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A great 2-person sleeping pad can make or break a car camping trip. They take up more trunk space than a stack of backpacking pads, but if they don't deliver a full night of sleep, nothing else about the trip matters.

Below is the complete current lineup, from the original Megamat Duo up through the extra thick Megamat Max Duo, the single wide DeepSleep Mat Auto and LuxeMat Auto for solo car camping, and the LuxeWool Cover that upgrades any of them.

Quick Answer For most car camping couples, the Exped Megamat Duo is the pick. It carries the same 8.1 R-Value and 4 inch thick foam core that made the original Megamat a category leader, and it now inflates faster thanks to updated valves and a new Top-Up Pump. Winter basecampers who want maximum warmth should look at the Megamat Max Duo. Solo campers sleeping in the back of a car or SUV are better served by the single wide DeepSleep Mat Auto or LuxeMat Auto.

Exped Sleeping Pad Lineup Comparison

Pad	Best Use	R-Value	Weight	Packed Size
Megamat Duo	Camping	8.1	7 lb 5.8 oz to 11 lb 14 oz	22 x 11 in to 31.5 x 12 in
Megamat Max Duo	Camping and Basecamp	10.6	13 lb 2 oz	31.1 x 11 in
DeepSleep Mat Auto	Car Camping	8.9	8 lb 2.5 oz	27.6 x 12 in
LuxeMat Auto	Car Camping	7.2	11 lb 2 oz	27.6 x 12 in

The Full Lineup

Exped Megamat Duo

The Megamat Duo is the pad that built this category, and this season's version got a real update. Exped packed 30 percent more foam into the core, which speeds up inflation and deflation, trims weight, and shrinks the packed size compared to older versions. A new Top-Up Pump stuff sack replaces the old foot pump, and the dual deflation valves are larger so packing up goes faster too. It still carries the same 8.1 R-Value that made the original a four season favorite, and it comes in Medium, Long Wide Plus, and Queen sizes so you can match it to your tent, SUV, or van.

Features

• 2 person sleeping pad built for a full night of sleep at camp
• Plush recycled laminated fabric is comfortable enough to sleep on without a bag
• 30 percent more foam coring than previous models for faster inflation and a smaller packed size
• New Top-Up Pump stuff sack speeds up inflation
• Larger dual deflation valves for quicker packing
• Built in carry handles make it easier to slide in or out of the car

Exped Megamat Max Duo

The Megamat Max Duo is the thickest 2 person sleeping surface in the lineup at a full 6 inches, two inches more than the standard Megamat Duo, and it packs 30 percent more foam than last season's Max as well. That extra foam brings a 10.6 R-Value along with it, making this the pad to reach for on winter basecamp trips or anytime the ground is going to fight you for your body heat. It shares the same plush recycled fabric, larger deflation valves, carry handles, and Top-Up Pump stuff sack as the rest of the lineup.

Features

• The Megamat Duo maxed out for winter basecamp comfort
• 2 inches thicker than the standard Megamat Duo
• 30 percent more foam coring than last season's Max for the comfiest pad in the lineup
• Plush recycled laminated fabric is comfortable enough to sleep on without a bag
• New Top-Up Pump stuff sack speeds up inflation
• Larger dual deflation valves and carry handles for quicker packing

Exped DeepSleep Mat Auto

The DeepSleep Mat Auto is Exped's firmest pad, sized specifically to fit in the back of most cars and SUVs for solo car camping. Its 3 inch thick foam core delivers plush comfort with an 8.9 R-Value, and separate one way FlatValves let you dial in firmness with the same Top-Up Pump used across the lineup. A repair kit comes included, and the soft, stretchy recycled polyester top holds up to regular use.

