Price: $99.95

Type: Air Construction/Synthetic Insulation

Claimed R-value: 4.5

Weight: 22oz (623g)

Packed Volume: 1.7L

Thickness: 3.25″ (8.2cm)

LxW: 72″x20″ (1.8m x 0.5m)

Breaths to Inflate: 25-30

What We Like: Appealing warmth-to-weight ratio, Comfortable, Included pump sack

What We Don’t: Slightly heavy, Noisy

At $99.95, the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra sleeping pad combines air construction with synthetic insulation to provide warmth and comfort without adding excessive weight. There’s quite a lot to like about the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra. With a pleasing R-value, durable exterior, and ample cushioning, it can function as a backpacking pad as well as accommodate car camping. The included pump sack makes it easier to inflate than other pads with similar dimensions. A range of size options makes it easy to find the right pad for you. However, its insulation makes it less than whisper-quiet, and it’s just a bit on the bulky side. All in all, this pad delivers a great deal of value for its price tag.

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Based out of northwestern Colorado, Big Agnes has made quite a name for itself over the last 20 years, producing high-quality outdoor gear for everything from backyard camping to backcountry adventures. The company offers around a dozen different sleeping pads that utilize air construction, closed-cell foam, and even self-inflation. At $99.95, the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra sleeping pad combines air construction with synthetic insulation to provide warmth and comfort without adding excessive weight. Still, the pad is not without its drawbacks.

Warmth

The Air Core Ultra uses THERMOLITE synthetic insulation and heat-reflective technology to achieve an appealing R-value of 4.5. The insulation is applied via strips that are bonded to the top and bottom of each baffle tube; however, we noticed that these strips barely covered a third of each tube. Some users also noted that over time, this insulation can sometimes slip off the top of the tube and seriously compromise the warmth that the pad can deliver.

Comfort

Big Agnes definitely scores some points in the comfort category. The Air Core Ultra is 3.25″ (8.2cm) thick in the middle and has 3.5” chambers on the sides. These outer chambers, combined with the pad’s vertical baffles, help keep you locked and centered on the pad. Some users have noted that the pad’s insulation does make it a tad squeaky, so this may raise issues with those easily awakened by noise.

Dimensions for the standard-size pad are 72″x20″ (1.8m x 0.5m), but there is a large handful of available size options. These include the short (48”x20”), petite (66”x20”), wide regular (72”x25”), wide long (78”x25”), and even a double-wide (78”x50”).

Weight & Packed Size

The standard-sized version of this pad has a weight of 22oz (623g)—far from ultralight but also quite acceptable given the warmth and cushioning it provides. In comparison, the NEMO Astro Insulated, which also costs $99.95, provides a similar degree of cushioning but only has an R-value of 2.6, and weighs 4oz more. The Big Agnes also wins against the NEMO on packed size, with a compressed volume of 1.7L compared to the NEMO’s 2L. However, that’s still significantly more than the 1L Klymit Static V Lite, which has a similar price R-value, but a lesser degree of cushioning.

Inflation

Much like the NEMO Astro Insulated, a thick pad like the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra will take several breaths to inflate (we estimate 25-30). However, unlike the NEMO, Big Agnes has included a pump sack to alleviate this process. As with most pump sacks, you’ll want to connect it directly to the pad’s valve and blow a full breath of air into the wide end of the sack, then seal the end and push air into the pad by rolling the sack closed. The Air Core Ultra utilizes dual high-volume valves that allow for micro-adjustments (by pressing on the diaphragm inside the valve) as well as quick deflation; they’re also labeled with “IN” and “OUT” to eliminate any potential confusion.

Durability

We found the Air Core Ultra highly durable thanks to the nylon double ripstop fabric bolstered by aviation-grade TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) lamination. Big Agnes is renowned for its build quality, and this pad is no exception. However, there is an included repair kit should it spring any leaks while on the trail. We also appreciated the flat design of the dual valve, which gives it additional protection.

The Bottom Line

There’s quite a lot to like about the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra. With a pleasing R-value, durable exterior, and ample cushioning, it can function as a backpacking pad as well as accommodate car camping. The included pump sack makes it easier to inflate than other pads with similar dimensions. A range of size options makes it easy to find the right pad for you. However, its insulation makes it less than whisper-quiet, and it’s just a bit on the bulky side. All in all, this pad delivers a great deal of value for its $100 price tag.

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