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Exped describes the Dura 5R M as a ‘durable, extra-warm mat for demanding adventures, including extended outings in alpine and polar regions, rugged paddling trips and overlanding.’ Compared to their Ultra range this is quite large in comparison with a weight of approx. 900 grams including the inflation bag and an R-value of 4.8. Having also been using the Exped Ultra 7R alongside the Dura 5R there are many similarities and big differences mostly regarding the size and weight.

Putting to one side the excellent Ultra 7R which we have recently written our review for UOG, the Dura 5R as noted by Exped is a much more versatile mat than simply keeping the grams down where you can. We haven’t used a mat this heavy in a long time and struggled at first to see how it would fit into our approach to the outdoors. The pack size also being much larger than our usual choice of mat for the colder months.

When you get hands-on with the Dura 5R, you start to understand where Exped are going with this mat. This is one tough beast with a mix of 75D and 170D polyester fabric, made using recycled plastic from landfills.

We often take along a lightweight foam mat to double up insulation but also as a backup for winter camping just in case a disaster was to occur mid trip. Although the Dura 5R is certainly not puncture risk-free, compared to the much lower denier of most other mats we were quite happy to use this alone which brought down a bit of that extra load carried. Just to put into perspective our pack raft which often butts up against rocks and river banks is mostly made up of 210D nylon TPU so we felt reassured the Dura 5R will handle most situations on dry land. This was certainly the way we used the Dura 5R from car camping to winter camping, and even as a mat for the ultimate gear destroyer - a child. Packrafting too is an excellent choice as it can easily double up as a sit mat inside the boat itself.

The use of 160 g/m2 Texpedloft insulation which has been welded to the top and bottom of the air chambers Exped says will ensure maximum warmth over the lifetime of the mat. The Dura 5R offers a warm night's sleep with a large 7cm profile making this a choice for most of the year outside of the coldest winter temperatures. Vertical baffles are a joy to use, and we found this to be a very comfortable mat with large dimensions and a textured surface, which ensure you won’t accidentally slip off during the night.

The Schnozzel pump bag is the best around in our opinion and with only 3-4 inflations the Dura 5R will be up to pressure in no time at all. It also doubles up as a dry bag large enough to fit all your sleep system into to provide an extra layer of protection whilst in your rucksack. 2 flat valves, in and out, are simple to use, although they do have us a little concerned as this increases an area in which a small leak could occur.

Our Verdict

The Dura 5R M is a very tough and dependable mat that should see out many years’ worth of adventure with little worry of punctures and failures. Comfortable and well insulated utilising synthetic insulation and an R-value of 4.8, will offer year-round protection in a wide mix of tough environments. There is the main sticking point though and that is the weight and size. Coming in at around 900 grams this well exceeds, almost doubles our usual choice of mat and for this reason alone we would find it hard to truly appreciate the benefits on offer. Much better suited for those that may want some reassurance on big routes that their kit will last the journey, unlike ourselves in which weight is an important factor. 

Trek Scotland is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting... Read more from Trek Scotland