The Exped Downmat Winterlite M is a lightweight yet remarkably warm sleeping mat, perfect for winter backpacking and camping adventures. This comprehensive review dives into its performance, highlighting its innovative features and exceptional insulation capabilities. From the surprisingly compact packaging to the ease of inflation and deflation, we'll explore every aspect of this impressive sleeping mat, examining its practicality and comfort in sub-zero temperatures. We'll delve into the efficiency of its unique inflation bag, its compatibility with alternative pumping methods, and the crucial role of its 700 fill power down filling in maintaining warmth even in extreme cold.This review will assess the Exped Downmat Winterlite M's performance against its lightweight design, focusing on the balance between packability and warmth. We’ll share firsthand experience using the mat in temperatures well below freezing, detailing its comfort and effectiveness in preventing heat loss. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Downmat Winterlite M, enabling you to determine if it’s the right choice for your next cold-weather expedition.
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Unboxing and Setup
The Exped Downmat Winterlite M arrives in a compact package. Unboxing reveals a surprisingly lightweight system, including the mat itself and a clever inflation bag. The inflation process is straightforward: attach the bag's nozzle to the mat's valve and inflate using the bag's rolling action. This method prevents moisture from entering the mat, crucial for winter use.
Inflation and Deflation
The unique schnozzle pump bag is incredibly lightweight and almost translucent. The rolling mechanism efficiently pushes air into the mat. Once inflated, detach the pump bag and close the valve. Deflating is equally simple; just open the one-way valve and fold the mat. The rubber stopper ensures no air leaks during storage.
Features and Performance
The Exped Downmat Winterlite M is compatible with Exped's mini pump, offering an alternative inflation method. Its 700 fill power down filling provides excellent insulation, keeping you warm even in sub-zero temperatures. The contoured shape and baffle design prevent rolling off during sleep. I've used it in temperatures below -25°C and experienced comfortable sleep despite the cold. The mat's weight to warmth ratio is exceptional.
Conclusion
The Exped Downmat Winterlite M consistently impressed me with its lightweight design, efficient inflation/deflation system, and outstanding warmth. Even in extremely cold temperatures, it provided a comfortable night's sleep. Its excellent weight-to-warmth ratio makes it a top choice for backpacking and camping in winter conditions. This mat provides a fantastic balance of warmth, packability, and ease of use. Highly recommended.