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.

The post EXPED MegaMat LXW Sleeping Pad Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

After researching more than 40 air mattresses, camping mattresses, sleeping pads, and thin chunks of foam, we rounded up the best we could find and tested them. Testing included inflating, sleeping, deflating, and packing. The comparison table is first with the details and links to full reviews below.

This round up of the best camping mattresses isn’t every single mattress on the market but the best we found to try to narrow it down for you. Now I might head for a nap.

Best Car Camping Mattresses Compared

Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe

The Captain Comfort Deluxe is a 7.5 pound, 4 inch thick mattress from Big Agnes. The 41 inch wide version we tested is 4 inch thick but the 30 and 52 inch wide versions are 5 inch. All that foam gives you an 8.9 R-value.

The flat top and vertical sides are great to sleep on. Inflating and deflating is easy with 2 dual-direction valves. They’re one-way but can be flipped depending on if you are inflating or deflating.

Packing up is easy with a big side-access bag and strap and runs around 11 x 17 inches packed.

Rating: Highly Recommended

$299.95 USD ($398.95 CAD) on BigAgnes.com.

NEMO Roamer XL

NEMO thinks differently. In a world where a lot of our products are very similar, NEMO consistently puts out products that are a bit different, a bit better, with unique features.

The Roamer XL is a 78 x 30 inch self-inflating air mattress. It’s 4″ thick and full of foam, hence the self-inflating. The Bluesign fabrics are 100% recycled.

NEMO cut more foam out of the inside so it’s smaller to pack and lighter than other large air mattresses. It still feels like an air and foam combo though. It weighs 5.5 pounds and is 16 x 10 inches packed.

Inflating and deflating the Roamer is faster because of the 3 valves. It can dump air faster than any mattress I’ve seen. The self-inflate is wicked fast with 3 open valves and then 30 seconds to top up. The Vortex pump sack helps inflate if you want to keep things dry inside.

Rating: Highly Recommended (Editor’s Choice)

$249.95 USD ($329.99 CAD) on Nemo.com.

REI Camp Dreamer XL

The Camp Dreamer from REI is a really comfortable 78 x 32 inch mat that’s 4 inches thick and 6.4 pounds.

The foam inside self-inflates relatively quickly as long as the valve isn’t blocked. One ‘in’ valve and one ‘out’ valve make it easy to inflate and deflate. An included pump sack that can double as a stuff sack with a large opening makes it easy to keep the inside dry.

The soft, flat top makes for a great sleep. REI decided to put 2 more inches of width on it compared to other mats and it’s noticeable. Packing down is easy with the big, side-opening bag and clip straps. It rolls down to 30 x 11 inches.

Rating: Highly Recommended

$179.99 USD on REI.com.

EXPED MegaMat Max

The MegaMat Max is the newer version of the MegaMat from EXPED, a swiss outdoor-gear company. The Max took everything people liked about MegaMat and made it 2 inches thicker.

At 6 inches thick, 77 inches long and 30 inches wide, this mat is a beast and it’s incredibly comfortable. It can be half inflated and you’re still off the ground. The size increase does make it a bit bigger and heavier to pack but not by much.

On top is a soft stretch tricot material and on the bottom a tough 75 denier polyester. A mini-pump is included to keep your moist breath out of the foam inside, though a Schnozzel pump bag might be faster.

When packing up, the big ‘out’ valve dumps air quickly and a strap holds everything together. The Sidewinder bag is roll-top and side-entry and swallows the mat pretty quick even if you don’t get a precise roll.

Rating: Highly Recommended (Editor’s Choice)

$349.94 USD ($499.95 CAD) on EXPED.com.

Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D XXL

Therm-a-Rest are well-known for their tiny backpacking mattresses they’ve been making since 1972. A massive car camping mattress is a little different for them but they do a good job at it.

The 4.25 inch thick MondoKing 3D XXL is 30 inches wide, 80 inches long and weighs 5.5 pounds. Two one-way TwinLock valves let you inflate and deflate easily. The foam inside helps self-inflate and is cut horizontally so it’s easier to roll. It looks like it has ridges because of the cut but you don’t feel them when laying on it.

The bag doubles as a pump sack and has a nice carry strap on it. Since the bags, not side-loading, you do need to get a decent roll on the mat so it fits. It ends up being 31 x 10 inches when it’s rolled.

Rating: Recommended

$274.95 ($384.98 CAD) on Thermarest.com.

Alps Mountaineering Vertex Twin

If you need something smaller and more packable than most of the behemoths in this list, Alps Mountaineering makes the Vertex Twin.

The Vertex is 3.25 pounds, sits 80 inches long and 39 wide and stands 6 inches tall. With no foam inside it packs down to a relatively small 15 x 12 x 4 inches. Without foam it doesn’t self inflate but that makes it smaller and lighter.

A small battery powered pump comes with it with 3 different valve adapters to pump up a whole range of air mattresses of water toys. The pump can charge view AC or DC (car adapter) and can run while it’s charging.

Rating: Recommended (if you’re tight on space)

$274.95 ($384.98 CAD) on Thermarest.com.

Elegear Double Sleeping Pad

Not everyone has $300 (or even $100) to spend on a sleeping pad for one person. With the Elegear Double Sleeping Pad, you get a bad for 2 for $80. It’s got a bit of bounce like air mattresses do but it backs down small and is easy to pack.

A foot pump that works surprisingly well is at the foot of the bed. 4 minutes of squishing that and your bed is inflated. Most of the mattress is 4 inches thick with a 6 inch tall pillow section on the top. It’s 55 inches wide and 79 inches long.

On the bottom 2 dual-layer valves keep air in. Pull the first layer and it’s a one-way ‘in’ valve for topping it up or using a pump. Pull the second layer and it’s a big dump valve to quickly deflate.

Rating: Recommended (if you’re tight on space or budget)

$79.99 ($99.99 CAD) on Amazon.com.

Product Ratings

Every product we rate we’ve used ourselves. We do research and read reviews but at the end of the day hands-on testing gives the best results. Some of the products are borrowed from the manufacturers, some purchased, some received as samples.

