Price: $229.00

Type: Air Construction/Baffled Insulation

Claimed R-value: 8

Weight: 31.2oz (884g)

Packed Volume: 4.8L

Thickness: 3.5″ (8.9cm)

LxW: 72″x20.5″ (1.8m x 0.5m)

Breaths to Inflate: 2 minutes (pump sack)

What We Like: Comfortable, Durable, Incredibly warm

What We Don’t: Expensive, Heavy, Large packed size

Amongst the 14 pads in our 2021 review, the EXPED DownMat XP 9 is a standout. While some pads focus on lightweight construction or a balance of comfort, warmth, and packability, the DownMat XP 9 is built to withstand extreme temperatures and is one of only two pads on our list that can be placed directly on the snow. With a price tag of $229 for the standard-sized pad, it’s a serious investment, and its large packed size makes it less than optimal for backpacking. However, if you’re planning an excursion in the deep of winter, this pad may prove to be a life-saving asset.

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See Our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review HERE!

Amongst the 14 pads in our 2021 review, the EXPED DownMat XP 9 is a standout. While some pads focus on lightweight construction or a balance of comfort, warmth, and packability, the DownMat XP 9 is built to withstand extreme temperatures and is one of only two pads on our list that can be placed directly on the snow. With a price tag of $229 for the standard-sized pad, it’s a serious investment, and its large packed size makes it less than optimal for backpacking. However, if you’re planning an excursion in the deep of winter, this pad may prove to be a life-saving asset.

Warmth

You’d be hard-pressed to find a pad that’s as warm as the DownMat XP 9; it boasts an off-the-charts R-value of 8 and can contend with temperatures as low as -36.4°F. The pad’s insulation is composed of 8.8 oz of 700FP goose down that’s certified by RDS, a strict animal welfare standard. The vertical baffles are welded between the down-filled air chambers to eliminate cold spots. The only pad in our review that even comes close to the warmth delivered by the EXPED is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm, which has an R-value of 6.9. The NeoAir XTherm costs around $10 less, and both its weight and packed size are substantially smaller than the EXPED.

Comfort

The DownMat XP 9 is not just warm; it’s also rather cozy, with 3.5″ (8.9cm) of padding that keeps your body well above the ground. The goose-down insulation is very quiet compared to the often crinkly or squeaky insulation used for lighter sleeping pads. In addition, the 75D polyester fabric is plush without being too sticky or slippery, and the horizontal baffling keeps your body centered.

Length and width for the standard-sized pad are 72″x20.5″ (1.8m x 0.5m), about a half-inch wider than most. The big ‘n tall set may want to opt for the long wide version of this pad for an additional $20; it measures 77.6”x25.6” and tips the scales at 2lb 9.3oz.

Weight & Packed Size

There’s one very notable drawback to the DownMat XP 9: it’s both heavy and large. At nearly 2 pounds (31.2oz or 884g), it’s 5oz heavier than any other pad on our list. In fact, its goose-down fill alone weighs as much as the entire Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite. Packed away into its stuff sack, the EXPED has a compressed volume of 4.8L, equal to four NEMO Tensor Insulated pads. As a backpacking sleeping pad, it’s simply not the optimal choice unless you’re packing extra light for an overnight trip or you’re transporting your gear via sled dog.

Inflation

The DownMat XP 9 cannot be inflated orally since any moisture can compromise the loft of the down insulation. Thankfully, it comes with what EXPED calls the Schnozzel Pumpbag, a waterproof stuff sack that doubles as a pump. Like most pump sacks, you’ll want to connect the sack directly to the inflation valve, then open the side end of the sack to blow in a few breaths. Seal off this end and roll the sack closed to fill the pad with air. Inflation time should be around 2 minutes. When it’s time to pack things away, a secondary valve for deflation should make it a painless process.

Durability

The exterior fabric on top and bottom is made up of 75D polyester with a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) polyether film laminate, making this pad one of the most rugged that we tested. Although it should be durable enough to handle the bare ground, EXPED has provided one of the most comprehensive repair kits we’ve yet to find, including multiple patches, glue, and an instruction manual. The dual valve is relatively flush with the outside of the pad and does not seem particularly vulnerable to damage.

The Bottom Line

Comfortable, durable, and remarkably warm, the EXPED DownMat 9 is in a league all its own. However, many will find this pad just a bit impractical given its substantial weight and packed size, not to mention its substantial price tag. Although it could easily be used as a car-camping sleeping pad, it’s less than ideal as a backpacking pad unless the climate calls for extreme measures. It’s also worth noting that the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm still produces a similarly impressive R-value while weighing only 18.2oz and packing down to 1.8L, all at a slightly lower price.

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