Big Agnes - Zoom UL Insulated Air Chamber Sleeping Pad

I hiked a large portion of the trail out of season and I can assure of you of one thing; you don't want to find out halfway through the night that your pad is the failure point. I had the most miserable night of my life on Halloween in GA a few years back. It had been in the 80s all week and dropped down into the teen one night on top of a mountain shelter. All the timber at that elevation was soaked heavily from dense fog and recent rain so starting a fire was feudal. I have never been so cold in my life. It was so cold with my 30F quilt and a Zoom UL pad that I honestly was concerned. I had to spend the night running in circles and doing jumping jacks in the shelter (I was alone don't worry lol). My electronics failed even though they were pressed against my body and under my full down camp layer. I had planned on picking up warmer gear of mine as I got more North, but mother nature forced my hand. I paid big money to get shuttled out of Deep Gap and back to Around the Bend where I purchased a Xtherm and a 0F quilt. I slept like a baby the rest of the way. The good that came out of it was the experience and knowing that if I am ever colder than I was that night I am probably dead lol

I sleep better on my BA mattress than I have on any other mattress - I have the Zoom UL insulated - slept on it for 13 nights in Northern Canada and Alaska where it was down around freezing every night and was nice and toasty and it was truly comfortable. It can be a bit of a pain getting the air out of it which is a common thing you'll here - there isn't an easy way to just keep getting the air out as you have to keep your finger on the valve but you get quicker at it as you use it more.

Ive used the sts ether light xt and the ba zoom ul, and the zoom ul is more comfortable for a side sleeper imo. Not sure if the xr is much better than the xt

I have the Zoom. Incredibly comfy and so far has been durable, but for me it sleeps a bit colder than its R value would suggest. Great for summer but I've moved to a warmer pad for when it gets down to 40 or below.

*I think a good quick and dirty method for testing convective heat transfer is the deflation test.* Doesn't that also heavily relate to the design of the valve? I have the Zoom UL, getting air out of it is a PITA but it also sleeps colder than the R-Value suggests.

Why the wool blanket? Just get a quilt with a comfort rating of 20F and save space and weight. I prefer the Hammock Gear Burrow 20. The pad you have in the picture isn't for backpacking, it will be very heavy. I use the Big Agnes Zoom UL INsulated r-4.3 I also use a silk bag liner year-round to keep everything cleaner. In the Summer I use it like a sheet. In the winter when I'm bundled up it adds about 5F of warmth. This is all gear that works for me but someone else might have a different experience or needs. TBH it sounds like you don't have good backpacking experience and IMO you shouldn't be going on winter trips yet. Get some trips in during warmer months when there is less risk. Gain some experience and save up for good gear.

There are a few options for thicker pads that are also light weight. I like my Bug Agnes Zoom UL for side sleeping. Is it as nice as a foam pad probably is, I doubt it. Does it give be a decent sleep while camping and backpacking, yea.

I’m 6”4 and a side sleeper I recently picked up the big Agnes zoom UL insulated pad, and used it for a three nighter in snowdonia and found it super comfortable and really warm, also packs up nice and small, couldn’t recommend it more

Big Agnes makes the most comfortable sleeping pad imho. I used a high end thermarest for years and it’s crap compared to my BA Zoom UL

I’ve got the zoom. My only issue with it is that I hate getting the damn thing back into its stuff sack. Other than that, it’s pretty good

I am a side sleeper and own the Zoom UL. It is by far the most comfortable sleeping mat I've ever owned.

Not on your list, but the Exped 3R is a solid option if you find it comfortable. I find it quite comfortable. Otherwise, I'd consider the ZoomUL for the temps you're going out in instead of the rapide.

We have a big Agnes double pad and a single pad that combined cover the floor of our tent. It works for the two of us + toddler + dog pretty well. In our big tent we put those two things on top of some folding cots from Walmart.

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 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

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

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.

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.

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.

They all will die after a few years I had some of the interior fusing a few thermarests come undone, like yours, I suspect due to being in a very hot tent. I contacted the company and had them replaced. I have had a few big Agnes ones deflate after 10 year of use. I have a bunch of thermarests and expads that are fines. I typically get an extra one whenever one is on sale so I have an extra to borrow or use myself if one deflates. Also in car camping trips I bring an extra k. Case myself or someone has one deflate. Nothing sucks more than crappy sleep.

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.

So I spent alot of time sleeping outside after the army. And here's my 2c if got some cash spend the money on a Big Agnes pad yes they require inflation but man I'd rather sleep on that then my real bed some days. I have an older model Divide insulated pad. Folds down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. Yes they aren't camo or high speed colors but a poncho can fix that. 2nd option is the therma rest z fold. It's my quick and light option but I bring a klymit inflatable pillow with me so it makes up for it. Or the issued army therma rest pad. Not bad either.

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.

I absoluate hated this pad, bought this one at Academy last year, and my back hurt so badly after just one night. I've since moved to a Big Agnes and it made a world of difference!

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 have been using a Big Agnes for a few years now, tent and lean-to use in the deep woods of northern New York and Vermont. I took it across the US this summer, using it to camp for three weeks. Zero problems. Even with my dog around, but I always put it in a sleeping bag liner.

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.

Backing this up. I have two Expeds and love them. I really like Big Agnes as a company, but their pads are a disaster. Lots of leaking from those weird dimples they have. When you see a lot of bad reviews believe them, it doesn’t matter how much of a sale is going on.