See our rating system

The post Best Camping Mattresses of 2023 first appeared on Pack & Trail.

That said, some of the car camping gear, like the enormous EXPED MegaMat Max mattress are huge, heavy and cost as much as an old car. Elegear has a solution. A cheap, packable double sleeping pad for a quarter the cost. We tested it out to see if it’s worth it.

What is the Elegear Double Sleeping Pad?

The Double Sleeping Pad from Elegear is an inflatable sleeping that’s 55″ wide, 4″ thick with two double-layer valves, a foot pump and a pillow.

The foot pump at the bottom of the mat has a little valve that you step on with your foot and it pumps it up. Your foot covers the hole on the press down pushing air into the mat.

Two other valves on the bottom of the matt are double layer. The first layer is a one-way ‘in’ valve that you can use to inflate with your breathe or pump. The second layer is the cap that stops air completely.

A series of tubes runs through the mat keeping the it smooth and flat across the top. Most of the mat is 4″ thick but gets taller for a pillow at the top up to 6″.

In this Elegear Double Sleeping Pad Review, we’ll take you through how long it takes to inflate, how comfortable it is and how long it takes to deflate and pack.

Best Camping Mattresses of 2023

The Elegear was part of our Best Camping Mattresses of 2023 test. See the rest of the mattresses here:

• Exped MegaMat Max
• NEMO Roamer XL
• Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe
• REI Camp Dreamer XL
• Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D XL
• Alps Mountaineering Vertex Twin Air Bed
• Elegear Double Sleeping Pad

Specs

Inflating

Inflating the Elegear works very well with the foot pump. I was surprised how well it worked. I’ve used them in the past and it’s been ok but the Elegear foot pump actually worked very well.

Blowing it up works fine too but takes a long time. Being 4 inches thick, with a pillow and 55 inches wide, there’s a lot of space in there to fill up. I’m recovering from being sick right now so it should normally be a bit faster. With no foam inside it doesn’t self-inflate.

The 2 valves lay flush on the bottom and work well. The first layer is a one-way ‘in’ valve. Closing one and using the ‘in’ valve to blow it up worked well. The second layer is the solid cap which stays in well.

The valve covers were a bit rigid and might have been a bit easier to use of they had been a bit softer plastic or a more rubbery material so they could squish into the hole a bit better. At the end of the day they still held the air in.

Comfort

Comfort is great with the sleeping mat. It feels like most other air-filled sleeping mattresses. The horizontal tubes are don’t dip too much and feel smooth when you’re laying on them.

The size is certainly nice, especially if you’re on it alone. At 55″ wide that’s tons for 1 person and enough for 2.

With no foam inside, it’s a bit bouncy like an air mattress. With another person moving on the other side, you feel it. I prefer multiple small mattresses for this reason but then they’re only 25 or 30″ across.

The mat itself is 4″ and the pillow is another 2″ tall. I sleep on my side a lot so I use another pillow on top of that or else I wake up with my back going three different directions but it’d probably be enough if you slept on your back for an all-in-one solution.

The nylon material is fairly smooth and ok to touch. I really dislike sleeping against 100% nylon but this this material is a bit more rubbery, with a bit of TPU in it. I’d only sleep on it without a sheet or sleeping bag in a pinch but it wouldn’t be too bad. If you had no sensory issues with nylon, you’d probably be fine!

I wasn’t able to let a little bit of air out through the one-way valves if it was too hard. You can pull the valves completely open

but that lets a lot of air out. I’d love to see a way to push the valve in a bit to let a bit out.

Deflating and Packing

Deflating and packing is easy but it takes a couple steps. I opened the 2 valves to completely open and start rolling the mat up towards the valves.

Elegear recommends getting all the air out and rolling towards the foot pump which is at the opposite end of the mat from the valves. If you’ve got all the air out this might work but I found it hard. I always roll towards the valves to so the air gets pushed out as you go.

Dumping air is slower with this mat. The tubes inside don’t all lead directly to the valves so the air needs to make its way there.

Weight

At only 5 pounds for a double sleeping pad, it was nearly the lightest in our test this year. Only a 1-person air-only mattress was lighter.

These aren’t the ultralight air mattresses that you can take backpacking. The EXPED Ultra 3R is just over a pound and others that are even less for backpacking. These can be used for camping for sure. They tend to be very small, very thin and cost more. The Elegear is for 2 people, is more durable and costs $80 USD.

Size

Inflated, the Elegear is 77″ long and 55″ wide, plenty for 2 people. I prefer to have multiple single person mats for sleeping so you don’t feel the other moving but it’s more to buy and pack.

With no foam inside like the self-inflating mats, the Elegear packs down smaller.

Who is Elegear?

Elegear is an Amazon seller that makes pillows, comforters, blankets, and throws for your home as well as air mattresses for camping. They focus on affordable gear for a better sleep.

Conclusion

While Elegear might not be the first place you look for new outdoor gear online, the Double Sleeping Pad is a great by if you’re looking quick bedding for 2 people. It bounces like an air mattress because it is one but it’s quick to pump up and the foot pump works very well. It’s reasy to pack up and packs down very small for a big double sleeping mat.

There are more comfortable sleeping mats but they are much larger and much more expensive. The other mats in our test are three or four times the cost. For the price, this packable mat from Elegear is a great buy.

Verdict: Recommended (if your on a budget or tight on space) ^{_{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $79.99 USD ($99.99 CAD)

The post Elegear Double Sleeping Pad Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

It’s the 80″ long by 39″ wide, 6″ thick and can cary 250 pounds. It weighs 3 pounds 4 oz and packs down to 15.5″ x 12″ x 4″

It comes with a small bag, a repair kit and a battery-powered pump.

In this review of the Vertex Twin Sleeping Pad we tested how fast it inflates, how comfortable it is and how fast it is to deflate and pack up.

Best Camping Mattresses of 2023

The EXPED was part of our Best Camping Mattresses of 2023 test. See the rest of the mattresses here:

• Exped MegaMat Max
• NEMO Roamer XL
• Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe
• REI Camp Dreamer XL
• Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D XL
• Alps Mountaineering Vertex Twin Air Bed
• Elegear Double Sleeping Pad

Specs

Inflating

Inflating the Vertex is just like any other air mattress. One dual-layer valve let’s you blow it up and deflate it.

