The Exped Mega Mat Is Best Inflatable Sleeping Pad For Camping That I’ve Ever Owned
I have always loved tent camping. I love the coziness inside the tent, reading, and playing cards by flashlight, the sounds of birds signaling the dawn of a new day, and the often extraordinary views upon unzipping the tent flap.
I still love tent camping. It's just that as the decades have rolled by, my body no longer appreciates a night's sleep on the ground without a proper mattress. In a quest to get a comfortable night's sleep while tent camping, my choice of sleep pads has evolved over the years.
I am happy to report that I have finally found “THE ONE” and it has recharged my camping life yet again. After years of trying out different sleep pads like an obsessed camping Goldilocks, the Exped Megamat is a clear winner.
In a nutshell, the Megamat 10 is far more comfortable than any other sleep pad I have tried over the years, it is durable, and it is relatively easy to inflate. Keep reading below to find out the other sleep pads that I compare the Exped to and the only drawbacks I have found so far.
The evolution of my camping mats
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My Goldilocks Journey To The Perfect Sleep Pad So Far
My Youth- No Sleep Pad Needed
As a child camping in the Smokies with my family, I don't think I even slept on a camping mattress. I just hopped in my sleeping bag and slept like a log.
Fast forward to college and I still didn't need a sleep pad. I'd sleep on top of an extra sleeping bag if needed but I really don't remember ever being uncomfortable. Oh, the things you take for granted in your youth!
My Twenties- “Great For Sleep-Anywhere-People”
I finally purchased my first sleeping pad for a road trip out west. My small, lightweight Thermarest worked like magic. It kept me warm and dry on an otherwise cold and hard tent floor. I used this camp mat for years and have recently bequeathed it to my daughters.
The Thermarest is a fantastic (and super durable) inflatable pad for kids and those who can sleep anywhere. It just wasn’t working for me anymore once I moved out of my twenties.
My Thirties- “Too Thin” and “Too Deflating”
After adding yet another decade of living to my body, I needed to up my sleeping pad game. Since we were now a car-camping family with young kids that no longer worried about extra weight (I mean you are already bringing all the things once you camp with toddlers), I graduated to a longer, thicker Kelty pad.
The Kelty sleep pad was definitely more comfortable than my first sleeping mat, but I still woke up sore and stiff. Like Goldilocks, this one wasn’t right either.
So I did what many thirty-something car campers do and purchased a Coleman single size inflatable mattress. I know my fellow campers appreciated the shrill whining sound emanating from my camp site as I happily inflated my bed with my battery-operated inflatable pump.
And the mattress was decently comfortable, at least at first. As the night went on though, it would gradually begin to lose air and I still woke up in the morning well aware of the hard ground below me. Plus, one of the biggest problems with the big inflatable mattress is that it wasn’t insulating enough for camping when the nights got cool. My love for tent camping certainly began to wane during this time.
My Forties- I Finally Get My Sleep Pad “Just Right”
Perhaps it's true that as you get older you get wiser. After extensive research, I have finally found THE ONE! The Exped Megamat 10 Insulated Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad is the best sleeping camp pad I’ve ever owned.
What We Like About The Exped Megamat 10 Sleep Pad
1. It is SOOOO comfortable.
In fact, it’s almost as comfortable as my bed at home. I can sleep without my sides becoming numb, and I can actually stand up without pain when exiting the tent in the morning.
2. It is warm in the cool temps.
The Exped is insulating so I have kept warm and cozy even when camping in freezing temperatures. I don’t what magic makes it better than other inflatable sleep pads (maybe the combination of foam + air) but it is definitely warmer.
3. The Exped Megamat 10 is durable.
My husband and I bought our Megamats in 2019 and they are still going strong.
4. It does not require a battery or extraordinary effort to inflate the Exped.
The sleep pad is mostly self- inflating, with a hand-held pump to get it the rest of the way there. We find it easy to use and don’t need to remember additional equipment like a battery pump to use it. See more about tips for inflating and deflating below.
Helpful Tips For The Exped Megamat 10 Self- Inflating Sleep Pad
How To Inflate And Deflate The Exped
To inflate it, you simply unroll it, open the inflate valve, and leave it. It will automatically inflate on its own but you can then "touch it up" with a hand-pushed mini-pump (no battery required). It works like a charm and you can make it as firm or soft as you'd like.
Inflating Tip: Unroll it immediately upon arriving at camp to allow it time to inflate. (Exped states it takes 15 minutes, but I allow up to an hour to inflate and then pump about 10 times to desired firmness.)
It also easily deflates with a large deflate valve. When it's time to pack up camp, you simply open the deflate valve, roll it up to squeeze out the air, and pack it back in its generously sized carry bag.
Deflating Tip: Kneel on the pad as you roll it up to get all the air out faster.
View Exped’s Video How to Inflate and Deflate Exped MegaMats.
What Size Exped Megamat To Get?
The Exped comes in several sizes. I'm 5'10" and my husband is 6'3", so we each purchased the LXW and it fits us perfectly.
MW = 72 in long x 25.6 in wide
LW = 77.6 in long x 25.6 wide
LXW = 77.6 in long x 30.3 in wide
You can also get a double Megamat that fits across the width of a car-top camper or the back of an SUV. No rolling off the mat in the middle of the night anyomre!
The 2 Drawbacks to the Exped Megamat 10
1. It is large and relatively heavy (for backpackers that is).
Because of its large size, the Exped is best suited for car camping. You aren’t taking this pad into the backcountry.
My husband and I each purchased one and my only complaint with bringing them is how much packing real estate they take up in the car. But it's worth it.
The Exped’s large carry bag as compared to the small size of the Thermarest. A trade off to be sure, but one worth making.
2. The second biggest drawback to this sleeping pad is the price.
The Exped Megamat typically retails between $300-$350 nowadays. Ouch. They do go on sale sometimes though on Amazon or at REI. So if you think you want one, try checking prices periodically, especially around Big holidays like Labor Day, Memorial Day, or Black Friday.
We bought ours on Amazon years ago (at the time the sale price was $182). I have to say though, our purchase has been well worth it. Amanda got hers on a Labor Day sale from REI in 2024 and paid about $140 so you can get really good sale prices.
Final Thoughts
If you love camping but dislike sleeping on the ground, the Exped Megamat 10 camp pad will be a game changer for you. Say goodbye to uncomfortable camping nights and enjoy camping once again!
Happy Trails! - Amy
More Camping Blog Posts
In a quest to get a comfortable night's sleep while tent camping, my choice of sleep pads has evolved over the years. I am happy to report that I have finally found “THE ONE” and it has recharged my camping life yet again. 5 years later, I am still happy with it.