MegaMat Lite 12

You can manage your energy envelope from both ends. Carrying less weight means you expend less energy. But carrying better food and a more comfortable sleep system can also help you regain more energy. 5lb sounds like a bit much for a pad of any quality, but if it actually makes the difference don't let the ultralight snobs talk you out of it. My luxury pad is a 3lb Exped Megamat Lite and I get pretty good sleep on it, although it is a bit out of your price range. I can't imagine going any heavier for my needs, but all of us are different. Also, if you haven't already, experiment with adding or removing air from your current pad before you go with a new one. Letting out some air can improve the comfort of a pad, but also reduces its insulation capacity.

Hoping to be camping for 10 weeks in Iceland this year and just starting to get my gear lists together to figure out what I have and what else I may need. I currently have: Exped megamat lite 12 LXW Thermarest neoloft RXW I find the exped ever so more comfortable and the extra room on the width and length is deffo a big positive as a wriggly sleeper…. However, I will have to take all my camping equipment and clothing for 10 weeks so do want to try keep my rucksacks as light/tightly packed as possible. Will be travelling by car over there but still need to be able to carry all my stuff by myself in one go at a time… Anyone got any advice/suggestions? Aware either will be great but can’t decide which….

Both just shy of 5 and been out in both below 0 which is as cold as it should get in may there 👍 may take a think foil/mylar mat for some extra heat and to protect the mat too

They are both just shy of 5r value if I remember correctly but the exped is higher… have found the exped warmer in winter over here though. Trip is late spring into summer so other than when in the highlands temps shouldn’t be too much of a concern…. Cheers for the response I think it will be a decided on the day job at this rate 😂

Also, just to add the MegaMat is about 700g heavier and 1/3 bigger…

I think it's because I can adjust the firmness juuuuust right. I have the LXW Duo and it packs up pretty similarly to a LXW single if you have room when it's open, it's almost the same dimensions as a full size mattress.

So I know this is going to be a bunch of people recommending an exped, but I have to chime in. Due to car accidents, I have two twisted vertebrae in my back. Five years ago, my pelvis was fractured in four different places. I am a side sleeper. I look forward to camping because I sleep so much better on this damn exped megamat than I do on the mattress at home. I actually wake up without pain, and I can feel where the parts of my back that normally hurt just... don’t.

I have it, I still prefer my exped megamat lite 12 lxw, but the Neoloft is smaller and lighter for backpacking and only a little less comfortable.

I have a small 3 person tent. I wanted to go with the LXW due to the extra width, but two wouldn't fit in my tent. The MW is fine. Due to the thickness, it was fine for me to side sleep (which I could never do with my previous lightweight pad).

I think you may need the thin foam layer on top. The most well reviewed one is the Exped MegaMat. I got that and I am able to sleep a lot better now. I'm a side sleeper.