The the first layer of the cap screws and is a one-way ‘in’ valve and then the second layer screws on to keep the air in. To inflate, unscrew the top cap and blow or pump air through the one-way valve.

Blowing with your mouth takes a while because the mat is so big. It took me about nine minutes. The one-way valve doesn’t really keep air in until it’s 3/4 full. The air pressure holds the valve in place, stopping the air at that point. Blowing with your mouth takes a while because the mats so big.

A small battery-powered air pump is included and it works pretty well. It has a few different nozzles included to blow up other things and their attached to the pump so you don’t lose them. The nozzles are hard plastic and just stack so a bit of air leaks out but most of it gets through. I used it to test pumping with all the other mats in our test this year.

The pump is battery powered and comes with AC (home) and DC (car) chargers. You can use it while it’s plugged in too.

The valve is on the middle of the side of the mattress is odd but doesn’t affect inflating. It does impact deflating which I’ll talk about below.

Comfort

The size of the Vertex is great at 80″ long and 39″ wide. Plenty of room for one person to roll around. It makes for a great camping mattress and keeps you well off any sort of ground or just at home for company.

The quilted pattered on the top and bottom is comfortable to lay on. Like any air mattress, it’s a little bouncy since there’s no foam inside. No one else will be sleeping on the mattress with you so don’t have to worry about being bounced off.

Because it’s very flat with no built-in pillow, I usually use more than I do for a pillow at home. I sleep on my side so this is how I found all the air mattresses.

Alps Mountaineering says there is a 250 pound weight limit.

Deflating and Packing

Deflating takes a bit more time with the Vertex. The valve is in the center of the side of the matt. This location doesn’t affect inflation or using the matt but rolling the air out when you want to pack up takes a little longer.

I rolled from both sides at the same time into the center to the valve to get the air out. I had to make sure the valve was open to let air out. I’d rather this valve be at the end.

Once the air is out, it’s easy packing. It packs down to 15.5″ x 12″ x 4″ without much trouble and the bag is a generous size to hold the mat and the pump. A draw cord keeps everything in.

Size and Weight

At 3 pounds 4 oz, the Vertex doesn’t weigh much. It’s certainly more than the 1 pound of the tiny ultralight mattresses but for a car camping or home mattress, it’s light and small.

When it’s rolled out the, the Vertex is 80″ long, 39″ wide and 6″ thick. A nice thick mattress for any kind of ground camping.

The 15.5″ x 12″ x 4″ packed size is very small compared to all the other mattresses we tested and easily fit in our camping gear.

Who is Alps Mountaineering?

Alps Mountaineering was founded by Dennis Brune in 1993. Denis start his career building outdoor products with Kelty. He wanted to make high quality, affordable gear for camping and exploring the outdoors. Along the way he’s made specialty gear for Sir Edmund Hillary and others.

ALPS in the name isn’t actually a reference to the mountain range in Europe but an acronym: Active Lifestyle Products and Services. Helping you get outside and keeping you affordable has always been the goal. Brune and his family still own and run the company.

Conclusion

The Vertex Twin air mattress from Alps Mountaineering is a great air mattress for camping or guests at home. It’s easy to inflate, packs down small and comes with a great little battery-powered air pump. At 80″ long, it’s a bit longer than most other air mattresses too if you need the room.

I’d prefer the valve to be on one of the ends instead of the middle of the side for inflating but it’s not a dealbreaker. I just had to roll it differently when packing. The bag is a generous size and easily fits the mat and the pump.

If you’re looking for a solid air mattress for 1 person that you can use anywhere that doesn’t break the bank and actually fits in the car, check out the Vertex.

Verdict: Recommended (if you’re tight on space)

Usual Price: $159.99 USD

The post Alps Mountaineering Vertex Twin Sleeping Pad Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

It’s not cheap and it’s not light but after all the testing for this Exped MegaMat Max review, it’s hard to find anything wrong with it.

Two inches more foam and height than most other mats without much of a size or weight bump? Yes please.

What is the EXPED MegaMat Max?

The MegaMat Max from EXPED is a bump up from their popular 4″ MegaMat. Now 6″ thick, the MegaMat Max is a beast of a mat. It’s 30 inches wide by 77 inches long and self-inflating. The top is soft stretch tricot and the bottom a burly 75 denier polyester.

On the end are 2 flat valves, one ‘in’, one ‘out’. If you need to take a break in the middle of pumping this giant up, you can. The air won’t leak out.

Being so far off the ground it’s got quite the warm rating: 10.6 R-value. All this thickness comes at a cost as well: it weighs 7 pounds 6 oz (3.35 kilograms).

We tested inflating all different ways, sleeping (of course) and deflating and packing. Read on to see how this massive mat did.

Best Camping Mattresses of 2023

The EXPED was part of our Best Camping Mattresses of 2023 test. See the rest of the mattresses here:

• Exped MegaMat Max
• NEMO Roamer XL
• Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe
• REI Camp Dreamer XL
• Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D XL
• Alps Mountaineering Vertex Twin Air Bed
• Elegear Double Sleeping Pad

Specs

Inflating

Inflating the MegaMat is pretty straightforward. It takes a little bit longer because it’s larger than most other mats.

The self-inflating took a bit longer at about 10 minutes. Self-inflated was almost entire inflated so it only takes 30 or 45 seconds to top it off from there. And really, with how thick the MegaMat is, you could just close the valve and sleep on it. You’d still be 3 or 4 inches off the ground.

I found when the mat took a bit longer to self-inflate if it had been packed up for a while. If not, then it self-inflated faster.

Inflating with the pump I have didn’t work well as the nozzles were either too big or too small for the ‘in’ hole on the Exped. If you have something that fits well it would be quick to inflate.

Comfort

The focus when creating the MegaMat Max was clearly comfort and is has that in spades. No expense spared.

The top is soft and stretchy, easy to sleep on without a sheet. The sides are vertical and keep the top flat all the way to the edge. With 6″ of thickness there’s plenty of room to let air out for a squishier feel and still be off the ground.

