During the 4 night trip the temperature would drop into the thirties, and at one point I woke of with ice in my cooking pot. However I never felt cold from underneath the pad, while sleeping in a 20 degree down bag with a thin base layer.

Big Agnes | Mother of Comfort Big Agnes | Mother of Comfort

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? Dave wearing the REI Sahara Shade Sun Hoodie and prAna Stretch Zion Shorts on Silver Star Mountain. 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!!!We spoke with McElwain for a deeper look at the Q-Core SLX, a flagship pad released May 2016. Here’s an in-depth look at Big Agnes’ new sleep tech. Stability = Comfort The Insulated Q-Core sports an impressive 5 R-Value. It is filled with X-Static synthetic insulation and silver filament that boost thermodynamic, anti-microbial and anti-odor properties. I have found that it regulates temperature very well. It kept me warm one night on top of snow at 15 degrees and I wasn’t too hot sleeping on it at 75 degrees.

Big Agnes Q-Core Reviews - Trailspace

Now for the bad news... When you move on the pad—roll over, turn—it makes a rather loud noise. If alone, this is no problem. When camping with others it can be so loud it disrupts their sleep (but so does my snoring—so if they can deal with that, Q Core sqeaks are nothing!). One of the biggest downfalls of the Q-Core SL is how long it takes to inflate by mouth. It was also quite slow to deflate and proved to be difficult to compress the air out of the pad. 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.

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This pad proved to be very warm staying true to its advertised R value of 5. I used it in temperatures of 38°F. I am a cold sleeper though so I definitely need a high R value 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. 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). I found that I did slip a bit on the pad during the night, a little more so than on my Therm-a-rest. The Q-Core is made of a lighter and more slippery material. The slipping was minimal and it didn't bother me much.

Big Agnes Q-Core Deluxe Insulated Camping Pad - Absolute-Snow

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. 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’ One of my favorite enhancements to this pad is the slightly higher side tubes, making it easier to stay on the pad without rolling off; and it just felt more comfortable to "lean" against something, however small, while side sleeping. The quilted pattern felt more comfortable than the straight tube design also, and helped avoid sliding off the end of the pad.I own the 27 oz 20" x 72" x 3.5" size. I am 5’4” and it is plenty long enough for me. If you are concerned about its weight, Big A does make a lighter version, the Q-Core SL. It is 10 ounces lighter, but substantially less comfortable. It is still comfortable, don't get me wrong, but the Q-Core's comfort is in another league. I personally am very happy with my decision to carry the heavier and more comfortable Q-core. Here you can see the quilted baffles in the Q-Core compared to the vertical baffles in the Insulated Air Core. 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.