So why skimp on a sleeping pad? There are the little blue foam mats that are barely more than sleeping on the ground. They’re great for sitting on or throwing around backpacking but if you’ve got the space it’s nice to go for something bigger.

Exped have been making sleeping mats for a while now. I had an AirMat and DownMat back in the day and loved them. Smallest and lightest backpacking mattresses I had ever seen at the time.

For camping, things don’t need to be tiny or light. Exped refreshed the big and comfortable MegaMat series in 2025. I reviewed Exped MegaMat Max 2 years ago and loved it. Easily the most comfortable out of all mats tested. (Check out that test of 7 mats).

This review is on the MegaMax LXW, updated in 2025. What changes have they made? Is it still the same insane comfort and durability of the previous MegaMats? Here’s the results of the testing.

What is the MegaMat LXW?

So what is the MegaMat LXW?

MegaMat is Expeds crazy thick and comfortable air mattresses. They’re 10cm (4″) thick, covered with soft stretchy fabric, in a few different sizes.

They’re not small and light but they are extremely comfortable.

The foam inside has horizontal holes or cores cut out so it’s far smaller than just rolling up a regular foam mattress. The foam expands when you open a valve so it mostly inflates itself.

The original MegaMat came out in 2011 and was updated this year in 2025.

• Coring is slightly larger and moved so it packs smaller, inflates faster, deflates faster
• Duo valves have been replaced with dedicated inflate and deflate valves
• Thin handles are welded to both sides making it easier to carry

It’s still 8.1 R-value, 40d recycled stretch tricot polyester on top with 75d sides and bottom.

If you’re looking for one, any store that carries Exped should have them after after March 2025.

Specs

Inflating

Inflating is the same as many other mats. The MegaMat LXW has one inflate and one deflate valve. The easiest way to inflate is to let it self-inflate and then top up to your liking.

Self-inflating needs the pin to hold the valve open. It self-inflates so fast, there’s not really any point in blowing it up from scratch. After it’s self-inflated, it’s nearly enough to sleep on. A couple more breaths and it was good to go.

Comfort

The Exped mats are ridiculously comfortable and the new MegaMat LXW is no different.

The MegaMat is 10cm (4″) thick which is plenty to keep you off the ground no matter how you sleep. I sleep on my side and unless I let a lot of air out, I’m nicely off the ground. The foam inside provides some firmness while the air keeps it taught.

With the air inside, there is still a bit of air mattress feel to it. But there is far less than pure air mattresses. Using some air instead all foam means it packs down much more than just pure foam.

Inflating it completely full keeps you off the ground but also feels like sleeping on a board. If you sleep on your back, maybe that’s fine but with sleeping on my side, I let some air out so it can contour more. There’s a balance between too little and it’s wobbly and too much and it’s too stiff. A few seconds of opening the valve with the pin was great.

The material on the top is very soft. I usually sleep in a sleeping bag or with a sheet but it’s soft enough to sleep directly on the mat. It’s very quiet inside and on the bottom of the mat against the tent floor. Rolling around at night is very quiet. I have another ultralight mat that sticks against the tent floor and I have to put clothes under otherwise it wakes the whole camp up when I move.

The foam inside also helps keep the top flat and sides vertical. I’m often sleeping right on the edge of the mat and it’s stable. Some mats roll or collapse on the edges, dumping you onto the ground, forcing you to balance in the middle. The Megamat is solid edge to edge.

Deflating and Packing

Bigger mats take longer to deflate. I usually deflate in 2 passes. I open the deflate valve and quickly roll up the matt squishing out most of the air. With most of it deflated, I unroll it and do a tight roll so it fits in the bag better.

Sticking the pin in the inflate valve to hold it open can deflate faster but I found it unnecessary.

The Sidewinder bag that comes with the MegaMat is open all down one side and makes it so much easier to pack. I’ve had bags in the past that were just open at one end. Not only did they barely offer any room to put the big mat back in, it had to be wrestled back in. It takes no effort at all to get a good roll on, add the velcro strap, and tuck the mat into the bag sideways.

The buckle strap is easy to roll a couple times and fasten the clip. I wish they added 1 more roll of fabric to the bag so it was a bit easier to roll enough for a good closure.

I ended up the rolling up in one pass in 55 seconds. It’s only 10 or 15 seconds longer to do it in 2 passes and it’s easier to do and easier on the mat.

