Monstabed Single

Very happy with my Zempire Monstabed single so far (in my 50s). It's an inflatable base topped with a 4-inch self-inflating foam pad - same principle as putting a foam pad on top of a cot but it's all one piece. The base under the foam pad has a flatter surface than a cot (good for stomach sleeping) but no storage space underneath. I use a tiny cordless pump to inflate it and normal twin sheets. It needs a tall tent and mine is the Aerospeed 4 inflatable, also by Zempire. It's easy to set up as long as you stake down the corners before inflating (I use a rechargeable air pump for stand-up paddleboards). I'm too new to recommend much else, but my off-brand 2-burner propane stove from Amazon works great.

Another vote for Monstabed. I'm new to this so only 2 nights on it so far, but it's worked great for me. The base gives a firmer surface than the cots I tested (no sagging, good for stomach sleeping) and you can adjust the top part to be as soft as you need. And it makes no noise.

Yes, that's where I got mine, and the staff knew essentially nothing about them (I think Monstabeds were pretty new to that location). They look like conventional air mattresses, so I imagine most people don't realize they're different or why they cost so much more. Mattress preferences are so individual - if you get one at REI at least you can return it if it doesn't suit you.

>The exped sleeping pad is pretty good, but if there was something that was like a hybrid of inflatable / memory foam I think that's what I'm looking for. I'm a side sleeper, too. Check out the Zempire Monstabed. I went from the Exped Megamat to the Monstabed and it's as a big an upgrade as anything to to the Exped. For the height, though, you will need either a larger tent or one with more vertical walls.

Yeah dude it's amazing if you have the space! I'm sure Exped will come out with something that competes in due time, but there's nothing else like it right now AFAIK. It packs smaller and lighter than the Exped because it has less foam, despite inflating larger overall. Trivial for a single person to unpack, pack, and transport. REI says the twin (two-person, but basically a US standard full-size) is 19 pounds which sounds right. I use a Flextail pump that quietly inflates it in just a couple minutes. I couldn't tell you what that figure is but I would estimate fewer than 3 minutes, if not fewer than 2. Packed size is like 3-4 packed camping chairs, but I have mine packed loosely right now (generally recommended for storing foam) so it's more like 5 packed chairs. REI says 30.7 x 13.8 x 13.8 inches which feels conservative but close. One of these days I'll get some photos next to the Megamat Max for Reddit

I got it back in January and it saw a few weekends in the spring, then another 30+ days inflated in the house over the Texas spring/summer. I got some pretty standard 15" deep bedding for it to keep it clean and protect it from dog nails. I have one criticism. For better and worse, the caps on the valves screw into place. I suspect this is part of why it has never lost air over a weekend or even a couple weeks at a time. But, there is an adapter that needs to go on those threads to have a smooth cylindrical hole for the inflator, and it just seems like something that could be lost potentially rendering the mattress uninflatable until found or replaced. It's lime green plastic, so not going anywhere fast, but other companies have figured out how to not have threaded caps without losing pressure. I use the rubber N4 adapter on my Flextail and I suspect it would still inflate without the adapter (it's pretty flexible, tapered, and positive pressure would maintain that seal) but I haven't tried it.

Zempire monstabeds are really comfortable

Exped echo chamber on reddit. I tried exped and nemo and the zempire monstabed at REI. Found the monstabed the most comfortable. I say try them out in-store if possible.

I have several Expeds. Love them for different purposes but agree it’s nice to get off the ground. I bought a Hest foldable mattress for my sprinter. My wife likes it but I can’t stand it. Too soft. Always wake up with pain in my lower back. I just got the Zempire Monstabed. So far it’s my favorite. Higher up so you don’t need a cot and comparable in comfort to the expeds.

Zempire MonstaBed has been amazing for me. I'm not very gentle with it and it's been holding up just fine, doesn't lose any air over night. Only down side is it packs up pretty large.

My wife and I recently switched to using a MonstaBed by Zempire, and a dual couple Nemo Jazz sleeping bag. It was a bit more comfortable than sleeping in our usual bed 😅. The Zempire was game changer. I picked up the Zempire for $145 from REI Garage, and Nemo for a 25% off during Labor Day at publiclands.