Features

• Exped's firmest luxury pad, sized to fit the back of most vehicles
• 3 inch thick foam offers plush comfort for solo car camping
• Separate one way FlatValves adjust firmness with the Top-Up Pump
• Soft, stretchy recycled polyester top
• Repair kit included

Exped LuxeMat Auto

The LuxeMat Auto rounds out Exped's Auto lineup as a single wide, vehicle sized car camping pad. Based on the naming and where it sits in the lineup, expect a step up in plushness from the DeepSleep Mat Auto, likely with a wool blend top similar to the LuxeWool Cover below. We're holding off on specific R-Value, weight, and packed size numbers here until the product page copy is corrected.

Exped Megamat LuxeWool Cover

Not a sleeping pad on its own, but worth adding to your cart alongside one. The LuxeWool Cover slips over any Megamat, Megamat Auto, or Megamat Duo pad and adds an organic stretch cotton and wool blend layer that feels like bedding from home. Side pockets keep a headlamp or phone within reach, and side zippers let you couple two mats together in Medium Wide and Long Extra Wide sizes if you want one big sleeping surface for the whole tent.

Features

• Organic cotton and wool blend cover adds bedding like comfort to Exped's Megamat pads
• Side pockets keep small essentials close at hand
• Side zippers couple multiple mats together in Medium Wide and Long Extra Wide sizes
• Fits Megamat, Megamat Auto, and Megamat Duo pads in Medium Wide, Long Extra Wide, Duo Medium, Duo Long Wide Plus, and Auto sizes

Comfort

Every pad in this lineup shares the same basic idea, a thick foam core wrapped in plush fabric that puts real distance between you and the ground. Where they differ is how much of that core is foam versus air. The Megamat Duo and Megamat Max Duo lean heavily on foam, which is why they feel firm and stable all night rather than compressing under a hip or shoulder the way a lighter, more air filled pad can.

That foam heavy build means you won't wake up with a dead arm whether you're sleeping on bare ground, in the back of a truck, or in a van. It's the same reason the original Megamat Duo 10 held its own against lighter, air heavy competitors in the past, and it's still true of the current Megamat Duo and Max Duo today.

Versatility and Vehicle Fit

The Megamat Duo comes in Medium, Long Wide Plus, and Queen sizes, so you can pick the footprint that matches your tent or the back of your vehicle instead of settling for one size fits all. If you're sleeping in a car, SUV, or short truck bed more often than a tent, the single wide DeepSleep Mat Auto and LuxeMat Auto are built specifically to fit those spaces without any origami required to get them in or out.

And if you want the whole tent sleeping on one connected surface, the LuxeWool Cover's side zippers let you couple two mats together in Medium Wide and Long Extra Wide sizes.

Inflation

All four pads self inflate to a point, then finish with Exped's Top-Up Pump stuff sack rather than a separate foot pump. It's a similar idea to using a pump sack on any self-inflating pad, just leave the valves open and let the foam do most of the work before you top it off by hand.

The Megamat Duo and Max Duo use dual deflation valves, which Exped sized up this season specifically to cut down on packing time. The DeepSleep Mat Auto and LuxeMat Auto instead use separate, one way FlatValves, which let you fine tune firmness independently of how full the pad is.

R-Value and Warmth

R-Value measures how well a pad resists heat flow. Since your body is constantly radiating heat, you want your sleeping system to hold onto as much of it as possible instead of losing it to the cold ground. The higher the R-Value, the more efficiently a pad keeps the heat your body worked to generate. If you want the full breakdown, check out our post on Understanding Sleeping Pad R-Values.

Within this lineup, the Megamat Duo's 8.1 R-Value covers you through most three season and even into cold weather camping, while the Megamat Max Duo's 10.6 R-Value is built for basecamps in genuinely cold conditions. The DeepSleep Mat Auto sits in between at 8.9.

Weight and Packed Size

It's fair to ask whether weight matters much for a pad that mostly lives in the trunk rather than on your back, and that's really up to each camper to decide. What's worth knowing is that the Megamat Duo's weight ranges from 7 lb 5.8 oz for the Medium up to 11 lb 14 oz for the Queen, while the Megamat Max Duo, with its extra 2 inches of foam, weighs in at 13 lb 2 oz. The DeepSleep Mat Auto is the lightest of the bunch at 8 lb 2.5 oz.

