The Exped MegaMat 10 is my absolute favorite sleeping pad for camping.
It’s seriously an arm and a leg above the competition in terms of comfort. Plus, it’s easy to inflate, super durable, and provides a heck of a lot of insulation from cold ground.
The only downside is size. This sleeping pad doesn’t pack down very small at all. It’s definitely only for car camping – not for backpacking.
But, if packed size and weight aren’t an issue, I highly doubt you’ll find a sleeping pad anywhere near as comfortable as the Exped MegaMat 10.
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Quick Overview
Exped MegaMat 10 Sleeping Pad
Mega comfortable 4-inch thick sleeping pad with an R-value of 8 for insulation on very cold nights.
The name says it all – the Exped MegaMat 10 truly is a mega mat.
It’s a mega comfortable sleeping pad that’s just under 4 inches thick when fully inflated. The top comes with a plush, non-slip finish to keep you from sliding off during the night.
The “Regular Wide” version (the standard version and the model I have) is 25.6 inches wide by 72.1 inches long when fully inflated. It packs down to 31.3 inches by 9.8 inches. It weighs 4 pounds 9 ounces.
If you want a little extra sleeping space, opt for the “Long X-Wide” version which measures 30.3 inches wide by 77.6 inches long when fully inflated. It packs down to the same size as the “Regular Wide” model and weighs just a pound more at 5 pounds 9.6 ounces.
Another huge highlight of the MegaMat 10 is its insulation. With an R-value of 8.1, it’s one of the best insulated sleeping pads available. It works great for cold weather camping but won’t make you uncomfortably hot in warm weather.
The interior of the pad consists of high-grade open-cell polyurethane foam and horizontal air channels to increase comfort and insulation as well as to keep things (relatively) light.
The exterior of the pad uses a super durable laminated polyester surface fabric with high-frequency welded seams to prevent leaks and make sure the pad stays airtight.
The MegaMat 10 is self-inflating but comes with a hand pump to top things off (or to speed up the inflation process). A basic repair kit and a carry bag with shoulder strap are also included.
Exped MegaMat 10 Features and Specifications
Here are the main features and specs of the Exped MegaMat 10 sleeping pad:
| Self-Inflating | Hand Pump to Top Off |
| 72.1 x 25.6 x 3.9 Inches | 4 Pounds 9 Ounces |
| 8.1 R Value | Open-Cell Foam Insulation |
| High-Frequency Welded Seams | 2 Valves for Easy Inflation/Deflation |
| Nonslip Finish | Comes with Carry Bag |
My Experience With the MegaMat 10 Sleeping Pad
I absolutely love the Exped MegaMat 10.
It’s by far the most comfortable sleeping pad I’ve ever used. It’s completely changed the way I sleep while car camping.
In fact, I hesitate to even call it a sleeping pad since it’s so far ahead of the competition. It’s more like an actual air mattress specifically tailored for camping.
In the summer of 2021, I replaced the 4-inch thick memory foam mattress (the Milliard Tri Fold) I’ve been using in the bed of my pickup for the past few years with the MegaMat 10.
It was a somewhat expensive replacement – but so worthwhile.
The MegaMat is so much easier to store, it insulates even better from the cold, and it doesn’t pick up nearly as much moisture (the exterior material is humidity resistant).
Personally, I prefer a softer sleep surface, so I don’t pump my MegaMat up all the way. This little bit of give is perfect for side sleeping (my go-to sleep style). Even when pumped up to 85% or so, I don’t get close to bottoming the pad out (I weigh around 185 pounds).
But, when pumped up all the way, the pad is super firm (yet still comfortable). It’s perfect for those who prefer a firmer surface to sleep on.
I regularly hear people say that the Exped MegaMat 10 is just as comfortable as (if not more comfortable than!) their mattress at home – and I completely agree.
So far, the coldest night I’ve used this sleeping pad was only down to about 35 degrees. It kept me plenty warm from the cold ground at this temperature and should do the job at much lower temps as well.
After owning the MegaMat for a little over a year (as of fall 2022) with roughly 50 nights of use under my belt, the sleeping pad shows few signs of wear (aside from a big water stain thanks to my clumsiness).
Pros and Cons of the MegaMat 10
After over four dozen nights of use, here are my personal pros and cons of the Exped MegaMat 10:
What I Like:
Here’s what I like most about the MegaMat 10:
- Big – This sleeping pad’s big sleep surface has plenty of room for the majority of body types whether you prefer to sleep on your back, side, or stomach.
