Big Agnes - Campmeister Deluxe Insulated Air Pad

Best sleeping pad is a 1,000% subjective. Different pads will be comfortable to different people depending on their preferences and sleeping habits, and the most important thing is finding a sleeping pad that is comfortable for you to sleep on. Now, there are **objective** differences between sleeping pads when it comes to things like price, R value, weight, packability, durability, etc. Many of these qualities are going to be directly antithetical to each other (e.g. higher R values and durability are generally going to come with a weight penalty; lighter weights/more packable are almost always going to be more expensive as well as more delicate). You just gotta try to find the pad that feels comfortable to you AND has the best combination of those objective qualities that matter most to you. Personally I've settled on the Therm-A-Rest Neoloft as my 3-season pad and the BA Campmeister Deluxe as my colder weather pad. Those pads are bigger and heavier than a lot of options on the market but they are super comfortable for me to sleep on and are made from more durable materials (75D on the BA and I believe 50D top/75D bottom on the Neoloft) so hopefully the odds of me waking up on a flat pad on cold hard ground are greatly reduced. Although I do also own a Nemo Tensor if I ever feel like I need to go super light for some reason. I am lucky to be in a position to own several high-end sleeping pads to keep around as options for different conditions!

Get something with a super high R rating - higher than you think you need. Look for a baffling system that is either dimpled or vertical. For whatever reason, horizontal baffles don’t have a lot of “give” to them so they are less comfortable for side sleepers in general.  Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xtherm is probably the warmest pad out there (not the highest R rating per se but the most effective insulation system means it is still warmer than other pads with higher R values). It may not the most comfortable for a side sleeper because of the horizontal baffles, however. But this is the pad you want if you want to prioritize warmth. If you want to prioritize comfort, Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro will probably not sleep as warm but will be more comfortable for a side sleeper because of the dimpled baffling system. Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions is also very warm and only slightly less comfy than the Ether Light.  Exped Ultra 7R is a bit heavier and bulkier but is very comfy for a side sleeper. It uses down rather than reflective film for insulation. So it won’t be quite as crinkly as a lot of warm pads, but I’m not sure if the down insulation is more or less effective in this application.  Big Agnes Campmeister Deluxe is quite bulky and heavy for a backpacking pad but is super, super comfortable and has a very respectable R value of 7.  The other big, bulky “luxury” comfort backpacking pads - Exped Megamat Ultra and Therm-a-Rest Neoloft - are great options for comfort but with lower R values so they may be less warm than you might want.  Other things to consider - even a well-insulated sleeping pad will only stay as warm as your body is able to heat it. The bigger the pad, the more of your body’s heat it will draw away from you. So don’t buy a massively oversized sleeping pad thinking it will automatically be more comfortable. For insulating purposes, something that is only as big as you need it to be will be more efficient for your body to keep warm.  Make sure you take advantage of all the usual strategies for staying warm in the backcountry: Use your Nalgene as a hot water bottle and keep it in your sleeping bag/quilt with at night. Do some jumping jacks or other activity to get your heartrate and body temperature up before going to bed. Make sure you are properly hydrated and getting enough food to keep warm. Etc. 

https://preview.redd.it/v4v1re89ilse1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b883fa015819120b1895bcf606762f79507450d **BA Camp Master Deluxe** replaces **Mountain Equipment Aerostat 7.0 (** weight 770g, 30D poly, R value 4, 7 cm thick). I have tried this mattress for 4 nights, one night with the temperature dropping down to -1c. My last 3 pads are: Thermarest NeoAir Lite, Mountain Equipment Aerostat 7.0, Exped Megamat 10 LW. Impression so far: Campmeister Deluxe is quiet, as comfortable as Exped Megamat 10 LW, relatively light, and on paper durable, -1c no problem. The pack size of Megamat is way bulkier. I had to deflate it a bit so as not to wake up with a slight side pain. I also get a slight side pain after a night on Megamat, thus, it is not so much the fault of the mattress, it has to do with my sensitive, aged body. My sleeping bag is the army style Defence 4 synthetic, with comfort temp at -9c for women. Note, with a regular, better mattress at home, I get no back pain. priority 1. Comfort -- 'case I am old 2. Durability 3. R value -- 'caes I hike in northern part of northern Europe 4. pack size 5. weight 6. color -- color that blends in the nature, as I love stealth, army-style hiking. I was considering the following, all with a R value of 5 or higher |product|Weight gram|package size|price USD|made of| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| |BA Camp Master Deluxe LW|992||281|70D nylon| |Expeed megamat 10 LW|2200|67 x 22 cm|261|| |Expeed Versa 5R LW|1045||191|75D poply| |Expeed Dura 5R LW|1150||201|75D/170D poly| |Thermarest ModoKing 3D|1990|66 x 26 cm|299|50D/75D| |Nemo Tensor All-season|580||260|40D nylon|

