How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core Pad
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This Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core sleeping pad blends supportive construction and synthetic insulation for an incredibly comfortable sleeping surface on the cold, hard ground.
Shop similar products- Made from a rugged ripstop nylon, this 4 in. thick deluxe inflatable pad packs down small, and is light and durable enough for backpacking
- X-Static® synthetic insulation provides superior warmth and comfort; X-Static has antimicrobial properties that help keep odors at bay and enhance thermal regulation
- Integrating vertical and horizontal tubes in the construction, this seam-welded pad provides consistent airflow for stability, support and smooth feel
- For quick inflation/deflation, Big Anges Insulated Q-Core features an airtight, nonbreakable brass valve with plastic coated mouthpiece
- Comes with a stuff sack and a repair kit
Imported.
View all Big Agnes Air Pads| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Air |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
| Insulation Type | