Camping and comfort aren’t words that always pair together. Although most camp setups don’t hold a flame to a fancy hotel (or even a glamping setup), it is possible to sleep under the stars while being maximally comfortable. If you have the right gear.
A big fan of sleeping outdoors, I’ve cumulatively spent over a year of my life sleeping and living in a tent. I worked at a summer camp for seven summers, was a proud member of my college’s backpacking club, and took any and every opportunity to go on weekend camping and road trips.
Through my years of sleeping outdoors, I have had the opportunity to test out a lot of different sleeping pads. I can confidently say that not all of them are created equally. Some sleeping pads are designed to be ultralight for backpacking trips, while others are created to be as comfortable for car camping as humanly possible.
If you’re looking for the latter, and aren’t worried about weight or bulk (or price), you’ll love the EXPED LuxeMat Duo.
In short: The EXPED LuxeMat Duo is one of the most comfortable and luxurious camping mats I have ever rested my head on. Four inches thick and insulated with polyurethane foam, the 7.2 R-value ensures you’ll stay toasty warm all year round. This sleeping pad is ideal for car campers who want the plushest and most comfortable sleep setup.
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Extremely comfortable -
Fits in truck beds and large vehicles -
Double ‘deflate’ valves aid in deflation speed -
Cotton and wool topper improve comfort and moisture management
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Heavy -
Bulky -
Inflation takes a while (especially without a pump) -
Deflation takes a while (especially without a pump)
EXPED LuxeMat Duo Review
The LuxeMat Due comes in a medium ($500) and a long, wide option ($550). That means you don’t have to hang your feet off the end if you’re tall. The single mat is plenty spacious when you’re sleeping alone.
However, the duo has ample room for two people, making it a great option for couples, parents with kids, or dog parents who like to sleep with their pup beside them.
It may feel like close quarters for two friends. But it’s about the same width as two normal ground pads set up side by side. If you’re unsure which you prefer, two single EXPED LuxeMats can be zipped together, so you can sleep solo when you want or join them together for some snuggle action.
What Makes It Luxe?
EXPED offers four different levels of comfort: firm comfort (DeepSleep), soft comfort (MegaMat), plush comfort (MegaMat Max), and Luxury comfort (LuxeMat). The new LuxeMat Duo mats all feature double deflation valves, and all of EXPED’s mats have a new foam coring design. Both of those features help with deflation speed.
The LuxeMat takes the fan-favorite MegaMat even a step further, adding an organic cotton and tricot-brushed wool insulation cover. It provides warmth and moisture management at once.
LuxeMat Duo Setup
Many sleeping pads these days claim to be self-inflating, but most require at least a little bit of help from your lungs. Because the LuxeMat is generously sized, manually inflating it is incredibly difficult. Luckily, EXPED includes a mini hand pump that helps take the burden off your lungs. The LuxeMat also claims to be self-inflating, although it will never reach full capacity without the user topping it off.
The first time I set out to inflate the LuxeMat, I struck out. The ground pad comes with a simple set of instructions that aren’t extremely helpful but the one thing I did notice (after I got to the campground) is that the instructions suggest you unfurl your LuxeMat and open the one-way inflation valve for 24 hours before your first use. Oops.
I found the above video to be far more helpful than the written instructions that come with the mat. The second time I inflated the LuxeMat, I did everything correctly. As instructed, I first let it inflate for 24 hours at home. Much to my delight, it did indeed fill with air.
I deflated it, packed it back up, and when I used it in the field, it inflated to almost full capacity within an hour. It was inflated enough that I could have used it, but for good measure, I attached the included hand pump and filled it until it was firm.
Comfort Features
With the LuxeMat, EXPED didn’t take any shortcuts when it comes to comfort. The first, and possibly biggest comfort features of the LuxeMat is the wool-insulated, organic cotton tricot topper. As mentioned, this is the biggest distinguishing factor between EXPED’s MegaMat series and the LuxeMat.