The Campmeister Deluxe Insulated replaces the Mountain Equipment Aerostat 7.0. I have tried this mattress for 6 nights, one night with the temperature dropping down to -2c in a tarp while being exposed to weak chilly wind. My previous 3 pads are: Thermarest NeoAir Lite, Mountain Equipment Aerostat 7.0, Exped Megamat 10 LW. Impression so far: Campmeister Deluxe is quiet, as comfortable as Exped Megamat 10 LW, relatively light, and on paper durable, -2c no problem. The pack size of Megamat is way bulkier. I had to deflate Campmeister a bit so as not to wake up with a side pain, yet, despite adjusting the amount of air in the mattress level, I still got slight back pain. I also get a slight side pain after a night on Megamat, thus, it is not so much the fault of the mattress, it has to do with my sensitive, aged body. My sleeping bag is the army style Defence 4 synthetic used with a liner in silk inside, with comfort temp at -9c for women. Note, with a regular, better mattress at home, I get no back pain. priority 1. Comfort -- 'case I am old 2. Durability 3. R value -- 'caes I hike in the northern part of northern Europe 4. pack size 5. weight 6. color -- color that blends in the nature, as I love stealth, army-style hiking. In my search for a warmer and more comfy pad, I was considering the following, all with an R value of 5 or higher. I don't list the R value as its accuracy varies between brands. For instance, the R value of BA Rapside SL is reported as feeling quite less than what BA specifies. Therefore, the R of 7 value BA specifies on their Campmeister Deluxe should be taken with a grain of salt, yet it is surely at 5 or more, which meets my requirements. |product|Weight gram|package size|price USD|made of| |:-|:-|:-|:-|:-| || |||||| |BA Campmeister Deluxe LW|992||281|70D nylon| |Expeed megamat 10 LW|2200|67 x 22 cm|261|| |Expeed Versa 5R LW|1045||191|75D poply| |Expeed Dura 5R LW|1150||201|75D/170D poly| |Thermarest ModoKing 3D|1990|66 x 26 cm|299|50D/75D| |Nemo Tensor All-season|580||260|40D nylon|

My objective was to replace two mattress with a universal mattress that I may use for camping, where weight is not an issue, such as bicycle hiking or lightweight hiking on foot. Big Agnes Campmeister Deluxe Insulated appears to be the best of all worlds on paper. I got the mattress and tried it out, and this is my verdict after trying this mattress for 10 days with the temperature dropping to -5 during two of the nights. Well, I am returning the Campmesiter Deluxe Insulated because it is not a sufficient upgrade to the Mountain Equipment mattress. I still get back pain after a night on it, and the R value is not accurate. I bought the new Exped Megamat LW, which has a great, accurate R value and causes much less back pain, and when inflated at the right level, causes no pain. https://preview.redd.it/gfkcuk4t0eue1.png?width=1236&format=png&auto=webp&s=9f2a5fadc26147bf25731392b39badd35e499ace mattresses

Big Agnes double sleeping bag with campmeister insulated sleeping pad. We previously used individual sleeping bags but found we sleep better when we are in the same sleeping bag.

