How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking

Turn your vehicle into a trailhead hotel. With the Exped MegaMat Auto sleeping pad, you can create a cozy overnight spot in the back of your vehicle that feels just like your bed at home.
Imported.
View the Exped MegaMat Product LineView all Exped Self-inflating PadsBest Use | Camping |
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Sleeping Pad Type | Self-inflating |
Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
Insulated | Yes |
Insulation Type | Open-cell Foam |
R-Value | 8.1 |
Repair Kit Included | Yes |
Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
Packed Size | 27.6 x 11.8 inches |
Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
Pad Thickness (in.) | 4 inches |
Dimensions | Top: 76 x 52 x 4 inches; bottom 76 x 39 x 4 inches |
Weight | 8 lbs. 8 oz. |
Gender | Unisex |
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My partner and I got this in April for our 2024 camping season and it has made camping much more accessible since we can head out late on a Friday and not have to set up a tent or anything before bed. Set up (with the included pump) and takedown are both quick and easy, and the storage bag is blessedly big so we don't have to squish it to a specific size. It's nice peace of mind that it comes with a small patch kit too, although we haven't needed it yet. It fits pretty well in a 2017 Subaru Outback, especially with the front seats pulled a bit forward and the passenger seat headrests flipped backwards for better support under our shoulders and heads while sleeping. We are both larger people so things are inherently a bit cozy, but the mattress itself holds up well and is more comfortable than a traditional air mattress or sleeping pad.
Perhaps it is me but it does not self inflate. However, the supplied manual pump works just fine. Once inflated, it is super comfortable and although it was designed for the Tesla Model Y, it works with Tesla Model S if you move the two front seats up and put your backpacks in the foot rest area between front and back seats for support.
This camp air/foam hybrid mattress is just what we were looking for to start our setup for car camping. Comfort is above anything I could have imagined considering my time spent on the ground tent camping. Fits snug in 2025 Outback XT and the flared head and torso area alllows enough extra space to squeeze a toddler in between us. Quiet and hardly any movement transfer. Have to move seats forward but not a problem if flipping headrests or just extending them out. We are using a hammock to headrests support for the pillow area. Inflates and deflates easily but does take some work but worth the extra effort. Will invest in little pump to assist. Great shark mouth storage sack that easily fits stowed mattress. Hopefully it will hold up through many years of adventure. So far, it’s incredible and wish it was my nightly nest.