Exped Downmat 9 & Exped Downmat Deluxe 9 – each were a little bit of a pain to inflate compared to the Thermarest self inflating, but oh what a difference. Properly inflated each is thick and comfortable and completely insulates you from ground cold. In Natashquan it got down into the 40’s and with 35 degree sleeping bags we were warm and comfortable with the Downmats. Besides comfort they each pack easily back to original size (I felt the Thermarest took a lot of work to get it compressed to original size). Ditch the bag for the Downmat 9 and use straps to secure it or it will be too big to pack. The deluxe compressed well with the compression bag that comes with it. Both take a little practice and time for both inflating and deflating, but I don’t think I would ever travel with anything else.
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