My tent was on the snow, and the temperature had been hovering in the single digits for the past few hours. I had a 0-degree bag and was wondering if I’d need another layer to get through the night, at least comfortably. But I wasn’t worried about the cold coming up from the ground. This was my third single-digit night out with EXPED’s new Ultra 6.5R sleeping pad, and I knew what kind of insulation it offered.
If you do any cold-weather camping, you know that some lightweight backpacking-oriented inflatable sleeping pads with a “heat-reflective” layer to boost the R-value can be pretty noisy. But EXPED has innovated away from this woe with SynMat Plus insulation technology.
That third night on EXPED’s new Ultra 6.5R got down to zero, and it was just as quiet and comfortable as it had been during the first two.
In short: The Ultra 6.5R ($200) pad is a comfortable, well-insulated, and quiet sleeping pad for backpacking and camping. It’s made with EXPED’s proprietary SynMat Technology and a 20-denier fabric with a soft handfeel. While it isn’t the most puncture-resistant, it’s also one of the lightest pads with an R-value of 6.5 you’ll find anywhere. For cold-weather backpacking and camping, it’s one of the highest-value sleeping pads around.
- Weight: 1 lb. (medium, non-mummy)
- R-value: 6.9
- Thickness: 3.5"
- Lengths available: Medium (72"), Long (77.6")
- Width: Regular (20.5"), Wide (25.6")
- Packed size: 4.5" x 9" (Regular)
- Material: 20D ripstop polyester
- Insulation type: Aluminized layers and synthetic insulation
Pros
- Very high warmth-to-weight ratio
- Includes a pump sack
- Combines both aluminized layers and synthetic fill for a toasty 6.9 R-value
- Side rails are slightly taller to cradle campers
Cons
- Vertical baffles won't work for everyone (but side sleepers will love them)
- Lightweight materials require caution around sharp/abrasive surfaces
EXPED Ultra 6.5R Pad Review
To test the Ultra 6.5R, I camped for 3 nights on a pre-production version. It was a medium-sized, rectangular shape. I also used EXPED’s new 0ºF Terra sleeping bag on snow-covered ground. The nights got down to 0ºF, 2ºF, and 7ºF.
In short, the Ultra 6.5R did not disappoint. I never felt the cold from below. I did throw an extra layer on for the 0ºF and 2ºF nights because I was pushing the limit of the 0ºF sleeping bag (not the pad).
In both instances, not knowing exactly how cold it was going to get, I started without the extra cover, a simple down quilt. But when I woke in the middle of the night and felt a slight chill, it was from above. After I pulled the extra cover over me, I warmed up immediately and fell back into a blissful sleep.
Between those two nights, the low only got to 7ºF (balmy!), and I did not reach for the extra cover. Though I could tell I was pushing my own “comfort” tolerance of the sleeping bag. Again, the cold never came through the pad from below.
For my first night out, I also had the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad in the tent with me just to make sure I had a side-by-side comparison of the noise factor. It was certainly noticeable how much quieter the Ultra 6.5R was compared to the NeoAir.
Warmth-to-Weight Ratio Math
As noted in GearJunkie’s preview article, EXPED claims the SynMat Plus Technology, when in the Ultra 6.5R Medium Mummy, now has the “highest warmth-to-weight ratio pad on the market.”
The gear tester geek in me needs to clarify that R-value is not a rating of warmth. It’s just how well the item will resist the transfer of heat. In most camping situations (especially in winter), it is about resisting the transfer of body heat to the colder ground. The result is sleeping warmer.
However, I would also want a high R-value pad when sleeping in the desert on hot sand. It would keep me cooler by minimizing the heat transfer from the sand.
The weight of the Ultra 6.5R Medium Mummy was provided to me in the press release (as of writing this, I could not find the weight listed on the EXPED website). Since I did not get the mummy version, I couldn’t weigh it myself to confirm. To be fair, the “highest warmth-to-weight ratio” claim is not published on the website either.
Nevertheless, I was compelled to run the numbers. All of these stats are from the brand’s websites or emailed to me. I picked the pads that are the most similar from each brand.
The Numbers
The simple math of R-value over weight shows the Ultra 6.5R Medium Mummy does indeed have the highest R-value-to-weight ratio.
