Campman Outdoor Gear & Apparel

Even if you’re brand new to camping, there’s a good chance you’ve seen an Exped sleeping pad before. With a vast array of sleeping pads, Exped’s a popular brand for camping, backpacking, and even mountaineering. Whether you want a cushy foam pad for car camping or an ultralight, ultra-packable air pad for backpacking, Exped has an option for you. But with so many options, it can feel overwhelming to choose the right one. Thankfully, this guide will help figure out precisely which pad will give you the best snooze.

Quick Answer Backpackers want the Exped Ultra 6.5R Mummy Sleeping Pad for its featherweight warmth. Car campers want the Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad family for maximum cushioning. Budget-minded backpackers should look at the Exped Versaluxe Sleeping Pad, and anyone who wants a plush car camping pad with a removable cover should check out the Exped LuxeMat Auto Sleeping Pad.

How Far From The Car

The first consideration to make is what kind of camping you want the pad for. Are you camping right next to the car? Or are you trekking far from any parking lot? Most Exped pads are made for either car camping or backpacking. Backpacking sleeping pads weigh less and pack small for an easier hike. Car camping sleeping pads usually have more cushioning for extra comfort at the campground.

How Cold Is It Outside

Now you need to determine which seasons, temperatures, and climates you plan on exploring. Most sleeping pads have an R-rated value that indicates how warm it is. In the past, R-values were thought of as unreliable, but sleeping pad R-values were standardized in 2020, making it easy to understand the thermal resistance or warmth of a pad on a sliding scale.

Pads with a 1 R-value have little to no insulation for summertime adventures. R-values can go as high as 10 for winter trips, and the mid-range values are versatile enough for most year-round trips.

Lucky for you, Exped includes an R-value estimate in every product title. For example, the Exped Ultra 6.5R Mummy Sleeping Pad is a lightweight sleeping pad with an R-value of 6.5.

If you want to know more about sleeping pad R-values, check out our post on the subject Understanding Sleeping Pad R-Values.

Foam or Air

Sleeping pads are available in three types of construction: foam, air, or a combination of the two. Any construction can and will work for backpacking or camping. Closed-cell foam pads remain a popular choice for durability-focused or budget-conscious backpackers while air inflatable pads for backpacking are lighter and more packable. Alternatively, foam pads for car camping are typically more plush and comfier, while air pads for car camping aren’t as expensive. Some pads combine the two together for light packability and plenty of cush, like the Exped MegaMat Duo Sleeping Pad, which we recommend highly for a comfortable car camping experience.

Shape & Length

Every Exped pad comes in a variety of shapes and lengths to best fit your specific sleeping bag. Mummy pads slide into mummy bags to keep you from rolling off your pad in the middle of the night. Rectangular pads slip underneath rectangular bags. And duo pads cradle a couple in duo bags. Within these bag shapes exists a handful of different lengths to accommodate tall, regular, and short sleeping bags.

Exped’s Sleeping Pads

Now that we’ve covered the main features and differences between sleeping pads, let’s dive into Exped’s collection of comfy pads.

Our Pick for Backpackers

Exped Ultra 6.5R Mummy Sleeping Pad

Exped’s Ultra 6.5R Mummy Sleeping Pad is the featherweight choice for backpackers, alpinists, and mountaineers who don’t want extra ounces working against them on the trail. Weighing in at just 15 ounces in the Medium Wide size, this insulated pad pairs Exped’s SynMat Technology with a heat-reflective film for a warm 6.5 R-value, plenty for three-season trips and chilly shoulder-season starts. Larger Comfort Cradle side rails keep you centered on the mat, and separate FlatValves handle rapid inflation and deflation. Every pad ships with an Exped Schnozzel Pumpbag, stuff sack, and repair kit. If pack weight is critical to you, this is the pad family you want to choose.

Our Pick for Car Campers

Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pads

The MegaMat Series consists of the comfiest sleeping pads that Exped makes, meaning they’re larger and bulkier than the other options in Exped’s lineup, and thus perfect for car campers. The lineup ranges from four inches thick (Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad) to a whopping six inches thick (Exped MegaMat Max Sleeping Pad).

Why the Exped MegaMat Is Such a Great Pick for Car Campers

Air-channeled foam is somehow second-softest to the topsheet-like external fabric. They’re also self-inflating sleeping pads so you can leave it in the tent while you pull the rest of the camping gear out of your car. The MegaMats are also Exped’s most expensive options, but for those who can’t live without home-like creature comforts, it’s well worth the price. They’re available in more shapes than any other series, and they even designed the Exped MegaMat Duo to fit in the back of most SUVs, trucks, and vans with Medium, Long Wide+, and Queen sizing options.

Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad

Exped MegaMat Auto Sleeping Pad

Exped MegaMat Duo Sleeping Pad

Exped MegaMat Max Sleeping Pad

Exped MegaMat Max Duo Sleeping Pad

Our Pick for Budget Comfort

Exped DeepSleep Mat Auto Sleeping Pad

The DeepSleep Mat Auto has plenty of cush, similar to the MegaMat, except at a lower cost, making it ideal for car campers on a tighter budget. Self-inflation and a removable cover might have been left off, but the pad still retains that same log-sawing softness. At three inches thick with an 8.9 R-value, the DeepSleep Mat Auto offers plenty of space between you and the cold hard ground and is sized to fit right in the back of most vehicles. So while you give up some of the extras, you’re still getting comfort that’s second only to your bed at home.