- Comfortable – I’ve never used a more comfortable sleeping pad or air mattress. The pad is very thick with a partial foam interior for the utmost in comfort.
- Very Insulated – The Exped MegaMat 10 has an R-value of 8. It’s super insulated to keep you warm from the cold ground even on nights that dip well below freezing.
- Easy to Use – Let it inflate on its own and top it off or speed up the entire process with the included hand pump. This pad is extremely quick and easy to pump up and to deflate.
- Durable – The MegaMat 10 is built to last. Like all Exped products, the attention to detail is second to none with only the best materials used.
What I Don’t Like:
Here’s what I don’t really like about the MegaMat 10:
- Price – This is one of the most expensive sleeping pads on the market. It’s well worth the steep price, but dishing out a couple hundred bucks on a sleeping pad isn’t for everyone.
- Size/Weight – The MegaMat 10 is burly. It’s bulky and fairly heavy when packed into its storage bag which limits its uses to those near a vehicle.
Who Is the MegaMat 10 Sleeping Pad Best For?
The Exped MegaMat 10 is perfect for car campers.
It works great either inside of your vehicle or in a tent nearby. Because of its heftier size and weight, it’s not a great option for backpacking, bikepacking, and other activities where you must pack your sleeping pad in.
It also works well as a spare sleeping pad for your RV or trailer – or even for guests at home.
I also strongly recommend the MegaMat 10 for hesitant campers – those who normally aren’t very keen on camping because they typically don’t sleep very well.
It’s honestly the ideal sleeping pad for pretty much any car camper no matter how often or for how long you go, but it’s best suited for those who camp frequently or for long stretches at a time.
Because of its thickness and partial foam construction, the MegaMat 10 is extremely well insulated. It will keep you warm even when the ground is very cold. It’s the best sleeping pad for winter camping I’ve ever come across.
Seriously, if your budget allows it, get an Exped MegaMat 10 of your own – it’s more than worth the price and your back will thank you!
Other Exped MegaMat 10 Reviews
Our review of the Exped MegaMat 10 is far from the only one.
This sleeping pad is very popular – because it’s such a high-quality product – so a ton of other people have reviewed it online.
For additional written reviews, I highly recommend this Exped MegaMat 10 review from Outdoor Gear Lab – it’s fairly comprehensive and compares the sleeping pad against several others in its class.
This YouTube video from Coastie Outdoors (shown above) gives you a good video visualization of what the sleeping pad is all about.
If you can’t decide between the model I reviewed here and the extra wide version (the MegaMat Duo 10), this YouTube video from Snowy Outdoors gives an awesome side-by-side comparison of the two.
For additional opinions from other users, the user reviews on both REI and Amazon are a trove of great information.
Finally, I’d like to direct you towards Reddit, one of my favorite places to look for camping gear reviews. Check out these threads in r/campinggear and r/overlanding (among countless others) for more takes on the MegaMat 10 and other Exped sleeping pads.
Other Sleeping Pads to Consider
Exped MegaMat 10 Duo Sleeping Pad
Double wide version of the standard MegaMat 10, the Duo is designed to sleep two people.
The MegaMat 10 is just one of Exped’s many great offerings.
As we briefly mentioned above, a wider version (made for two people to use at once) known as the MegaMat 10 Duo is also available.
It’s nearly the exact same thing as the MegaMat 10 other than its larger size (which also translates into an even heavier packed weight).
If you want something just as comfortable but even thicker, the Exped MegaMat Max 15 or the MegaMat Max 15 Duo might be the ticket.
Both models are a whopping 6 inches thick which translates to unparalleled comfort as well as serious insulation from the cold.
On the other end of the spectrum, Exped also makes a similar line of sleeping pads that are slightly thinner. These include the Exped DeepSleep Mat 7.5 and DeepSleep Mat 7.5 Duo both of which are 3 inches thick.
But that’s not all – Exped also offers a wide range of standard sleeping pads, including closed-cell foam pads and lightweight inflatable air pads that are perfect for backpacking and similar activities.
Where to Buy the Exped MegaMat 10
Want to pick up a MegaMat of your very own?
You can buy the Exped MegaMat 10 from REI as well as on Amazon. It’s also available directly from Exped.
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