A backpacker/photographer's best friend - Exped MultiMat

I love me some MulitMat! When I go backpacking, I carry almost fifteen pounds of camera equipment so everything else that goes in my pack has to be very light, or it has to serve multiple purposes. The MM excels at both. In camp, the MM insulates my Exped hammock when nights are colder. If it isn't cold, the MM covers the ground under my hammock so I can enter and exit the hammock with clean feet. When I'm packing up, I lay it on the ground to keep everything clean while loading my pack. It's the last item to be packed, and it is on the outside of my pack so it's always readily available while on the trail. On the trail, it functions as a quick rain shelter or, folded a few times, as a pretty soft seat. I'm always surprised that despite all the time in spends between me and the ground, it stays clean enough to use in my hammock when needed.

It also goes with me when I'm taking pictures. It's a great kneeling pad that cushions my knees and keeps them dry if the ground is wet from dew, rain or snow when taking low angle shots. I also use it to shield my lenses if I'm shooting at an angle to the sun that introduces the possibility of lens flare.

It is fairly fragile, however. The foam backing is only a couple of mm thick and is quite easily torn. Fortunately, it's also easily repaired with Tear-Aid patches.

I like it enough to consider purchasing another one. I'm curious what uses I might find for it when two of them are snapped together.

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.