Exped Flexmat Plus Foam Sleeping Mat- £60

Amazon Rating

Brand – Exped
Price – £60
Variety – Closed Cell Foam Mat
R-Value – 2.2
Weight – 0.55 KG
Thickness – 1.5” (3.8cm)
Unfold Size – H197.1cm W65cm D3.81cm
Packed Size – H65cm W18cm D16cm

Product Features

Rapidly deployable folding form for quick and easy camp setup and takedown.
High-quality, lightweight, and durable microcellular IXPE foam with a Flex-Cell structure ensures long-lasting use; DWR-free.
Array of air-trapping Flex-Cells creates a thick, warm sleep surface, nesting inside one another when folded to minimize packed size.
Multiple rectangular segments fold compactly for easy packing
Extremely high warmth to weight ratio makes the FlexMat Plus an ideal add on for all season sleeping systems.
Adds substantial insulation, durability, and moisture resistance when layered beneath inflatable sleeping mats.
Winter Mode: Folding in half doubles thickness for increased insulation and cushioning under the torso, perfect for winter camping.
Pillow Mode: Stacking initial segments creates a customised pillow section for head and neck support.
R-value of 2.2 makes it best for cool weather adventures, providing moderate insulation from ground temperature.

The Bottom Line

Warmth and R-Value

Closed cell foam mats are known for their consistent warmth in all weather conditions. Exped is a trusted brand that was developed in 1983 and now produces a wide range of quality outdoor products. The Exped Flexmat Plus has an R-Value of 2.2 making it the warmest closed cell foam mat on the market. It is 140 grams heavier though than its lighter model, the Exped Flexmat lite. This is down to the Plus version also being the thickest ultralight closed cell foam mat on the market, measuring 3.8cm thick. Most closed cell foam mats are around 1.5cm thick, so it just goes to show that doubling the thickness doesn’t double the R-Value of a sleeping mat.

That being said, most closed cell foam mats have an R-Value of 1.5- 2. The thickness and R_value of the Exped Flexmat Plus is really what sets it apart from the others on the market. This sleeping mat will effectively shield you from the cold ground. It will also prevent any damp from striking up due to its water resistant properties. The mat has a good unfolded size (larger than most other ultralight mats) and will mean for most people their whole body will be insulated from the ground. Its ideal for use alongside inflatable mats as well to prevent damp and cold striking up as well as providing protection for the inflatable mat.

Comfort

The Exped Flexmat light has a thickness of 3.8cm thick, even though its the thickest on the market I personally don’t think its the comfiest as I think both the Nemo Switchback and the Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite beat it for comfort when lying directly onto the mat. The pad is very hard and the egg shaped bubbles are bigger than the usual style, so they can feel weird and uncomfortable until you break in the pad or get accustomed to it.

With that being said closed cell foam mats are designed only to provide adequate cushioning from the ground. This makes them suitable for camping, backpacking and outdoor activities such as thru hiking and fishing. However, they don’t offer the same level of plushness as some other types of sleeping pads, such as self-inflating or air mats.

That’s not to say this mat can’t serve as a ground layer to a SIM or air pad. Closed cell foam mats work great to protect Air Pads and Self Inflating Mats from getting punctures from the sharp ground. Also, acting as a base layer closed cell foam mats will insulate and increase the R-Value of your sleep system. To calculate R-Value, simply add each R-value together of your sleep system.

Portability And Durability

Closed cell foam mats are valued for their durability and lightweight design. At just 500 grams this mat has incredible weight to warmth ratio, having an R-Value of 2.2.

The Exped Flexmat Plus mat has a ‘Z’ fold up design so it can be easily compacted down and attached to the outside of a rucksack. The egg shapes also interlock making the packed mat secure and compact. (see top of page for packed size)

The pack size isn’t as small as that of an Air Mats. However, because closed cell foam mats are virtually indestructible, they can be carried on the outside of rucksacks without concerns of damaging them. This also means more room inside the rucksack for other items!

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