I've not tried a Vango Comfort Grande 10cm but, I have tried out other SIMs of that depth and just find them too hard - for me. Meanwhile, I find the old red/blue rubberised airbeds more comfortable but a bit chilly without layers of insulation.
The Megamat is a kind of airbed/SIM hybrid with a box sided profile. It seems to have softer foam at its core and allows more air in, which gives it the luxurious squidgyness. But, the foam provides great insulation and support. There are two valves for inflate/deflate.
Like many things, it's a personal choice and sleeping comfortably is a very individual thing. In my 20s I could sleep directly on a floor with a folded up duvet and still move the next day. I could also sleep on a Li-Lo without needing loads of layers beneath it/sleeping bag to keep warm.
At 50 however, I need/desire something with a little more comfort to support my aching bones and muscles and this little wonder - albeit a quite pricey one - is a godsend.
There's the Exped Comfort SIM which is a bit cheaper but offers a similarish experience Exped Comfort SIM 10.
Try them out if you can to compare before committing your hard-earned : you might have a different 'comfort threshold'. It is like buying a bed mattress
Ah, you didn't mention the camp bed! Megamat would be somewhat excessive on that
Well, I hope the next 6 years are good to you Kes - I do confess to having a few problems with discs in my neck so all official... I'm actually really quite fit and teach dance but find my shoulders/neck/back ache on anything too hard (I'm a bit of a peach).
I couldn't affort to buy the Megas this year either, as OH is changing jobs and I've just finished an MA so stony broke - but OK to sleep on stony ground with a thick groundsheet!
Just to resurrect this thread.
Seeing all the praise on here for Exped Mats, has anyone got or tried the Exped Mega Mat 7.5 LXW?
I'm thinking of upgrading from my Campingaz Airbed
Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I can't find anywhere else to ask!
Can any megamat owners tell me how long the first inflation took? Mine arrived this morning at 10 and it's been unrolled and open since then and it's still as thin as when it was first opened.
My previous mats inflated much quicker on their first time and this one has done nothing at all in 10 hours!
Yeah, that's what I'd figured. I expected the first one to take up to 2 hours (that's how long our Vango Comfort 10 Grande took to inflate the first time).
It's been 24 hours now and it's inflated slightly. To give you an idea of how "slightly", I was able to roll it up and put it back in the bag with the valves closed. It looks like the foam is knackered!
Oh well, best get on the phone to the company I ordered it from.
I believe the advice is to leave it for 24 hours - with the inflate valve open ( - which is what you seem to have done. The more you inflate them the quicker it becomes (if you don't store them completely flat for months, or you'll be back to square one).
They really are good mats so I'd contact your supplier and see if they'll send another if you return the apparently faulty one.
Good luck, and I hope you are not disappointed. We love both of ours and use them as overnight beds when visiting. So warm compared to normal airbeds, and more yielding than the usual SIMs.
I seem to remember mine took an age first time - gave them a bit of a helping hand with the pump and all was well. Unfortunately we have to store them rolled up so will get them out again for a practice inflate before our next trip.
Hi all
Sorry to resurrect this old thread again, but thought it better than starting a new one. We have (almost) definitely decided on a pair of Megamats, we just wanted to know if anyone has joined them to make a double, and if so, is it a good join etc? We don't want to be falling down the centre gap in the middle of the night lol
------------- March 2015 Aberford 1 night
April 2015 Skipton 3 nights
May 2015 Aberford 3 nights
July 2015 Lake District 7 nights
August 2015 Aberford 3 nights
They join really well. The join is hardly noticeable while lying across it and I don't think there is any way you could fall down the gap. We do use a king size fitted sheet which helps pull it all together but I don't think the join would be any issue without it. :)
Super, thanks for your help jonnyess, looks like we're definitely buying 2 megamats
------------- March 2015 Aberford 1 night
April 2015 Skipton 3 nights
May 2015 Aberford 3 nights
July 2015 Lake District 7 nights
August 2015 Aberford 3 nights