Size and Weight

The MegaMat is not small and light. At 10 cm (4″) thick and 2.6 kg (5.75 pounds) it’s a big mat that’s very comfortable. This is not a good mat for lightweight backpacking. It’s amazing for car camping or using at home for an extra bed. I use it in my rooftop tent as well because the mattress in that is very thin.

I tested the LXW size and it was plenty of room. 2 people could fit but it would be a squeeze. The Duo sizes can fit 2 people comfortably.

• Single
  • MW – Medium Wide 183 x 65 cm (72 x 25.6 in)
  • LW – Long Wide 197 x 65 cm (77.6 x 25.6 in)
  • LXW – Long Extra Wide 197 x 77 cm (77.5 x 30 in) – tested for this review
• Duo
  • M – Medium – 183 x 104 cm (72 x 41 in)
  • LW+ – Long Wide Extra – 197 x 132 cm (77.6 x 52 in)
  • Queen – 203 x 152 cm (203 x 152 cm)
• MegaMat Auto (cut around wheel wells for in a car)
  • 132 cm at head (52 in)
  • 99 cm at foot (39 in)
  • 193 cm long (76 in)

Accessories

Mega Pillow

The Mega Pillow is Exped’s largest. It’s covered in fleece padding and packs down the size of a pop can. As a side sleeper I need a decent pillow to not wake up with a sore neck and back and it’s been a great addition. A good pillow has been something I’ve been spending some extra weight on. Clothes stuffed into a t-shirt isn’t cutting it any more.

Mega Pillow

Mega Pump

The Mega Pump is a small rechargeable pump that can inflate and deflate. It’s a bit bigger than a pop can and hooks onto the Exped valves.

Exped doesn’t provide adapters to all other brands and types of inflatables but does provide a link to Thingiverse where you can download instructions to 3D print many others.

Mega Pump

Mat Sheet

I don’t bring a sheet backpacking but when I’m car camping it’s nice to keep air mats cleaner with a sheet. This organic cotton one is brethable and protects the mat.

Mat Sheet

Sleeping Bag

I often just use sheets and a duvet car camping because I’ve got the space and it’s so comfortable. Sleeping bags are better if you’re short on space or have to pack it up every day. Exped has some nice 0 and -5 bags. I haven’t tested any but if the quality of their other products is any indication, they’d be high quality.

Exped sleeping bags

Who is EXPED?

EXPED founders Andi and Heidi Brun do things a little different.

For their honeymoon in 1981 hey built a log cabin with a hatchet and small saw. 9 months later they tore down the cabin, left no trace and were picked up by floatplane.

The experience they had in the wilderness shaped EXPED. They started as a distributor for other high quality outdoor products and brands. In 1997 they started making their own high quality gear.

They focus on getting outside without unnecessary frills. Staff play outside. They’ve won numerous awards for their innovative gear.

Right from the start they had a focus on sustainability. Items that last longer and are recycled and recyclable are better for the planet and the places we play.

Their sleeping mats, pillows, sleeping bags, booties and operations are C02-balanced with myclimate. Their goal is for all emissions from EXPED to be balanced by 2024.

Conclusion

Exped has made some of the highest quality outdoor gear I’ve owned. Every piece, from AirMats and DownMats back in the day up to MegaMat Max, Mega Pillow, and MegaMat in this review has been durable, easy to use, and as sustainably-made as possible.

MegaMats were really good and now updated with new handles, better valves and packability, got even better. Exped doesn’t seem to rest on their laurels, never updating their gear. They take their best and make them even better.

At $399 CAD, MegaMat (LXW size) isn’t cheap but it will last a long time properly cared for. With the thicker top and sides they’ll last longer than others. I’m careful with dogs and kids as they can rip apart air mattresses like no other. Check it’s the new version before buying.

With reviewing gear for this site and others, I have a good selection of air mattresses to choose from. I pick Exped any time I have a choice. It’s the first one I reach for if I’m making up a spare bed at home or sleeping at the campsite. The others aren’t bad, it’s just that MegaMat is the most comfortable.

Highly recommended.

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This course will walk you through every piece of hiking gear you might need for a short backpacking trip. We’ll cover what every piece of gear is and tips for buying each.

What will this guide cover?

This guide isn’t going to cover every piece of gear under the sun. First, it would take forever to put together and read. And it would be out of date before you read it. 

Second, we want to provide just enough information for you to get out and play outside. There will be plenty of time to spend hours researching the latest and lightest gear after you know more about what you need. Here we’ll focus on the basics and get you back outside.

Every section in this guide will cover a few key things. What the gear is, why you might need it (or not) and a couple tips on finding the right one of you. This isn’t a degree in backpacking gear. It’s just enough information so you can buy gear for a weekend on the trail and have a great time. 

This guide is divided into 5 sections: 

• Hiking
• Sleeping
• Cooking
• Clothing
• Other Backpacking Gear

Hiking gear is what you’ll need to hike and get from point A to point B. A lot of it crosses over with day hiking, like backpacks or hiking boots. If you’re just planning on day hiking and might backpack a couple times a year, you can use this gear for both. 

Sleeping gear is for staying dry and comfortable at night when you’re sleeping. Things like your tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag will let you get a good night sleep on the trail. You don’t have to use a tent and we offer a couple alternatives in this section.

Cooking gear is for making and eating food. Some suggestions on actual food to take backpacking is here as well as stoves, pots and dishes to help you eat it. 

Clothing is its own section and spans hiking and doing anything around camp. 

Miscellaneous is all the other bits that don’t quite fit into the other categories or may span multiple. 

You can also get this course as a PDF Ebook.

If you have any questions about the info in this guide or want to see more added, definitely let us know on our contact form. 

Table of Contents

• Welcome
• Hiking Safety
• The 10 Essentials
• Hiking Gear
  • Backpack
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water Bottle
  • Water Bladder
  • Camp shoes
  • Gaiters
  • Map
  • Compass
  • GPS and Phone Apps
  • First Aid Kit
  • Trekking Poles
  • Headlamp
  • Watch
  • Pack Cover
• Sleeping Gear
  • Tent
  • Sleeping Mat
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Pillow
  • Tarp
• Cooking Gear
  • Camp Stove
  • Fuel
  • Pots
  • Dishes
  • Coffee Maker
  • Water filter, drops, and tablets
  • Food
• Hiking Clothes
  • Baselayers
  • Midlayers
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Waterproof Pants
  • Socks
  • Hat
• Other Backpacking Gear
  • Multi-tool or Knife
  • Repair Kit
  • Stuff Sacks
  • Book
  • Notebook and Pen
  • Rope
  • Music
  • Satellite Communicator or Emergency Locator Beacon
  • Bear Safety
  • Firestarter
  • Batteries and Battery Packs
  • Soap
  • Garbage Bag
• Tips to Start
• Backpacking Gear Checklist
• Time to Hike!

Wait, Who is Pack and Trail?

Next up, who are we? Who is Pack and Trail?

Pack and Trail is an online magazine that covers human-powered outdoor adventure sports like hiking, trail running, paddle-boarding, mountain biking, backpacking and camping. We dive deep into gear reviews and instructions on how to get outside so you can spend less time looking around on the internet for answers and more time getting outside.

My name is Ross Collicutt. I’m the author of this guide and the editor of PackandTrail.com. I’ve spent the last 15 years hiking, backpacking, kayaking, paddle-boarding and running around the Pacific Northwest from Vancouver Island, BC.

We’re almost there, just a little note on being safe when hiking and then we’ll hit the gear.

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Why do you need dishes? 

You probably want to eat while you’re backpacking, right? That usually requires something to eat on and with. 

This section covers cups, plates, bowls, sporks and spoons. And whether you should bring them at all.

Remember that more dishes means more to clean. The more you can eat out of a bag, the less you have to clean. 

The absolute minimum you’ll need if you are boiling water for drinks and food is a small pot. Use the pot to boil water for your bag meal and then boil again for a hot drink. Eat out of the bag and drink out of the pot. 

To eat from a bag, bring a long spoon or spork. The bags are usually tall so a taller utensil works better. Most utensils are short and result in sauce all over your hands. 

For cups, it depends on what you drink. If I’m not having anything hot to drink, I won’t bring a mug and just drink from my water bottle the whole time. I love a hot coffee in camp to start the day though so I almost always bring a lightweight mug. I boil water for coffee and then boil again for oatmeal in the pot. 

For plates and bowls, it depends on what you’re eating. If you’re eating bag meals or something in your 1 pot, you won’t need them. If you are sharing food, you might need something to put it all in. 

Only bring what you need

Once you know what you’re eating, you can plan your dishes. Only bring the necessities. If you are sharing food with someone else, share the weight and let them carry some of the dishes. 

Just eat in the bag

If you are eating dehydrated meals in the bag, you won’t need much for dishes outside of a pot and a long spoon. This means less dishes and easy cleanup. Many of the meal bags have some sort of foil or liner inside and can’t be burned. Pack garbage out.

Different materials

Most backpacking dishes are made out of metal or plastic. Both are durable and last a long time. Try to get lightweight where you can. 