I don’t think I’ve slept on a more comfortable mattress. It’s about as close to my mattress at home as I’ve ever been with something that rolls up into the back of the car. It doesn’t feel bouncy like most air mattresses.

To adjust while you’re on it, the ‘in’ valve can be tapped to let air out. Hold it to let a bit more out. Opening the ‘out’ valve while you’re on it will just dump all the air.

Deflating and Packing

Deflating and packing doesn’t take long for such a big mat. I can usually deflate and pack up it about 1 minute and 30 seconds. It’s a casual pace but not doddling either.

Being a larger mattress it’s a little more to roll. It is horizontally cored so they foam rolls quite easily.

I always roll from the foot up to the valves with the ‘out’ valve open and it works well. I roll once to get most of the air out and then again to get a nice tight roll to get in the bag.

A velcro strap comes with this matt which makes it easier to wrap it up and get it into the bag. The Sidewinder bag has a huge opening and even with a lazy roll, the mat fits easily.

The top of the bag is a roll top with a clip that turns into a carry handle shoulder strap situation. The roll top opening is so wide for the mattress which makes it easier to put the bag in but a roll top that wide isn’t as easy as a small one. It doesn’t take long to get use to. I kind of had it sorted on the second try.

Weight

The MegaMat Max is heavier than the older MegaMat and most of the other mats we tested at 7 pounds 6 oz (3355 g).

Only the Captain Comfort Deluxe from Big Agnes was heavier which was only 4″ thick but 41″ wide. At 77 inches long and 6″ thick, the Exped is just bigger.

If you’re car camping with it, weight isn’t really an issue. Size might be more of an issue. It rolls up and doesn’t fold at all.

Size

At 31.1 x 11 inches (79 x 28 cm) packed, the MegaMat Max isn’t small. It’s in the category of mattress that just roll. They don’t fold up at all and so are still 30″ long when packed.

For a mattress that’s 6 inches thick it packs down nicely so it’s about 11″ around after it’s rolled up, just like the Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe, REI Camp Dreamer and Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D.

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

The EXPED MegaMat Max is the thickest, and possibly the most comfortable, mat I’ve every slept on. The 6″ thickness, with only a little bump in weight and packed size, makes for a glorious nights sleep. It can be firm, squishy or anything in between. Even with half the air, you don’t hit the ground.

It’s far from the Ultra 3R and Dura 3R backpacking mats from EXPED we’ve tested.

Inflating and deflating are easy with the big one-way valves. They both work well. It didn’t inflate well with my pump by that’s my crappy little pump. I’d rather inflate with a Schnozzle pump bag that a Mini Pump but it still works well, hand or foot.

The price is steep for a mattress but the comfort is far and away better than any little air mattress. You’re going to spend at least $200 or $250 USD on a really good self-inflating air mattress. EXPED takes it a step further. If you’re willing to pay for it, you’ll get the most comfortable sleeping mat out there.

Verdict: Highly Recommended (Editors Choice) _{^{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $349.95 USD ($499.95 CAD)

The post EXPED MegaMat Max Sleeping Mat Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

In this REI Camp Dreamer XL mattress review we’ll see how it is to inflate, sleep on and pack up and why it earned the rating it did.

What is the REI Camp Dreamer XL mattress?

The REI Camp Dreamer XL is large, comfortable air and foam mattress for camping in tents, trucks and vans. It’s 78″ long, 32″ wide and 4″ thick. It packs down to 11 x 30″ and weighs about 6 lbs 6 oz (2.9 kg).

It comes with 2 velcro straps and a generous-sized side entry bag. The foam inside is horizontally cored so it rolls up easier. Two one-way valves, one ‘in’ and one ‘out’, sit flat on one end of the mats vertical sides.

Best Camping Mattresses of 2023

The Camp Dreamer was part of our Best Camping Mattresses of 2023 test. See the rest of the mattresses here:

• Exped MegaMat Max
• NEMO Roamer XL
• Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe
• REI Camp Dreamer XL
• Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D XL
• Alps Mountaineering Vertex Twin Air Bed
• Elegear Double Sleeping Pad

Specs

Inflating

Inflating the Camp Dreamer is pretty straightforward.

It has two valves, one in and one out.

Opening the ‘in’ valve let’s it self-inflate and then you can add air with a pump, pump sack or breathe.

I found the self-inflating a little slower than other mats. Sometimes getting the foam and fabric away from the ‘in’ valve helped and I could hear air going in. I had to get it started a bit and then could walk away. If it was stuck, it could take 20 or 30 minutes to self-inflate compared to 5.

Once it was self inflated it was only 30 or 40 seconds to fill depending on how you do it.

Inflating from scratch was a little faster than waiting for it to self-inflate but more work. It’s really nice to let it self inflate when you set up camp and then close the valves and top it when when it’s done most of the work for me.

The valves are easy to tell apart, the ‘in’ being orange with three tabs and ‘out’ being grey with 1 tab. Feeling around in the dark the three tabs on the ‘in’ valve were easy to find.

Inflating with the pump sack was just like other pump sacks. REI recommend catching air with it and rolling it down instead of breathing into it. The pump sack is long enough to do this although I wish the opening was a little bigger and had a stiffer material to hold it open. The nozzle stayed attached to the mat well.

Comfort

The Camp Dreamer was as good or better compared to all the mats we tested.

The ridges from the horizontal coring couldn’t be felt. The top was soft and flat all the way across. I didn’t slid around at all on the soft polyester top.

The extra 2 inches of width was noticeable as I moved around at night. The 78″ length was more than enough for all my pillows and blankets or sleeping bags.

As with all the mats, I have to have a taller pillow than at home and usually end up raising it with clothes or a towel since I sleep on my side. That’s been the same across the board.

The 4″ thickness was plenty to keep me off any kind of ground and was plenty warm. With an R-value 6.6 it could easily do cold-weather trips and keep you off the cold. It’s been warm for all the trips in this test.

For micro-adjustments while laying on it, the ‘in’ valve can be used to let a little bit of air out. Just pop the cover and press on the one-way valve inside to let a bit of air out.

