Extra-thick, durable and versatile foam sleeping mat
Walk a backpacking trail anywhere in the world and you'll spot a hiker with a foam sleeping mat strapped to their pack. Easy to use, versatile and virtually indestructible, the classic closed-cell foam mat has proven its worth on every adventure, from alpine climbing trips to DofE expeditions. The Exped Flex 3R takes the classic design to new extremes, with a 3.1 cm thick IXPE foam construction that makes it the thickest closed-cell foam mat on the market. Unique foam nodes provide better comfort and support, while the Z-folding design minimises weight and pack size but unfolds in seconds. The Flex 3R can be used alone for demanding cold-weather tours and extreme conditions, or under an inflatable sleeping mat as extra puncture protection and significantly enhanced insulation.
- Extra-thick (3.1cm) version for extreme conditions
- Easy to use, versatile and durable closed-cell foam sleeping mat
- Made from IXPE foam, which is durable, water-resistant and dimensionally stable
- Provides insulation from the cold, hard ground (R-value: 2.8)
- Unique foam nodes for better comfort and support
- Z-folding design minimises weight and pack size but unfolds in seconds
- Use as a standalone for minimalist alpinism and ultralight backpacking, or under an inflatable sleeping mat as extra puncture protection and added insulation
| Dimensions | Packed Dimensions | Weight | |
| XS | 123 × 52 × 3.1 cm | 52 x 15 x 14 cm | 335 g |
| M | 185 × 52 × 3.1 cm | 52 x 15 x 20 cm | 515 g |
| LW | 196 × 65 × 3.1 cm | 65 x 15 x 21 cm | 610 g |
- Longevity: Exped offers a 5 year warranty with this product
- Climate Protection: EXPED calculates all climate emissions from the production and transportation of this product and finances certified climate protection projects through myclimate to an equal extent. All EXPED textile products are made without intentionally added PFAS since 2025.
The Exped story started in the early 1980s, in a basic log cabin deep in the Canadian wilderness. That might seem strange for a brand that is Swiss through and through. But it starts to make sense when you hear founders Heidi and Andi Brun talk about their wanderlust as young, twenty-something dreamers.
They built the cabin with their own hands and survived through the harsh winter by learning essential outdoor skills. Day-to-day existence relied on what nature provided – teaching them to live sustainably and with minimal impact. It also demonstrated clearly and simply that the most valuable thing to take into the great outdoors is knowledge, not equipment.
Their fledgling company started out as a distributor, bringing iconic outdoor brands to Switzerland. But soon, they became dissatisfied with other companies’ products. They felt they could do things better. So, they did, transitioning from distributor to manufacturer in 1997. What followed was a slew of pioneering products, from robust backpacking tents to down-filled sleeping mats. Generations on, many of those products are still part of the current Exped range – more refined, yet still built to work in the wild.