I’m currently aware of the following 30-inch wide inflatable sleeping pads: the Zenbivy Light Mattress, Big Agnes Campmeister Deluxe, and Exped MegaMat Ultra. While options like the Klymit Static V Luxe and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe XL also meet the width requirement, I tend to avoid them as they aren’t particularly comfortable in practice. That leaves us with three strong contenders: * **Big Agnes Campmeister Deluxe** This is a very comfortable mattress overall. One standout feature is its use of dimple baffles, which I personally prefer for their plush, stable feel. However, one downside is the height discrepancy: the pad is 4 inches high at the sides but only about 3.5 inches in the center. Additionally, it can be a bit noisier than other pads due to the heat-reflective film inside. * **Exped MegaMat Ultra** This mattress has the largest usable surface area of the three thanks to the 3D construction of the sides and the most stretchable material. The large baffles can make it a little too balloon-like for some, if you turn a lot while sleeping it's especially noticeable. It's definitely a better mattress for side sleepers than back sleepers. * **Zenbivy Light Mattress** This is the oldest design among the three and uses the least elastic material. While it doesn’t stretch much, the smaller baffles and stiffer fabric reduce bounce, making for a more stable surface. However, its lower profile may not provide enough support for side sleepers who prefer more cushion and a higher inflation height under their hips. None of these pads are perfect, it always comes down to compromise and personal preference. Personally, I would really welcome a 30-inch wide version of ultralight pads like the Zoom UL or Ether Light XT. Unfortunately, ultralight pad manufacturers continue to overlook those of us with broader shoulders or gym bros who also care about weight but need more space to sleep comfortably.

I have the Exped, it's amazing but heavier than advertised, it's about the same weight as the big Agnes. I had the old version of the Campmeister and returned it last year, because I wasn't a fan. I prefer the stretchy top the Exped has, both are soft. People here are going to knock you for whatever choice due to weight so just ignore the outcries.  Both pack down to a similar size, I tried the neoloft but it was too narrow for me. I could get by with 28" of width but the industry has determined there can only be three sleeping pad widths. 

I think it is, I much prefer the Exped. I had the previous version of the big Agnes pad and it was okay but the Exped is almost as nice as my full weight megamat. It's really warm too, I was toasty at 34F on it with a 30F degree REI quilt.

Yeah, the r-value impressed me. I wish the weight was what was listed but no product is perfect.  It was the boundary deluxe. Same size (78"x30") but not as warm and much thinner. The new one might be more comfortable, but my guess is the biggest reason for the redesign/rerelease was the insulation design of those pads letting too much cold air in on the sides. 

I absolutely love my boundary deluxe; super comfortable and wide, although heavy for sure! I have the 30x78 and it weighs in at 42oz so this new one appears lighter and with a much higher R value. If I'm going ultra light I'll take a 25" zenbivy pad but for comfort, it's big agnes all day

Car camping with no space limit: exped megamat 15 Car camping with space limitations or canoe camping: nemo roamer  Backpacking:  big agnes boundary deluxe 30x78

I’m at the age where I wouldn’t go if it meant voluntarily sleeping without a pad. My big Agnes airpad got a hole while backpacking maybe from my dog in the middle of the night & couldn’t locate the hole to repair and it was legit bone chillingly miserable. I’d at least bring an old comforter or something if you are just going to a campground.

This should be a top comment. I have an old big Agnes 3.5 inch insulated and sleep on my side. My hip touches the ground for a second when I roll over, but then comes off when I get the rest of my body all the way down. I think that’s what you’re going for with air pressure.

Be wary of uninsulated air mattresses in mild temps.  I bought 2x Big Agnes insulated pads for my twins, along with the BA kid’s sleeping bags for our twins. This is more of a backpacking setup, but works great for car camping and living room camping.  The bags have a sleeve on the bottom so you can slide the pad inside. Helps keep them in the bag and on the pad - again - cause the cold ground can give them a chill. 