Deflating and Packing

Deflating the Camp Dreamer is simple: pull the out plug and roll up.

I usually do a quick roll to get the air out and then a nice roll to get it rolled tightly. The one-way valve keeps the air out while you’re doing this.

It took me about 1:30 to deflate, roll and pack the Camp Dreamer.

The big, side access bag is easy to pack. The elastic around the opening takes a bit to get used to but actually helps when you get packing. Chucking the mat in the bag and clipping the top on doesn’t take long. The bag is plenty big even for a loose roll of the matt.

The bag has a handle on either end of the bag and a carry strap. These haul handles are nice when you’re packing and throwing the mat around.

Weight

The Camp Dreamer is on the heavier end of the the mattresses we tested at 6 pounds 6 oz (2.9 kg) but only by a bit.

When a mattress is this big, being a pound heavier than another probably doesn’t matter.

Size

At 78″ x 32″ the Camp Dreamer XL is a nice big mattress. Most mattresses this size stop at 30 inches but REI decided to tack on another 2″ which is very welcome. With a few mattresses this size, you’ll need to check the size of your tent. I usually car camp with an 8 person for 4 people so we’ve got extra room for gear.

Packed up it’s just rolled, not folded, so it’s still about 30 inches long. After rolling it ends up being about 11 inches across.

Who is REI?

In 1938, 23 climbing friends decided to get together and start sourcing quality and affordable gear for their adventures.

REI Co-op was born.

Today, they have 23 million members, 16,000 employees, and 181 locations.

They help people get gear and knowledge to explore wild and natural places. They also help protect them too.

They have no shareholders so they can decide to donate $7 million to non-profits that help people get outside and protection those places. Read their Stewardship Report.

And, instead of partaking in the mayhem that is Black Friday they #OptOutside.

Conclusion

If you can find a Camp Dreamer XL, grab it. They’re out of stock at REI right now and I’m not sure if they just restocking or it’s gone for good.

The valves on the Camp Dreamer are simple and it takes a little longer than other mats to fill and deflate but it’s well worth it. Sleeping on the Camp Dreamer is literally a dream. I’ve got some of the best sleeps on an air mattress on this one right here.

My only issue with the mat is ‘in’ valve being blocked slightly for better self-inflating but other than that it’s a great mat for a great price. Just make sure you have room to travel with it.

Verdict: Highly Recommended ^{_{see our ratings system}}

Usual Price: $179.99 USD

The post REI Camp Dreamer XL Mattress Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

NEMO somehow works their design magic and has made a car camping mat that’s 4″ thick, self-inflating, full of foam but still packs down smaller than all the rest.

In this NEMO Roamer XL sleeping pad review I’ll show you my test results of multiple nights of inflating, sleeping on and, deflating the Nemo Roamer and why I love it.

What is the NEMO Roamer Sleeping Pad?

NEMO does things differently. They have very thoughtful designs and unique ideas. The Roamer is not different.

It is similar to many other sleeping pads that it’s 4″ thick, 78″ long and 30″ wide. It self inflates and is crazy comfortable to sleep on.

But instead of just filling up inside with foam. They’ve cut out specific air channels to make it faster to inflate and deflate. Cutting out more foam usually results in a bouncy air mattress feel. With the Roamer it doesn’t.

Cutting out more foam also means it’s smaller and lighter to pack.

True to NEMO’s mission, all fabrics in the Roamer are Bluesign certified, 100% post-consumer recycled.

We tested the 30″ wide XL size in this NEMO Roamer Sleeping Pad Review. Each XL Roamer has toggles to connect another Roamer but there is also another 52″ wide Double size.

Best Camping Mattresses of 2023

The Roamer was part of our Best Camping Mattresses of 2023 test. See the rest of the mattresses here:

• Exped MegaMat Max
• NEMO Roamer XL
• Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe
• REI Camp Dreamer XL
• Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D XL
• Alps Mountaineering Vertex Twin Air Bed
• Elegear Double Sleeping Pad

Specs

Inflating

Inflating the Roamer is a little different than other mattresses. Where most mattresses have one, maybe two, valves, the Roamer has 3.

• Left: Dual valve, 1 way in and wide open
• Centre: 1 way out
• Right: Wide open

Little graphics explain how to inflate and deflate the fastest.

To self-inflate:

1. Pull both caps on the left so it’s wide open
2. Pull the cap on the right so it’s wide open.

To pump:

1. Close the cap on the right
2. Insert the 1-way valve on the left.
3. Blow up with the pump sack or your breath.

Though it doesn’t self-inflate quite as much as other mattresses, it’s fast; about 30 seconds to self-inflate.

Once it’s self-inflated blowing it up or using the pump sack doesn’t take long: 30 seconds to blow or 1:30 with the pump sack. I haven’t used pump sacks a lot so you could probably do it faster.

Put the final cap on the left when it’s inflated to your liking.

The Vortex Pump Sack is included with the Roamer. The end snaps into the ‘in’ valve on the Roamer and stays put very well. They recommend blowing into the pump sack from 6″ away and then rolling it down. The pump sack has rubbery strips around the opening that makes it easy to open and close and keeps air in well. The narrow opening means you can’t use it for much other than blowing up the Roamer. Other pump sacks can be used as dry bags as well. For car camping this isn’t much for a worry.

My only issue with the Roamer is that the 1-way ‘in’ valve can pop out when you pull on it with the pump sack or the second cap. Make sure to hold the valve in when pulling on it otherwise it pops out and lets air out. Overall a very small issue though.

Comfort

The Roamer doesn’t take long to inflate so it’s easy to get it very firm. Hard as a rock doesn’t lead to a great sleep though so I find I fill it fairly firm and then tweak.

Micro-adjustments are easy. Pop the cap off the 1-way ‘in’ valve and then push on the valve inside. This lets air out slowly as you push it. Hold it for longer to let more air out.

My only issue here was the same as inflating. If you pull out the 1-way ‘in’ valve out, all your air goes with it. Holding the 1-way valve part in while removing the cap keeps the valve in.

