|
|
Post by FarOutFarley on May 13, 2016 19:22:24 GMT -8
I sold my Synmat 7 DLX and got these two mattresses for a mixture of backpacking, bike, kayak, and car camping with and without a Helinox Cot One. Trying to figure out if the heavier one would be acceptable for backpacking:
--Synmat Mega 12 MW: 2 lbs 8 oz 26 x 72 x 4.7
--Synmat 3-D 7 MW: 2 lbs 1 oz 26 x 72 x 2.8
Other gear: Tent 4 lbs 8 oz; sleeping bag 2 lbs
With the Mega 12 my big 3 would weigh 9 lbs.
With the 3-D 7 my big 3 would weigh 8 lbs 9 oz
Pack is a bit under 5 lbs.
The Mega 12 offers almost 2" more in thickness for 7 more ounces in weight. Is this a good tradeoff? I'm a bit taken aback by the heft of the Mega 12, but it's only 2 ounces heavier than my old Synmat 7 DLX. (Hope those published specs are right. I'm going to take the Mega 12 to the post office and get it weighed.) In the past I would have drawn the line at 2 lbs for a mattress, but the 4.7" thickness is pretty tempting. Yah, I know mattresses today weigh way less than this. I'm not into UL.
***I already bought both of these, so I'm not looking for recommendations for other mats. Just planning how to use them for different activities.
P.S. I have an Exped Mega 12 LXW for sale.
|
|
almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696 
|
Post by almostthere on May 13, 2016 19:38:05 GMT -8
The thing you haven't posted is the R value, or how warm the pads are. So I looked. The Mega 12 is listed on the REI website as an R value of 5.3. It would be fine for backpacking, but it's pretty doggone heavy. The 3-D is an R value of 4.9, slightly colder, but still plenty warm for three season backpacking.
If you are okay carrying them for backpacking they are okay. I use the 20 oz Exped Synmat UL 7 and it is plenty cushy for a lot fewer ounces.
I also have a 28 oz tent and a 22 oz 20-25F quilt (instead of a sleeping bag) so my big 3 weighs in at nearly 6 lbs. Just throwing that in, because when I started out, I thought a two pound bag and a five pound tent were light... I'm not even as light as I could go. If I wanted I could get a lighter same-rated quilt and use a NeoAir. But, like you, I like cushy pads.
|
|
|
|
Post by FarOutFarley on May 13, 2016 19:52:58 GMT -8
I didn't post the R-values because both are adequate for my purposes. Yes, I know that many people use far lighter gear. I really don't want a UL mattress. And as I said, these purchases have already been made, so my question is not what else I could buy.
|
|
almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696
|
Post by almostthere on May 13, 2016 19:58:07 GMT -8
Well, you were asking if they were okay for backpacking. I can't figure out the real question here, if you don't care about warmth or weight... You can carry anything you like, obviously.
I knew someone who brought canned goods. People looked at her funny, but she didn't try to sneak them in my backpack so I figured that was fine.
|
|
|
|
Post by FarOutFarley on May 13, 2016 20:27:22 GMT -8
"Trying to figure out if the heavier one would be acceptable for backpacking." Of course I care about warmth; it's just not a factor because both mats are sufficiently warm. And of course I care about weight, which is my main reason for asking the question and for giving my big 3 weights. I'm worried about going overboard with the Mega 12. The name "Mega" doesn't bring up associations with backpacking, and yet it's only 2 ounces more than the well-respected Synmat 7, which is Exped's best-selling mattress.
Previously it wasn't possible to get 4.7" of thickness in a backpacking mattress. It's possible now because Exped smartly decided to do away with the built-in pump. That opens up a new class of mattresses, on the other side of the spectrum from UL but still possibly acceptable to backpackers???
|
|
|
|
Post by Crockett on May 14, 2016 10:00:11 GMT -8
Only you can answer that question, really. It's pretty much a personal preference. When I was younger a blue closed-cell foam pad was good enough. I slept fine. Now, my bones require more cushioning and comfort and even the self-inflating pads don't provide the padding I need. Now when backpacking I use either a BA Insulated Air Core (when I can get it to stop leaking  ) or my Exped DownMat 9 LW (44 oz). For me, it's worth the extra weight. The only significant difference between the D3 and the Mega 12, other than R-value, is the thickness. So I guess the question is: Is the extra thickness Mega 12 worth the extra 7 oz to you or do both provide you with the comfort you want? Since you actually own both of these pads, the question should be easily answered. |
|
|
|
Post by FarOutFarley on May 14, 2016 15:08:57 GMT -8
Crockett, I think you answered my question, thanks! Your Downmat 9 weighs more than the Mega 12, so that tells me that the Mega 12 is within the realm of backpacking mattresses despite its name.
