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

Product Information

The other thing that you will notice in the video is that the insulation isn’t always bonded for its full width on the top surface of the tube. Once the insulation becomes separated from the surface it is bonded to, cold air can now circulate along that surface and the insulation is no longer providing any benefit. 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?

Standard size for most sleeping pads is 20” x 72”, but as side sleepers we may require a little additional space to maximize our comfort. Because we tend to shift from side to side, having a wider sleeping pad helps us stay on our pad and not roll off onto the cold ground. If you are a side sleeper that stays put, then a standard size pad might work great for you. 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.

Best Applications

Your pad is covered by our warranty against manufacturing and material defect. Your pad is not covered against punctures made by exposing it to the elements. Cowboy camping is phenomenal, but put some protection (like a footprint) under your pad first. Your pad is intended for many warm, comfortable siestas. Your pad is not intended for glissading, Jet-Boiling, or rafting. For the last several years I have been using a 25 x 72 Big Agnes Insulated Air Core and have very much enjoyed the mattress and have never had any issues with it on the trips I have used it on. The opportunity came up here at Trailspace to review the latest version of this mattress now called the Insulated Air Core Ultra, so given my experience with the previous version I really wanted to see how the design has evolved and improved over the previous design. The NeoAir XLite is only available in a mummy shape, but they offer various sizing options including a regular, small, large, and regular wide. A wide version is always a perk when it comes to side sleepers to help ensure we stay on the pad throughout our shifting from side to side during the night.

The shape of a sleeping pad is another important characteristic to consider. You usually have two options: Mummy and rectangular.

Specs

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 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? Rectangular pads offer more space, but they will be heavier in general. The couple of extra ounces may be worth it to you though. Sleeping Pad R-Value The advertized size for the Insulated Air Core Ultra I am reviewing is 20 inches wide by 78 inches long for an inflated mattress. Just for completeness I thought I would include the dimensions of the un-inflated mattress, which are 25.75 inches wide and 79.25 inches long. 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.

A sleeping pad attachment system enables the usage of a strap or chord wrapped underneath a sleeping pad that can then be attached to the attachment loops on a quilt. This keeps your quilt in place and allows you to turn from side to side while not having to worry about repositioning your quilt.Our 2020 lineup of pads was completely redesigned by our Product Development team with the initiative to improve overall quality while meeting a desired R-Value that correlates to its intended use. If that’s not enough, all of our pads are still individually inflated and tested at our factory ensuring 100% quality performance. The Insulated Air Core Ultra air mat from Big Agnes gives you a smooth and stable sleeping surface with a light, compact design and warming insulation for 3-season outdoor adventures.