Exped MegaMat Max Sleeping Pad
The Exped MegaMat Max sleeping pad addresses the typical compromises of camp beds by prioritizing both thickness and cold-ground insulation. With a 6-inch thickness, which is 50% thicker than standard MegaMats, it offers significant cushion and pressure relief, making it a great option for side and stomach sleepers who want to avoid feeling rocks or roots underneath.
The vertical 3D sidewall construction ensures the mattress stays flat and fully usable right up to the very edges, eliminating the sloped borders that make you feel like you are rolling off. The top fabric is a soft, 4-way stretch polyester tricot that feels smooth against the skin and avoids the loud, crinkly plastic noises common to lightweight backpacking mats.
With an R-value of 10.6, this mat is fully insulated with open-cell polyurethane foam to block ground chill in any weather. The internal foam core features air channels to reduce bulk and make it easier to compress when it is time to roll it up, while the bottom and sides are reinforced with durable, 100% recycled 75-denier polyester.
Setting up is simple because the mat draws in air and self-inflates on its own once you open the low-profile, one-way FlatValve. After the foam expands, you can dial in your preferred firmness using the included Top-Up Pump, or easily bleed out excess air by tapping the internal valve flapper.
Exped MegaMat Max Sleeping Pad Review
I finally got to take my Exped MegaMat Max out for its first real camping trips, and after sleeping on it for several nights in Mammoth Lakes, Big Pine, and Yosemite, I can honestly say I understand why the reviews are so good. This mattress gave me the best nights’ sleep in a tent…EVER!!!
First impression: It feels like a real mattress, not a camping pad. The quality is excellent, the thickness is amazing, and it immediately feels like a premium piece of gear, or my own bed at home, but in a tent.
One mistake I made was not reading the instructions at home before my first trip. I opened it for the first time at camp and waited for it to self-inflate. The first inflation took about 5.5 hours, and I ended up using the included pump a lot to help speed things along. If you buy this, definitely read the instructions and set it up at home before first real use. It should be inflated for at least 24 hours the first time before use to help speed up the process later.
The wait was absolutely worth it, though. That first night I had the best sleep I’ve had while camping, and my sleep tracker definitely agreed. After several nights on this mattress, I can say I consistently sleep better on it than I did with my previous camping mattress. It feels very similar to sleeping on a memory foam mattress at home, except somehow I sleep even better on this Exped MegaMat Max Sleeping Pad.
I sleep comfortably with no pressure points, and my back has felt great after sleeping on it. I used it in my car camping tent with nighttime temperatures around the 50s, and I stayed warm with no noticeable cold coming through from the ground. (Given the R10.6 and the warm outside temperatures, this wasn’t a surprise at all!)
This pad is quite big when packed, so it takes up quite a bit of space in my trunk. It’s not a compact mattress, but it is totally worth it!!
Deflating takes about 4 minutes. I have to use my body weight to get some of the air out after folding it in half, and then I roll it tightly and squeeze out the remaining air.
I am 100% happy with my purchase and have recommended it to several people at the campgrounds I was staying at, and to several friends as well. The comfort is on another level. If you are looking for the closest thing to a real bed while car camping and don’t mind the bulk, this mattress is hard to beat.
Features & Technical Specs
- Oversized Dimensions: 77.5 x 30.5 inches (197 x 77.5 cm) with a plush 6-inch (15.2 cm) thickness.
- High Insulation: 10.6 R-value provides excellent warmth from cold ground.
- Dual Valves: Separate high-airflow, one-way valves for hassle-free inflation and deflation.
- What’s Included: a roll-top SideWinder stuff sack, a mini Top-Up Pump, and a field repair kit.
- Weight: 7 lbs. 6.3 oz. (3.35 kg)
