Big Agnes air pad

“On YY's related thread he asked about the Big Agnes Air Core pad. I see stuff on redheads (not gonna comment on sleeping on a redhead...ahem...), but no air pad info. Also did a thread search on "Big Agnes", only thread was 2 1/2 years old.

So, the question of the day is: has anyone tried the Big Agnes Air Core Pad? How is durability? If you haven't checked the thing out yet, consider this. According to the specs on REI, the BA 3/4 is only 3 oz more than the new Therm-a-rest Prolite 3, but it is 1 1/2 inches thicker! Talk about comfort. Here are the links so you can spec them too:

Big Agnes Air Core Pad - 3/4
Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 - Short (3/4)”

“Birch and I have a r.e.m pad by big agnes. It's the bigger and better air core pad. We have the full length mummy style. It's held up great so far (it's almost a year old and has been on one 10 day trip, along with some weekends so far) and is comfortable as my bed at home. It combined with my big agnes bag is pure bliss. I highly recommend the stuff agnes cranks out. Good #&%!$.”

“Why do you say "better"? Is there a difference in insulation?”

“I love my big agnes r.e.m., but it offers no insulation value whatsoever. It is great for warmer weather though.”

“Is it any less insulation value than the Therm-a-rests? Also, they say "can be inflated in two minutes". Does that mean self-inflation, or do-it-yourself?”

“DIY, just like a raft. It has less insulation value than a thermarest.”

“In fact, its just like sleeping on a raft.”

“Ok, so it has that mushy raft feel. Hmmm, I like firm mattresses. But all that extra air space would make sleeping on my side more comfortable.

Shoot, once my HS Squall comes in next month I may have a new piece of gear to buy/try...”

“actually, it's not mushy at all if you blow it up all the way. it isn't the pad to be used alone in winter, early spring or late fall. i think it's rated to 40°.”

“They have one that is insulated don't they?”

“Do the Big Agnes bags have any insulation on the bottom? The cross section sketch I saw looks like the pad pocket area has no insulaton.”

“The big Agnes bags are designed without insulation on the bottom.”

“Glad I asked.”

“The insul mat at 1llb 7oz has some.”

“The sleeping bags not the pads.

Some of the pads are insulated some aren't (much).”

“"Big Agnes air pad........."



Why don't you just come right out and say you have a big ass air pad?



LOL!!”

“Big ass = more cushion for the pushin'

;-)”

“Miss Ann, depends on the bag. Some are normal some are made to have the air pad slid into a pocket in the bottom and have three baffels so you get no drafts. It's a good design. Most of the fill you lay on gets compressed to nothing anyways. My 20° Zirkel is much comfier and warmer than my TNF 20° bag, even with the sleeping pad rated to 40°.

And yes, I believe that insulated mats are available. I didn't get one because they cost more and we were buying two bags and two pads at the time. That adds up quick, even with Bink's great prices.”

“Does anyone have one of the insulated pads? How cold are they good to?”

“She loves it, except hers has a leak and she needs to return it. Not sure what they are rated to. They are insulated inside the air chambers.”

“I found stats on the Big Ag site that says 15 degrees. I'm thinking of getting this one in stead though...it's about $10 cheaper.

”

“I got that one Nigal, only used it in the summer though. It's pretty comfy though and packs up tiny.”

“That's what I liked about it when reading the description. It's as light and packs as small as my TRest UL. I've slept on one of the regular BAs and loved it. I'm thinking the insulated ones would do OK for Ohio winters too.”

“Well, after 2 years of wanting one I finally got mine in the mail this past weekend. I'm not impressed by the thin layer of insulation in the thing. Anyone else have one? How much insulation is in yours?”

“Did you get the air core or the insulated one?”

“I looked over the BA Air Core pad while at REI when I bought a BA bag. Wasnt impressed at all, and actually seemed a little flimsy to me. Opted for the Exped Downmat 7. .”

“Wow, Isn't that thing somewhere around three pounds?”

