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Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad
Long Term Report - December 1, 2004
Contents
Reviewer Information [return to top]
Name: Chuck Kime
Nickname: Fuzzy
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8" (1.72 m)
Weight: 229 lb (104 kg)
Email address: ckime AT nelsononline DOT com
City, State, Country: Upper Darby (Philadelphia suburb), PA, U.S.A.
Date: December 1, 2004
Additional Information applicable to this test
Shoulders: 56” (142 cm)
Girth at chest: 57” (145 cm)
Chest: 46” (117 cm)
Waist: 40” (102 cm)
Hips: 46” (117 cm)
Product Information [return to top]
Manufacturer: Big Agnes
Model: Insulated Air Core
Year of Manufacture: 2004
URL: http://www.bigagnes.com
Listed weight: 21 oz (595 g)
Measured weight, pad only: 18.7 oz (530 g), scale accurate to 0.1 oz
Measured weight, pad, sack & repair kit: 19.8 oz (561 g)
Temperature rating: 15 °F (-9 °C)
Color: Black
Size/style: 72” Mummy
Other size/styles available: 78” Mummy, 72” Rectangular, 78” Rectangular
MSRP: $65 US
Features (from web site) [return to top]
- 3 season Air Core pad filled with Prima Loft insulation
- Full length 2.5" thick pad that is lightweight and packs small
- Unique construction technique prevents the insulation from shifting inside the air chambers.
- The I-beam construction technique is functionally superior to the typical welded-through construction of other air mats. Die cut holes in each I-beam allow air to flow freely between chambers as you move around for constant support and comfort.
- I-beam construction makes inflation quick and easy
- Packs down to a compact 3.75"x10" or 4.25"x10" [9.5x25.4 or 10.8x25.4 cm] size
- Durable 40-denier nylon fabric protects against abrasions and punctures
- DWR coating sheds water and stains
- PU coating makes pad waterproof
- Stuff sack and repair kit included
- All Insulated Air Core Pads come with a stuff sack, repair kit, and a 100% guarantee
Description [return to top]
The Insulated Air Core is a PrimaLoft insulated (gee, really?) inflating mattress. It is available in 72” (183 cm) and 78” (198 cm) models, in both rectangular and mummy styles. I chose the 72” Mummy model.
The pad comes with a black rip-stop nylon stuff sack that has a pocket for the included repair kit.
The pad itself is made of black rip-stop nylon, with PrimaLoft insulation bonded to the underside of the top panel. The pad could be described as coffin shaped, in that the corners have been lopped off – relative to a rectangular pad – tapering from roughly the shoulders up and from the knees down. The valve is a plastic twist-type located at corner of the pad closest to the user’s right ear.
For a more detailed description, please see my Initial Report.
Field Testing [return to top]
Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly. Almost all of these outings included a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures from lows around 30 ºF (-1 ºC) to highs around 95 ºF (35 ºC). Elevations ranged from sea level to approximately 2,000’ (610 m). My experiences during the past few months were similar to those in my Field Report.
The Air Core has shown no signs of wear, and has collected very little soiling over the testing period. It has been used in hammocks and on cots, tent floors, and wood platforms. It has never failed to keep me warm in colder conditions, but has been comfortable – even right against my skin – in August. It packs small and is fairly light. I like it – a lot.
Things was looking for:
- Fit. Does it fit me? I may not be tall, but I’m pretty wide. Does it restrict my sleeping positions?
- Comfort. Can I sleep on the ground and not be significantly bothered by my sore back?
- Insulation. The pad uses PrimaLoft insulation. Does it shift, creating thin or thick spots? Does it keep me warmer than a non-insulated mat?
- Warmth. How cold can it get and still keep me warm, or, at least, comfortable?
- Packability. How packable is the pad? It’s pretty small, so this shouldn’t be a problem.
- Stuff sack. Is it easy to compress? Waterproof?
- Inflation. Is it easy to do? Does it retain air all night?
My findings:
- Fit. No complaints.
- Comfort. I have learned that a fully inflated pad is harder than necessary, and simply lie down and let air out until it gets juuust right.
- Insulation. Very nice. No shifting, thanks to the bonding.
- Warmth. Comfortable in low 40’s to mid 50’s F (5 – 13 C).
- Packability. It rolls easily into a nice compact package.
- Stuff sack. Once the pad has been rolled, there’s not a lot more compression to be had, but the sack is nice.
- Inflation. Blows up well. No noticeable leakage.
Things I like [return to top]
- Light.
- Compact.
- Thicker than any other pad I own.
Things I don't like [return to top]
- None. Really.
Backpacking Background [return to top]
My family started car/trailer camping when I was about 5. I spent 17 years in the Army Reserve fine-tuning my packing methodology – when I got out, I was down to a fairly respectable 75-80 lb (34-36 kg) load. When my son started Cub Scouts, I carried my 60 lb (27 kg) ALICE pack for a weekend. With Boy Scouts we now camp monthly in locations ranging from flat and lightly wooded to the Pocono Mountains, in all seasons.
Advancing age, arthritic knees and a car accident have led me to seriously rethink my gear choices, experiment with tarps and hammocks, make some of my own gear, and take a closer look at my ‘toys’ with an eye for multi-use and light weight.
Thank you for your time.
Chuck Kime
a.k.a. Fuzzy
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