Having some "issues" with my big Agnes mat so after hearing about some other QJ members getting the exped ul7 I decided to go for it.

A big part of the equation was the fill bag. I picked up a big Agnes fill bag for the big Agnes mat and was left less than impressed. Filling air mattresses has become my least favorite camp chore.

I picked up the down version of the ul7 because I intend on keeping the big Agnes sleeping bag system which has no insulation underneath. I generally work hard all day long and am dependent on a good nights sleep to get back in the game. Hard to sleep if your cold.

Well it came the other day (nice sale at backcountry) and I am left with some initial impressions. First off the mat seems, well, rather thin and fragile. Hopefully I am mistaken (all the reviews I have read are favorable). Secondly, the fill bag seems, well, fragile. Like you could easily get a hole or burst the seems. The fill valve on the ul7 only works with the mated fill valve on the air bag (please correct me if I am mistaken).........if you do get a hole or pop the seams on the fill bag I am assuming filling the mat might be difficult? Best have a repair kit to fix the bag/mat or even a backup airbag. I will have to look into failure of the airbag.

Having said all that I am quite pleased how easily the mat inflates using the fill bag. Excellent! Very nice! And the mat itself is fine comfort wise.

Time will tell. Easy does it on this equipment, watch what your doing and avoid anything sharp.