– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor Backcountry
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • WildSnow Ski Weight/Surface Comparison Chart — And More
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Ski Weight Comparo Charts
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Museum – Backcountry Ski Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor Backcountry
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • WildSnow Ski Weight/Surface Comparison Chart — And More
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Ski Weight Comparo Charts
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Museum – Backcountry Ski Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Winter Training Mission — EXPED Mega Mat Review

by Rachel Bellamy December 3, 2014
written by Rachel Bellamy December 3, 2014

Exped MegaMat 10 on sale here.

Rachel grabbed a few books from the <a href='https://www.wildsnow.com/backcountry-skiing-books/backcountry-skiing-books/' target='_blank'>WildSnow library</a> and is prepping for a winter exploring the backcountry of Colorado.

Rachel grabbed a few books from the WildSnow library and is prepping for a winter exploring the backcountry of Colorado.

Rough dirt roads, deep sand beaches, ecologically diverse mountains, tropical fish, great surf, and amazing camping. Yeah, that’s essentially Baja from the road.

At the end of October, Jonathan “Coop” Cooper and I packed up his truck and moved our things to Colorado in preparation for a winter of skiing and snowboarding in the San Juans. Instead of waiting for the snow to fly, we dropped off our winter gear and repacked the Tacoma with surfboards, snorkel gear, and all sorts of other things that had no business in the cold temperatures of the Rockies. We figured we could cross-train for the ski season by surfing and spearfishing everyday. We headed to Mexico!

Coop’s truck is outfitted with a sleeping platform and camper-like topper which boasts a surprising amount of storage space. In the past he had a section of three inch memory foam as his mattress, but in many sleeping positions you could still feel the wood platform below it throughout the night. During this trip, we wanted to put a different sleeping system to the test and see if we could find a multifunctional and multi-season set up that we could also use on winter backcountry adventures.

Be warned, we’re not talking ultra lightweight, minimalist bivying. No, instead envision cush road trip truck livin’ and deluxe basecamp snow camping. EXPED has created one of their top of the line sleeping pads to be four inches thick, 30 inches wide, and 6.5 feet long. Put two of them side-by-side and you have a queen sized bed! Because the EXPED Mega Mat 10 LXW sleeping pads have straight side walls and fit flushly together, we were able to do just that. The rectangular shape of the pads also make it so that you don’t have any fault lines between you and your partner like you would with mummy shaped pads. They fit together like bricks.

No valleys or fault lines, just one big continuous sleeping area. EXPED also has a Coupler Kit [insert link]  that hold two pads together for tent camping.

No valleys or fault lines, just one big continuous sleeping area. EXPED also has a Coupler Kit that holds two pads together for tent camping.

A feature that we’ve really liked is the Flatvalve Technology that is pretty standard with EXPED’s pads. It is a two valve system; one for inflation and one for deflation. This allows the user to fully fill the mat and then deflate it in small increments to get the firmness he/ she prefers all while lying on it. Instead of blowing air in by mouth, EXPED encourage people to use the Mini Pump that comes with the mat. This helps reduce the amount of moisture that gets inside the pad (which can cause mold and material breakdown). The Mega Mat is categorized as self-inflating which means that you unroll the pad, open the inflate value, let it sit and begin to self inflate, then top it off with air from the hand pump.

Inflate and deflate valves at the foot of the pad. Each pad comes with its own pump.

Inflate and deflate valves at the foot of the pad. Each pad comes with its own pump.

Things we like:
-Coop’s favorite thing is how they feel. The pads have a memory foam-like cushion to them that feels much like my mattress at home. We still can’t believe how comfortable they are.
-The selling feature for me is the fact that two pads fit together so well. Whether in a vehicle or in a tent I won’t end up sleeping in a hole.
-Durability. The fabric and valves all seem to be made of quality materials that will hold up to lots of use. The’ve held up well to the harsh bumps and friction of driving on Baja dirt roads.
-The dual valves for easy inflation and deflation. Plus the mattresses hold their air well. We’ve blown them up once in three weeks and have only had to add or subtract air based on changes in our elevation and temperature.

Things we would change:
-Ideally, the pads would take up a smaller amount of space when rolled up, but again we recognize that we’re going for luxury here not minimalism.
-The pad can take some time to inflate initially with the hand pump.
-Width wise the pads fit perfectly in our truck set up, however, they are just slightly too long (for a 6 ft Toyota Tacoma bed) so we have to curve them up near the head of the bed. A sleeping pad designed specifically for the dimensions of a typical dirt-bag truck “bed” could be rad.

