FAQs
General Questions
WHAT IS THE WARRANTY PERIOD OF EXPED PRODUCTS?
All EXPED products come with a 5-year limited warranty on materials and workmanship. At our discretion, we will repair or replace any product that has issues due to a manufacturing defect.
For defects that occur due to normal wear and tear, negligence, and acts of nature (a.o. broken zippers), we offer the option to have them repaired for a minimal cost. You can find more information about the repair and warranty procedure under Warranty & Repairs.
WHEN WILL MY ORDER BE SHIPPED?
Please see our shipping page here.
HOW CAN I TRACK MY ORDER?
A tracking link will be sent via email once your order has been shipped.
Sleeping Mats
WHY IS MY SLEEPING MAT LOSING AIR?
Check the valve stopper is inside the valve (usually green or red). Replacements can be provided, please contact us.
HOW CAN I PATCH A HOLE IN THE MAT?
Here are a few helpful videos on how to repair sleeping mats. You can also find instructions in the repair kit included with your sleeping mat.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY SLEEPING MAT?
We recommend cleaning the mat with warm water and a mild detergent (no bleach!). Carefully clean the mat with a cloth or soft sponge. Make sure all valves are completely closed. Rinse well. The mat should be allowed to air dry after cleaning. DO NOT put your mat in a washing machine or dryer.
HOW DO I DISTRIBUTE THE DOWN EVENLY IN MY MAT?
As with a comforter, the down works best when at its fluffiest. Therefore, before you lie down, you should shake the down mat slightly and pat it out so that the down can redistribute itself evenly again after it has been rolled up. Then you sleep nice and warm.
Tents
HOW CAN I PREVENT MY TENT FROM STARTING TO MOULD?
To prevent your tent from getting mouldy during storage, there is only 1 remedy. The tent must be 100% dry before you pack and store it. It is best to store the tent loose in a dry, warm environment.
DO I NEED TO USE A FOOTPRINT?
The footprint protects the tent floor from abrasion or damage through sharp objects.
A TENT POLE IS BROKE - WHAT CAN I DO?
If you are on the road, you can easily repair the tent pole by using the included repair sleeve. On most of our tents you will find this as a spacer by the ventilation hoods. The only exceptions are the HL and UL tents. There you will find the repair sleeve with the other accessories in the pack sack.
To make the repair in the field, slide the sleeve over the broken section of the pole and tape it in place. When you return from your trip, you can bring the pole back for repair.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN 'EXTREME' OUTER TENT TO A 'UL' OUTER TENT?
Our "extreme" outer tent fabric is made of nylon coated on both sides with silicone. The silicone coating makes the fabric extremely waterproof and does not reduce the tear resistance like other types of coating. At the same time, the silicone coating protects the fabric from UV radiation. Our 40D Nylon 6 fabric is completely waterproof and elastic. This makes it the first choice for expedition and 4S trekking category tents.
Advantages of extreme fabric:
- high tear resistance
- durability
- UV protection
- elasticity increases the tension of the outer tent and gives a stable tent in the wind
Disadvantages of extreme fabric:
- Fabric stretches because it absorbs water and therefore the tent must be re-stretched when wet
- silicone-coated fabric cannot be seam-welded
For what use do we recommend extreme tents:
- tours with a focus on durability
- expeditions
- tours lasting several weeks
- tours in exposed areas (high wind, bad weather, cold, snow)
The UL fabric is also made of nylon, but with 15D it is significantly lighter than the extreme fabric and is therefore used for very light tents. This fabric is coated with silicone on the outside to protect the nylon against UV radiation. On the inside, it is coated with polyurethane to provide high waterproofing, thus welding the seams from the inside with seam tape.
Advantages of UL fabric:
- optimal ratio of stability and weight
- Seam tapes welded for guaranteed waterproofness
Disadvantages UL fabric:
- not as durable as extreme fabric
For what use do we recommend extreme tents:
- tours with a focus on lightweight
- tours lasting several days
Backpacks
ARE SEAMS & ZIP MALFUNCTIONS COVERED BY WARRANTY?
Manufacturing defects of seams are covered by our 5-year limited warranty. Seams damaged through use do not fall under warranty. Zipper failure does not fall under warranty, especially if improperly used or not maintained regularly. Zippers should be kept clean.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN'S & WOMEN'S BACKPACKS?