But you will also see that it’s extremely close. Weights are the minimum weight listed. This most likely means it’s just the weight of the pad. It excludes the pack sack, repair kit, and inflation sack.
The most notable stat is really the price. At $200, the Ultra 6.5R Medium Mummy is certainly the best deal.
| Exped Ultra 6.5R M | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm NXT | NEMO Tensor Extreme Conditions | Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro Insulated Air | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size/Type | Mummy, medium | Mummy, regular | Mummy, regular | Mummy, regular |
| Price (USD) | $200 | $230 | $260 | $229 |
| R-value | 6.9 | 7.3 | 8.5 | 7.4 |
| Minimum Weight (oz.) | 12.5 | 15.5 | 17 | 19.8 |
| Open Dimensions (in.) | 72 x 20.5 x 3.5 | 72 x 20 x 3 | 72 x 20 x 3.5 | 72 x 21.7 x 3.9 |
| Packed Dimensions (in.) | 8.3 x 4.1 | 9 x 4.5 | 10.0 x 4.5 | 8.3 x 4.7 |
| Fabric denier (top/bottom) | 20 | 30/70 | 20/40 | 30/40 |
| Rv / weight | 0.55 | 0.47 | 0.50 | 0.37 |
Ease of Use & Materials
For cold-weather camping, the R-value is usually the biggest driver in deciding which pad to purchase. Close on the heels of the R-value are the pad’s weight and bulk when packed. And finally, there are the little logistics that can get forgotten when focusing on the previous two factors.
Cost, of course, is also a factor, but as already touched on, at $200, the Ultra 6.5R is also the least expensive in the comparisons above.
The first thing I noticed was how the EXPED designers made an effort to keep the pad repair kit handy but out of the way. It’s contained in a small pocket sewn inside the pack sack. Other brands I have tested have simply added the repair kit to the bottom of the stuff sack, which means it can fall out when getting the pad out and needs to be put back (or simply gets lost).
The valve system is incredibly simple, with a dedicated inflate port that has a one-way diaphragm valve labeled “IN.” Then it has a separate port labeled “OUT.” The OUT port does not have any sort of valve. Air can flow either way. The Ultra 6.5R also comes with a lightweight pump bag, and the connecting rings coupled perfectly.
The pack sack is appropriately sized, meaning it’s easy to get the pad back into the sack after it’s been rolled up. The pump bag does take a little bit more management. I found it easiest to just fold it into the pad before rolling it all up.
The Ultra 6.5R is made with recycled 20-denier ripstop polyester, which proved plenty durable when camping on snow, where puncture hazards are at a minimum. The Bluesign-approved fabric and TPU polyester film laminate are DWR-free.
Sizes & Shapes Available
The Ultra 6.5R is the flagship model in the Ultra Series and has the most options, including a medium, medium wide, and long wide in a mummy or rectangle shape (all are $200). It is also available in two Duo sizes: medium and long wide ($320).
The Ultra 8R also comes in mummy and rectangular shapes in EXPED’s usual three sizes: medium, medium wide, and long wide ($230). No Duo sizes.
The Ultra 10R only comes in the rectangle shape, but in all three size options: medium, medium wide, and long wide ($270).
These three versions join the existing Ultra Series, which started with the Ultra 1R and Ultra 3R.
What Is SynMat Plus Technology?
The new SynMat Plus Technology pairs recycled microfiber with heat-reflective layers to increase heat transfer resistance in an inflatable sleeping mattress for backpacking and camping.
EXPED filled camping sleeping pads with down to make them warmer when they launched the DownMat in 2001. The Ultra Series mats are the next generation of high R-value pads from EXPED.
EXPED Ultra 6.5R Pad: Who It Is For
Even without making the claim of the highest warmth-to-weight ratio pad, I would agree the EXPED Ultra 6.5R is one of the best pads in its category — it’s even the least expensive.
This pad is ideal for anyone looking for a high R-value that isn’t bulky, heavy, or pricey. The high R-value makes it ideal for either temperature extremes — cold or hot — and the 20-denier base fabric is the lightest in this class. It’s great for snow or sand and is fine on most other surfaces. However, users should exercise caution around anything sharp, like prickly shrubs or even sharp rocks.
But after my testing in cold Colorado conditions, that is the only concern that comes to mind.
