EXPED Ultra 6.5R Sleeping Pad Review
A new lightweight packable sleeping pad with excellent comfort and warmth-to-weight ratio
June 8th, 2026
Home → Gear Reviews → Backpacking
Our verdict
The EXPED Ultra 6.5R sleeping mat is a 6.9 R-value lightweight packable sleeping pad that outperforms the competition in terms of warmth-to-weight ratio and comfort.
We had a men's and women's tester test both the mummy version and rectangular version of this sleeping pad for a total of over 50 nights backpacking and camping.
We tested the Exped Ultra in all four seasons, from cold snowstorms at 15°F to warmer summer nights around 60°F while backpacking, camping, and traveling.
With a 6.9 R-value, this mat can be part of a true four-season setup, insulating from the snow underneath in the winter as well as providing a barrier from heat on warm granite in the warmer summer months. And with a 3.5-inch thickness, backpackers can be less picky about campsite selection and still sleep in comfort from the rocks on the ground.
EXPED Ultra 6.5R Sleeping Pad
Mummy
Rectangular
This pad packs up slightly smaller than a 32-oz Nalgene bottle and takes up little space in a backpack, making it perfect for short or long trips in the wilderness. The mummy shape might not be ideal for every user, but there is a rectangle option for those who desire a more traditional mat.
The EXPED Ultra 6.5R mat is great for hikers looking for a lightweight comfortable warm sleeping pad that can go anywhere from car camping to thru-hiking.
We create reader-supported, objective gear reviews independently selected by our editors. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission, without costing you an extra cent. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more.
Specifications
Price: $199
Weight: 12.5oz for medium (add verified weight if tester was able to weight their pad)
R-value: 6.9
Pad type: Inflatable
Shape: Mummy
Thickness: 3.5 inches
Dimensions (L/W): medium mummy is 72 x 20.5 inches
Packed size: 8.3 x 4.1 inches
Insulation type: Synthetic / fiberfill (Exped-specific insulation)
Valve type: two valves one out and one in
Pump sack included: Yes
Best for
Backpacking in all four seasons, or on thru-hikes where temperatures are variable during a single long-distance hike
Cold-weather camping either in a car or tent
Shoulder-season trips, when the weather is unpredictable
Ultralight backpackers needing warmth
Thru-hikers during extra cold sections of the trail, like high mountain areas in shoulder season or the Sierra section of the PCT
Backpackers who want to push the warmth rating of an already existing quilt without having to sacrifice warmth or comfort
Comparison table
| SLEEPING PAD | WEIGHT (ounces) | TYPE | PUMP SACK? | R-VALUE | THICKNESS (inches) | PACKED SIZE (inches) | LENGTHS (inches) | WARRANTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPED Ultra 6.5R Mummy | 12.5 - 16.0 | Inflatable | ✅ | 6.9 | 3.5 | 8.3 x 4.1 | 72, 77.6 | Limited lifetime |
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT | 16.0 | Inflatable | ✅ | 7.3 | 3.0 | 9 x 4.5 | 72, 77 | Limited lifetime |
| NEMO Tensor Extreme Insulated | 17.0 | Inflatable | ✅ | 8.5 | 3.5 | 8 x 3.5 | 72, 76 | Lifetime |
| Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme | 25.4 | Inflatable | ✅ | 6.2 | 4.0 | 6.9 x 9.4 | 72 | Lifetime guarantee |
| NEMO Tensor All-Season Insulated | 14.1 | Inflatable | ✅ | 5.4 | 3.5 | 4 x 10 inches | 72, 76 | Lifetime |
What we liked
Excellent warmth for weight
Packs down small
Comfortable thickness
Efficient mummy shape
Good for cold conditions
Comfortable vertical baffles
What could be better
Mummy shape may be difficult for sleepers who rotisserie all night (opt for the wide or rectangular shaped Ultra 6.5 R Sleeping Mat if that is you)
Less comfortable for sleepers who sprawl or move about.
Premium price compared to other sleeping pads, like closed-cell foam pads.
Requires inflation effort, compared to closed-cell foam.
How we tested
We had a men's and women's tester for both the mummy version and rectangular version of this sleeping pad during all four seasons for a total of over 50 nights backpacking and camping. We took this pad on sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Timberline Trail, the Virginia Triple Crown Loop, and spent many nights car camping by the Pacific Ocean and out in the desert of California and Oregon.
