Reviews > Sleep Gear > Pads and Air Mattresses > EXPED Down Air Mattress > Jack Corrigan > Field Report

Product Name:

Exped Down Air Mattress

Personal Biographical Information:

Name: John (Jack) Corrigan

Age: 40 years old

Gender: Male

Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.8 meters)

Weight: 175 pounds (79 kilograms)

Torso: 20 inches (51 centimeters)

Email: jack@jackquest.com

Region: Fredericksburg, Virginia (Spotsylvania County)

Report Date: 6JAN2004

Background:

I have always been one to do the outdoor thing as compared to the organized sport thing. It started as a youngster in the Boy Scouts and continues today as an adult. The majority of my experience has been in Pennsylvania but I have hiked, camped or paddled in New York, California and even Alaska. I am also currently a volunteer search and rescue canine handler. Although search and rescue doesn't always result in an overnight or multi-day trip, I am required to be prepared, equipped and trained for it. Training a search dog results in many hours of trekking through the outdoors.

My "style" is best described as recreational camping, mid-weight backpacking (2-3 day treks), day hiking, flat water paddling, hunting and canine search and rescue activities. My last extended (more than 1 week) outing was the summer of 2001, as a volunteer for the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge in interior Alaska. I also include two of my four dogs in most of my outdoor activities.

Product Information:

Manufactured By: Exped Expedition Equipment

Manufactured Date: 2003

Manufacturer URL: http://www.exped.com

Listed Weight:
Mattress- 32 ounces (920 grams)
Pump/Packsack- 6 ounces (160 grams)

Delivered Weight:
Mattress- 2 pounds (0.91 kilograms)
Pump/Packsack- 7 ounces (198 grams)

Note: Weighed on a digital 0-25 pound postal scale.

Additional Product Information:

Thickness: 3.5 inches (9 centimeters)

Size: 70 inches by 20.5 inches (178 centimeters by 52 centimeters)

Rolled Size: 12 inches by 5 inches (30 centimeters by 13 centimeters)

Fill: 8.8 ounces (250 grams) 700 fill, high loft goose down, safe Nocar treatment to prevents effects caused by moisture build up

MSRP: 149.00 US Dollars

Field Information:

Location:

Field testing locations were in the northern Virginia and northeastern Pennsylvania.

Description of Location:

The terrain for these field testing locations was lightly forested regions in mountain "elevations" of 200 to 1500 feet (60 to 460 meters).

Weather Conditions:

This field test series was conducted from November through January.

Conditions were varied and included clear crisp evenings, rain and wet snow (light accumulations with heavy moisture content). The "warmest" night time temperature was 37°F (3°C) while the "coldest" was 28°F (-2°C).

Product Experience:

My field testing experience with the Exped Down Air Mattress (DAM) has been positive from both a product use and a manufacturer customer service point of view. As mentioned in my initial report, I experienced loss of air overnight during a table top test. This mention of the loss of air was noticed by the manufacturer and prompted an inquiry asking if I was still experiencing the loss of air. In fact, I had just completed my first field test and was getting ready to look into the loss of air. The DAM lost enough air overnight that resulted in hips and shoulders contacting the ground. On the bright side, even in 30°F (-1°C), there were no cold spots. It was mutually decided to exchange the original DAM for a different one. A faulty air valve was suspected by the manufacturer as there were no apparent easily detected leaks. The replacement DAM was promptly shipped and the original was returned at no cost to me. The replacement DAM holds air just fine.

During the entire field testing period, I have used the DAM as part of a Big Agnes Sleep system. BA sleeping bags do not have insulation in the bottom side of the bag. Instead the "pad/mattress" is held in place by a sleeve and provides the needed insulating layer. This system keeps the bag on the "pad/mattress" at all times and prevents the twisting of the bag during tossing and turning. For temperatures greater than 30°F (-1°C), I used the Cross Mountain (Polarguard 3D Fill rated for 40°F/4°C) bag. When temperatures were expected to be less than 30°F (-1°C), I used the Encampment (Polarguard 3D Fill rated for 15°F/-9°C).

Sleepwear for this test period was REI Midweight MTS Bottoms/Zip T-Neck and Integral Designs ID Hot Socks for temperatures greater than 35°F (2°C) and REI Expedition-Weight MTS Bottoms/Zip T-Neck and ID Hot Socks for temperatures less than 35°F (2°C).

Packing the Exped Down Air Mattress (DAM) brought up one issue for me. Normally, I would leave the "pad/mattress" in the BA bag sleeve and carry both in one stuff sack but the DAM is a bit more bulky than the typical "pad/mattress" and this did not work for me (I need to look into a larger spare stuff sack). The pump/packsack is required for inflating the DAM so it must be taken along, so I packed bag and mattress in their own sacks.

Inflating the DAM posed somewhat of an inconvenience, in that the pump-packsack must be kept in line with the air valve. This was more of an issue during bad weather when inflating inside the linear confines of the tent. Several times when I would introduce an angle, the pump/packsack would pop off. For my size, the proper inflation seemed to be when there was noticeable re-inflation (that is, when the air pressure of the DAM was greater than the pump/packsack and would flow back)of the pump-packsack. Even though it did not feel like there was enough air, once full body weight was applied the amount of air was perfect and no adjustments were required.

The Exped Down Air Mattress has so far performed to my expectations and I have not been cold, which was one of my preconceived old wives tale that air mattresses were to be left home during cold weather. I intend to try other sleeping bags and shelters during the long term test period.

TEAM JackQuest
http://www.jackquest.com

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Pads and Air Mattresses > EXPED Down Air Mattress > Jack Corrigan > Field Report