Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Review

Sitting towards the top of the premium camping mattress market is Exped’s MegaMat Duo 10. This double-wide, luxurious pad easily sleeps two, and its generous cushioning and high R-value make it a great companion for year-round adventures. After spending many nights on the MegaMat Duo, we’ve come away with high praise: It’s incredibly plush and comfortable, is made with high-quality materials that can withstand outdoor use and abuse, and its self-inflating design is very user-friendly. Below we break down our experiences with the MegaMat Duo 10. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best camping mattresses.
 

Table of Contents

• Sleeping Comfort
• Warmth and Insulation
• Build Quality and Durability
• Weight and Packed Size
• Inflation and Deflation
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Sleeping Comfort

Comfort is a top priority for many campers, so we’ll cut straight to the chase: The Exped MegaMat Duo 10 is a true standout. The 3.9-inch-thick pad nicely balanced softness and support, provided ample space between my body and the ground, and the 77.6-inch length was more than sufficient for my 5’9” frame. I never once felt rocks or roots beneath me while sleeping, and my pillow didn’t slide off the end in the middle of the night—a common occurrence with shorter mattresses. I’ve spent a lot of nights on REI Co-op’s popular Camp Bed (including the old 3.5-inch-thick model), and the Exped handily outperformed it in the comfort department. And perhaps most telling: I even opted to sleep on the Exped over my couch when guests came to town, since it’s larger and delivers a better night's sleep.

The Exped MegaMat Duo was similarly comfortable with two campers involved. The generous 52-inch width and vertical side walls proved to be more than enough for my wife and me to sleep without encroaching on each other’s space. My only complaint is that it was easy to feel her roll over and move during the night, but that problem is still far worse on a standard air mattress. Put simply, the MegaMat Duo unquestionably is a luxurious place to be.

Warmth and Insulation

Packing high-end, open-cell foam, the MegaMat Duo is about as warm as it gets for a self-inflating mat. To preface, a mattress’ ability to insulate you from the ground is measured in R-value, and a higher number indicates more warmth and better protection. In this case, the MegaMat Duo has an R-value of 8.1, which is at the very high end of the spectrum. It easily beats competitors like the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe S.I. Double (R-value 6.5) and REI’s Camp Dreamer Double (6.6). One of the few models with a higher R-value is Exped's own MegaMat Max 15 at 10.6. Having tested the standard MegaMat Duo 10 down into the mid 30s Fahrenheit, I can confidently say that it’s a great companion for all seasons.

Build Quality and Durability

Priced at $380 for the Long Wide Double version, the Exped MegaMat is undeniably expensive but has been built to last. The pad’s top is made with 50-denier (D) polyester which is soft to the touch yet reasonably tough. In fact, it’s no worse for wear after fending off my 50-pound Labrador's sharp nails. Similarly, the 75D polyester bottom is confidence-inspiring even on rocky terrain (although it's always best to use the pad inside a tent or on top of a less abrasive surface). Finally, the pad’s sealed seams are free from defects and irregularities, and the valves still look and function like new with no leaking.

Weight and Packed Size

At 9 pounds 14.7 ounces and 27.6 x 11.8 inches when packed, the MegaMat Duo is unapologetically huge. This shouldn’t have a major impact for car-camping use, but it’s worth noting that most other popular two-person options come in lighter. For example, REI’s Camp Dreamer Double slightly undercuts the MegaMat Duo at 9 pounds 5 ounces, NEMO’s Roamer Double is 8 pounds 4 ounces, and Exped’s own Dura 5R Duo weighs significantly less at 4 pounds 8 ounces (although the Dura is an air pad and offers the least warmth, comfort, and durability in that grouping). However, the good news is that Exped included a large carrying bag for the MegaMat. The pad fits even when haphazardly rolled up, and the bag has an internal storage pocket for the included pump and repair kit. The long handbag-style shape is a little unique and the shoulder strap is fairly thin, but it gets the job done.

Inflation and Deflation

Given its self-inflating design, setting up the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 is very straightforward, although the process does take time. Once removed from the bag, simply unroll the pad, open the inflate valve and insert the attached plastic toggle to speed up the process, and wait while it fills with air. It took about an hour for the foam to recover fully during its first use, but Exped advertises that inflating should happen in around 15 minutes (I found it was closer to 30 after the first time). Once inflated, you can then use the small foot/hand pump to top it off to your desired firmness (note that the pump is comically small for filling it up from flat). While not speedy by any means, if you plan to unroll the pad while finishing up camp chores, you shouldn’t have any problems with the set-up process. It’s also important to note that you should never use your mouth to blow up the mat—this will cause condensation buildup and could ultimately lead to mold inside.

Deflating the MegaMat Duo 10 is also fairly intuitive, although it does require some patience. After opening the one-way deflation valve, I found the best way to start the process was to lie on the pad until air stopped flowing out. Next, I rolled the mat from the foot toward the head area two times, which removed most of the remaining air. And finally, I folded the Exped in half and rolled it for a third time, eventually stuffing it into its included carrying sack. All told, the process took about five minutes from start to finish, which in my opinion is a worthwhile tradeoff for the incredible comfort and warmth you get.