We encountered snow, rain, and windy conditions, with temperatures ranging from 15°F to 60°F overnight. We had several nights where we slept on snow or had snow falling at night while we were sleeping on this pad in our tent.
We combined this sleeping pad with a variety of quilts and sleeping bags depending on the weather, like our 20°F Zpacks sleeping quilt, a 25°F Western Mountaineering quilt and a 0°F Therm-a-rest Parsec sleeping bag. Our men’s tester used a 25°F Western Mountaineering quilt in 15°F snowy conditions and was able to push the temperature rating on his quilt to stay warm enough to sleep with the warmth of the sleeping pad.
We slept on snow, dirt, and granite surfaces in both single and double-walled tents, and occasionally in our Subaru. We tested this sleeping pad alongside other higher R-value and mid R-value pads to see if there was any difference in the warmth.
Performance in the field
Warmth and insulation
R-value can be a bit tricky to understand, but the basics of an R-value (which measures and stands for thermal resistance) is that the higher the R-value the more insulation, and the warmer you will be in colder weather. You can also use a higher R-value mat in warm weather and still be comfortable. The 6.9- R-value reflects a rating that’s highly insulating against extreme cold/sub-zero temps; this works best when combined with a comparable sleeping quilt or bag.
Cold ground and snow performance with this mat is excellent. The nights we spent in stormy, snowy weather were warm at least from the ground up. With lower R-value mats, we have felt the cold coming up through the bottom of our air mattresses; with this mat we did not have any instances where we were cold (if we were cold it was due to poor quilt or sleeping bag choice for the night).
Heat retention overnight does well with this mat. We didn’t find any cold spots on the mat that needed to be warmed up. When we touched the tent floor on cold nights we found the mat to be significantly warmer than the cold ground.
With this 6.9 R-value mat we found that we were able to push the limits of the rest of our sleeping system and still stay comfortable and warm in colder conditions.
Comfort
Thickness and cushioning is great with 3.5 inches of air that can be customized with more or less inflation. We had a hard time feeling any rocks or roots under our mats—we slept better than the princess in The Princess and the Pea.
Side sleeping vs back sleeping: with this 3.5-inch mattress, we found that we were able to sleep on our sides without having our hips hitting the floor.
Pressure points were not an issue for both men’s and women’s testers, who both are side-sleepers.
Packability
The packed size is very small—about the size of a 32oz nalgene bottle.
This pad also deflates quickly, and can be repeatedly folded back into the original stuff sack. We have used other pads that are difficult to get back into the original sack once they have been used the first time, and were very delighted that this pad was easy to re-pack. The pad can also be folded into a flat shape for frameless packs to help create structure in a less structured backpacking system.
Ease of use
This pad inflates very quickly with a Flextail powered inflator. We also used the included pumpsack and it was about the same speed as the Flextail without much of a workout. We went with the Flextail in general because it weighs a touch more and can also inflate our pillows. This pad inflates with about 10-14 breaths depending on lung capacity.
Deflation speed is very fast, as there is a dedicated out valve that once opened purges air quickly You can also use the in-valve with the included tool to gap the valve for extra speed at deflation.
Durability
We haven’t had any issues with the fabric’s durability or punctures or holes. We have even shared tents with our dogs who enjoy cuddling on the mat and so far we haven’t had to do any repairs.
We also haven’t had any micro leaks. This mat holds air the whole night and isn’t losing height overnight.
EXPED has a warranty and repair program so you can feel confident that your mat should last a long time. You can submit a request online for a repair and keep your mat working and out of the landfill.
Noise
This mat takes about two days to “break in." The materials seem to soften up a bit and the crinkle from the materials inside the mat are less still. Once broken in, it is very quiet. We never worried about waking up our tent or camping partners by rolling over in our sleep. The pad’s finish is very soft and not plasticky; this helps reduce any noise from rolling over with a sleeping bag or on the tent floor.
Features
High R-value insulation: with a 6.9 R-value this pad can be pushed to four-season conditions and may be the only pad you need for backpacking and camping.
Mummy shape design (rectangle options of this pad are also available): The mummy shape is efficient on weight compared to rectangle options.
Lightweight construction: weighing just over 12 oz, this pad is very light for the warmth rating, we found it light enough to carry year round for backpacking trips.
Exped Synmat Plus Technology Integrated insulation: Insulating materials are integrated into the pad and baffles to keep you warm. The mat uses EXPED Synmat Plus Technology with recycled synthetic microfiber for efficient insulation combined with layers of reflective foil.