Long spoon for bag meals

The bags made for dehydrated bag meals are usually quite tall. Some companies are catching on and making short, wide bags. If you only have a short spoon, you end up with a lot of food on your hands reaching into the bags. A long spoon or spork solves this problem. 

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Other options are a hammock with a tarp over it, or just a tarp over a sleeping bag and mat. Most people start with a tent. 

Tents give you lots of protection from the weather, bugs and small animals. 

A shelter is also part of the 10 Essentials that you should have with you at all times. It doesn’t have to be a full blown tent but a small emergency tarp or bivy works when you’re day-hiking. When you’re backpacking, you already have a tent or hammock!

Why do you need a tent? 

Sleeping in the woods requires some sort of shelter. You have a choice here. 

Lightweight

Tents are one of the heaviest things in your pack. Try to get as light as you can afford. Like all outdoor gear, lighter usually means more expensive. A bigger size also means heavier. Nice 2-person tents can be found between 2 and 4 pounds. 

Some tents can use trekking poles for some of the poles and leave the dedicated tent poles at home. This is usually a bit more work to set up but will save some weight.

How many people?

Tents are built for how many people they can hold. Many backpacking tents are 1-, 2- or 3-person. Check the floor measurements of the tents you’re looking at and see how large it is. They won’t be huge. Often just the size of 2 sleeping mats. Sometimes the 2-person tents feel more like a 1.5 person tent. 

How many doors?

Some 2-person tents have 1 door, some have 2. 2 is nice for getting into and out and having 2 vestibules, the covered area outside the tent door. 2 doors will make a tent slightly heavier but is more convenient to use. 

Can you split up the parts?

Most tents come in 3 parts: mesh body, waterproof fly, poles and pegs. Usually you can split these up between the people sleeping in the tent to even out the weight. Put the body and the fly into separate bags if you want, or all in its own compression sack to squish smaller.

You could also share the weight of other things. One person carries the tent, the other the cooking gear. Distribute the weight of shared gear as much as possible. 

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Why do you need waterproof pants?

Just as you need a waterproof jacket for your hike, you’ll likely need waterproof pants. When we’re in town and a rainstorm comes through we can run into work, the shops, or back to the car. When we’re out backpacking we won’t have that luxury.

The easiest way to stay dry is to just have waterproof pants and jacket. You can hike through nearly anything without having to worry about getting soaking wet and cold. 

Often you can get away with wet shorts or pants out hiking. But when you get into camp and you’re not moving as much, the cold sets in. Waterproof pants will keep you warm and dry.

Got space?

You’ll likely be wearing the waterproof pants over regular hiking pants or shorts. Make sure there is space underneath so you can still move your legs. 

Breathable

As with waterproof jackets, inexpensive pants won’t be very breathable. They’ll keep the water out but the moisture inside won’t be able to escape easily. Spending a little more on waterproof pants will get you something more breathable. Gore-Tex and eVent will be the best but the most expensive. I don’t typically wear my waterproof pants a lot so I just use less expensive models.

Zippers

They often have zippers on the side to help get them on over large boots. Some can zip all the way up from the top to the bottom. Full zippers like this will make them less waterproof but make them easier to get on and off.  

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Why do you need batteries and a battery pack? 

Most people take things hiking that require batteries. Headlamps, phones, GPS, satellite communicators, cameras, and radios all need to be charged at some point. 

On short tips you’ll likely be able to get through without charging anything. If you go any longer than a day or two, you’ll probably be charging something. Part of the 10 Essentials is to have backup power for essential electronic gear like a headlamp and satellite communicator. 

Bring what you need

Battery packs come in all different sizes. Some are small, fit in your pocket and charge your phone once. Others weigh 30 pounds, can charge your phone 50 times or power your house. Something small and light is good for a bit of extra juice if you happen to run out. 

Capacity on battery packs is measured in milliamp-hours or mAh. An iPhone 12 battery is 2815 mAh. 

Keep in mind that your battery is still using power when it’s turned on. When it’s off with 0% battery it would take just over 2815 mAh to fully charge it. 6000 to 8000 mAh is a great size for backpacking if you are just charging a couple things. 

How heavy is it?

Some battery packs are very sturdy but weigh a lot. For the same amount of electricity you might be able to find something lighter.

What cable do you need?

It’s nice to charge everything with the same cable. That might not be possible with an iPhone if yours uses a lightning cable. Most other devices use USB micro. Some are starting to use USB-C. 