Other Sizes of the Exped MegaMat 10

For this review, I tested the Long Wide Double (LW+) version of the MegaMat Duo 10, which is Exped’s second-largest model that measures 77.6 inches long, 52 inches wide, and 3.9 inches thick. It easily and comfortably sleeps two average-sized adults and fits in most large car-camping tents, although those who really like to sprawl out may want to consider the even more generous Queen variation ($449 and 79.9 x 59.8 x 3.9 in.). Finally, there’s a smaller Medium Double version that’s a little cheaper at $330 and measures 72 inches long and 40.9 inches wide with the same 3.9-inch thickness. Rounding out the MegaMat 10 lineup are three one-person models of varying lengths and widths (MW, LW, and LWX). They feature the same comfortable build, burly construction, and easy-to-use design as the Duo, but in a more compact package for those who prefer a solo mat.

What We Like

• Large, comfortable, and warm—the ideal combination for a great night’s sleep.
• Heavy-duty materials and high-quality construction should hold up to years of use and abuse.
• Easy to inflate and deflate with the intuitive valve system.
• Included carrying sack is simple to use and big enough for less-than-perfect packing.

What We Don’t

• At $380 and almost 10 pounds, the MegaMat Duo 10 is very expensive and heavy.
• Even when rolled up tight, the big and bulky pad takes up a lot of storage space.
• Inflation process is lengthy at about 30 minutes.

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Exped MegaMat Duo 10 is one of the most comfortable two-person camping sleeping pads we’ve spent time on, but it’s not without its fair share of competitors. Similar to the MegaMat, the REI Co-op Camp Dreamer Double has a self-inflating design, thick 4 inches of foam, and comparable overall dimensions. However, with an R-value of 6.6, the REI pad isn't as warm as the Exped (it is sufficient for most three-season conditions, however). We also prefer the quality and comfort of the Exped's plusher foam build. That said, the Camp Dreamer costs significantly less at $279. In the end, it comes down to your camping preferences: If you plan to get outside in cold temperatures or are willing to spend up for comfort, the Exped is a good bet; if you’re looking for the best value, we give the edge to the Camp Dreamer Double.

A second direct competitor is the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe S.I. Double. Like the MegaMat Duo, the Comfort Deluxe is a self-inflating pad that offers plenty of thick and high-quality foam (4 inches in this case). In terms of its sleeping footprint, the Sea to Summit also features vertical sidewalls and gets the slight edge in length (79 vs. 77.6 in.) while coming up 1 inch short in width. And at $339, it slightly undercuts the $380 Mega Duo. But the bump in price comes with better warmth (6.5 compared to the MegaMat’s 8.1 R-value) and increased durability (the Comfort Deluxe uses 30D along the top compared to the Exped’s 50D, although both have 75D bases). All told, while both pads put a major focus on comfort, we prefer the Exped for the notable boosts in both durability and insulation.

Nemo is a consistent leader in the camping and backpacking markets, and their high-end Roamer Double is an intriguing alternative to the MegaMat Duo 10. Stacked up against the Exped, the Nemo is over a pound and a half lighter at 8 pounds 4 ounces and packs down noticeably smaller, but it boasts similar dimensions including 4 inches of thickness. You also get a premium build with high-quality and hardwearing materials (it uses 50 and 75D fabrics), and we love that the Nemo comes with two options for storage, including a stuff sack and larger duffel bag for haphazard packing. All that said, the MegaMat wins out in one key area: value. For around $20 less than the Roamer, the Exped offers a nice boost in insulation, which makes it the more appealing option for year-round adventures. The Nemo’s R-value of 6 is ample for three-season use, but we prefer getting more warmth for less money with the MegaMat.

Another design to have on your radar comes from within Exped’s own line: the MegaMat Max 15. In nearly every way, the Max is a step up from the standard Duo: Thickness increases from 3.9 to 6 inches, R-value jumps from 8.1 to 10.6, and price goes up by $80. In addition to the extra cost, weight and packed size increase a fair amount, which can negatively impact both storing the mat and transporting it. In truth, we haven’t felt the need for a thicker build, so we’d save the money and stick with the standard MegaMat, but the aptly named Max may appeal to those searching for the absolute plushest and most luxurious design.

For a more compact two-person option, Exped recently released their backpacking-focused Dura 5R Duo. While the MegaMat wins out in both comfort and warmth, the Dura’s low weight (4 lbs. 8 oz. for the Long Wide variation) and small packed size (7.9 x 15 in.) make it much easier to transport and store when not in use. The air pad also features a generous 3 inches of padding and independent air chambers that allow campers to fine-tune how soft or firm their side is without affecting their partner. However, the Dura’s 4.8 R-value is on the lower end for year-round use, and those who camp in areas where the temperature drops at night will likely want to spend up for the MegaMat.