Exped Synmat Hyperlite Sleeping Mat Review
On my latest outing to Queen Elizibeth II Wildlands Provincial Park, I took my new Exped Synmat Hyperlite LW air mattress with me to test, and the name really says it all: it is truly one of the lightest mattresses I have ever used. When packed away in it’s stuffsack it’s only 10 cm x 20 cm, and weighs only 445g. The mattress is rated to a temperature of -6°C and with an R-value at 3.3, those spring and fall nights won’t be so cold after all.
It is amazing how compact and light the Exped mattress is, you wouldn’t believe that it has a thickness of nearly 7 cm when fully blown up. I never felt the ground through the mat, even when sleeping on my side. The length of the mattress came in handy too, as I’m 6’2” and sometimes I have trouble finding things to fit me. Finding the LW (long/wide) Hyperlite with a length of 197 cm (6’4”) was great - I was very pleased to know my feet weren’t going to hang off the mattress.
What really stood out for me was the slip resistance material on the mattress. I have used other mattress before, and if you’re on the slightest angle sometimes you wake up half way off the mattress or on the ground. With the material they use on the Synmat Hyperlite mattress (20 D polyester, topped in a TPU polyether film laminate) you’re sure not to slide around. It offerers a tapered design that is wider at your shoulder and narrower at your feet, and the shoulder area is designed to keep you centred on the mattress, by having the outside baffles larger then the centre ones.
Another bonus with the Hyperlite is the ability to use the Schnozzel Pump Bag - an accessory you can buy for around $30. Say goodbye to blowing up your mattress with your lungs until you feel lightheaded. The Schnozzle Pump Bag does all the work, and it took me only about 1 min to inflate my mat. You can still inflate your Hyperlite by blowing, but the quickest way is with the pump bag, and it also does double duty as a compression sack to store your sleeping bag or clothes.
I did find that the Hyperlite is priced higher than other sleeping mats, but you are paying for a well made Swiss design mattress, and more importantly, a good night’s sleep.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a compact, lightweight, large adult sized mat that’s super comfy and inflates quickly, all I have to say is go out and try it out for yourself - you won’t regret it.
