Big Agnes - Insulated Q-Core Deluxe
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 15, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
3
0
"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."
"the BAs are definitely more quiet."
20
1
"I sleep like I'm in a bed."
"It’s a fantastic combination! ... I’m a side sleeper too."
"Oh man I got their Q Core Deluxe a few years ago and it totally changed my backcountry sleeping. ... I always had assumed that sleeping poorly was part of camping but now I sleep so well"
6
2
"Can’t say that either air mat is “ultralight,” but they are warm (good R ratings) ... As a 3-season High Sierra hiker, sleeping through very cold nights near glacial lakes is a big deal for me."
"It has a 4 R value so it insulates well."
"Being cold from below was not a a problem."
7
4
"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."
"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"
"Bought my Big Agnes pad for $100 at REI ten years ago and still going strong. ... Not a single leak."
2
1
"compact"
"compact"
"Small/compact"
Disliked most:
3
2
"it's certainly much quieter (and warmer) than my Big Agnes Q Core Deluxe single pad."
"My only dislike from the Etherlight is the exterior finish on the materials they used makes it squeaky on the tent floor and against some sleeping bags."
3
1
"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 ... Just starts to struggle around 0"
4
7
"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 paid good money for this thing and it is absolutely not worth it."
"Big Agnes has valve issues ... mine didn't even last 3 uses"
"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."
0
4
"Big Agnes has valve issues ... mine didn't even last 3 uses"
"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."
"the valve got warped and it's way too difficult to close now"
AcingSpades 1.0I have the Dura 5R Duo and I think it's darn quiet for a pad that still at least somewhat prioritizes packed size and lightness. It's certainly much quieter (and warmer) than my Big Agnes Q Core Deluxe single pad.
People recommending self inflating pads like the MegaMat are off their rocker. Incredibly comfortable, yes. Packs small? Absolutely not. Plus they should be stored unrolled. I find my Exped Dura 5R to be comfortable and it packs very small for a double sized pad (it comes in a single that's even smaller). I have a Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe that's fairly comfortable but doesn't pack as small. If you can go to REI or another camping store they usually have a whole bunch of pads out for you to try for comfort. Keep in mind re-packed size will be ~10% larger than boxed for air pads and ~25%+ larger for self inflating.
Disastrous-Rush7941 1.0After struggling with sleep for years I went to a cot and the Big Agnes pad with a Kodiak canvas bag. It’s a fantastic combination! I’m a side sleeper too. Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core Deluxe Sleeping Pad, Extra Wide Long
Fun-Knowledge4256 1.0Thanks, ended up pulling the trigger. Best camping pad I’ve ever owned 👍
Appreciate the feedback. I was looking at the sea to summit ether light XT, but I found too many reports and evidence of the super comfortable dimples failing. I know they replace them, but it seems that more people ended up completely on the ground than with the big Agnes boundary deluxe (the option I’ve decided to go with). I’m choosing it for a good balance of space, comfort, and durability. It also seems that big Agnes replaces any damaged products with the newest version, regardless of how far out from the purchase date. Yours is reportedly more comfortable haha, but this one is up there, and with only a few reports of slow leaks. No ground nights. Hopefully this info is helpful to others or maybe even you! Thanks for the help!
haasteagle 1.0It helps to define what your priorities are around what you want from a sleeping pad. Is the weight of the pad important. Is comfort more important than how light it is. How many seasons of the year are you looking to use it so what R Value insulation is important to you Figure that formula out and go from there. I bought for comfort and an assured good night sleep so I went with the Big Agnes Boundary deluxe Regular wide R 4.3 insulation. It's just under 1kg, so 500gms heavier than others but 8 hours uninterrupted sleep is golden when on multi day bikepacking holidays.
HenrikFromDaniel 1.0small is relative when it comes to car camping something like a Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe is going to be about as comfortable as it gets for a pure inflatable and still pack relatively small
holocynic 1.0Exped has 30 inch foam models, Nemo also has something similar. My wife has the wide Exped Megamat and it is super comfortable. The only issue is that it is quite bulky. I have an extra wide (30 inch) isolated air mattress from Big Agnes (the Boundary Deluxe), it is fine and a lot more compact. But it is a little more noisy and doesn't isolate as well.
leilani238 1.0I think Big Agnes has more options in the bigger, more comfortable category than most. I love my BA Q-Core Deluxe - it's 4 inches thick, has a wide that's 25" (don't know if there's a 30), and it's warm (not sure of R-value, but it's pretty high - I've slept in freezing conditions and I'm a very cold sleeper). At the time it was the lightest mat I could find that had a decent R-value. It's more comfortable than my self-inflating car camping mat.
likka419 1.0I have an exped and multiple air mattresses, and I still prefer my Big Agnes. Warm, roomy, supportive, compact, affordable.
Q Core Deluxe. I got it in tall / wide because I cared more about comfort than weight. They’re discontinued, but the Rapide and Boundary look similar.
MaharbaD 1.0I had a big agnes insulated q-core deluxe for the past two years and absolutely loved it, but the valve got warped and it's way too difficult to close now, so I contacted their customer service and they gave me a credit to cover the cost of a new pad. Hopefully the rapide sl insulated is just as good.
MCN_Ben 1.0Yep the old Q core deluxe now called the boundary deluxe are about as comfortable as you can get with an only air backpacking style pad. Next step up would be the Exped mega mats that are 4"+ thick and filled with foam. Agree volume is priority 1 and weight second, but that's also relative to each rider and their style of camping. On the big bike I'll take all the comfort items, on the smaller dual sport I'm cutting the fat to keep it nimble and more fun on the dirt, assuming I'm hoping from one site to the next each night. If I'm setting up Basecamp I'm guilty of stuffing in as much as I can to dump it and go ride the area unloaded.
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