User Review: Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Pad

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Pad
Above: The current Insulated Air Core Pad, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Rating: rated 5 of 5 stars
Price Paid: $59.95

I bought this after reading the above review, from the reviewer who borrowed her husband's pad on Mt. Adams. I was about to buy the other model but glad she pointed out that this one has insulation! AND It IS wonderfully insulated, unlike my therm-a-rest self-inflating open celled one.

I have lots of pads and have not found one this comfy yet! This will be my pad for good now, I can stop searching. No more hip pain and waking up early...

Pro: Very, very comfy 2.5" padding (even sleeping on side)my body did not touch the ground at all. (and I didn't fall off it, like the old army kind...thanks to the closed cell design probly)

Pro: lightweight and VERY compact (mine is 21oz)

Pro: comes with stuff sack

Pro: fits easily into my Kelty women's Redcloud backpack sleeping bag compartment, next to my compressed sleeping bag and even has a little room for raingear, and compressed pillow left over.

Pro: easy enough to blow up (only about 2 minutes of moderate deep breaths)

Con: harder to get the air out than a self-inflating open celled pad (tip: lie on pad while you let the air out then roll it up to get the air out, then unroll it... then fold it like they sent it, into the stuff sack) (( I am quirky and like to keep things folded the way the manufacturer sent them))

Next model wishes: if they make another model of this, I would hope that they add an attached blow up pillow, and maybe two valves...just for deflation to go a bit faster. Although my sweatshirt (or whatever) works well as a pillow, and the deflation time wasn't bad at all...IMO the 4 or 5 minutes to deflate is WELL, WELL worth the extra, heavenly comfort. I would recommend getting this pad if comfort and compactability are important... it is even comfy enough for base camping.

-Stephanie in Cincinnati (backpacker for 15 years)

Where to Buy

Buy Online We found the Insulated Air Core Pad at 10 online stores:

StoreProduct DescriptionPrice

Moosejaw
3 purchase options:
Insulated Air Core Rectangular Sleeping Pad (Spring 2008)$55.96Buy Now
Insulated Air Core Mummy Pad (Fall 2008)$64.95Buy Now
Insulated Air Core Pad - Mummy (Spring 2008)$64.95Buy Now

Backcountry.com
2 purchase options:
Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad - Mummy$64.95Buy Now
Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad - Rectangular$64.95Buy Now

Altrec Outdoors
2 purchase options:
Insulated Air Core Mummy Sleeping Pad$64.95Buy Now
Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad$64.95Buy Now

CampSaver.com
2 purchase options:
Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Pad 2007$48.71Buy Now
Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Pad$64.90Buy Now

REI
5 purchase options:
Insulated Air Core Mummy Pad - Petite$64.95Buy Now
Insulated Air Core Pad - Petite$64.95Buy Now
Insulated Air Core Mummy Pad - Regular$69.95Buy Now
more Insulated Air Core Pad choices from REI

Ramsey Outdoor
Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad$64.95Buy Now

Campmor
7 purchase options:
Insulated Air Core Mummy Pad - Short 60" x 20"$64.95Buy Now
Insulated Air Core Rectangular Pad - Short 66in. x 20in.$64.95Buy Now
Insulated Air Core Mummy Pad - Regular 72" x 20"$69.95Buy Now
more Insulated Air Core Pad choices from Campmor

EMS
5 purchase options:
AIR Core Insulated Sleeping Pad, Short$64.95Buy Now
Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad, Regular$69.00Buy Now
Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad, Long$74.00Buy Now
more Insulated Air Core Pad choices from EMS

Gear for Adventure
Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pads$64.90Buy Now

UpsideOver
Insulated Air Core Pad (20" x 60" x 2.5" Mummy)$64.95Buy Now

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