Pack size is the star of the show here, at 24cmx9cm the Synmat UL is even smaller than the Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated, it's also a shade lighter. You still get an r value of 3.3 thanks to 60 g/m2 of synthetic insulation so the mat is good for 3 season use.
The top and bottom materials are a 20d polyester but the mat still feels robust enough to survive a bit of rough ground.
The Shnozzel Pumpbag is much better than the foot pump supplied with other Exped mats we've tested, simply catch some air and squeeze it in, inflating the mat using this method only takes a couple of goes. It's an easy system to use and eliminates moisture ingress into the insulation which could reduce its effectiveness.
As well as being highly packable this mat is comfy, in fact it's one of the most comfortable we've tested despite its bulky air chambers that run down its length. The rectangular shape, decent 52cm shoulder width and generous 7cm thickness promise a decent nights sleep. The top of the mat has a Honeycomb Gripskin coating which does a fantastic job of keeping you in place on sloping ground.
The overall balance of comfort, pack size, weight and insulation on the Synmat UL is spot on, there could be some durability concerns, but as long as you’re careful and always carry a repair kit you should be fine. Available for around £100 online the Synmat should be on your list if you’re in the market for a new lightweight camping mat.