The fabric on top of the Roamer is nice and soft. It’s easy to sleep right on the roamer if you want though I use a sheet most of the time if I’m car camping to keep it cleaner.

Even though there’s less foam in the Roamer than others, I didn’t find it bouncy like a regular air mattress. Somehow NEMO have found out how to cut foam out while keeping the bounce. I slept great every night on it.

The vertical sides made the top feel very flat and spacious. Some mats roll down on the sides which reduces usable room but the Roamer doesn’t.

The thickness of the Roamer easily kept me off the ground. Unless it was half-inflated, I could feel the ground. Being a side sleeper I needed a taller pillow sleeping on an air mattress than at home but once I sorted the height, I slept great. I wish I could sleep like this on backpacking trips too.

Deflating and Packing

Just as the Roamer is faster to inflate, it’s faster to deflate than all the other mats I’ve tested.

Opening all 3 valves and doing a quick roll to get the air out dumped air as fast I could roll it. Once most of the air was out, I put the left and right caps on, leaving only the 1-way ‘out’ valve. From here, folding and rolling nicely was easy. Less foam inside makes for easier rolling.

NEMO includes a velcro strap here which isn’t totally necessary but a nice addition. Once it’s velcro’d, it’s easy to put back in the stuff sack. The stuff sack is fairly roomy so as long as you get a decent roam, it tucks back in quickly. At only half the length of the larger mats, it’s a quicker stuff job too. It took my just over a minute to deflate, velcro and stuff into the sack. I’m sure I could get it under a minute with more practice.

The bag is pretty simple: a stuff sack with a draw string. A small pouch inside holds the repair kit. A pouch on the end of the bag could hold something but there’s no closure to it so it would just fall out. I usually just put the Vortex Pump Sack in first and then the Roamer.

Weight

The Roamer is lighter than most of the other large pads we tested at 5 lbs 8 oz (2.5 kg). With less foam inside it’s slightly heavier than a straight air mattress but not much. It’s a great combination when you don’t have as much room.

You could shave an ounce by not bringing the pump sack but with car camping, there’s probably not much point.

Size

The Roamer XL is 78″ long by 30″ wide (198 x 76cm); a standard size for car camping mats.

The extra length is nice for staying on the mat at night with bigger pillows and blankets.

Most car camping mats are a full 30″ wide you roll them up but NEMO have cut the amount of foam needed while keeping the comfort and self-inflating convenience. This makes the Roamer half the size rolled up.

The space savings by being able to fold the Roamer in half is substantial. You can fit 2 Roamers in the space of 1 other large mat in the car and closet.

Packed it’s 16″ x 10″.

Who is Nemo?

In 2002, NEMO’s founder was trying to sleep on the side of Mount Washington in a poorly designed bivy. After spending 5 sleepless hours in the bivy, he knew he could do better with thoughtful design.

NEMO was born.

The name is inspired by both the idea of “New England Mountain Outfitters” and Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo.

Cam had and still has the goal of being the best outdoor gear company, not just the biggest.

Part of their mission is sustainability. No point in going outside if it’s filled with garbage. They design products that use fewer resources and last longer. They track carbon emissions with the goal to half emissions by 2030. Here’s their sustainability report.

They’ve started work on their Endless Promise Collection. Products that are 100% recycled and 100% recyclable.

Conclusion

I really liked sleeping on the NEMO Roamer. It’s smaller and lighter than comparable mattresses but just as comfortable. It’s faster to inflate and deflate and easy to pack. 2 Roamers can find in the space of one other large mattress.

My only issue is with accidentally pulling the ‘in’ valve out when letting a little air out or pulling the pump sack off. Small issue though; It’s easy to work around when you know what to do.

Vertical sides, a flat top, and soft fabrics made for a great sleep on the Roamer every night. Top that off with Bluesign 100% recycled fabrics and you’ve got one my favourite products ever.

Verdict: Highly recommended (Editor’s Choice) _{^{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $249.95 USD ($329.99 CAD)

The post NEMO Roamer XL Sleeping Pad Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

What is the MondoKing 3D Sleeping Pad?

The MondoKing 3D is a bit different than most other Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads. It’s huge. It’s 4.25 inches thick. It’s 30″ wide by 80″. Clearly a big, thick car camping mattress.

Two TwinLock one-way valves fill up and dump air. The stuff sack doubles as a pump sack and hooks onto the ‘in’ valve, letting you inflate with dry air.

Inside StrataCore construction is basically lightweight foam with horizontal sections cut out. These give MondoKing it’s ridged look and allowed it to be rolled up easily and quickly.

We spent a bunch of nights on the mattress to test it’s comfort and packability. Let’s see how it did.

Best Camping Mattresses of 2023

The MondoKing 3D XXL was part of our Best Camping Mattresses of 2023 test. See the rest of the mattresses here:

• Exped MegaMat Max
• NEMO Roamer XL
• Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe
• REI Camp Dreamer XL
• Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D XL
• Alps Mountaineering Vertex Twin Air Bed
• Elegear Double Sleeping Pad

Specs

Inflating

Inflating the MondoKing is pretty quick. Opening the one-way in valves lets in air quickly and it was maybe a minute to self inflate. From there I inflated with the pump sack or blowing it up.

The ‘in’ valve sticks out a bit from the mattress like other Therm-A-Rest classic valves except it’s just one way, you can stop putting air in and it stays in the mat.

It took about 1 minute to blow up the rest of the mat from self-inflated, or 2 minutes from self inflated with the pump sack. There’s certainly a trick to the pump sacks that takes getting used to and I’m not great at it so you could probably get it faster. The pump sack snapped onto the valve well and stayed there the whole time I was adding air.

I wasn’t able to inflate this one with a pump because of how the valve sticks out from the mat. I didn’t have a connection from my little pump that fits it.

Comfort

Sleeping on the MondoKing is great. It’s very soft and comfortable.

I thought sleeping on the the horizontal ridges on top would feel strange but I barely felt them laying them. They compress easily when you lay on them.

I tent to sleep on my side and as with all the mattresses tested, having a taller pillow setup than at home worked better. The air mattresses don’t compress quiet like a mattress at home does.

