Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra

Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.

Overall

#16 in

Sleeping Pads

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score62% positive
8
3
2

Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: Apr 18, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit IconaDuckedUpGoose
8 months ago

Might be an issue specific to the pad or your back. We can be pretty particular when it comes to sleep, and it can take a few tries to really dial it in. I have a big Agnes air core pad. I don't think it's warm enough for winter camping but I've been comfortable laying on my back on it. I do usually side sleep, but I wake up on my back often and sometimes just lay on it to relax at the end of the day.

Reddit IconCavalleria-rusticana
9 months ago

This is the biggest drawback I had with the equivalent burnt orange Big Agnes Air Core Insulated, but BA replaced it at no cost within a week ^((although now it's the Divide Insulated Pad in a quite awful yellow and slightly lower r-Value...))

Reddit Iconckyhnitz
4 months ago

You must be a warm sleeper. I would classify myself as an average-to-cold sleeper, and I'd absolutely freeze on an R2 CCF at 32F. Forget about going lower. The first time I ever slept comfortably at freezing temperatures was the first time that I used an insulated inflatable sleeping pad (Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra, R4). I was 38 at the time. The previous 27 years of my camping experience, I slept on CCF and froze my ass off whenever the temps were below 50F.

Reddit IconJeffH13
8 months ago

One issue I have with the Klymit pad is that it’s pretty thin, only a couple inches when inflated. That means it has to be full of air - which makes it very firm - or at least that’s what mine feels like. I use a Big Agnes insulated air core long version for my backpacking trips and letting just a bit of air out makes it feel softer.

Reddit Iconletsgetschwif-ty
3 months ago

At Philmont, even in summer, you’re going to be dealing with elevation, cold ground and nights that can dip into the 30s. In those conditions, an R-value around 4.0 or higher is a safe target if you want consistent and comfortable sleep yk. A tent doesn’t provide insulation on its own so your pad is doing almost all the work underneath you. That’s why an insulated air pad makes a lot more sense than an uninsulated one for this use case…I’d recommend: - the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm (regular or MAX) OR - the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra If you’re on a tighter budget, the REI Flash Insulated would probably be better. There are these [ultralight sleeping pads](https://alaskanarrows.com/5-best-ultralight-sleeping-pads-for-backpacking/) that you can also look into

Reddit Icon_MountainFit
6 months ago

Klymit is durable. It's like 70D. But my dog has a big Agnes aircore insulated and it's holding up. Probably 40D outer I've got a Rab hypersphere 7.5 down filled and it's 20D outer. Also holding up but it only have a few trips, so time will tell. Klymit is heavy, not warm but durable. It's my summer pad.

Reddit Iconoaklicious
5 months ago

I have a Big Agnes Air Core pad. Coupled with a Sea to Summit pillow it packs down to the size of a large beer can and is more comfortable than most hotel beds. I have a little pump (believe it’s called Little Giant) that inflates and deflates it for me easily, and in a pinch can be really helpful for starting fires!

Reddit IconPrestigious-Level647
10 months ago

I am a big fan of all the Big Agnes products and have a Big Agnes Air core sleeping pad thats worked well without any issues. It provides warmth and comfort at night and collapses into a very small bag when getting packed. [https://www.bigagnes.com/collections/sleeping-pads?filter.p.m.custom.weight\_facet=Pads%3A+18oz+or+less](https://www.bigagnes.com/collections/sleeping-pads?filter.p.m.custom.weight_facet=Pads%3A+18oz+or+less)

Other Reddit Recommendations: