Exped - MegaMat Series

No the sleeping bag won�t help much. To get a significant bump in comfort you�ll have to jump into some heavier pads that are still compressible enough to bring backpacking. Pads like the Thermarest Neoloft or Exped Megamat Ultra. I have a Tensor All Season and find it comfortable, however my Exped Synmat 3D (older version of the Megamat Ultra) is definitely more comfortable. My brother has the Rapide SL which is similar to the Tensor in comfort.

Second for the Megamat Ultra. It�s a big jump in comfort over any ultralight pad. Depending upon how far I�m hiking I�ll bring it over my Tensor All Season which is a decently comfortable pad in its own right.

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.

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

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 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.

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. ??

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 have no experience with Lost Horizon, but I do have the Exped Megamat and in my opinion I would buy it again and the cost is well worth it. I�m a side sleeper and the thick padding + added air is a game changer. It�s also very insulating and warm during the colder months. I got it during REI�s Labor Day sale last year.

A sleeping pad is not the spot you sacrifice for the minuscule weight savings possible. I use an Exped mat that is like 4� thick, extra wide, XL, and insulated and I�m not even sure it�s heavier than the 1� Thermarest I used for 20 yrs prior.

So my girlfriend and I have been through a couple different sleep systems for backpacking and car camping, and I figured I�d share what�s worked (and what hasn�t). **The old setup:** We used to run a pair of Big Agnes bags with pad sleeves that zipped together. It was great in theory�we could cuddle, and she could steal my body heat (I�m basically a furnace). Each of us had our own EXPED DownMat, which fit into our bags, but the problem was the gap that always formed in the middle. That little cold trench would wake us up and force us apart, which killed the whole �together� vibe. **Backpacking setup (current favorite):** Now we�re running a Sierra Designs Backcountry Duo 20F down bag (4 lbs 10 oz), and holy crap�it�s a game-changer. It�s like a hybrid between a quilt and a mummy bag, but zipperless. At the foot end, there are slots so either person can pop a foot out if they�re overheating without messing with the other. The top half works more like a comforter at home, which is a dream for me since I�m a side sleeper who likes to stick an arm out. I can just fold my corner down and sprawl without pulling the cover off her. Bonus: it�s got this little hand pocket in the corner that keeps your hand warm while you�re stretched out. Paired with two NEMO Tensor pads (78� x 25� x 3.5�), it�s insanely comfy. The pads fit perfectly in the sleeves (can even go up to 30� wide if you�ve got bigger ones). All in, the bag + pads are around 7 lbs, but honestly? It feels like we�re sleeping on a queen bed in the backcountry. I�ve never slept better outside. **Car camping setup:** For car camping, I use the same bag but swap the two NEMOs for an EXPED MegaMat Duo LW (78� x 52� x 4�). The Duo doesn�t slot into the bag sleeves (since it�s just one big pad), but it�s wide enough that the bag doesn�t really move. I rigged a simple strap through the head/foot sleeves to keep it centered, since the bottom of the bag isn�t insulated. Works great, super comfortable. That said, I�m thinking about upgrading to the Sierra Designs Frontcountry Duo Queen 20F bag. It�s synthetic, a little bulkier, but it�s designed for a single big pad up to 60� wide�basically a perfect fit for the EXPED. **Final thoughts:** The Big Agnes setup was fine, but the new Sierra Designs system feels like a massive upgrade�especially for side sleepers or couples who hate the �cold gap.� Backpacking version feels like a queen bed at \~7 lbs, car camping version feels like glamping. Honestly, I don�t think I�m going back. https://preview.redd.it/jjbie317nyqf1.jpeg?width=1857&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e10676b44eb56cd5bb48b50e1f7dba11f45b541

My exped is really comfortable and warm

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.

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 have the 4� and I weigh more than you and do not bottom out on it

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.

My exped is a piece of magic.

Exped pads are highly underrated!