Some people think the Helinox Cot One is suitable for backpacking. I don't, as it weighs 4 lbs 4 oz. If your site is fairly flat, the Mega 12 is going to be just as comfortable as the Cot One, for less than half the weight (and half the price), since you need some kind of pad with a cot.
|
|
|
|
Post by Crockett on May 14, 2016 16:05:28 GMT -8
Crockett, I think you answered my question, thanks! Your Downmat 9 weighs more than the Mega 12, so that tells me that the Mega 12 is within the realm of backpacking mattresses despite its name. Well, weight is always an issue and, for some, either would be too much. That's why I also have the BA but they seem to have quality issues. I'd rather try to compensate in some other way. For instance, I more often than not bring just a tarp rather than a tent. And the dog started carrying her own gear. Well, her food anyway. HYOH |
|
|
|
Post by FarOutFarley on May 15, 2016 14:34:14 GMT -8
I agree, Crockett, if it comes down to 8 ounces, there must be a way to lighten your load in some other way and keep the comfort of a heavier mattress. I haven't received the 3-D 7 yet. When it arrives I'll compare it to the Mega 12. I got the 3-D to use with the Helinox cot for kayak camping. I'll see if it would work for backpacking. I know it would work for most people.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,684
|
Post by rebeccad on May 16, 2016 8:27:45 GMT -8
I think that Crockett's "HYOH" pretty much answers the question. Either of your pads would be too heavy for me; I like my 10.2-oz 3/4 length NeoAir (except for the lack of insulation thing). My packweight limit is pretty low, so yeah, I consider 8 oz a huge difference for any one item. But if you can comfortably carry the weight, and can go for as long as you care to hike with gear and food weight still falling within your comfort zone, then it doesn't matter if you carry Posturpedic king sized mattress.
|
|
jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,062
|
Post by jazzmom on May 17, 2016 5:07:44 GMT -8
"Acceptable" is up to you obviously. I would consider these points:
- Weight
- R-value
- Packed volume - how much room it takes up in your pack (deflated)
- Height - 5 inches thick may encroach on your headspace in your tent
- Inflated volume - 5 inches thick and 26 inches wide is going to require a lot of air. Are you OK blowing this thing up every night on the trail? If not, will you take some sort of inflator or pump? Might mean additional weight.
FWIW, for myself, I rarely consider a gear item in terms of "what is the heaviest/biggest that I'm willing to carry?" Instead, I ask what is the minimum I need to be comfortable/safe/etc. I wouldn't carry a 5" thick pad over a 3" thick pad simply because "I can". I think all gear items have an element of "fit".
|
|
amaruq
Trail Wise!
Call me Little Spoon
Posts: 1,264 
|
Post by amaruq on May 17, 2016 6:19:17 GMT -8
A ground pad has two purposes: to provide comfort and insulation.
Only one of those is objective and it's not something you consider important for the purpose of this discussion.
|
|
|
|
Post by FarOutFarley on May 21, 2016 18:43:40 GMT -8
After receiving the Synmat 3-D 7 and comparing it to the Mega 12, I conclude that both are heavy but both could be used for backpacking. There is a huge difference in comfort between the two. I would rate the comfort of the 3-D 7 as good and the Mega 12 as amazing. I might be willing to carry the 7 extra ounces of the Mega 12 to get that extra comfort. I think that strong larger people could consider the Mega 12 if they bottom out with a thinner mattress.
I don't find that the 3-D 7 has any comfort advantage over the original Synmat 7. It's great though that they did away with the built-in pump. The yellow Schnozzle works way better than the built-in pump.
I realize that there are some incredibly light mattresses these days. But at the other end of the spectrum, it's also amazing that Exped has a 4.7" mattress that weighs only 2 ounces more than my previous Synmat 7, with way more comfort.
For paddle camping the Mega 12 is perfect (unless you prefer ultralight gear because you do lots of portages). If you do several different types of camping (I do backpack, kayak, bike, and car camping and can only afford one mattress, the Mega 12 could be the one.
|
|
) or my Exped DownMat 9 LW (44 oz). For me, it's worth the extra weight.
