Zoom UL Insulated Air Chamber Sleeping Pad

To me the best pad/pillow for the weight are the Big Agnes Zoom UL (17oz for 25x72) and the Sea To Summit Aeros Down Pillow (3.3oz for the large). And then I have the Zenbivy Ultralight 25-degree large quilt (1lb 3oz) and the uninsulated core sheet (7oz), which is def not ultralight, but lighter than a sleeping bag and overall it’s a palace of a setup. I’m a heavier guy who side sleeps, so I can only sacrifice so much for weight savings, but this setup really is a reasonable weight and gives me some of my best sleep, period. Only thing annoying about the Zoom UL is the deflate valve, but it’s worth it for the comfort/weight.

Mini-review for the *Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated Wide Regular*. It is the most comfortable pad I've ever slept on, but unfortunately it sprung a leak through the valve and drain the air slowly throughout the night. It never went completely flat, but it would lose half of its volume so I had to reinflate it ever three hours or so. Luckily I carry the Flextail Zero Pump, so it wasn't a total PITA. I bought it two years ago so it was out of warranty, but I decided to contact Big Agnes to see if they could repair it. To my surprised, they sent me a brand new one as replacement! Great customer service!

I've been using a Big Agnes ultralight pad for a few years and love it. The one downside is that it is very crinkly. I'm conscious of the fact that when I roll over it makes a fair amount of noise. I don't sleep in the shelters but often sleep nearby. Because of the noise. I do try to camp on the edge of the group area.

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.

What isn’t comfortable? At home I’m a back sleeper, in the wild my 20” Big Agnes inflatable is a bit narrow so my arms drop to the ground. That means I’ll turn sideways a couple times each night. I also have a Outdoor Vitals long inflatable which is wider at the top although a slight weight and space penalty. The OV also has slightly oversized side rails to help keep centered on top. I still move the same, turns out I don’t sleep quite as well away from home.