Big Agnes Air Core Mummy Pad

Manufactured In Year 2002
Review Written June 30, 2002
Big Agnes Website

Reviewer: Helen Hillberg
Email: hhloth at msn.com
Gender: Female
Age: 55
Height: 5'5" (1.65 m)
Weight: 115 pounds (52 kg)
Region: Auburn, CA

Reviewer Experience: My backpacking style could be classified as lightweight, but not minimalist.  When not embarked on a long distance trek, I enjoy car camping, fishing, route finding, x-country hiking and snowshoeing.

Data Pertinent To The Field Test:  I am a warm sleeper who, during the course of the night, will alternate between side, back and stomach sleeping.  My testing took place in the Sierra Mountains where the minimum temperature I encountered was 45°F (7C).  I slept on the ground only once during my trips, the other nights were spent in a hammock.  I wore mid-weight thermal underwear to bed, but did not wear socks or a hat.  The pad was used with a Big Agnes Horse Thief sleeping bag.

Specifications of Sleep Pad as Received:  The Air Core sleep pad weighs 20.08 ounces (569.3 gm) and measures 20" x 72" x 2.5" (.5 x 1.8 x .06 m). The pad is mummy shaped so the width quoted is for the area between the shoulder and the hip, lower the width gradually narrows to an eventual width of 12" across the foot.  The head laying portion of the pad is similarly tapered.

Results of Testing 

It took a couple of tries for me to discover the optimal amount of inflation required with the Air Core Sleep Pad.  Fully inflated was just too hard a sleeping surface for me, too little inflation caused cold spots at my pressure points. I found that the air pad, when properly inflated, worked well in the hammock.  It doesn't squirt out from under like my Thermarest, and doesn't roll up on itself like my RidgeRest.  I am careful to position the pad/bag combo in the best position before I enter the hammock and it stays put all night.  As I mentioned, the coldest overnight temperature I encountered was well above freezing.  I did not get cold and, since my bag was not fully zipped up, I developed the habit of sliding down in the bag and placing my head completely on the pad so I could dispense with a pillow and still avoid the air valve. Without a pillow the air valve was a little irritating as it is level with my temple when I am properly placed on the pad.

On one occasion, feeling very dizzy and quite nauseous, I dispensed with the pad rather than attempt to inflate it.  On that occasion, I wished I had a self-inflating pad.

I found the width of the pad adequate but there is not a lot of room to spare.  I found it easy to insert and remove the pad from its sleeve on the sleeping bag.  I was expecting some condensation to form on the pad but this didn't happen.  I found the pad to be extremely comfortable both in the hammock and on the ground.  It was easy to inflate and deflate and, unlike a Thermarest or Ridgerest, it took up very little room in my pack.

Room for Improvement:  The pad worked very well as is but my personal preference would be to have it a little less tapered in the head area or be about one inch longer to allow more headroom. I would prefer that the air valve be on the foot end of the pad.

Future Test Plan:  Test the pad at colder temperatures. I expect to find that it doesn't offer enough insulating value below 45°F (7C).