Big Agnes Air Core Ultra Sleeping Pad, Insulated, 25x72 (Wide Regular)

Product Information

Now that I have used this 20 x 78 inch Insulated Air Core Ultra for the last couple of months, I find I really like the longer length and I would recommend this length mattress to anyone close to or taller than six feet. Last but not least is how much it costs for an insulated sleeping pad vs a non-insulated one. Firstly, it is more expensive as more materials are used as well as extra, often complicated, steps in the manufacturing process. A great insulated sleeping pad will have a one-way valve for inflation so that you don’t lose any air as you are inflating it and also a two-way valve to deflate your pad easily. The one-way valve should also double as an air control adjuster so that you can let tiny amounts of air out to find the perfect firmness. Durability As we covered in a bit more detail further up the guide, there are three main types of insulated camping mats to choose from; reflective material, synthetic insulation, and down/feather filling. All three have their pros and cons, but we found the warmest sleeping pads combine the reflective lining with either synthetic or down filling.

To alleviate discomfort at your knees, it is a good idea to place a pad between them when sleeping on your side. You can bring a second pillow for this, but a sit pad can also do the job. One of the big fears most people have with using an inflatable sleeping pad in winter is the fact that a puncture can make it unusable (if you don’t have a repair kit). I had this fear for many years, too, but after spending hundreds of nights camping on all kinds of rough ground, I have become way more trusting. I have never had a puncture (touch wood), but I have seen two other people struggle with it. In both cases, a simple adhesive puncture patch solved the problem in less than five minutes once we found the hole.

The New Air Core Ultra vs. the Original Air Core

Many thanks to both Trailspace and Big Agnes for the opportunity to evaluate and test the BA Insulated Air Core Ultra for the Trailspace Gear Review Corps! You can get it in an uninsulated version as well as an insulated one, however, the insulated version only has an R-value of 4.4 which is the lowest in this guide and not entirely suitable for freezing temperatures. Still, we included it in this list because it copes well in most cold weather and is by far the cheapest option in this guide. An R-Value is a new outdoor industry standard which requires every pad to be thoroughly tested then rated based on insulating performance from 1 to 5, the higher the number, the warmer the pad. Photo by: Max Seigal The Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad, like the previous models mentioned above, does have a non-insulated version with a 1.6 R-value, which again, doesn’t make the cut for a good 3-season sleeping pad in my opinion, so the insulated version wins again. Why this sleeping pad is great for side sleepers Because this sleeping pad is so warm and well insulated, it is the perfect mat to combine with a quilt or wool blanket because you don’t need any extra warmth beneath you. One problem with down sleeping bags is that when you lay on them the down compresses and loses some of its performance – a sleeping pad like this solves that problem. With it having down feathers inside, we highly recommend using a pump instead of your breath to inflate it and avoid any condensation spoiling the down.

An insulated winter sleeping pad can keep you warm in two ways: by limiting radiative heat transfer with reflective foil or by limiting convective heat transfer with synthetic or down-fill insulation. Before I get into what I learned, I will share a short video I made that if you view it first, my discussion below will make a lot more sense. The video is of one of the smaller diameter center tubes next to the larger diameter side tubes. Here is a detailed view of the repair kit that is included. It contains a single larger 2 x 2 inch patch, two 1-1/4 x 1-1/4 inch patches, a set of instructions for applying the patches and a spare diaphragm for the inflation valve. It’s nice to see that BA used quality materials from 3M for their patches.Synthetic insulation, while heavier than down, is often a better option because it is less likely to be affected by condensation that inevitably finds its way into any inflatable pad. Down Insulation The Insulated Air Core Ultra overall design is a basic tube style of construction that is comprised of six tubes total and where the two outer most tubes are larger in diameter then the four inner tubes. I measured the outer tubes and found them to be approximately 3.5 inches in diameter and the inner tubes I found to be about 3.00 inches in diameter. In use, I did find that the larger diameter outer tubes were effective in helping me stay on the mattress through the night. The Sea to Summit Comfort Plus XT Insulated Air is another winter sleeping bag that feels warmer than its 4.8 R-value rating. It has air-sprung baffles created by spot welds instead of seams so that you get a very even platform to sleep on. These air-sprung baffles seem to conform to your body better than other directional baffles. No R value is stated by BA, only a 15 degree temp, but in comparing its specs to similar pads, most have an R value of 4-5. In temps of 35 degrees or below I find that using a foam pad beneath the inflatable makes a big difference in warmth and all so necessary if the pad deflates. A wide range of sizes is also available for the Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad. It offers both mummy and rectangular shapes, plus short, wide, and long versions. One of these configurations is sure to be perfect for you, whether you want to cut ounces by going with the short mummy version, or you are big and tall and need a long, wide version.

Based on the advice from multiple sleeping pad manufacturers and specialists, you need an R-value of at least 5 to safely camp in winter temperatures. This will provide enough resistance to stop you from losing body heat to the cold, hard ground. The Nemo Roamer Double Sleeping Pad is a beast. There is no other way of putting it. It is big enough for two people to stretch out on, deep enough so that you never feel the ground, and extra warm for winter camping. It is also quite heavy and bulky to carry. The better option in winter may be to combine your inflatable pad with a foam mat which will lift your r-value and comfort. How Much R-Value Will a Foam Sleeping Pad Add? The KLYMIT STATIC V LUXE Sleeping Pad took the camping community by storm over a decade ago and this was one of the products that helped them do it. The Static V Luxe has a very unique baffle system with deep chambers running up either side and then a v-shaped system running down the main section. This makes it feel like more of a cot than a mat and even though it is only 2.5 inches deep in the middle the v-shape baffles support sideways sleepers like no other.

Hands-On Review of the Air Core

Not only does using a second sleeping pad give you extra padding, it is also the best way to increase how insulated you are from the ground, helping you to stay warmer throughout the night. 4. Use a pad between your knees The R in R-value stands for resistance which is a sleeping pad’s main role in winter. R-values range from 0 to over ten and represent the thermal powers of the insulation. An R-value of 2.5 is good for late spring, summer, and early autumn, but in winter, you will need something higher. We recommend a minimum R-value of 4 – 5, but ideally, you want to go as warm as possible. Does Deflating Your Sleeping Pad Reduce Insulation? The Insulated Q-Core SLX Sleeping Pad is one of several great sleeping pads offered by Big Agnes, which includes the regular Q-Core SLX Sleeping Pad. This insulated version outshines its sibling though because the R-Value is higher and fits well into the range of 3-season sleeping pads. Plus, it only weighs two more ounces for a regular-sized pad. Why this sleeping pad is great for side sleepers In general, I have always found that products from Big Agnes are well designed and are of good quality. The Insulated Air Core Ultra is no different and my overall impression is that the design is well thought out and the build quality is very good.