Best Glamping Mat

[PlacidWaters]

I always close the deflation valve before proceeding to step two. Then roll the mat until the "air bubble" forms. Kneel on the mat, reopen the valve and finish the roll. Replace valve again. The time saved is worth the extra step for me.

I see your point. I guess you're saying it's okay to remove the check valve if you close the valve after step 1.

BUT: If you remove the check valve you won't be able to adjust the firmness while lying on the mattress because the air will rush out.

On a related topic, neither of the check valves works on my mattress. That means that the included hand pump doesn't work for the last "breaths" because the pressure of the air in the mattress is greater than the pressure provided by the pump. I have to top off the mattress by mouth. I think Exped has some quality control problems with the valves. I haven't returned the mattress because it's a hassle.

 

[Inukshuk]

Nemo Cosmo Pillowtop.
24 hour sale today (12/15/2013). Price at checkout is $130
http://www.rei.com/product/866007/nemo-cosmo-air-pillowtop-sleeping-pad-2013-closeout

Ordered one, and a tent.

:camping:

I have slept over 100 nights on a Nemo Cosmo with pillow top. Dreamy.

 

[nwoods]

Nemo Cosmo Pillowtop.
24 hour sale today (12/15/2013). Price at checkout is $130
http://www.rei.com/product/866007/nemo-cosmo-air-pillowtop-sleeping-pad-2013-closeout

Nice tip, bummer that everyone is sold out of XL's

 

[1leglance]

I have to say that my wife loves the Exped Mega Mat even more than I do....we just have a couple of great nights sleep out camping and my back never bothered me and she woke happy and rested.

It was money well spent.

 

[just eric]

For those with a mega mat, do you have any issues with air escaping through/around the fill valve when using the provided pump? I'm wondering if my mat has a bad valve.

 

[hoser]

I once had a slight issue when the one-way valve/flap wasn't seated properly.

 

[just eric]

And what was the solution?

 

[hoser]

Part of the rubber flap was folded under itself. Just had to straighten it out.

 

[just eric]

I am also wondering is I got an older version of the mega mat. The intake valve is not flat like it appears in the video on the exped site but instead has a little nub sticking out. I also don't have any of the thingies sewn into the mat's corners that join two mats together (also referenced on the video). Thoughts? My mat is from lot 3180.

 

[hoser]

Mine is old and I have the thingies on the corners. One broke off already... but the mattress itself is fine and holds air. Perhaps you have the newer one? The one currently on their website has straps to couple the two.

http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-category/mats/mega-mat-10-lxw#

 

[Honu]

One thing found handy for having two pads together was to throw a exped multimat over and no hole/crack to dip into

 

[nnnnnate]

I bought a mega mat last week and was also looking for the attachment points. I don't have them. My guess would be the air was leaking due to the one way tab being mis aligned like the other poster said. They don't seem to be super engineered and easily move around.

I got to use the mat on Friday night and feel like I over inflated it. It was cold though and I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag to let some air out. I also did a poor job picking my tent spot and was on an incline. My sleeping bag was slipping all around. It was pretty comfortable though. I'm happy with the purchase, it'll just take a few more outings to get it all figured out I suppose.

 

[just eric]

So I was able to use the megamat this weekend and... It is comfy. I do have a question for others who have been using it for a while.

The one-way inlet valve leaks air when you use the supplied pump. Enough that the pump isn't really able to top the pad off. The manual/directions say the valve will have some leakage but I'm not sure the amount of leakage I'm experiencing is "normal." Thoughts?

 

[dms1]

I have two Mega mats which were bought about a year apart, the last one was bought last spring, they are identical and do not have any way to strap them together nor did they come with straps.

As far as pumping them up, the first thing I discovered was that I was pumping them up to much which made them uncomfortable, they dont need to be super firm to provide good comfort.

As for leaking while pumping them up, I have not noticed any, but I usually pump them up sitting in my camp chair and not really paying attention for leaks.

If these mats last for 10 years with no leaks this will be the best Glamping purchase I have made next to my Engel Fridge.