Zempire - Monstamat Twin 3D Self Inflating Mattress

We are very happy with our Zempire Monstamat Twin (2 person) semi-self-inflating (open-cell foam) mattress. Use a small Flextail "tiny pump" to top it off; same pump also does a wonderful job at Deflating it as well (it will "mostly" inflate on own, and partially deflate with a couple of folds / rolls, but the pump is worthwhile). We sit the Zempire on top of a pair of Big Agnes "Goosenest Inflatable Cots" - set side-by-side with their netting holding them together (along with inbuilt velcro tabs). The combined height makes it much easier for my wife to get out up (2 knee surgeries). Combo has worked fine for us for overnight temps down into the mid- to upper-30s, and I like the Goosenest much better than a traditional cot.

We have been very happy with our Zempire MonstaMat Twin (2 Person), which seems a similar product. It certainly does NOT pack down small, but it is comfortable enough that our regular house guests prefer it over the "mattress toppers" we have had. For the MonstaMat - and I SUSPECT the MegaMat - a Flextail Tiny Pump (or substitute) is a great aid both for getting the Inflation level set AND for getting the air back out when it comes time to pack up. Note: we place the MonstaMat on top of a pair of Big Agnes "GooseNest" inflatable cots when camping, and the combination has been great. The cots also make good use of the Tiny Pump.

Zempire MonstaMat Twin (2 person); semi-self-inflating foam - top it off with a TinyPump (?) in just a few minutes, which also works to remove the final bit of air when packing up. (Folding / rolling the pad gets rid of most of the air - the pump Flattens it - as much as it is going to get flattened: easily fits back inside the carry case.) Pro: Extremely comfortable; Con: Bulky & heavy....

Car campers / day hikers here - we normally set up a 'base camp' for at least 3 days (ideally longer) in the center of an interesting area, so everything gets brought in by car (compact suv) and therefore only minor constraints as to bulk. For sleeping, we use a pair of Big Agnes "GooseNest" inflatable cots as a base, with their "double wide" accessory cover helping to hold them together (along with in-built velcro strips). On top of that we place a Zempire MonstaMat Twin (= 2 person), semi-self-inflating foam mattress, We zip 2 sleeping bags together, and use top & bottom sheets, and bring wife's favorite "down" pillow (which packs surprisingly small into a compression bag). This combination is remarkably comfortable - largely due to the MonstaMat, although the GooseNest cots help provide a bit of height that both gets you raised above the Potentially Cold tent floor (we prefer Spring & Autumn camping - down to low 30s is our general limit) - AND makes getting into & out of 'bed' much easier. (Esp for my wife, who has had 2 knee surgeries - walking all day is fine, but getting up & down to a low seat can be difficult.) A small Flextail "Tiny Pump" is sufficient to inflate the GooseNest cots and to top up the MonstaMat (it Mostly "self-inflates"). The same pump also does an excellent job at Deflating the cots & mat when it is time to pack up - you can get MOST of the air out simply by folding / rolling, but the pump evacuates the balance. Disclaimer: We have also added an Eureka "Northern Breeze" to our kit as a Dining Shelter - makes cold and/or rainy days much more comfortable. esp as we often camp in state parks which offer electrical service on site. Tent is an REI BaseCamp 4, which is JUST large enough for 2 people & personal gear. Both the tent and the Northern Breeze have withstood genuinely "wild weather" very well - at least thus far....

Air mattresses are not very good. I would recommend an inflatable foam mattress. They are a bit bigger than an air mattress packed up, but a lot more comfortable. The downside of an inflatable foam mattress is that they are closer to the ground if getting up and down is an issue. I have back issues and the most comfortable solution I have come across so far is the Exped MegaMat Max Duo. These sorts of mats are better than airbeds because when someone rolls over, it doesn’t disturb your partner anywhere near as much. It also offers much better support. There is also the Zempire Monster Mat, which is also very good, but a lot cheaper than the Exped, if budget is a consideration. I used one of these for a couple of years before upgrading to the Exped and to be honest, not sure if the slight improvement was worth the additional cost. Actually, Zempire has released a new product that is basically an airbed on the bottom, but then has a inflating foam mattress integrated on the top (so may be the best of both worlds, if you enjoy the height that an air mattress provides). I have not tried one of these, but was kicking myself that it was released not long after I got my new Exped, because I probably would have preferred to try this instead. Exped mattress here: https://www.exped.com/en/products/sleeping-mats/megamat-max-duo?sku=7640277846463 Zempire Monstamat and combined air/foam options here: https://zempirecamping.com/sleeping-gear I tried a variety of different camping pillows and non of them worked for me, so I take my pillow from home. The areas I camp in range from 23 F to 110 F (I camp in Australia). And we use this zipped up in winter and take one side off to use as a blanket in summer. https://23zero.com/product/royal-sleeping-bags/ Products above are sold in Aus, UK and US. Another thing that can help with “cozyness” is to go to a hardware store and pick up a cheap packing blanket. The sort that people use when transporting furniture to prevent them getting all dented up in the back of the truck during transit. We put one on the floor of our tent under the mat for added insulation and it also helps keep our feet warm when we are barefoot and getting changed etc. Depending on your tent size and type, this may or may not be viable.

We sprung for a zempire monstra mat and love it. We have a couples bag, but it's cold AF if you don't also add a blanket inside to fall around your shoulders.

The MegaMat is just a self-inflating mattress. It’s filled with foam, so when you release the compression straps and open the “in” valve, the foam expands which draws in air. Most camping self-inflating mattress are cored out, they have channels or holes cut through the foam to reduce bulk and so they pack down smaller. If you puncture one, it’s not a disaster like an air bed. Your body weight pushes air out but the foam is constantly trying to draw air back in. Any decent camping shop will sell self- inflating mattresses. I have a Zempire one.