Exped AirMat HL Duo Inflatable Sleeping Pad – Incredibly Packable & Lightweight

Who is it for

Seasons-wise, with a temperature rating of 39 °F (4 °C), this is a sleeping pad for a warmer environment, say a 2-season sleeping pad. You see this also from its R-value 1.9. For a cold-weather camping better choose some of the pads with an insulation like this Klymit Insulated Double V Pad or the much warmer ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Self-Inflating Double Air Pad.

Weight-wise, this pad is simply impressive. You will realize this also from the comparison table below. Its M version weighs only 1.54 lb (700 g). Note, this is in the range of solo pads. I have included it in my list of ultralight sleeping pads for backpacking.

Size-wise, I myself am not a tall guy and it can work for me, but the M size of this pad is quite short for most users. The length is 72 inches (183 cm). It is also very narrow and a tapered design with only 41.3/32.3 inches (105/82 cm) at the shoulders/feet area. So I see it more like a very wide single pad than a true double pad.

But they also have a LW version (see in the specifications below) which is both longer and wider, though also heavier. Yet even this version is in the category of ultra-lightweight pads. The packed size is extraordinary, 7.9 x 4.7 inches (20 x 12 cm) for the model M, and 9.1 x 5.1 inches (23 x 13 cm) for the model LW.

All in all, it is so nicely packable and light and this makes it incredibly versatile. With all these features it is good enough even for backpacking.

Why Exped and why a duo mat

Exped as a brand has a long tradition in building two-person sleeping mats. They have them for all purposes, just see this Exped Mergamat Duo 10 to realize how comfortable a sleeping pad can be. They even claim that they were first on the market with such duo pads. This is a Swiss brand that has been building outdoor equipment for over two decades now. With such a reliable brand you know what you buy when you go for their products. Here are some good reasons for using a double-wide pad:

• If you are with a partner, having such a duo pad is much more comfortable than using two narrow pads. With this you avoid the gap in between.
• There are sleeping bags for two people and they even have a sleeve for such a pad, you can see some examples here. So again, even in such a structure, using one double-wide is more comfortable than two single pads.
• As you know, single sleeping pads are usually narrow. So whenever I go for car camping, I use one of my double-wide pads. Most of the time I sleep in the car, so an air-pad is good enough and I do not need insulation. The same is if you are on a paddling or cycling tour. Such air pads are incredibly compact when packed, and this Exped AirMat HL Duo is an excellent example.

But let’s be fair here and stress that two solo pads can still be lighter, take this Klymit V Ultralite SL Sleeping Pad as an example, it weighs only 337 grams.

I mentioned above the Schnozzel Pumpbag, so you might want to see how it works:

Specifications 

• Sizes: M & LW.
• Weight (the pad alone):
  – M: 1.54 lb (700 g).
  – LW: 2.19 lb (995 g).
• Pump weight: 2.1 oz (60 g).
• Packsack weight:
  – M: 0.60 oz (16 g).
  – LW: 0.63 (18 g).
• Temperature rating: 39 °F (4 °C).
• R-Value: 1.9.
• Dimensions (L x W x D):
  – M: 72 x 41.3/32.3 x 2.8 in (183 x 105/82 x 7 cm).
  – LW: 77.6 x 51.2/40.6 x 2.8 in (197 x 130/103 x 7 cm).
• Packed size (L x D):
  – M: 7.9 x 4.7 in (20 x 12 cm).
  – LW: 9.1 x 5.1 in (23 x 13 cm).
• Packed volume:
  – M: 2.1 liters.
  – LW: 3.1 liters.

Exped AirMat HL Duo Pad vs Competitors

I believe in the importance of comparison as the best way to understand features of an item like this pad, and this in particular if you are new in this activity and not well informed about the pads’ industry. So here I give two sleeping pads both double size and both inflatable, uninsulated pads.

As you see, the Kelty’s pad, although the same type, is more than 3 times heavier, though this is because it is wider and thicker. You certainly would not carry it on the trail. The Klymit pad is also ultralight, but see its size.

So from this comparison, you realize how extraordinary the weight of this Exped’s pad is. Note that I use the LW version here, yet it is still lightweight enough to be used even as a single pad on shorter hiking tours. It is certainly worth the effort in view of its comfort. But this Exped AirMat HL is rather expensive, please follow the links in the table to realize this.

Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons

The M version is too narrow for two people, it is better suited for a mother with a child. Luckily, they have the LW version as well, so this should be fine for most of the users.

This is an expensive but high-quality pad. Here is my rating for the model LW. Note that I use the same criteria for all the pads here in the site, so you can easily compare.

Exped Airmat HL Duo

8.9

Weight

9.5/10

Comfort & features

9.2/10

R-value

7.0/10

Packed size

9.8/10

Pros

• Great packed size.
• Great weight.
• Efficient pumpbag.
• Very good valve system.

Cons

• For M model – not so great size.
• Expensive.

Check on Amazon

But if it is above your budget, check the models given in the table above, and also visit my page with pads. If you need an insulated pad, you might want to check this Exped SynMat Deluxe 7 sleeping pad and also their Exped SynMat 9 with a  built-in pump. Please check also this Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Camper Duo Sleeping Pad with its dual-chamber design and a bit of insulation.

Note that I am not paid by the brand or related in any sense, so this is NOT a sponsored text. I only give my unbiased view of the product.

Thank you for reading. Please use the comment box below in the case of questions and comments. Have a nice day.