Packed sizes follow a similar pattern, with the Megamat Duo ranging from 22 x 11 in up to 31.5 x 12 in depending on size, the Megamat Max Duo packing down to 31.1 x 11 in, and the DeepSleep Mat Auto packing smallest at 27.6 x 12 in.

Conclusion

A 2-person sleeping pad is so much more than some air and foam between you and the ground. It's the key to you and your partner getting a good night's sleep, which is the cornerstone of any good camping trip. Exped's Megamat family covers nearly every version of that trip, from a Queen size Megamat Duo in a rooftop tent to a single wide DeepSleep Mat Auto in the back of a hatchback.

If you want maximum plush comfort and don't mind the extra bulk, start with the Megamat Duo or Max Duo. If your trips lean more toward solo car camping, the DeepSleep Mat Auto or LuxeMat Auto are built for exactly that. And if you already own a Megamat, the LuxeWool Cover is worth adding to your cart on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best 2 person sleeping pad for car camping

What is the best 2 person sleeping pad for car camping The Exped Megamat Duo is the best all around choice for most car camping couples, thanks to its 8.1 R-Value, 4 inch thick foam core, and a size range that runs from Medium up to Queen.

Is the Megamat Duo the same pad as the old Megamat Duo 10

Is the Megamat Duo the same pad as the old Megamat Duo 10 It's the same core platform and R-Value at 8.1, updated this season with 30 percent more foam, a new Top-Up Pump stuff sack, and larger dual deflation valves.

What is the difference between the Megamat Duo and Megamat Max Duo

What is the difference between the Megamat Duo and Megamat Max Duo The Max Duo is 2 inches thicker at 6 inches total, carries a higher 10.6 R-Value for winter basecamp use, and weighs about 3 pounds more than the standard Megamat Duo.

Do I need a separate pump to inflate an Exped Megamat

Do I need a separate pump to inflate an Exped Megamat No. Every pad in this lineup self inflates most of the way, then finishes with the included Top-Up Pump stuff sack rather than a separate foot pump.

What is a good R-Value for winter camping

What is a good R-Value for winter camping Most campers want at least an R-Value of 5 for cold weather trips. In this lineup, the Megamat Max Duo's 10.6 R-Value is the strongest choice for genuinely cold, snowy basecamps.

Can one sleeping pad fit two people comfortably

Can one sleeping pad fit two people comfortably Yes. The Megamat Duo and Megamat Max Duo are both built with a 2 person footprint, and Exped's 3D vertical sidewalls help keep each sleeper cradled instead of rolling toward the middle.

What is the Megamat LuxeWool Cover for

What is the Megamat LuxeWool Cover for It's an add on cotton and wool blend cover that slips over an existing Megamat, Megamat Auto, or Megamat Duo pad for a softer, more bedding like sleep surface, with side pockets and zippers that couple two mats together.

Is the DeepSleep Mat Auto the same size as the LuxeMat Auto

Is the DeepSleep Mat Auto the same size as the LuxeMat Auto Both are single wide pads sized to fit the back of most vehicles, but exact LuxeMat Auto specs are still being confirmed on our end, see the flag earlier in this post.

About Us

Campman is an outdoor retail store located in Salt Lake City, Utah that specializes in gear and equipment for camping, skiing, backpacking, climbing, and everything in between. We understand that the difference between a bad memory and the adventure of a lifetime can come down to the gear you take with you when you head outdoors, and we want our customers to have the best experiences possible. When it comes to getting outside, we get it, and we'll get you the gear you need to get there.

About the Author

Dan Goodman

Most of the year, Dan can be found chasing the best climbing conditions he can get his hands on, and in the dead of winter, he'll settle for chasing powder on his snowboard. He's constantly seeking out better gear, testing new climbing shoes, backpacks, sleeping bags, and more to make his life in the outdoors a bit more comfortable. When he's not outside putting his gear to good use, he's writing about the products that he knows best.