Since our testing period last fall with the Q-Core SLX Insulated pad, Big Agnes gave it some updates. This 2020 update features 17 of the market's best, pitted against each other in a side-by-side comparison to find the best … Check out our full review of the SLX here. Finally, although the Nemo’s valve is more user-friendly than Therm-a-Rest’s WingLock, it does have a history of leaking. This is an adaptation to the classic Ridge-Rest mattress … For $40 less, check out Big Agnes’s Q-Core SLX below, which features a healthy 3.5 inches of cushioning for about an ounce less. This is the pad you’ll find in our packs for all our summer outings. Black Lives Matter This pad is also decently affordable, but it weighs more than most of our favorite pads on the main list. Read more about us. You may notice a lot of chatter in product comments about being a back sleeper or a side sleeper. Beyond the slim profile, they often have dedicated openings for inflating and deflating, and importantly, a flap that keeps air from escaping while blowing into the opening. It’s a testament to that technology that most of today’s self-inflating pads haven’t deviated much. THICK, CUSHY PAD THAT’S GREAT FOR SIDE SLEEPERS & TOSSER-TURNERS, PROS: Comfortable/thick, supportive, durable, quick deflation, side rails keep you centered on pad, pump sack included (we prefer the upgraded Pumphouse Ultra, though), CONS: Narrower profile than other pads, slightly heavier/bulkier and not as warm as XLite. While Therm-a-Rest’s Z Lite Sol has held the top spot in the foam pad market for some time now, we find that NEMO’s Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad offers slightly increased thickness and packs down a bit smaller too. Having a hard time finding a spot to store the pad? Sleeping pads for backpacking are light, pack down small, and are reasonably comfortable. are reasonably small and should be workable for storing inside most bags. What we don’t: Heavy and lacking in versatility. In this testing, pads are sandwiched between a hot plate (35 degrees Celsius) on top, which mimics the body, and a cold plate (5 degrees Celsius) underneath, mimicking the ground. And for another option in this category, see the Exped Synmat Duo.See the Big Agnes Insulated SLX Tent Floor. 5.9 oz.Thickness: 2.5 in.R-value: 3.7What we like: Super comfortable.What we don’t: Heavier than the leading Therm-a-Rest pads. If you have more questions or a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you! Category: Air padWeight: 2 lbs. And even a warm and thick sleeping bag won’t save you because your body compresses the insulation along the bottom of the bag, thereby letting cold air up and compromising its ability to keep you warm. CONS: Heavier and bulkier than some others, have to blow up the side rails by mouth, a little thin for side sleepers. For backpackers that only get out a couple times a year, REI’s Stratus Insulated hits a nice combination of price, warmth, and convenience. Get the best deals on Big Agnes Outdoor Sleeping Gear when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. With four inches of … But for a cushier and warmer alternative to the cheap foam options on our list, the Trail Scout has its place.See the Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout. Therm-a-Rest’s Z Lite Sol is a backpacking classic. To further evaluate this double sleeping pad concept, let’s have a look at the numbers. PROS: Very affordable, slightly wider and more durable than standard pads, CONS: Low R-value - summer use only (insulated version available), can bottom out when shifting around, valve design not as good as some pads (slower deflation), heavier/bulkier than UberLite. Klymit’s radical X Frame pad may have put the company on the map, but their follow-up Insulated Static V Lite is their best offering. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. On our list above, thickness ranges from the 15-denier, 8.8-ounce Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite to the 75-denier (and much heavier) Exped DownMat XP. Despite the very thin and simplistic nature of this foam pad, we’ll take it over a $150+ air pad with a hole any day. In addition, the added cushioning that the Sea to Summit offers comes with a considerable bump in price, making the $190 Ether one of the most expensive pads in its class. vs. 14.5 for the Nemo) and price ($45 vs. $50).See the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL. Category: Closed-cell foamWeight: 14 oz.Thickness: 0.75 in.R-value: 2.0What we like: Durable and lightweight.What we don’t: Nemo Switchback above is thicker and more comfortable. Foam pads are bulkier, but they’re more affordable, quicker to set up, and can be used for multiple purposes - like extra support for a frameless backpack or a seat around camp. Nemo’s new Flyer is in a category of its own as a hybrid air/self-inflating pad that brings together the best features of both styles. For some, packed size may not be an issue at all, but it’s one of a number of reasons why air pads have become so popular. REI lightly updated the pad to the “3-Season” for 2020 (the old model was called the “Flash Insulated”), with the most important change being more durable welds, which were a weak point of the outgoing model. The Flash is $80 cheaper and a significant 5.9 ounces lighter, although we found the Sea to Summit to be more comfortable overall. BOTTOM LINE: REI Co-op’s Flash 3-Season Pad competes with industry leading pad designs at a more affordable price. As the name implies, comfort is a priority with a slightly wider shape (21.5 in. We’ve found that the 2.5-inch NeoAirs are sufficient in most instances, for example. What are the downsides of the Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus? The Big Agnes Insulated AXL Air sleeping pad is ultralight, quite warm, and uses a quilted baffle pattern for extreme comfort on the trail. Lightweight backpacking video guides and reviews of the best ultralight tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, and more. So why does it deserve a special spot on this list? Category: Self-inflating Weight: 1 lb. With a whopping 4 inches of cushioning off the ground, the Ether is the thickest sleeping pad on this list while weighing in at a respectable 1 pound 1.3 ounces. Thanks guy . Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress Review. Further, their upright profile takes up space when rolled up, and they are slow to deflate. This pad has the same lightweight internal baffling design of the XLite, but adds a silver lining (literally) with ThermaCapture technology. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gear for your needs. Air Pads Best Big agnes lightweight sleeping bags 1. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations. Bonded insulation or baffling techniques can bring impressive warmth, highlighted by the Therm-a-Rest XTherm with an R-value of 6.9. Today's Deals Best Sellers Customer Service Find a Gift Registry New Releases Gift Cards AmazonBasics Sell #FoundItOnAmazon Coupons Whole Foods Free Shipping Shopper Toolkit. Backcountry snugglers rejoice! Where it differentiates itself from other pads is its large side rails that help keep users … If you're looking for the BEST fully-air Sleeping Pad for Ultralight Backpacking or Travel, the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX is a sweet pick! Sporting a 20-denier shell, the pad is similarly vulnerable to punctures as the brand’s much lighter Tensor, although (as we mentioned above) you’ll at least have a little foam cushioning with the Flyer to keep you protected if the pad gets a hole. If you’re transitioning from a basic foam pad, the design is certainly more supportive at 2.5 inches thick, but the simple vertical tubes lack the plush feel of our top picks. MORE: The Sea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated Air Pad (view women’s model here) is very similar to the S2S Ultralight, but it’s a bit more insulated (R-value 3.7) and has more cushioning in the torso. 2 oz.Thickness: 3.5 in.R-value: 3.2What we like: Thick construction at a good price and weight.What we don’t: Thinner and heavier than the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT above. Big Agnes Q Core SLX Ultralight Sleeping Pad. A foam option like Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is 20 inches long (most air pads are about 7 to 10 inches), which means you’ll need to strap it to the outside of your pack. Lounging on the Therm-a-rest Xlite in Glacier National Park. In use, we’ve found it’s not as fast as the flat valve competition, but its sturdy build and replaceability (something that’s not typically possible with a flat valve) make it worth the tradeoff in efficiency for high-volume users like thru-hikers. on most regular-width designs), 3-season-friendly R-value of 3.7, and a high-quality feel to the materials. Our top Ultralight summer pick - the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite. BOTTOM LINE: The Klymit Static V and Static V2 are the best budget air pads on the market. A critical spec in comparing sleeping pads is R-value, or how much insulation a pad provides from the ground. We’ll start by saying that the Switchback from Nemo is not the right choice for those looking for a cushy and comfortable sleeping pad. Updated for 2020, the XTherm has an impressive R-value of 6.9, which is ample for most cold weather, and weighs significantly less at just 15 ounces for a size regular (that’s half of the weight of the Exped). The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots... Running on varied and challenging trails is a welcome break from the monotony of pounding pavement (or even worse, the belt of a treadmill). Further, the pad folds up accordion-style into a reasonably compact package for storing on the top, side, or bottom of a pack. The foam makes the pad more than a pound heavier than Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir XLite, which also uses a 30-denier fabric. The Big Agnes SLX Tent Floor is heavy at 2 pounds 11 ounces—the single version in a size regular is 1 pounds 2 ounces, or less than half. The pad offers a high level of comfort and an excellent inflation and deflation system with dedicated valves for each. It’s also a touch more comfortable, although it's a close call between the two. The options range from a 1-inch ultralight mat to the top-of-the-line Comfort Plus SI listed here. In terms of shape, they fall into two basic categories: mummy pads that taper towards the feet to cut weight, and rectangular pads that are more spacious and accommodating for comfort-minded or active sleepers. Comparing packability of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite and the NEMO Tensor Insulated. BOTTOM LINE: The REI Co-op AirRail Self-Inflating sleeping pad (view women’s model here) features unique bumpers that help keep you centered on your sleeping pad. Admittedly, such a thick pad is unnecessary for many backpackers, including those who tend to sleep on their back and smaller human beings in general. Dimensions: 72" x 20" x 0.75" Weight: 14 oz. 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