The shoulder straps and hip belts are shorter on the women's model than on the men's model, and in some cases the suspension system is narrower and/or shorter. Details can be found at the respective model. Of course, women's models can also be worn by men and vice versa.
WHAT DOES BACKLENGTH MEAN AND HOW IS IT MEASURED?
The torso length is the length of a person's back, measured from the hip to the shoulder, and is an important factor in the fitting process of a backpack.
Depending on the volume of the backpack and its intended use, the suspension system of a backpack becomes a key criterion. Determining back length is not as critical for shorter hikes or everyday backpacks, but is crucial for expedition, trekking and touring backpacks. With these backpacks, the pack weight can only be optimally transferred to the hips if the back length and suspension system are correctly matched.
The center of the hip belt is ideally located on the hip bones (upper edge of the pelvis) and the sacrum to carry most of the load, especially with large internal frame backpacks. There are exceptions where a shorter backpack length is better, such as in alpine situations, because this allows a shorter overall length of the backpack suspension system to allow easier access to the climbing harness.
To determine your back length, use a tape measure to measure the distance from the top of your shoulders to the top of your hip bone (pelvic rim). This is best done by a friend who can properly place and read the tape measure on your back. Any EXPED retailer should also be able to help you determine your back length.
ARE EXPED BACKPACKS WATERPROOF?
The EXPED backpack line includes both waterproof and weatherproof models. Waterproof means these backpacks keep water out unless submerged in water. Weatherproof means that the fabric and seams are completely waterproof, but zippers and hydration ports are water resistant and not 100% waterproof.
All other backpacks in the EXPED line have coated fabrics to prevent water penetration. These backpacks do not have taped seams. Typically, other features such as durability or weight reduction are the focus of these products and are designed to be used with our waterproof drybags to keep the contents dry.
Waterproof Models: Whiteout, Black Ice, Torrent, Work and Rescue, Typhoon, Kids Typhoon, Cloudburst, Splash, Stormrunner, Tempest
Weatherproof models: Serac, Icefall, Mountain Pro, Cascade
Sleeping Bags
HOW SHOULD I STORE MY SLEEPING BAG?
It is best to store the sleeping bag in the mesh storage bag provided. This will ensure that the insulation retains its maximum bulk and thermal performance. When traveling, it is okay to compress the sleeping bag and carry it in the included stuff sack.
When you return from a trip, it is very important to let your sleeping bag dry completely. Then store it in the mesh storage bag in a dry and temperature controlled place.
HOW DO I WASH MY SLEEPING BAG?
If you wash your sleeping bag too often, the insulation can suffer (down or synthetic). The insulating power may decrease. We recommend cleaning the sleeping bag with a damp sponge. If the sleeping bag needs a more thorough cleaning, use only a front-loading machine (no agitator!) and a special detergent from Nikwax or McNett.
Before you put the bag in the washing machine, close the zipper. Use a cold water and gentle wash cycle, and after the wash cycle is complete, run a second rinse cycle without detergent. This will ensure that all detergent residue is removed. Two spin cycles will help get a lot of moisture out of the sleeping bag.
It is best to hang the sleeping bag afterwards and air dry it. Keep massaging the sleeping bag the down tufts apart. Depending on the humidity, it may take several days to dry completely. If you need to dry it faster, use a tumble dryer on low heat (often there are special down drying programs). To loosen up the down in the dryer, you can put some tennis balls in the dryer with it.
Storage
HOW DO I CLEAN PACKSACKS AND DRYBAGS?
Packsacks and drybags (this is not brand specific) should never be washed in washing machines or dried in a tumble dryer as this can lead to permanent damage of the fabrics and the PU coating . A further problem is detergent residue and fabric softeners that damage the coating. We recommend washing your drybag by hand in warm water using ph-neutral soap, baby shampoo or shower gel. Stains can be removed with a soft brush. Air dry thoroughly (no direct sunlight or heat source) and store in a dry place.
HOW DO I REPAIR A PUNCTURE IN MY DRYBAG?
Please note that the warranty covers materials and workmanship, not damage caused by use. Durable waterproof repairs of holes or tears can be made easily with a sleeping mat repair kit or with PU and silicone glue that can be purchased at your local outdoor gear shop. Small punctures can be located easily by holding the drybag up against a light source (sunlight or headlamp); mark the puncture and apply the glue according to manufacturers instructions.
Tip: Depending on the coating of your drybag either use PU glue for PU coatings or silicone glue on silicone coatings.