EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat and Ultra Pillow

Review by Erin Trail

EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat Review

The EXPED Ultra 5R Sleeping Mat is a lightweight, easy to pack sleeping mat and pillow that’s appropriate for all seasons.

EXPED offers the Ultra line of sleeping mats in three insulations grades: 1R, 3R, and 5R. The 5R Mummy weighs 15.7 oz (nearly 3 oz heavier than the 3R model) due to having more insulation.  I bikepack and use a sleeping quilt, so I selected the 5R, the highest R-value in the Ultra line, to keep my ground-side warm as I sleep.

EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat packs down easily and fits into my Oveja Negra Bootlegger bag.  The Schnozzel Pumpbag becomes an extra “thing” to pack (other sleeping pads I own use the storage bag as the inflator).  The Schnozzel Pumpbag, however, is very light and can double as a dry bag, giving function to the accessory item. Using the Schnozzel Pumpbag is a recommended best practice, as it helps to prevent moisture buildup inside the sleeping pad – and – provides the user with a super easy method to inflate the sleeping mat.  I personally used the Schnozzel Pumpbag to store my clothing, using it as a dry bag within my saddle bag. I thought that the additional Schnozzel Pumpbag would give the sleeping system a weight penalty and was pleasantly surprised to see that this system was lighter than other ultra light sleep systems in my gearbox.

The EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat inflates easily, taking 2 fills from the Schnozzel Pumpbag.  The Sleeping Mat has an “in” valve and an “out” valve.  The “in” valve has an adjustment flap, which keeps air inside the mat as you inflate it, and gives the user an easy way to adjust the inflation level without releasing all of the air.

The dimensions of the EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat are 20.5 inches wide at the shoulder, 72″ long, and 3″ deep.  I’m 5’4″ and weigh 145 lbs.  My tent of choice is a 1-person backpacking tent.  I found that the EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat fit perfectly inside my tent, allowing a small amount of room along the sidewall and foot of the tent.

The EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat is made from recycled 20 D ripstop polyester.  The insulation is SYNMAT TECHNOLOGY™, which consists of Texpedloft insulation welded to the top and bottom of the air chambers, to maximum warmth.  Finally, the air chambers are welded baffles that run head to toe.

Sleeping on the EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat was a better experience than on my other inflatable ultralight sleeping mat.  The main differentiator is that the EXPED Sleeping Mat is SILENT when you move or roll over in your sleep. There’s no typical “potato chip sack” rustling that I find distracting.

My testing of the EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat has been during the summer, where nighttime temperatures drop into the 40s. I’ve been plenty warm and comfortable with the EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat as the only layer separating me from the ground. I could easily find a “just” right inflation level, which for me, means I’m gently supported lying down with my full weight on the sleeping mat.  At this inflation level, if I concentrate all of my weight into once area (i.e. sitting), I will touch the ground.  If the sleeping pad was fully inflated (which is too firm for me for sleeping), I didn’t experience any ground contact points.

I found the EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat easy and simple to set up and use.  The sleeping quality was great, mainly due to the warmth and silence of the insulation and it’s construction into the sleeping pad. This Sleeping Mat has become my favorite sleeping pad in my ultralight collection.

EXPED Ultra Pillow Review

The EXPED Ultra Pillow is made from a similar material as the Ultra Sleeping Mat.  The Ultra Pillow easily and compactly rolls up into it’s own carrying bag.  I’ve used the Ultra Pillow both for bikepacking and also on long-haul international flight.

The EXPED Ultra Pillow weights less than 2 oz and is smaller than my fist when rolled and stored into it’s stuff sack. Inflated dimensions are 15 inches wide, 10.6 inches tall, and 3.9 inches thick. The pillow is inflated through a valve with a self-sealing flap (identical to the “in” valve of the Sleeping Mat).

I tossed the EXPED Ultra Pillow into my carry-on bag before departing for a trip to Spain last June, mostly because it was so small and I thought it might be a nice comfort item on the plane overnight. I ended up being very thankful that I brought the Ultra Pillow with me.  I used it as a light lumbar support on many of my flights and it did a great job as a sleeping pillow for my overnight window seat leg of my trip.  The pillow was easy to inflate and deflate, even with the cramped space and hustle of deplaning.

I also enjoyed using the EXPED Ultra Pillow while bikepacking.  I found that the bottom curve of the pillow perfectly aligned with my shoulder/neck area, allowing the pillow to effectively lock into place as I slept.  The pillow didn’t move around during the night and was a good thickness and support level for ultralight camping.

Closing Thoughts

The EXPED Ultra 5R Mummy Sleeping Mat and Ultra Pillow are easy to use, compact, lightweight.  Both the Sleeping Mat and Pillow are quiet when in use and comfortable. The compact size and lightweight nature of each item have made them a “no brainer” for both bikepacking and for other travel.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke