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If you are looking for durability over weight and a 4 Season mat in a full rectangular format then this mat would be a good choice.
Exped says:
The Exped Versa 5R M is a versatile, multi-use mat for a variety of adventures, including camping, backpacking and adventure travel.
SYNMAT TECHNOLOGY™: 200 g/m2 Texpedloft insulation welded to the top and bottom of the air chambers ensures maximum warmth over the lifetime of the mat. 9 cm thick air cushion with Exped cradle comfort design: air chambers run head to toe, fully supporting the body for an unrivalled night's sleep and giving maximum durability.
Integrated pump: makes inflation swift and simple - lung power not required!
Our Verdict
Exped's Versa 5R Sleeping Mats are four season camping mats in a full rectangular format as opposed to a mummy shape. The are constructed using 75 Denier fabrics which are much more durable and ouncture resistant than thos used in ultralight models. There is or course a weight penalty for this but if durability and a longer life are important to you that will not matter too much.
Comparing the Versa 5R M with the similarly spec'd Ultra 5R M, all the specs are the same except for the fabric weight, the Ultra 5R M weighs 587grams and the Versa 5R M weighs 863grams - it's nearly 50% heavier.
The mat’s “unique selling point” is the Integrated pump, an air chamber filled with a sponge; as you press down on the sponge, the air is then forced through a one-way valve and into the mat. I was testing out the long wide version, and as this was a new mat, the sponges had not fully inflated. In total, it took me three minutes and thirty seconds to fully inflate the mat; it’s not something I’d like to do after a long day hiking; other Exped mats come with a pump sack, which is far quicker and much less work, but the Integrated pump could very well work for you.
The Versa 5R mats are 9cm thick, which is 2cm thicker than a standard mat thickness and hence delivers an enhanced level of comfort. Unlike the Ultra mats the Versas don't have the oversized side rails to help you stay on board.
We also need to commend Exped for their environmental approach to the new range - Production is Carbon Neutral (by offsetting), the Face Fabrics are recycled and their factories are Bluesign approved. There is very little packaging and what there is is simply constructed from recycled card.
If you are looking for durability over weight and a 4 Season mat in a full rectangular format then this mat would be a good choice.
- Reviewed by Basecamp Gear
Features
- RECYCLED 75D POLYESTER FACE FABRIC: Recycled polyester keeps plastic out of landfills and uses less water, energy and carbon to produce.
- FLATVALVE: Pioneered by EXPED. Industry-leading durability, reliability and intuitive performance.
- INTEGRATED PUMP: Makes inflation swift and simple – Lung power not required!
- SYNMAT TECHNOLOGY™: 200 g/m2 Texpedloft insulation welded to the top and bottom of the air chambers ensures maximum warmth over the lifetime of the mat.
- COMFORT CRADLE: Air chambers run head-to-toe, fully supporting the body for an unrivaled night’s sleep and increased durability. EXPED’s Comfort Cradle side rails center and secure the sleeper on the mat.
Specifications
- Weight: 863g (excludes storage bag)
- Dimensions: 183 x 52cm
- Thickness: 9cm
- Packed size: 30 x 17cm
- ASTM R-Value: 5.2
- Exped temp rating: -20°C
Material & Construction
- 75D recycled polyester, Oeko-Tex® 100 certified
- Insulation: 200 g/m2 Texpedloft microfiber, bluesign® certified
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.
