Exped MegaMat Duo reviewed

The Exped MegaMat Duo is a self-inflating camping mattress for two, with 10cm of open-cell foam under one continuous stretch-knit top and three widths from 104cm to 152cm. It is the double version of the Exped MegaMat, made for big tents and campervans, and the smallest size costs £360 at Exped UK.

Sizes, weights and prices

All three share the same depth and insulation; the footprint, weight and roll size change. Prices are Exped UK’s regular prices at the time of writing (October 2026).

At 104cm the M is tight for two adults, narrower than a UK small double. Most couples will be happier on the LW+, and the Queen is about as wide as a 150cm UK king, so check your tent’s inner bedroom before you order it.

What the foam and the fabric do

The core is open-cell polyurethane foam at 16 kg/m³ with horizontal channels cut through it. Exped says the current Duo has 30% more of this coring than earlier versions, which saves weight, speeds up deflation and lets the mat roll smaller. Vertical side walls give the mattress a box shape, so the surface stays flat right to the edge and you can use the full width. The top is recycled four-way stretch polyester tricot, softer against the skin than the smooth nylon of most mats, and the base is a heavier recycled 75D polyester laminated with TPU film, according to the specification on Exped UK’s product page. Exped describes the feel as soft and pressure-relieving and recommends the MegaMat family for back and side sleepers.

How warm is an R-value of 8.1?

R-value measures how well a mat stops your body heat draining into the ground, and a higher number means a warmer mat. The test standard for camping mattresses, ASTM F3340, measures it by holding the mat under constant pressure between a heated plate and a cold plate. ASTM itself notes that real-world heat loss can differ from the lab figure. Exped quotes 8.1 for every Duo size and pairs it with a temperature guide of -40°C. That is more than a British summer needs, and it pays off at Easter, in late autumn and on winter van trips.

Inflating and packing

Open the inflate valve and the foam draws in air on its own, then the Top Up Pump in the box brings it to the firmness you want. To soften it, press the one-way flap inside the inflate valve to release small bursts of air, which Exped recommends over the two large deflate valves because they let out too much at once. Before the first night, let it self-inflate for an hour, pump it full and leave it for 24 hours somewhere warm so the foam recovers its full volume. Welded handles on both sides help when you carry a 4.4kg LW+ from the car.

Warranty, repairs and care

Exped UK gives a five-year warranty on materials and workmanship. Punctures are not covered, but Exped repairs them free within those five years if you pay the postage, and a repair kit in the box handles small holes on site. Clean it by hand with warm water and mild detergent, and store it unrolled with both valves open. Delivery from Exped UK is free over £75, by DPD in two to three days.

MegaMat Duo or another double?

The closest rival is the Vango Shangri-La Lux 12 Double, 132cm wide like the LW+, 2cm deeper, warmer at a quoted R 9.1 and with a pump built into the mattress, by Vango’s own figures. At £235 it costs less than the LW+ at £420. The Exped answers with a 1.4kg lighter roll, the softer stretch top, a choice of three widths and five years of cover against Vango’s two (three if you register it). Light sleepers with a restless partner should consider two NEMO Roamer singles toggled together, because one shared foam core passes every turn across the bed.

For a couple camping from a car or van, the LW+ is the size to buy. Take the Queen only if the tent bedroom has room for 152cm, and treat the M as a roomy mattress for one.