Exped FlexMat LW Sleeping Mat

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A closed-cell, concertina foam mat.

Exped says:

Light, durable and versatile closed-cell foam mat in a rapidly-deployable folding form. FlexMat can be used alone for alpinism and ultralight backpacking, or under an inflatable mat as puncture protection and added insulation.

Our Verdict

I used one of these to complete the Coast-to-Coast and it was a fabulous bit of kit. The main benefits of this mat are, that it’s unbreakable, as opposed to a self-inflating mat, or an air mat, it can’t be punctured, and the baffles can’t break. So, you can be confident you are going to get a good night’s sleep, regardless of the terrain you are on, or how clumsy you are with a knife.

It’s also much more user-friendly out on the trail, stopping for lunch or a coffee or just to marvel at the view?  it can be used as a sit mat, or to lounge out on, and you don’t need to inflate it, and, most likely will be at the top of your pack for quick access, again a plus over its counterparts.

However it’s a little unwieldy to transport, the most common practice is to store it beneath the lid of your rucksack, which isn’t the best, especially if you need to clamber under tree branches or squeeze threw a stile, as it protrudes and is cumbersome. It’s also not terribly warm, if used as your primary mat, it’s only good for summer use. However, it can be incorporated into a sleep system that also uses an inflated mat, one to offer some protection from the ground, but also to raise the R-Value, a great choice in wintery conditions.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Rapidly deployed, durable and versatile closed-cell-foam mat 
• Light, durable and versatile 
• Minimalist or entry level sleeping mat 
• Provides protection and added R-Value for inflatable mats 
• High quality and more eco-friendly IXPE foam

Specifications

• Weight: 464g
• Dimensions: 197 x 65cm
• Thickness: 1.8cm
• Packed size: 14 x 65 x 13.5cm
• ASTM R-Value: 1.5
• Exped temp rating: 5°C

Material & Construction

• Closed-cell foam, DWR-free

ASTM R-Value:

From 2020, there is a new industry standard for measuring the R-value (level of insulation) of sleeping mats – ASTM F3340-18. This new standard is the sleeping mat equivalent to the EN rating for sleeping bags.

You can now directly compare the R-value of mats rated using the ASTM F3340-18 with confidence that is a fair and accurate comparison between mats. In simple terms, the higher the R-value, the warmer the mat.

In general terms, an R-value below 2.0 is for summer use, 2.0 to 4.0 is for cooler 3 season use and 4.0+ is for winter temperatures. This will be also be dependent on your sleeping bag, how cold you sleep etc. Please contact our customer service team if you need advice on choosing the right mat for your activity.

Help & advice:

• The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Ultralight Sleeping Mat
• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Sleeping Mat
• About Exped
• R-Value Explained
• Exped Mat Summary