The wool is certified to the highest animal welfare standard and is equal parts comfortable and warm. It delivers moisture management, and it’s breathable in the summer yet warm and cozy in the winter. The entire topper is also removable, so you can easily throw it in the wash after a camping trip.
Because the mat is 4 inches thick, it is comfortable whether you are sleeping on even ground or somewhere with some rocks and debris. The ripstop shell is incredibly durable and came away damage-free even after realizing I had laid it out over broken glass. I wouldn’t recommend this, but it’s good to know the pad can withstand a lot.
The LuxeMat also comes with a repair kit, which I haven’t needed yet. However, it’s nice to have if I eventually encounter any inflation trouble. And if the repair kit doesn’t fix your problem, EXPED has a lifetime warranty on all of its gear. Send it back to the brand, and they’ll repair it for you.
Thoughtful Features
The LuxeMat Duo is oversized (especially if you’re using the Long Wide Plus version). That can make carrying it a bit awkward. Luckily, EXPED thought this through. The mat has a series of handhold straps down the side and along the corners, which are easy to grab onto and helpful when carrying or adjusting the inflated mat.
The LuxeMat also has pockets in the front and rear of the pad for stashing essentials. There are mesh pockets and zippered pockets, which I found to be the perfect place to store my cellphone, headlamp, and an evening beverage. The zippered pockets are a secure place to store your car keys or anything you don’t want to get lost in your tent.
Insulation & R-Value
The LuxeMat is designed to be incredibly warm, making it a great option for cold-weather camping. It is 4 inches thick, delivering both comfort and warmth as you lie off the ground.
The pad is also insulated with 16 kg/m polyurethane foam that is OEKO-TEX 100 certified, further contributing to its R-value of 7.2. This is a proper four-season sleeping pad.
I split time between Santa Cruz, Calif., and Oahu, Hawaii. Oahu is warm year-round, but Santa Cruz drops into the 40s and 30s in the coldest months of winter. I tend to be a cold-weather wimp and get cold easily while sleeping, so the higher the R-value, the happier I am.
If you’re worried that the pad will be too warm, don’t. I found that it works well in warm weather, too. Having a high R-value doesn’t mean that the pad generates heat; it just prevents cold air from the ground from passing through the mat. When camping on Oahu, I typically just sleep outside or throw the pad in the bed of my truck and enjoy sleeping under the stars.
LuxeMat Accessories
EXPED has created a handful of accessories compatible with the EXPED LuxeMat Duo (and single). These include a wool blanket, pillow, and electric pump. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to test out any of the accessories.
Packing the LuxeMat
Like a lot of sleeping pads, packing away the LuxeMat can be tricky. It includes two deflating valves to help speed up the process. I really appreciated those. But I did find that if I didn’t seal them after rolling out the air, then the pad would start to inflate again.
It’s definitely possible to deflate the mat by hand. But I found that using a pump or a handheld vacuum to suck out the air made for a much easier and faster experience. Without an electric pump, it takes a diligent rolling technique to ensure all of the air is squeezed out.
The LuxeMat comes with a stuff sack for storing and transporting the mat, complete with a handle for easy carrying.
EXPED LuxeMat Duo: Final Thoughts
The LuxeMat is too large for backpacking, but it’s a great option for car camping trips. If you plan to use the LuxeMat inside a tent, just be sure your tent is large enough. This thing is big. It won’t fit inside a two-person backpacking tent, but it fits nicely in most three- or four-person camping tents.
In addition to traditional car camping, I found that the LuxeMat is a great option for use inside your vehicle. EXPED does offer a Megamat Auto, which is shaped to fit between a vehicle’s wheel wells. However, the LuxeMat Duo fits pretty well.
It fits in the back of my car and could easily fit inside a built-out van. And if you’re short on extra beds in your home, it’s comfortable and big enough to use as an inflatable guest bed.
If comfort is your top priority when camping, you should look into the EXPED LuxeMat. It’s available in single and double options, and its 7.2 R-value ensures that you’re comfortable and warm all year round. Although the price is steep, the LuxeMat delivers the comfort of sleeping in your own bed wherever you choose to roam.
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