The Mega Mat all rolled up in the packsack.

The Mega Mat all rolled up in the packsack.

We love the Mega Mats. They’re soft, comfortable, and warm. With a high R-value (or ability to insulate) of 9.5, these mats do an outstanding job insulating you from the cold ground. I think that this single feature is going to make the EXPED Mega Mat perfect for our cold winter ski adventures where we spend nights in or near the truck.

We discovered that the two mats make a great couch tucked away from the heat of the day.

We discovered that the two mats make a great couch tucked away from the heat of the day.

Exped MegaMat 10 on sale here.

WildSnow Girl, Rachel Bellamy, skis, snowboards and does just about everything else that’s fun. Rachel calls the Pacific Northwest home but is often romping around the mountains and crags of other states she loves. Whether on snow, rock, or in the sea, this WildSnow Girl will frequently have a camera in hand to capture the bliss of adventure through photography. See her beautiful images on Instagram: birdrachel.

8 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
El Tigre–Backcountry Adventure Wheels
next post
Jason Hummel — Alpine State of Mind

8 comments

Alex Kerney December 3, 2014 - 9:46 am

Try hunting down one of Exped’s Schnozzle Pumpbags. Makes it super quick to inflate most mats.

Nick December 3, 2014 - 12:55 pm

sweet camper setup, would love to see more of it

Coop December 3, 2014 - 1:42 pm

Nick,

Stay tuned for a more in-depth tour of the rig and a TR of our trip down the peninsula.

Lisa Dawson December 3, 2014 - 6:10 pm

Sweet plan for ski season cross training!

George December 4, 2014 - 9:01 pm

Slick product and nice review. 15 years ago I purchased 3″ open cell foam pads with a cotton covers from Army Surplus for car camping. They don’t pack down as small, but they work fine for truck camping or cabin guests. The closest thing I have seen is Cabelas Deluxe Cot Pad 84x38x3 for $119 each. I believe the 10th Mtn Huts also uses open cell foam with nice covers on many bench/beds.

Rachel Bellamy December 6, 2014 - 12:50 am

Alex, I’ve seen those Schnozzle Pumps and they look like they would be pretty ideal with this bag. Never the less, pumping them up wasn’t too time consuming and is actually kind of fun. Thanks for the tip!

Mark Worley December 9, 2014 - 10:50 pm

I have a Schnozzle, and as hokey as it may seem, it works really well.

Rachel Bellamy December 10, 2014 - 1:17 am

Good to know Mark, thanks for the beta. I think that the name, Schozzle, is great ha!

Comments are closed.

Promotion Image

Gear Reviews

  • WildSnow Women’s Boot Roundup 2019-20

    November 21, 2019
  • Fritschi (Black Diamond) Xenic 10 Binding Technical Review

    November 11, 2019
  • FutureLight vs. Gore-tex — Ultimate Sweat Test

    October 17, 2019

Recent Comments

  • Bill on Beacon Guidebooks in the Age of Information
  • Manasseh on Beacon Guidebooks in the Age of Information
  • Ivar on Beacon Guidebooks in the Age of Information
  • Andrew V Sovick on Beacon Guidebooks in the Age of Information
  • Scott S. Allen on Beacon Guidebooks in the Age of Information

Trip Reports

  • Trip Report — Early Turns in Jumbo, BC

    November 8, 2019
  • Denali 2019 — What Worked, What Didn’t Part I

    November 4, 2019
  • Early Season Turns and Mid Season Instability

    November 1, 2019

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Blake Gordon Comes Down From the Himal — TDP 69

    November 20, 2019
  • Angus Morrison Splitboard Car Talk – TDP 68

    October 30, 2019
  • Skiing the Lhotse Couloir — TDP 51 & Short Film

    October 23, 2019

Tips & Tricks

  • Field Treatment for Climbing Skin Failure

    December 3, 2019
  • Travel Tips for Your Next Ski Trip

    December 2, 2019
  • Ski Crampons — When To, When Not To and How

    November 26, 2019

Ski Touring Stories

  • Taking a Ski Mountaineering Course…Online

    November 29, 2019
  • Confessions of Snowman

    November 23, 2019
  • A Grand Traverse Gone Awry

    November 15, 2019

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2019 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildsSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Beacon Guidebooks in the Age of...

December 13, 2019

Ski Touring News Roundup December 2019

December 11, 2019

PNW Snow Report — More, Please

December 9, 2019