Big Agnes customer service

“Rocks!”

“I didn't see what all the fuss was about when people started switching from thermarest mattresses to the BigAgnes insulated aircores....until this past weekend, that is. I'm ruined now! 2.5 inches of thick cushy mattress that packs into half the size of my thermarest, the foam in which is starting to break down btw, how will I ever sleep on the old thing?! gah.”

“I have heard a lot of good things about the BA aircores. When my thermarest craps out, that is probably what I will go to.”

“My only gripe about the BA Insulated Air Core is that it isn't nearly as warm as they say. It is rated for 15* but only good to freezing for me. The Exped Downmat 7 on the other hand is like a heater even to single digits.”

“What's the weight comparison? The new thermarests are pretty nice.”

“As far as I'm concerned, the BA insulated air core doesn't have an insulation rating at all. I do like it in summer, though.”

“Well keep the negative factors coming folks. I like the benefit of field trial data before I buy something new.”

“I agree about the temp rating, same w/ the insulmat. I take a foam pad for underneath come cold temps.”

“Huh. Really? Good to know. So you guys think that say a thermarest prolite 4 is warmer than the BA insulated air mattress --the kind with primaloft, not down?”

“My thermarest ultralight is warmer. BUT it sure isn't more comfortable!”

“hmmm comfortable pad that packs down to nothing but isn't warm vs. warm pad that is moderately sized and isn't sooo comfy....HMMMMMM. Good thing I'm broke. I might have to rush out to buy the COMFY pad.

I'm confused though, since BA doesn't use insulation in the bottom of their bags, in theory b/c if you use it in conjunction with one of their pads....it should keep you warm...but now I hear their pads aren't warm?! Whats up with that?!???”

“I have a Thermarest Prolite 3 (R-2.3) and used to have a Thermarest Prolite 4 (R-3.4) and I don't think either one is a very warm pad. I know the Prolite 3 isn't supposed to be (I use it ~40* and up), but the Prolite 4 was and I got cold in the low 30's/upper 20's. I replaced the Prolite 4 with a Exped Downmat 7 (R-5.9), which is much more comfortable, doesn't weigh much more, and is so much warmer. I have been toasty warm down to 4*.

The BA IAC is just as warm to me as the Prolite 4 (my opinion only), but was only good to around freezing and doesn't come near the 15* (R-4.1) that they claim.

If you bought a IAC and wanted to use it in cooler conditions, you could always add a CC foam pad. (Also - it will be warmer with the foam pad on top of the mat than below it even though it is more of a pain that way)

GG Thinlite 2oz
http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/thinlight.html

GG Nightlite
http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/NightLight_Full.html

or even a torso only pad would help

GG Nightlite Torso
[url]http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/nightlight_torso.html
[/url]”

“its always been warm enough for me but I'm a Tennessean.”

“Like Sass I carry a really thin solid core mattress (like 1/8 inch) to put between me and the BA...works great.

My 3/4 mat is the Insul Mat.”

“I slept outside in Dolly Sods one evening...I don't remember the temps now...but it was freakin COLD> Uncle Fridgy wimped out on us and didn't even set up his tent (I wonder if he'll see this thread...lol) anywho, I was toasty warm in my 15 degree down marmot bag and my prolite 4 sleeping bag....it was cold enough to make ice crystals on the rainfly and with the windchill you know it was freakin cold...I was sleeping in snow too.

I'm sure sleeping next to Tater helped with warmth too...he tells the story differently. Says I got cold and tried to use him as teddy bear for warmth....I dunno bout that. When I woke up I was on my own side of the tent jammed up against the tent wall....”