My ExPed Megamat Review

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 (REI) is a clear winner. And, P.S. this is not a sponsored post!

The Exped Mega Mat Is Best Inflatable Sleeping Pad For Camping That I’ve Ever Owned

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.

A green and white triangular tent is set up on grass in a forested area. Inside, a red and gray mattress is visible. The tent is open, supported by poles, with trees in the background.
The Exped Megamat 10 is the inflatable sleep pad of my dreams.

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My Goldilocks Journey To The Perfect Sleep Pad So Far

A small green tent is set up on a grassy field, surrounded by four different sleeping pads and mattresses, each laid out parallel to each other. Trees and a cloudy sky are visible in the background.
The evolution of my camping mats

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.

  • A green camping tent is set up on a grassy field with trees in the background. In front of the tent, a green sleeping pad is laid out on the grass. The scene suggests a camping setting in a natural environment.
    My beloved and durable Thermarest sleep pad
  • A green triangular tent set up on a grassy area, with forest trees in the background. A blue sleeping mat is laid out in front of the tent.
    The Kelty sleep pads was thicker than the Thermarest
  • A green tent is set up on a grassy field with a white air mattress placed in front. Trees and a distant landscape are visible in the background under a clear sky.
    The good ‘ol Coleman inflatable mattress

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 (REI) 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.

  • A small green and white tent with an A-frame design is set up on a grassy field. Inside, a red sleeping pad is laid out, ready for use. Tall trees and a lush forest are visible in the background.
    The Exped Megamat 10 stretches the width of my 2 person tent.
  • A green and gray camping tent set up on a grassy lawn with a red sleeping pad laid out in front. Tall trees and lush greenery surround the area, creating a serene outdoor setting.
    The Exped Megamat 10 stretches the width of my 2 person tent.

5. It doubles as a comfortable mattress for guests who visit our house.

When we’ve run out of beds during family visits over the holidays, we would sheepishly pull out our plastic inflatable mattress, which would inevitably deflate a bit by morning.

The Exped Megamat has been happily welcomed by our guests as well!

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.

  • Close-up of an inflatable air valve on a dark fabric surface. The valve has "Inflate" and "Aufblasen" inscribed on it, indicating its function. The background shows part of a red surface and grass.
    Open The Valve and Leave It
  • Close-up of an inflatable camping mattress with a gray air pump sack attached. The mattress is partially red and gray, lying on green grass. The air pump sack has a hexagonal pattern.
    Attach pump to inflate valve
  • A person inflating a red and gray camping pad or sleeping mat using a gray manual pump sack. The person's hand is pressing down on the pump sack, which is on the grass.
    Use Your Hand To Pump To Desired Firmness
  • Close-up of an inflatable valve on a camping mattress. The valve is labeled "deflate" in multiple languages and is attached to a gray fabric. The mattress is partially covered with a red and green material.
    To deflate, just open the deflate valve and roll the pad up.

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

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. 

A triangular green tent stands proudly on a grassy field, framed by towering trees. In front of the tent, an Exped megamat adds comfort to the setup, with a vibrant red duffle bag resting neatly atop 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. Check prices on Amazon

Amanda got hers on a Labor Day sale from REI in 2024 and paid about $140 so you can get really good sale prices. Check prices on REI.com.

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

P.S. My Other Game Changing Gear

The FunWater Tiki Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board has been a great purchase for our family, and we’ve enjoyed it immensely. It is lightweight and small enough when deflated to fit into any size car for transport to your favorite body of water.

See our review of the FunWater SUP for all the details.

JetBoil Camp Stove for camping (instant hot water!) I wish I had purchased this years ago. Rather than waiting for my Coleman Stove to heat water for morning camping, this small and tidy water heater boils water with a minute!

 

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