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Reddit Reviews
The self inflating foam mats (MegaMat, Deep Sleep, Camp Dreamer, Roamer, etc) are supposed to be supreme comfort but I lack the give-a-sh*ts they require. You're supposed to store them open (problematic for double sized pads imo), they're heavy, and even in "compacted" travel mode they're still gigantic. I went with the Exped Dura 5R Duo and have been very satisfied. Packs down very small for travel. Can store it semi compressed in the air inflation bag so it fits fine in a closet. High R value, didn't have issues in the ~15°F I've had it in. Uses Exped's more durable fabric. I find it comfortable but I've never had issues with inflatable pads. Yet to use it as a double since my fiance has been busy but we did a lay out in the living room when it first came and both fit well.
Exped Dura 5R Duo LW and sleeping bags that zip together. We've tethered single mats together in the past but they were a pain. We're also in a 6p tent which gives lots of room for the bigger pad, gear, elbow room, and general couples camp smoothing.
I have the Dura 5R Duo and I think it's darn quiet for a pad that still at least somewhat prioritizes packed size and lightness. It's certainly much quieter (and warmer) than my Big Agnes Q Core Deluxe single pad.
People recommending self inflating pads like the MegaMat are off their rocker. Incredibly comfortable, yes. Packs small? Absolutely not. Plus they should be stored unrolled. I find my Exped Dura 5R to be comfortable and it packs very small for a double sized pad (it comes in a single that's even smaller). I have a Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe that's fairly comfortable but doesn't pack as small. If you can go to REI or another camping store they usually have a whole bunch of pads out for you to try for comfort. Keep in mind re-packed size will be ~10% larger than boxed for air pads and ~25%+ larger for self inflating.
Curious - why does the colour matter so much? It's a mat you sleep on. Not an outfit you're going to wear to a wedding. I think you're unnecessarily reducing your options significantly by being picky over colour. My wife and I have the exped dura duo and absolutely love it. So much that we picked up a backup when it went on sale.
Exped Dura 5R Duo LW because space is importen and not only packspace
The Exped pads are far and away the best. Comfortable, quiet, reasonable weights, and has two separate air chambers so one person moving doesn't disturb the other too much. They are not rectangular though, so if that's a hard requirement, they might not work. Pads I've tried * Exped Dura 5r Duo Medium (current go to car camping/winter double pad, heavy though) * Exped Ultra 3r Duo Medium (current go to backpacking double pad) * Exped Synmat Hyperlite Duo Medium (borrowed to try out before getting other Exped pads) * Big Agnes Rapide SL (returned, too thick and felt unstable with two people, especially with one air chamber) * Kylmit Double V insulated (sold, not very comfortable, not as warm as it should be, heavy) List of pads I haven't * Nemo has the Quesar, but it's quite heavy for the warmth and durability. * BA has the Divide, but it's really heavy * Paria has the Recharge DW which is heavy but has an rvalue of 4.7 and is cheap
I currently use an xtherm for solo trips. Those are as noisy as can be. Great warmth to weight, but not a solution for you if you are sound sensitive. It's much louder than the sea to summit etherlights (if that's what you have). I also have an exped dura R5 duo, for me and the kid / me and the wife. As far as I'm concerned that thing is silent. It is however on the heavier side. They don't make their ultra series in an R5 version (which I want) for double sleeping pads, hence I went with the dura, but for your solo needs it could be an option. So I would look an exped ultra if I were you. Or alternatively the nemo Tensor (whatever level of insulation that fits you). Don't have it myself, but I gifted one to a friend not that long ago, that I have then tried. It wasn't noisy in itself, but I was trying it in a wood shelter, so I don't know how noisy it is against a tent fabric. Another solution to a think foam pad under the main pad could also be silicone. Not something I have tried myself either, but when people complain about sliding around on their pads in their tents, it's often recommended to use small daps of silicone on the tent floor or pad underside, to stop the two from sliding across each other. That might limit the noise a bit further to.
6'1.5" here at 250 pounds. I own an exped Ultra 5R LW, Ultra 3R Duo LW, Dura 5R Duo regular, and some Nemo roamers (like megamat). When solo I use the 5R LW. When I'm tent sharing with 1 of my kids, we share the 3R Duo. When I'm with 2 kids, Dura+ultra 5R. They all feel similar to me, kinda airy feeling mattress but they don't compare to the roamers which feels like my bed at home. I inflate them pretty much to their max also, I guess I'm used to a firm mattress, which isn't the case for everyone. Still feels good to me on my side. When I sleep on the Dura 5R regular my feet hang off and it's not bad but long term I would definitely prefer the longer pad, especially in cold or wet conditions. People here mention UL being ok with shorter pads but if you are considering this megamat ultra that's not the same realm haha. I used to use a short foam pad that just went under my shoulders and butt and it's definitely not comfortable, but was definitely ultralight. Tbh I get the megamat ultra market. People who wanna go backpacking with a nice mattress a step above these other ones, but it's all about how important that is to you. I could carry that on a one or 2 nighter probably as a luxury but on 5+ nighter with a bear can, the bulk and weight would no longer be worth it for me. But if it's the only way someone could sleep, then I can see it being an option.
Duras are built like tanks, I love em!
This is my thinking too. Rab may be pricey, but it’s good. I just can’t find much reliable info,tests or reviews on the Rab sleeping pads. Was hoping to find it here. Since some miserable hikes with leaking Thermarests back in the day I switched back to a thick ccf foam winter mat. But that obviously was a step back in sleeping comfort. So since then I combined it with a self inflatable. That’s why a R5 will do for me.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Back pain relief

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Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Couples

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Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Maximum comfort car camping

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Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Side sleepers

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Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Winter camping

Top pick
Therm-a-Rest - NeoAir Xtherm Series