The only pillow i've ever found comfortable was the REI Co-Op Trailmade pillow. It's a non-inflatable pillow stuffed with memory foam squares. So it's definitely heavier and takes up more span than inflatable pillows, but after trying several brands of inflatable I just needed something different. I don't see it for sale anymore, so not sure if they still make it. If you aren't hiking in, and size isn't an issue, I would just use your home pillow. For me the big thing for side sleeping/stomach sleeping is a good mattress. If space isn't an issue a foam mattress would be best, there are a bunch of \~$50 tri-fold 4" memory foam mattresses on amazon. But these take up a HUGE amount of space in a car to transport. For backpacking I use an inflatable Big Agnes insulated pad, but those are like $150. If you aren't backpacking, amazon has several options for cheap inflatable camping mattresses, but you will probably need to buy or borrow an air pump to fill them, as they don't come with them usually. For the sleeping bag I've found I can sleep in any style as a stomach sleeper. Mummy style bags just kind of stay with you, so when you curl your legs up, the bang stays mostly form fitted. If you are sleeping on your stomach, do you sleep in "tiger pose" where you have one leg bent up and the other straight? Mummy bags can make sleeping like that difficult. Big rectangle bags would let you sleep in "tiger pose" with one knee up and the other leg straight, which is how I sleep at home. If you are going with a non-down warm sleeping bag, you can always bring a secondary blanket too, so you don't have to splurge on a super expensive 20 degree bag or anything.

Big agnes for the win. I had two of their insulated inflatables, and they were the best 2 pads I ever had. But got holes I could not locate despite weeks of trying. I'm ready to get another, even if it only lasts a couple seasons

Big Agnes pads are some of the toughest out there as far as I can know, yet I have gone through three because of punctures. Each time the holes have been so small that I can't find them without getting to a hotel and submerging them in the tub. The company is great about replacing them, but I've gone back to foam mats.

75l gregory bag, big agnes inflatable mattress (comfy)

I started on the old school thermarest shortie, then a full length, then switched to a big agnes inflatable--which i liked but went through two of them with bad valves. Switched to a nemo a couple of years ago, and love it. It's a little "crinkly" sounding, but otherwise well worth it. Good choice :-)

Big Agnes are the best

I have a big Agnes pad. Inflatable and not sure exactly what specs, but any inflatable pad is going to have some noise imo. I love mine. I’ve had it for 8 years, which feels kinda unreal for an inflable. Never had an issue with it and definitely put it through the gauntlet- camped in the desert a lot, cowboy camped, camped on rocky areas. Never had a leak. Love it and feel like it’s worth the price tag

I'm late 20's and I've never had a decent sleeping pad until this year, I got myself a big agnes inflatable pad off of ebay, my god I'm actually comfortable sleeping.

I have a pretty basic Big Agnes sleeping pad that's probably R-3.5 or something like that. I've used it for several trips in Washington and Oregon in the summer. Being cold from below was not a a problem. I think R-1.5 would be OK in the summer, the ground warms up quite a bit during the summer. A more insulated pad would only be necessary if the ground is frozen during the day. What probably matters most for you is size, weight, and comfort - it needs to be thick enough so you don't feel the ground through the pad. I would also look at how difficult it is to inflate. The one I have has a terrible valve that seems to be designed to be as inconvenient as possible. You have to blow into it, but there's a bit of resistance to air coming in, and the valve is such that it's hard to tell if it's open or closed. I'm attaching a piece of an old bicycle inner tube to make it possible to use a bike pump. Some pads have a built-in hand pump and that would be useful. I can't offer a recommendation for a specific product since I haven't bought one recently, and the one I have doesn't seem to be available any more.

Funny, I just spent last night sleeping on a Big Agnes pad with a very slow leak, after having just patched a slow leak in the same pad.

Big Agnes is the best I’ve found. Pricey but well worth it.

Have you considered a camping cot? There are a lot of ultralight options now which are about the same price as a good sleeping pad for side sleepers. The only difference being is the weight, you’re looking at around 1.5kg for a cot bed which would be double the weight of a sleeping pad. For me, the extra weight is worth it for the comfort. For context I’ve tried Therm-a-Rest, Big Agnes and Nemo mats. If I’m going for comfort, the cot bed wins every time.