Is it rechargeable?

Not about battery packs specifically but the devices you need to charge. Are they rechargeable? Do they have odd-sized battery packs that require special chargers or can you just plug them in with USB? If you want to recharge on the trail aim for devices that charge with USB.

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Why do you need a sleeping mat? 

Since you’re going to be sleeping outside, you need something to sleep on. We can bring a big foam mattress, or even a large inflatable mattress. There are a couple options for something small enough to fit in your backpack. 

Thin foam is the first option. The blue mats you’ve probably seen rolled up, or the folded foam mats. They are simple, never get holes and don’t need to be inflated. They’re also not very comfortable. 

Inflatable is another option. Most Therm-a-rest are inflatable as with many other brands like Exped, Big Agnes and Nemo. They pack down very small and inflate to 3 or 4 inches thick. 

Inflatable or not?

For me this is an easy question. Inflatable mats are more comfortable to sleep on. They’re also a bit more expensive and can get holes. The absolute cheapest and most durable are the rolled and folded foam mats.

Lay on and move on the fabric

If you can, test the mat in a tent in a store or friends tent. Different sleeping mat and tent materials can be very noisy when you move. I have a very lightweight tent and mat combo that I like but together they are obnoxiously loud when I move at night. Some clothes in between solved the issue but I should have tested the mat first. 

How warm?

Some mats just have air in them, some have synthetic or down feather insulation. These block all your heat from escaping down into the ground at night. Your sleeping bag has insulation but when it’s all squished by your body, it won’t keep the heat in. 

Look for an R-value on sleeping mats. Just like sleeping bags and insulation in your house, the R-value measures the insulation value. 0 to 4 is for summer or 3 season. 5 to 8 is getting up into cold and winter insulation. If you have a warmer sleeping bag, you can get away with a lower R-value. 

Go lightweight

Thicker materials and insulation add weight to a mat. Don’t go overboard with either since you have to carry it. 

Get a bag to inflate

Some mats will come with a pumpbag you can use to inflate your mat. It’s a little bit more work to blow up the mat but your mat will last longer. A pump bag like the Schnozzel from Exped is super light and doubles as a waterproof dry bag for your sleeping bag.

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Why do you need socks? 

Chances are slim that you can wear hiking boots or walk long distances without socks on. Good socks can keep your feet dry, happy and prevent blisters.

Thicker socks will also give your feet some cushion against the beating they can take on the trail as well as warmth if it’s cold. 

No cotton

Never wear cotton socks hiking. Cotton absorbs water and holds it against your skin. Warm, moist skin leads to blisters. Merino wool or synthetic is best.

Buy boots with your socks

When you go buy boots take your good socks with you. Boots will feel different with different socks. Your boots have to feel good with your feet and your socks.

Spend time testing

Spend as much time as possible breaking in your boots with your socks. Walk around the house. Do errands around town. Do small hikes. Slowly work up to the distance and weight you’ll be doing for your trip.

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Why do you need soap?

Soap is optional on the trail but it’s nice to have. You might want to wash your body on the trail or some pots and pans from a meal. 

Friendly to the environment

Make sure the soap you get is friendly to the environment, not just the Dawn you got from the kitchen. Campsuds have been my favourite for a long time but there are others out there. Look for biodegradable on the label. 

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Pack the 10 Essentials

The 10 Essentials is a short list of essentials for outdoor safety first put together in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, an organization based in Seattle for climbers and outdoor adventurers. The goal was to improve chances of survival by always having a few extra things in your pack. Even though the first version of the list came out over 90 years ago, the principles are still the same. 

These extra things help you survive in case of an emergency. For backpacking we already have some of these in our pack but it’s always a good idea to make sure we have them all. In the case of day hiking, making sure we have these could save a life. 

10 Essentials

1. Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger
2. Headlamp: plus extra batteries
3. Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
4. First aid: including foot care and insect repellent (if needed)
5. Knife/Multi-tool: plus a gear repair kit
6. Fire: matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove
7. Shelter: carried at all times (can be a light emergency bivy)
8. Extra food: Beyond the bare minimum
9. Extra water: Beyond the bare minimum
10. Extra clothes: Beyond the bare minimum

When packing the 10 Essentials assume something will happen and you’ll be out longer than you expect. If you can survive multiple days out longer than you expected, then you’ll be in much better shape than if you just took the bare minimum. 

Just having these things in your pack doesn’t help much. Knowing how to use them does. Take navigation and wilderness first aid courses so you know how to use everything in the list.

Now, time for the gear.

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