“1.5 pounds per REI website, though I dont have an actual weight on me right now. Will weigh it when I get home with the sack/pump and all. One thing's for sure I have a lot more confidence in my Downmat7 than I would have in the AirCore pad.”

“Insulated. Here is the exact item I ordered, although I didn't order from REI. Probably should have because of their return policy. I just expected something more substantial inside than a 5 mm layer of "insulation".”

“Anyone with the insulated version?”

“I've got it techntrek. It's like sleeping on clouds. No problem w/ cold ground either.
last edited: 3/07/06 12:06:36 PM”

“I have the 3/5 air core and have not experienced any issues with it.

I can understand people when they say it feels cheap because I thought the same thing when it arrived. You also have to use your lungs to inflate this guy.

I like it much more that the Therma Rests because it is 10 times thicker and it packs down to the side of less than a Nalgene bottle.”

“agreed w/ WK - I have a Therma Rest and this blows it away -- no comparison”

“I meant 3/4 not 3/5.

It seems more durable as well. I have had a few therma rests and each one developed leaks a few uses in. I have had the BA pad now for about a year and it still holds air.”

“I own the insulated air core from Big Agnes...and I LOVE THIS PAD. I have actually gotten better rest on this pad than in my bed at home....GREAT DEAL”

“I'm sure the thickness of the air pad makes for great sleeping. The question I have is about the seemingly thin insulation inside. Is it thin in your pads? I doubt mine is more than a few millimeters thick. I was expecting something that filled the air cavity to some degree.”

“Nope... it's a single layer of insulation which is not that thick. It works well though. I have the POE version and have had no problems down to 24 degrees.”

“Tech I did too, but I have been down to 32 ish in it...no problems. I think if it gets down close to 20 I will pack a 1/4" pad for safety purposes....”

“if you're worried that you'll be in colder climates (below 15) - try the dual-core, otherwise the insulated is very warm.”

“Exactly what DX said. I used mine in January with my REI Sub Kilo 20 degree bag in air temps that got down to 14 degrees one night. I slept well!”

“I also have the insulated version and it is more than enough for 4 seasons in Tennessee .”

“Wow, Isn't that thing somewhere around three pounds?”
Sassafras
10:36:59 AM
3/07/06
ignore this user

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“1.5 pounds per REI website, though I dont have an actual weight on me right now. Will weigh it when I get home with the sack/pump and all. One thing's for sure I have a lot more confidence in my Downmat7 than I would have in the AirCore pad.”
c bat
10:52:37 AM
3/07/06

Actual weight 2lbs 1oz”

“Hey Tech, I just got a BA aircore mummy pad with Primaloft insulation. I used it this past weekend in temps near 25 no cold spots and very comfortable.”

“Ditto for me. I have a BA insulated pad. The insulation is very thin, but very effective.”

“Ok, I'll go on your experiences and trust it to work as advertised. The coldest it usually gets in areas I camp is the upper teens - above their 15F degree rating - so I'll give it a go. Just goes so much against the "insulation needs lots of small pockets of air to work" line of thought.

Thanks for your inputs.”

“I have the insulated insulmat, so different but similar. I was down to the low 20's on a trip in Jan and had no problems. I was in a tent and had my 40* quilt and a cheap sleeping bag. My son had the 20* down bag so I had to make due. I have little doubts about it getting me to the teens if needed.

Nigal told me he saw a gear test where they slide down a scree slope on one of these things. It was about the 5th trip down before it ruptured.”

“expensive sled!”

“I have used my BA insulated aircore in temps in the teens at least 5 occasions, one of those nights on a saddle between two ridges in a blizzard with wind blowing 40-50 mph and slept nice and toasty. No complaints from me.”

“I'm gonna use my insulated insulmat this weekend at the Sipsey.
I only use it when I go 'heavy'.”

“One word: Insul-Mat. It does seem to have feathers in it, I think.

Check for past threads on Big Agnes. Many problems.”