The Exped R1 may not hold up on high winter camps but it is soft to the touch and quiet under pressure offering comfort in warmer weather.

The Exped R1 is a summer rated air mat with longitudinal baffles that’s proven to be a great size for overall usability and comfort.

David Lintern recommends

It’s a good warmer weather all-rounder, especially if you prefer to sleep with your arms at your side.
Pros
  • size
  • comfort
Cons
  • warmth for overall weight
Quick specs
Price: $207 / £160
Weight: 476g (medium)
Type: air mat
Materials: 20 D recycled ripstop polyester Oeko-Tex® 100 certified DWR-free
Insulation: AirTop: 20D recycled ripstop polyester, Oeko-Tex® 100 certified, DWR-free
Dimensions: 183x52cm (medium)
Thickness: 7cm (adjustable)
Rating: 1
Sizes: Medium, Medium wide, Long wide
Women’s version?: unisex
expeduk.com

There are two valves (1 in, 1 out), and it takes less than 4 bags of air to inflate – the bag is huge! Note that the nozzle does sometimes come off under pressure when inflating.

There are 8 long baffles, and the mat is wide enough to support the arms. It’s very comfortable – there’s no feeling of being balanced on top of something that is threatening to throw you off! The 20D ripstop shell feels robust enough to deal with camplife but it can sag a little under pressure. In use, the 7cm depth is very forgiving on a range of surfaces, but side sleepers may still touch the ground when turning. However, it’s soft to the touch and quiet under pressure.

The mat itself packs small and weighs in at under 400g. Once you add in the stuff sack, repair kit and the inflation sack, the overall package seems less of a steal, but its generous proportions when inflated mean I’ve still found myself reaching for it at times when I’m less sure about the terrain I’ll be pitching on.

It’s worth noting that it is rated for summer use only, and fared far less well on midwinter summit camps, even when supplemented by a CCF mat. Otherwise, it’s a good warmer weather all-rounder, especially if you prefer to sleep with your arms at your side and not dangling on the floor.

Testing Conditions

David is quite short at 5’8”, and sleeps cold. He tested the mats over winter, spring and summer from glen bottom to mountain summit camps, all in Highland Scotland. He sometimes used the mats together and sometimes apart and always in different shelters, to help gauge form and function. Weights are from his own scales and include stuff sacks, inflation bags and repair kits.

This review was first published in the October 2024 issue of The Great Outdoors. Read more honest reviews in our round-up of the best sleeping mats.