The 4.25 inches of foam easily kept me off the ground, even sleeping on my side. I had to take a lot of air out for me to be on the ground and it wasn’t comfortable with that little air anyways.

There are 2 things that aren’t bad about the comfort but are something to note.

The horizontal ridges across the top slope down slightly near the edges, so while the top is basically flat, it feels like there’s a slight slope down. The sides of the mat are still vertical but it feels slightly narrower because of the slope. There’s still plenty of room with the 30″ width.

The second thing is adjusting the amount of air in the mattress.

The ‘out’ valve is good and doesn’t let any air out but there’s no way to let a tiny bit of air out at a time without opening the valve a lot. If you’re laying on the mattress, the air comes out quickly. One-way ‘in’ valves that can be pushed in slightly to let the air out let you adjust the air a little better.

Deflating and Packing

Deflating is easy with the ‘out’ valve’. Simply unscrew and it dumps air quickly and it’s one-way so the air stays out while you’re wrestling with it trying to pack it all up.

There’s only one ‘out’ valve so it’s a hair slower to dump air than mattresses with 2. I could deflate ,roll, and pack the MondoKing into it’s bag in less than 2 minutes so it’s not a big issue.

With the horizontally cut StrataCore foam inside, it’s very easy to roll up. Some mats want to sprint open and smack you in the face while they do it, but not the MondoKing. The trimmed out foam makes it easier to roll. And the one-way valve keeps the air out.

The stuff sack takes a bit of fiddling to get around the mat but it’s not terrible. The stuff sack is properly sized for a bit of extra room when the mat is rolled well. I do prefer mats with straps and side access bags though as they’re less of a wrestling match to pack up.

Weight

At 5 pounds 8 oz (2.5 kg), the MondoKing is on the lighter end of the big mattresses we tested. Mattresses ranged from 3 pounds (just air, no foam) up to almost 8 pounds.

Unless you’re counting grams, then weight on a mattresses like this won’t matter much. It fits in the truck or it doesn’t. The cooler and drinks will break your back carrying around, not the air mattress.

Size

Air mattresses can be put into 2 categories, those that just roll up and those that can be folded and packed up smaller somehow.

The MondoKing is in the first category. It measures about 31″ x 10″ when packed up, basically just rolled.

Unrolled it’s 30 inches wide by 80 inches long. The extra length is nice for the taller folks (not me) and keeping your pillow and all limbs on the mat.

The slide slope to the edges felt like a little smaller than 30 inches wide but not enough to make a big difference.

Who is Therm-A-Rest?

In 1971, a group of unemployed Boeing engineers were trying to make sleeping outside better. By 1972 they the Therm-a-Rest Standard 3/4, the world’s first self-inflating sleeping pad.

Since then they haven’t stopped making getting outdoors easier and more comfortable. Almost anyone who has slept outside has done so on a Therm-a-Rest at some point or another. They’ve reached the Kleenex status of product.

They not only make sleeping pads, but entire sleep systems and a whole range out high quality outdoor gear.

Therm-a-Rest operations under the Cascade Designs umbrella along with fellow outdoor companies MSR, Platypus, PackTown and SealLine.

Conclusion

The MondoKing 3D sleeping pad from Therm-a-Rest is an excellent sleeping pad that is easy to inflate and pack away.

The only 2 small improvements I would make would be having a strap with a sideloading bag, and a modified valve that could let small amounts of air out to tweak it while you’re on it. Both minor issues as once you get the air dialed the soft top and 4.25 inches of foam make a for a great night sleep.

Verdict: Recommended ^{_{see our rating system}}

Usual Price: $274.95 USD ($384.98 CAD)

The post Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D XXL Sleeping Pad Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

Does the Captain Comfort earn the Deluxe title? We tested it to find out.

What is the Captain Comfort Deluxe?

The Captain Comfort Deluxe is a very thick, very comfortable sleeping mat from Big Agnes. It’s not small, it’s not light, but it’s crazy comfortable. We tested the 41″ x 72″ version. Let’s get into the details.

First, pros, cons and specs.

Best Camping Mattresses of 2023

The Captain Comfort was part of our Best Camping Mattresses of 2023 test. See the rest of the mattresses here:

• Exped MegaMat Max
• NEMO Roamer XL
• Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe
• REI Camp Dreamer XL
• Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D XL
• Alps Mountaineering Vertex Twin Air Bed
• Elegear Double Sleeping Pad

Specs

Inflating and Deflating

Inflating and deflating the Captain Comfort is pretty painless.

Two flat-lay valves sit at one end of the mattress. The top main plugs pull off and you get to the flippable 1-way valves. Pull it out, flip it and push it back in and it’s the opposite direction.

Inflating was easiest when it was already self-inflated. I just opened both valves completely open and let it self inflate. It didn’t take long to self-inflate, about 4 to 5 minutes.

To inflate from self-inflated was only about 45 seconds.

Times to inflate:

Comfort

The top of the Captain Comfort is a stretch spandex that’s very soft to the touch. It’s nice sleeping right on the mattress. I prefer to put a sheet down first if I’ve just got a quilt but it’s not a problem with this mattress.

Inside the mattress it’s a high-density foam with parts cut out so it’s not 100%. Air inside helps provide some insulation and keeping the foam propped up. The foam helps prevent the bouncy air mattress or waterbed feel. It feels more like a regular foam mattress than an air mattress with no bouncy feel.

Packing

Packing up the Captain Comfort is pretty quick. My first time deflating and packing entirely into the bag was 3 minutes. I’m faster now having done it many times.

I find the fastest way to deflate these mattresses is to pull the valves completely and do a quick roll while putting a bit of pressure on it. This gets a lot of the air one.

Once the first roll is done put the valves back in so they’re both one-way and pointed out. Unroll and reroll the whole thing more carefully, squeezing the rest of the air out. The valves will keep any air from going back in.

When it’s rolled nicely, apply pressure or sit on it when you put the straps on. Once strapped, it’s easy to put it back into the side-access bag.

Even without a tight roll, it was pretty easy to put it back in the bag. A couple small clips hold the bag shut and a light webbing strap makes for easy carry.