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

Have the regular size and they're spectacular. So I can only assume this is too

I�ve used the megamat and even the megamat max and can�t seem to dial in the comfort. It�s either rock hard or a waterbed for me.

Exped is one of the most popular (for good reason) and on sale at REI currently. We have a Megamat duo mat that is amazingly comfortable. I also have a deep sleep mat for solo. Def bigger/heavier than basic inflatable but 100% worth it for the comfort. They make several different thicknesses depending on what you'd like but even the thinner mats are extremely comfortable and warm.

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

No the sleeping bag won�t help much. To get a significant bump in comfort you�ll have to jump into some heavier pads that are still compressible enough to bring backpacking. Pads like the Thermarest Neoloft or Exped Megamat Ultra. I have a Tensor All Season and find it comfortable, however my Exped Synmat 3D (older version of the Megamat Ultra) is definitely more comfortable. My brother has the Rapide SL which is similar to the Tensor in comfort.

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 (64M) swear by my Exped. Not cheap but comfort in a relatively small package. It comes in a bag that can be attached to anything. YMMV

Can confirm. I thought the duo was going to be the right choice initially, but reviews from this subreddit lead me to purchasing two x-wide megamats. We have them side by side and covered with a 4" pocket queen mattress sheet. This holds them together surprisingly well. I woke up sleeping on the middle of the two and it wasnt even an issue. My partner said she absolutely loved the sleeping experience. I've used them camping once though. Purchased from rei a month ago. Im thinking about exchanging them for the max 6" versions just for the extra plushness.

Any Exped Med-Wide pads fit the bill. Incredibly comfy to boot. They are more expensive but a good nights sleep it worth it imo. Best investment I made for camping. I got my Deep Sleep for just over $100 on sale.

I have two expeds- a Megamat duo and a single. They�re the most comfortable and warm pad I�ve tried. I�ve been using them for 5 years and camp at least once a month. Our Duo sprung a leak a few years ago, which I patched, and it still works great. Pro-tip: Get the widget air pump or a Flextail Gear mini air pump. Don�t use your breath to finish inflating because it will introduce moisture into your mattress.

\+1 on getting two single mega mats and placing them together. This way, you have redundancy if one gets punctured, each person can adjust their inflation level, and one person's movement won't affect the other much.

I wonder how it compares to the exped mega mat. The specs are nearly the same and that�s a very popular pad (for good reason). Thanks for putting this one on my radar!

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

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.

Slept on this while visiting family and its super comfortable. Bought one for my partner and I and it made a huge difference for camping. Its insulated well and I wake up feeling great and well rested. Compared to an inflatable mattresses or two cots, this takes a similar amount or lesser amount of space, but is significantly more comfortable. Like a legit mattress. If you have the budget and space for one, highly recommend. Echoing what other redditors have said, wait for it to go on sale. If youre buying from Altitude sports, you can get a 20% off coupon for your first order by subscribing to their newsletter. Brings down the price to $391.99. Not sure how much they go for one sale. We bought ours on clearance last year from a outdoor shop that was closing down, got ours for $249.99

Yes. They were going to honor the warranty, but it was less than a year so just easier to drop it at REI where I bought it and get a refund. Definite bummer; great mattress even at home. If they ever do a long lasting home version I'll be all over it...literally. :)

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.

I have the Duo M as a single adult male. It is maximum comfort. If this is what fits in your truck bed, then purchase with full confidence. I absolutly adore mine and look forward to getting to sleep on it.

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

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.

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.

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

Exped Megamat is my favorite one to sleep on. Don�t be fooled because it isn�t super thick - it�s amazing.

Second for the Megamat Ultra. It�s a big jump in comfort over any ultralight pad. Depending upon how far I�m hiking I�ll bring it over my Tensor All Season which is a decently comfortable pad in its own right.

Exactly. I picked up a used one for $106, and it is comfy, but I don�t think it�s worth double.