Big Agnes and sea to summit checks all your boxes. Small/compact, uses vertical baffles to prevent that bouncy castle feeling and provide actual support

It's very simple if it blows up with air and inflates - at SOME point it's gonna get a hole in it. That's life! The whole air mattress thing started with Therm-a-rest's and they were pretty tough back then, now with everybody sporting hard-on's for "ultralight" gear its gonna get worse. Same goes for actual air mattress, you can sleep on them but if you're not in Texas or Arizona yer still gonna freeze your butt off. Here's why ....... People these days buy inflatable pads for the comfort, but you really need them for the insulative qualities they actually provide. Don't believe me go sleep on the actual ground one night. When you crawl in to your sleeping bag you actually crush the down or syntho fill in the bag so there is no insulation there under you and the cold even in summer can seep right in. You need a pad under you to keep you off the ground ..... the best ones for that are still the cheap blue ensolite foamy's you buy at the cheaper stores but yes, for comfort they suck. There is a yellow thicker brand called Zotefoams Evazote and they got up to an inch thick but I haven't seem them for years but they were good quality and tough and CAN'T deflate ! So ultimately if you want comfort you need to go buy a big chunk of open cell white foam four inches thick and 7 feet long like you see in hobby stores - mega comfy and the size of a house! But now you can't pack it anyway so you're back to the blow up pads - and that's it. You can go to stores and look at stuff like Futons and crap but they don't pack well ! Heck even Ikea makes a folding mattress but again good luck carrying it around, right? Pick one but they WILL get a hole in them at some point however you can try to limit that with a cot. I've used them for years and its nice. I'm gonna suggest a Cabella's Lounger Cot but they are $350 bloody bucks and the same goes a real camping pad, something like a Exped Megamat itself is $400 bucks by itself. The two cots I wanna get are gonna cost me $405 bucks so add in two decent pads like Expeds and they're $500 .... great huh? It's nuts at a thousand bucks! I actually might just go get some memory foam cut at an RV store and use that. They can't deflate and its about the same bloody price as these inflatable ones, granted it won't be near as packable and portable but both my Thermarest leak, both my Big Agnes pad leak, even the TWO Coleman air beds leak, you can't win. My tent is 210 sq feet and 10 feet tall so I don't need backpack-ability either ........

I went from a Klymit to a Big Agnes. Night and day difference. 

Plus one. I have a therm-a-rest Xtherm, two cheap Amazon pads (they didn’t last), a Big Agnes, and I’ve tried the foam pads (they’re not for me). Exped seems to have the best tech. Their pads are quiet, comfy, reliable, and I love the synthetic down on the inside

Big Agnes has valve issues, mine didn't even last 3 uses

I had a Big Agnes for a decade. It sprung a leak on a trip this time last year. I found the leak on a seam and called to ask about repairing it. They asked for a pic, which I sent as well as a pic of the valve cut off (per their instructions) and my new pad arrived in a few days. No charge. I’ll never buy a pad from a different manufacturer again. https://preview.redd.it/qcc2h29uz8ve1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a5db870df20331f504fddf587c14258a32a7250

Bought my Big Agnes pad for $100 at REI ten years ago and still going strong. Not a single leak. I’m a side sleeper and it’s pretty comfy. 

I've used my Exped for 500miles. I've never had a problem with it. Personally, I would only buy Exped or Big Agnes sleeping pads because they're the only ones I've never seen leak. Anything by thermarest is trash.

I'd say it's at the very least quieter than my Big Agnes that I used most recently. In all honesty at 390lbs every thing is noisy when I toss and turn, but I wouldn't say it's extra noisy or anything. As far as better than self inflating, I'd say yes by a large margin. That being said, I've also got to admit the last self inflating pad I regularly used was probably 10 years ago. I'd assume tech has come a long way since my last self inflating pad but I don't know for sure. I never had one that would ever keep me completely off the ground the entire night. there were always high and low spots and not much insulation back then. If you do go that route at the very least I'd try to find the thickest pad in your budget. Also on noise, maybe a pad cover like the Thermarest Synergy may help as well. I'm looking into that as a little extra protection from dog claws but I'm sure it would dampen noise too.

I have an exped and multiple air mattresses, and I still prefer my Big Agnes. Warm, roomy, supportive, compact, affordable.

The premium REI pads are your best bang for your buck. I had the big Agnes but ended up buying the cold weather REI

Big Agnes is what I use. They are so much quieter than other inflatables.

