Review: Exped MegaMat Duo

Few words suffer the overuse of "innovation," which is recklessly applied to the most trivial of changes. But every once in a while, it suits—and if anyone has earned the right to the term, it's Exped. They've upped the car-camping ante with their extra-thick air mattresses, which often rival the comfort of a guest-room bed (I have friends whose Expeds ARE their guest-room beds). Their MegaMat Duo series fills a tandem tent or the back of a pickup bed, providing a restful night's sleep for tired twosomes after a long day outside.

Four full inches of foam mean you can fill the mattress to your desired firmness; even when it's on the softer side, you won't push through. I sleep on my side, and neither my hips nor my shoulders have never once felt the ground underneath. The MegaMat Duo self-inflates to about 85% (that's for my needs, which run stiffer; a less-firm preference might come closer to 90%), after which the manual Top-Up Pump finishes the job. Micro-adjustments are quick and easy with the inflation valve, and two deflation valves make collapsing the mattress a speedy, irritation-free process.

Three sizes accommodate various applications, with the largest—Queen—making for the best outdoor sleep you'll have with a bedmate. The Medium is a bit tight for two, I've found, unless you're both petite and have hiked hard and/or drank generously before bed. The Long Wide Plus is a nice compromise. All three have a soft, plush surface for additional comfort on warm nights when you're covered with a thin blanket. That fabric also holds your sleeping bag in place, unlike some other slick-surfaced mats where you slide around all night.

Exped's got some nice add-ons to make your new, upgraded sleep experience even better. There's the Mega Pump, a handy-dandy electric pump that tops off your MegaMat in seconds. The battery in this thing is great; I've let it sit for weeks and it's remained at full charge. Another excellent accessory is the Trailhead Pillow, which is as comfy as the MegaMat but lacks the bulk. If I'm not going too far, I'll take the Trailhead backpacking—it's well worth the small amount of extra space it takes up, and it sure as hell beats re-wadding up my sweatshirt seven times a night.

The MegaMat Duo ranges from $400 to $550, depending on size. The Mega Pump is $80 and the Trailhead Pillow is $60. None of these items are cheap, no doubt, but that's exactly why you want them—good sleep requires quality products, and quality always costs more. Order and find more information at expedusa.com.