Exped - MegaMat Max

I just bought the MegaMat the Plush 6” thick one! I finally fucking slept the night without tossing and turning every 30 mins and waking up groggy Get the mini electric pump, just turn it on continue with your camp setup and come back in ten mins or so and your done Rolling it up there’s a technique people moan about it but it’s doable just takes 5-10 mins

The megamat is one of the hybrid mats. I’m also a side sleeper and it’s my go-to recommendation.  I think your biggest issue is the squeaky cot. I have a basic wooden platform in the back of my 4Runner. No creaks or squeaks and the bed is raised up.  Granted I’m only 5’8 / 140lbs and only have one leg — so you being 6’4 / 260lbs might limit you on sleeping inside the car. ??

I had a Tensor and it was uncomfortable for me as well. I’ve found Exped inflatable pads comfortable. My favorite right now though is the Neoloft.

Megamat for sure. We have a double quilt that we love, the enlightened equipment accomplice

Sea-to-Summit Comfort Plus Insulated. It is a dual-chamber sleeping pad, so you can tune the bottom chamber to provide protection from the ground and top chamber to give you the right level of cushion. None of the other pads on the market can do this, including celebrated Therm-a-Rest and Exped offerings. Exped Megamat is still more comfortable, but it won't fit inside a kayak and weights a lot more. S2S Comfort Plus is the next best thing.

I’ve had my megamat 7 years and had no idea I was supposed to store it unrolled. It’s great for two adults but wouldn’t fit the two kids as well (maaaybe one kid?) We do use it at home as a guest mattress so it’s handy to have around.

Exped Megamat is my favorite one to sleep on. Don’t be fooled because it isn’t super thick - it’s amazing.

Exped pads are highly underrated!

I've used it for about 80 days over several trips. It's a very robust build.

Buy once, cry one. I have a dozen different sleeping pad/cot/mattresses stored because I kept thinking that *this* is the one that will finally work. You know what finally worked? Dropping $500 on an Exped Megamat. I’ve been using that one for 5 years. No regrets.

This is the best answer! Also some friends got the rei camp dreamer and it’s pretty similar to my exped. I would also recommend regular bedding if you can.

I am laying on my brand new MegaMat Max and I have to say last night sleep was the best I ever had camping. It is pricey but the best mattress I have slept on.

Same. OP, given that you have the space, I would recommend memory foam or something similar. I use a 6” trifold mattress, but in your case, given that you have the space and have trouble sleeping, I would recommend a normal one-piece mattress for you. If you do use the Exped, the secret is to adjust the air pressure. Everyone is different, but for me, if I let out air until my butt just barely touched the floor while sitting on it, that would be ideally comfortable (though not as comfortable as memory foam) when I laid down on it.

The megamat is one of the hybrid mats. I’m also a side sleeper and it’s my go-to recommendation.  I think your biggest issue is the squeaky cot. I have a basic wooden platform in the back of my 4Runner. No creaks or squeaks and the bed is raised up.  Granted I’m only 5’8 / 140lbs and only have one leg — so you being 6’4 / 260lbs might limit you on sleeping inside the car. ??

Get the exped megamat! Nothing beats it for camping.

I just bought the MegaMat the Plush 6” thick one! I finally fucking slept the night without tossing and turning every 30 mins and waking up groggy Get the mini electric pump, just turn it on continue with your camp setup and come back in ten mins or so and your done Rolling it up there’s a technique people moan about it but it’s doable just takes 5-10 mins

I (64M) always used a cot when camping. REI had Expeds on sale and I have read such good things about them, so I bought one. They are the best mattress for camping I have ever used. Even weighing 230lbs, side sleeper, I would have a tough time touching the ground through the mattress. They are quick to fill up with the enclosed hand pump and quick to deflate. They are light and I now prefer it over the cot that I have used for many years.

Get an exped airbed. I've tried a lot of selfinflating mats, but i always end up blowing them up by mouth and than have les comfort sleeping than with the exped mats and be sorry i bought them. The investment in an exped is worth it, especially the air bag to blow them up is genius.

I’ll second the Exped Megamat. Have slept on it in 12F and was warm and toasty. It’s almost as comfy as my bed at home. Not lightweight or super portable, but perfect for car camping.

I needed a sleeping mat for low temperatures so the high R rating on this is fantastic. It is also the most comfortable sleeping mat ever used.

For durability why not just buy a real bed/mattress? I love my megamat but I still like my real bed better.

I use the exped megamat on top of a cot. Best sleep in a tent I've ever had.

Megamat for sure. We have a double quilt that we love, the enlightened equipment accomplice

Go EXPED. Best pads IMO. The vertical baffles make a huge difference and they are not crinkly at all.

Exped Megamat sleeping pad.  Expensive, and too heavy for backpacking, but worth every penny for car camping. Nemo Fillo pillow.  Best camp pillow ever.  I bring it backpacking, camping, even for hotel stays. For a sleeping bag, try a quilt instead of a bag - much better for side and belly sleepers than a mummy bag.

Exped is the current king of the semi self inflating mattresses but there are other worthy considerations which are more affordable, especially on sale. I went with a Lost Horizon I found on clearance for half price. Probably not as bomb proof as the Exped, but after about a dozen trips this summer it’s going strong without issues. The bottom line is these type of mattresses are exponentially more comfortable than anything else on the market. I will never go back. The only drawback is they don’t roll up small.

The answer is exped megamat or the Nemo roamed. Expensive, but as comfortable as it can get.

After various attempts of finding the right set up: Exped on top of a cot. Watch for REI sales for the Exped, and watch the garage sale area for the cot.

I've had a spinal fusion and have fibromyalgia. I got an Exped Mega Mat and it's been life changing. I couldn't do any camping before and now I'm super comfortable sleeping in a tent. I also bring it with me travelling now in case the beds are terrible at the hotels I'm staying at. It's been a lifesaver for me.