As I side sleeper, I have found some of the Big Agnes pads to be very comfortable, and quiet. I've been through several different types and brands of pads over the years (decades) I like that the sides are higher on the BA pads, which keep you from rolling off the mat. It's not that they are super high to physically prevent you from rolling off. It's the subconcious thing that when you feel that extra height, your brain does it, even when asleep. The 25 inch wide pads are much better for side sleepers. I'd go with a 30 inch wide, but they only make that width in a few long pads. For biking, you may not mind the extra ounces for the 30 inch wide, long pad. I have one, and wish I could cut it shorter, but afraid to do so, for fear of not being able to seal it properly. None of the name brand pads are inexpensive. The new Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft looks good, and has many good reviews. If I didn't already have a few BA pads, I'd be tempted to buy a NeoLoft. The next time I'm at REI, I may try one, just to see.

If you want small the mega mat isn't the answer. I use a Big Angus pad and I am happy with it. I couldn't imagine sleeping on just a foam pad though

I also have one of these and loved it initially. After two months on the road it is now failing almost every night. I’ve exhausted the patches that came with the pad and it’s now covered with third party gear repair patches. I am ~75kgs and I don’t over-inflate it. I paid good money for this thing and it is absolutely not worth it.

Nemo or big Agnes pads!

Big Agnes. Im a side sleeper and also started with a Klymit like you and found it inadequate. My big agnes is only a little heavier but it's about four inches thick when fully inflated, which is great.

A lot of it depends on how you sleep. I’m a side sleeper which means they all suck, but it’s better than nothing even if your hips end up touching the ground (especially when it’s cold). The biggest differences are weight and durability but overall sleeping pads are things I pretty much exclusively pick up on sale. I have a couple of Big Agnes pads from several years ago that are tough and do the job- my wife sleeps on her back and hasn’t had complaints

Having a family of 4 can confirm individuals is the way to go. We’re all rocking Big Agnes pads. The kids are using big Agnes bags which have a pocket for the pad and keeps them from wondering around at night.

Spend money. Get a good quality mattress, this is not the place to go cheap. Restful sleep is important for recovery. The most expensive air mattress is still cheaper than a hotel for a night. I use a Big Agnes. It's 4 in thick, 25 in wide, 76 in long. I can inflate it quickly with the included pump sack, it's gets firm and hold air throughout then night. It has a 4 R value so it insulates well. I sleep like I'm in a bed. This was the single biggest upgrade to my gear and the best value (although it wasn't cheap). Anything you find on Amazon will be crap quality. Buy from a reputable brand. Check out outdoorgearlab.com for reviews. They are the Consumer Reports for gear.

The big Agnes pad is really nice and very comfortable, I do think it's R value is over stated though.  On nights where its around freezing or just below I've found myself getting rather cold.  I know my sleeping bag is fine because it's always coming from the ground often I'll toss some clothes under my legs and it helps to stop that issue.  I will probably invest in a better R value pad for the winter/shoulder seasons 

I suggest individual sleeping bags or quilts for colder weather. When I purchased sleep bags, I looked for a comfort rating that is the same or lower than lowest expected temperature. A 20f sleeping bag may have comfort rating of 30 or 40 degrees. To sleep well in 30 degrees, look for a 10 degree bag or quilt. A pad with R5 or better rating. The REI Helix is liked by many because it’s close to R5 and it’s lightweight. Big Agnes pads, I have 3, tend to sleep cold so I discount their R values. I have used a quilt plus an additional fiberfill blanket in colder weather. It worked well, but I first tried it car camping when I knew I had a back up system (more blankets) available. Recently I purchased a 10 degree quilt for temps down to mid-20s. It’s still in the teens at my house with lows in single digits. I like quilts but it did take some time to learn how to use mine well and stay warm. For the novice, a sleeping bag is a wise choice. Once you digest all the comments here, settle on a budget, and get a better idea of what conditions you will experience, consider making a new post over in r/backpacking with greater detail.

I’m a back sleeper with a big Agnes pad and would recommend from comfort pov.

Perhaps you are over inflating it? I was having a problem with my big Agnes and let out a bunch of air and it was much more comfortable. Now I inflate it to just enough so my hip doesn’t hit the ground when I’m on my side.