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With a weight of 650 grams and an R-Value rating of 7.1, this is a mat reserved for the winter seasons or travel in below freezing environments. These were our first thoughts when first looking up the specs for the Ultra 7R. What we found out after only our first few nights sleep is this is a mat which we kept reaching to place in our kit over a winter season that fluctuated widely in temperatures. A week spent a -15 soon changed to +6. Our plans would often need to be changed although our choice of gear stayed relatively the same.

The Ultra 7R we received was the wide rectangular version rather than the mummy style mat, our much-preferred option for winter as the extended range around the foot and head area mitigates a stray foot or arm from encountering the cold ground or snow. 9cm thick air cushion vertical chambers and large side baffles keep you in place to further prevent movement off the mat which certainly is a bonus for winter camping. There is no doubt at all that this is one of the comfiest mats we have ever used. So much so that on multi-day wild camping we have reluctantly swapped mats with a buddy to let them understand why it was quickly becoming the most talked about piece of kit we have received for the season.

The tried and tested Schnozzel bag makes easy work getting this high-capacity mat up to pressure. Around 3-4 inflations and we were ready to go. Such a simple design and still for us the best of any manufacturer. It also doubles up as an extra dry bag for keeping all of our sleep essentials protected whilst in our pack.

Compared to our older Exped mat, the  Ultra 7R comes with two separate ‘in’ and ‘out’ valves. This makes inflation and packing away much quicker and easier. Our only potential concern is, as with the older mats, most issues we’ve had with a small leak would be from the inflation valve. Now there are two, will this make each one work more efficiently, or alternatively offer more options for a failure to occur?

To the touch, you can really tell that there is a fair amount of 700 fill power RDS down insulation used, distribution though seems to vary throughout with a higher amount most noticeable at the head and foot area. It does, however, make for a warm night’s sleep and offered great protection against the ground from winter expeditions to bothy nights, and a camp with the family on a packrafting trip in the Cairngorms. It’s a great versatile piece of kit which we could see easily being a hit on bikepacking tours.

The down fill and high profile will inevitably ‘fight back’ when packing away. You really do have to work the air out of the mat to keep it compact and fitting neatly in the carry pouch. It will also be interesting to see how it will fair up over time, as any moisture that becomes trapped inside will lead to the down fill degrading. Also, how you store the Ultra 7R will be a factor and we found it best to store lofted in a dry location with both valves open.

Pack size for a winter mat is impressive, not the most compact for its weight compared to a few alternative brands, but for what you get in return in terms of warmth and comfort we certainly can’t complain, as the Ultra 7R takes up little space in our already larger winter pack.

20 D recycled 20 D ripstop polyester may not be the toughest or strongest of air mats and this is an area in which  Exped have obviously had to lighten the load to keep the Ultra 7R compact and light. Again, no issues to report but over time this will be another area in which we may air a little caution when using on the ground that could more easily puncture an air mat. The fabric is made using recycled materials and is Oeko-Tex 100 certified, which in short means it is constructed without the use of toxic chemicals which would otherwise be harmful to animals and the environment. The included repair kit is ok if you have time to wait for the adhesive to dry, although we would recommend always carrying some tenacious tape for a quick instant repair on the move.

Our Verdict

Unrivalled in comfort, the  Ultra 7R offered us a seriously good night’s sleep throughout the winter months. At 650 grams and an R-Value rating of 7.1 this can be considered impressive especially with the large 9cm profile making this a great mat for a wide range of activities. The pack size is larger than some of its competitors although this is still a compact mat which fitted easily into our pack. Very happy to see that the Schnozzel bag is still being utilized to offer quick inflation whilst also doubling up as an extra dry bag to keep the all-important sleeping kit protected. Although our experience was nothing short of fantastic whilst using the Ultra 7R there are a few areas that, after sustained use or lack of management with storage, could lead to degrading of the down fill. The 20D fabric is also an area in which a bit of care is needed for the ground you place this mat on. But overall, the shape, comfort, pack size, and inflation are all exactly what you would want for a mat for cold weather environments or if you sleep cold and just need a bit more ‘oomph’ from your mat. 

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