Our Pick for Budget Backpacking

Exped Versaluxe Sleeping Pad

Exped’s versatile Versaluxe Sleeping Pad treads the line between camping and backpacking at an inexpensive price. Best used by campers who take the occasional backpacking trip, the Versaluxe is air-insulated with Exped’s AirMat Technology for a compact pack size and light two pound three ounce weight, while still being plenty comfy for camping with friends in BLM areas. A removable, machine washable cover can be left at home to save weight and pack space, and a 2-in-1 stuff sack doubles as a pumpbag so you can save your breath for campfire chit chat.

Our Pick for Plush Comfort

Exped LuxeMat Auto Sleeping Pad

For campers who want the plushest possible night’s sleep in the back of the car, the Exped LuxeMat Auto Sleeping Pad adds a removable, machine washable cotton and wool cover on top of four inches of foam, similar cushioning to Exped’s MegaMat lineup. Separate one-way FlatValves let you dial in firmness with a Top-Up Pump, and built-in storage pockets keep small essentials within reach. With a 7.2 R-value, this pad stays comfortable well beyond the height of summer, whether you’re parked at the trailhead or tucked into a quiet basecamp.

Exped Sleeping Pad Comparison Chart

Pad	Best Use	R-Value	Thickness	Weight
Exped Ultra 6.5R Mummy	Backpacking	6.5	N/A	15oz (MW)
Exped Versaluxe	Camping, Backpacking	3	3.5in	2lb 3oz
Exped MegaMat	Camping	8.1	4in	4lb 9oz (M)
Exped MegaMat Auto	Car Camping	8.1	4in	7lb 16oz
Exped MegaMat Duo	Camping	8.1	4in	7lb 5.8oz (M)
Exped MegaMat Max	Camping	10.6	6in	7lb 6oz
Exped MegaMat Max Duo	Camping	10.6	6in	13lb 2oz
Exped DeepSleep Mat Auto	Car Camping	8.9	3in	8lb 2.5oz
Exped LuxeMat Auto	Car Camping	7.2	4in	11lb 14oz

Frequently Asked Questions

What R-value do I need for winter camping?

Look for an R-value of 6 or higher. Winter and deep shoulder season trips call for more insulation between you and the cold ground. The Exped MegaMat Max and MegaMat Max Duo top out the current lineup with a 10.6 R-value, while the Ultra 6.5R Mummy is the warmest option built specifically for backpacking.

What is the difference between the Exped MegaMat and MegaMat Max?

Two inches of extra foam and a higher R-value. The standard MegaMat is four inches thick with an 8.1 R-value, while the MegaMat Max steps up to six inches thick with a 10.6 R-value, making it the warmer and cushier pick for cold weather basecamps.

Is the Exped Ultra 6.5R Mummy Sleeping Pad good for winter backpacking?

Yes, within reason. Its 6.5 R-value and SynMat Technology insulation make it warm enough for cold shoulder season and many winter trips, though alpinists heading into extreme cold should still pair it with an insulated layer underneath for extra peace of mind.

What is the warmest Exped sleeping pad on Campman?

The Exped MegaMat Max and MegaMat Max Duo, both rated at 10.6 R-value. They are car camping pads, so backpackers looking for warmth in a packable size should reach for the Ultra 6.5R Mummy instead.

Is the Exped Versaluxe Sleeping Pad good for backpacking?

It can work for occasional trips, but it is not an ultralight pad. At two pounds three ounces, the Versaluxe is best suited for campers who take the occasional backpacking trip and want extra comfort, rather than thru-hikers counting every ounce.

What is the difference between the Exped DeepSleep Mat Auto and LuxeMat Auto?

The LuxeMat Auto adds a removable cotton and wool cover and an extra inch of foam. The DeepSleep Mat Auto is three inches thick with an 8.9 R-value and no cover, while the LuxeMat Auto is four inches thick with a 7.2 R-value and a machine washable cover for extra coziness.

Do Exped sleeping pads self-inflate?

The MegaMat family self-inflates. Backpacking-oriented pads like the Ultra 6.5R Mummy and Versaluxe use a separate Schnozzel Pumpbag or included stuff sack pump instead, which keeps them lighter and more packable.

Which Exped MegaMat fits in the back of my vehicle?

The Exped MegaMat Duo, sized for most SUVs, trucks, and vans. It comes in Medium, Long Wide+, and Queen sizing, and the MegaMat Auto's shape is specifically designed to fill in the gaps around your wheel wells.

Conclusion

There are even more Exped Sleeping Pads than what you can find on Campman, and no matter how outdoorsy you are, Exped has a sleeping pad for you. Finding the right pad is mostly a matter of deciding what type of camping you’ll be doing, what time of year you’ll be doing it, and how much cushioning and warmth you want between you and the ground.

About the Author

Derek Newman

Born in the Wasatch, Derek has had an affinity for mountain life since day one. He was on skis the year he learned to walk, and as a high school graduation present he gifted himself rock climbing lessons. Nearly two decades later, Derek spends most of his time climbing up and/or skiing down most of the mountains around Salt Lake City, and he's traveled around the world multiple times for the sole purpose of peak exploration. When he isn't a man about camp, he's working in Campman's content marketing crew writing up blogs about backcountry skiing or rock climbing as well as describing products that he's used personally. He's climbed in most climbing shoes, toured on most backcountry skis, and ridden the resort on skis, snowboards, and even some evac sleds.