FlatValves inflation system: Dedicated in and out FlatValves are easy to open and close, there is no learning curve to inflating or deflating the pad.
Pump sack included: The included schnozzel pumpbag inflates the pad just as quickly as battery operated inflators, using a pump sack can help decrease the amount of condensation that builds up inside the sleeping pad from breathing into it.
Compact packed size: it packs to the size of a 32-oz Nalgene bottle in the original stuff sack making it comparable to other pads while offering a higher warmth rating.
Baffle construction: The vertical baffles with larger side rails help keep you centered on the pad so it is harder to roll off on the tent floor during your sleep.
Sustainability/ethics: EXPED finances certified climate protection projects through myclimate to offset any climate emissions during production and transportation of this mat. This mat is made with bluesign approved materials and is PFAS free.
Similar sleeping pads
Exped Ultra 6.5R Sleeping Pad vs. Nemo Tensor All Season Insulated Sleeping Pad
R-Value: 5.4
Thickness: 3.5”
Weight: 14.1 oz
Inflation: Inflatable
Lengths: 72”, 76”
The Nemo Tensor All Season Insulated Sleeping Pad is listed as a winner in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review. This pad is heavier than the EXPED and has a lower R-Value so it won’t be as warm. The Nemo has quilted baffles evenly across the pad and is the same height as the EXPED Ultra 6.5R sleeping pad.
Nemo Tensor All Season Insulated Sleeping Pad
Exped Ultra 6.5R Sleeping Pad vs. Therm-a-rest Neoair Xtherm NXT
R-Value: 7.3
Thickness: 3”
Weight: 15.5 oz
Inflation: has a winglock valve and comes with a pumpsack
Lengths: 66”, 72”
The NeoAir XTherm is the closest in R-Value to the EXPED Ultra 6.5R while being about 3 oz heavier and 0.5” thinner. The NeoAir XTherm has horizontal baffles compared to the vertical baffles on the EXPED making it easier to slide off the NeoAir than the EXPED since there are no guardrails for active sleepers. We have used the NeoAir Xtherm for years without any issues; it is still a great reliable cold weather pad. For those who are going into the coldest temperatures the XTherm is a great choice.
Therm-a-rest Neoair Xtherm NXT
Exped Ultra 6.5R Sleeping Pad vs. Therm-a-rest Neoair XLITE NXT
R-Value: 4.5
Thickness: 3”
Weight: 12.5 oz
Inflation: has winglock valve with a pumpsack
Lengths: 66”, 72”, 72” wide, 77”
The NeoAir XLite weighs the same as the EXPED Ultra 6.5R with a lower R-Value and a thinner pad by 0.5”. The NeoAir has horizontal baffles and uses a winglock valve system with a pumpsack for both inflation and deflation. We have used this pad for multiple thru hikes and this was our go to pad before we tried the EXPED Ultra 6.5R.
Therm-a-rest Neoair XLITE NXT
Should I buy the EXPED Ultra 6.5R mummy sleeping pad?
Buy if:
You need a warm sleeping pad for cold conditions
You backpack in shoulder-season or winter
You want a single sleeping pad that can handle any season while being lightweight
Skip if:
You move a lot in your sleep and need a rectangle shaped pad
You want a budget sleeping pad
You primarily camp in warm conditions and don’t need a warm pad
Mummy
Rectangular
Where to buy
The Exped Ultra 6.5R sleeping pad popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Mummy and rectangular
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Mummy and rectangular
Garage Grown Gear
Pros: Small ultralight cottage focused retailer
Exped
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the retailer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return, such as if there is a defect.
Mummy and rectangular
Why you should trust us / About the author
I have spent hundreds of nights sleeping outside on thru-hiking, backpacking, Sierra hut trips, and car camping trips over the last few decades. I have used a variety of sleeping pads over the years from closed cell foam z-fold mats to self inflating memory foam and 5-inch inflatable air mattresses. I value being safe and comfortable in the backcountry and have found over the years that a good mat can do wonders towards keeping you warm when the rest of your sleeping system fails.
I love going out for type-2-fun-style trips and sleeping under snowfall. I am always trying to push backpacking into the shoulder seasons, which means I have encountered my fair share of snowstorms that weren’t on the radar when I left home.
As much as I light to keep my pack weight down, I will carry an extra ounce or two for warmth and comfort and drink and extra swig of water at the river to compensate for the weight. LNT Principle No. 1 is to plan ahead and prepare, and the best way to do that is with gear that can handle any weather that might come your way.
