it fares!

[atrichornis]

i like the down filling, but i'm pretty sure i could blow it up quicker with my own lungs.

[Trailtesters]

yes, but the whole idea of the pump is to keep the moisture from your breath away from the down.

it takes me about four minutes to pump it up and now its just part of routine when i make camp.

[GameDesignerJDG]

How does the downmat fair in wet weather, is the down protected from the rain very well by the outer shell, or does the down get wet easily and become a pain to dry?

[dinnerandashow]

It's cheaper, warmer and far better quality then thermarest (neoair).

[fbcook19]

All of this was solved with the New Downmat 9 Pump model which I own. It is much easier to inflate and is quite an enjoyable mat to sleep on. Coupled with the chair kit, it's really an amazing 4 season mat. Packs smaller than most thermarests too!