Weight

The 41″ wide Captain Comfort isn’t light at 7 pounds 8 oz (3.4 kg). You pay for all that comfort with a bit of weight. This mattress is squarely aimed at car, truck and van camping so I wouldn’t take it backpacking for a week.

It does weigh a little bit more for it’s size than similar offerings from other brands. When the car is 10 feet from the tent, that doesn’t matter to me. If you are in a more weight-restricted mode of transportation then you might have to take it into account.

The 30×78 version is 6 pound 6 oz (2.9 kg). The 52×78 version is is 11 pounds 2 oz (5 kg).

Size

The Captain Comfort comes in 3 different sizes 41″x72″, 30″x78″, and 52″x78″. We tested the 41″x72″.

41″ is a bit of an odd size but it fits well between truck wheel wells so it’s great for sleeping in the back of the truck.

30″ wide is a pretty standard size for these bigger mats. They won’t fit 2 across in a 2 person tent which are usually 45 to 50 inches across but they’ll fit fine in larger car camping tents. Of course if you’re by yourself in a two person then it’s home away from home.

The 52″ wide version is enough for 2 people though I prefer for everyone to have their own mat for less bouncing around when someone moves. Two 30″ matts usually fit most places a 52″ would.

Weights and prices of the 3 different sizes:

Who is Big Agnes?

Big Agnes is a smaller company born in the mountains of Colorado. They make gear for playing and being comfortable outside. It all started with getting a better sleep outside and grew from there. Over the years, Big Agnes has made many changes to all their gear to get the most out of the weight and comfort of their tents, sleeping bags and mattresses.

Conclusion

The Captain Comfort air mattress from Big Agnes is a huge step up from closed-cell foam mats or even lightweight backpacking mattresses. The comfort level is getting very close to comfort of a mattress at home. It does come with a cost though.

At 7 pounds 8 oz for the 41″ wide version, the Captain Comfort isn’t light but it’s not meant to be. As long as you can stuff it in your car, you’ll be sleeping on any kind of rough ground all night no problem. Deflating and storying in the big side-open bag is easy when you’re done with it.

Usual price: $299.95 USD ($398.95 CAD)

Verdict: Highly Recommended _{^{see our rating system}}

The post Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe Camp Air Mattress Review first appeared on Pack & Trail.

Some hikers won’t talk too you again if they find out you’re using a pillow.

The others have given up faking they can sleep without a pillow and just bring a lightweight pillow and actually get a good sleep.

A couple years ago I gave up sleeping on down jackets or inflated drybags and have been looking for a good pillow.

Prior to this year, I was testing the Sea to Summit Aeros pillow. It’s small, inflatable, soft and not very loud. For an inflatable it’s pretty good. Still feels a bit like a balloon.

Below are my thoughts on the EXPED Ultra Pillow and if it will be my go to going forward.

About the EXPED Ultra Pillow

The Ultra pillow from EXPED is an inflatable pillow made out of the same 20 denier recycled polyester as the the new Ultra mats. Right beside an ultra mat it’s actually softer and fuzzier feeling than the material on the mat so there’s a slight difference, but a good one.

The outside is very thin like an air mat, without any sort of plush or pillow top material. When it’s fully inflated, it can be a stiff to lay on, but letting a touch of air out gives it a bit more squish like a normal pillow.

What I really like about this pillow is the anatomical shape. It’s cut out at the bottom for your shoulder to rest in and is slightly taller. This shape keeps it under your head on your shoulder for longer during the night. Other pillows and stuff sacks I’ve tried have migrated all over the tent at night and rarely stay under your head.

With it fully inflated, it’s quite tall which I like being a side sleeper. It’s almost too tall for sleeping on your back but it can be rotated to sleep on the lower side.

It doesn’t come with straps to tie it to your mat but there is eyelets on each side of the pillow to do that. You’ll just need to find your own strap or paracord.

Overall it’s been the most comfortable inflatable pillow I’ve tried.

Size

The packed size for the Ultra pillow is tiny. It comes in a large and medium size.

The large size is wider at 18 x 11.8 x 4.7 inches and 2.3 oz. The medium is 15 x 10.6 x 3.9 inches and 1.8 oz. I prefer the wider size so my head stays on it longer. Pillows are always a battle to stay positioned well so extra width helps with that.

The stuff sack is generous in it’s sizing so it’s easy to get back into the bag. It can even fit a couple other smaller items. Stuff sacks that are too small are frustrating and I end up stop using products because of it.

Valve

The 1 valve on the Ultra pillow is the same FlatValve as on the Ultra and Dura sleeping mats. The Schnozzel pump bag fits on them.

With 2 breaths or 1/2 a Schnozzel bag the pillow is full, it doesn’t take long.

There’s an adjuster to tap the check valve to let some air out. Having the 1-way check valve there keeps the air in while you’re inflating. If that wasn’t there it would be next to impossible to keep a full amount of air inside.

Deflating requires the check valve to be open so you have hold the adjuster on the flap to let them air out while rolling the air out. Doesn’t take long to get it right. Having an ‘out’ valve would have made it easier but that means 2 valves.

Alternatives

EXPED also have the Versa pillow, made of a softer, thicker materials. It’s slightly heavier than the Ultra pillow at .5 oz more.

Sea to Summit also have the Aeros Pillow which I quite like. it’s got a shoulder cut out but doesn’t have the raised bottom to it. It’s got a softer feel to it on the outside than the Ultra does but is double the weight.

Conclusion

Pillows can be a tough sell in the backcountry. We all want a good sleep but have to carry everything and it seems like non-essentials like pillows get cut sometimes.

After I hit a certain age (intelligence?) I gave up on having the absolute minimal weight for everything and require heavier gear for a better sleep. Part of that weight is a pillow.

The EXPED Ultra pillow is comfortable pillow that weighs almost nothing and actually stays under your head. I do wish it had a bit of plush or squish around the outside but am not willing to carry more weight to get it! I’ll have to experiment wrapping it with a down jacket or something.

If you’re a side sleeper looking for an real, lightweight pillow I’d try the Ultra from EXPED.

Disclosure: EXPED provided the Ultra pillow to PackandTrail.com to review for free.

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