What I like: A good option for side sleepers, hardly makes a noise, materials feel pretty durable, very warm

Big Agnes Sleeping Pads | Big Agnes

Here you can see the quilted baffles in the Q-Core compared to the vertical baffles in the Insulated Air Core. There are two standout notes on the Q-Core’s I-beams. First, the offset quilted pattern replaces standard parallel I-beam construction, preventing you from sliding on the pad. Second, the outermost I-beams on both sides are slightly larger, which creates a cradle that holds you near the center of the pad. ‘Ultimate Durability’

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Light weight, comfort, and durability are three holy grails of sleeping pad design. This year, Big Agnes took a stab at “upping the ante” in the category, hiring a former equipment designer from The North Face, Will McElwain, and giving its Q-Core and Air Core sleeping pads a reboot. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for all of us adventure seekers - the @rei Anniversary Sale! May 19th-29th is REI’s biggest sale of the year. Total weight for this pad falls between 15-22 ounces, depending on the model size (66-78 inches long, and 20- or 25-inch widths).

Big Agnes Q-Core SL Sleeping Pad | REI Co-op Big Agnes Q-Core SL Sleeping Pad | REI Co-op

McElwain’s “micro air adjustment” is a tiny ball that sits in the center of the inflate valve. You can press it to allow a little air to escape, reducing the pad’s stiffness. It works just like a presta valve on a bike tire. Right For You? Recommended Reading: Expanded Polystyrene Foam Board Insulation Why We Like The Big Agnes Rapide Sl Insulated Sleeping Pad I feel like this pad is as durable as any other of the inflatables. The material is thinner than what you would find on a self inflating pad, but this is tradeoff is what makes it so much lighter. Overall, I am not worried about puncturing it under normal conditions and while being generally careful. First thought was that I was buying an air mattress. Why would I want to do that? They pop! They are bulky. They smell like plastic!!! Offset I-beams, ‘micro’ air-pressure adjustment, and aviation-grade TPU lamination… sleeping pads can be deceptively high-tech. But what does it all mean?

Category: Sleeping Pads Cots And Hammocks

So we have a Big Agnes King Solomon sleeping bag and were always FREEZING... Why, because the bag has no insulation on the bottom and on the cold ground, we often slid off our old pad. Looking for a solution, we bought into the "sleep system" philosophy where you could integrate a pad into the sleeping bag by sliding it into the designated space. This year, the Arizona Trail had some unique perks and challenges for thru-hike hopefuls. An intense snow year in the Southwest meant we didn’t have to worry much about dried up water sources or long water carries, and we got to see a massive super bloom in the Sonoran Desert. Overall I am happy with the pad so far, and assuming it will last like my other pad, I would recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade or get a new pad. This is my first experience with an inflatable pad but I tested a few of them in the store. I couldn't justify upgrading to any of those 2.5 inch air pad that was only slightly more comfortable than my 2 inch Therm-a-rest Self Inflating Trail Comfort Large until I found this pad. I have inflated it by mouth and I remember it taking less than 2 minutes. I found it to be a little bit more difficult to inflate than my previous Big Agnes pads, but it wasn't really a major difference. I use the Big Agnes Pumphouse to inflate it now though. When I use it, I don’t have to re-inflate it before going to bed because the air inside it is not moist. When properly inflated using the Pumphouse, I have found that it takes around 11-13 pumps to fully inflate it.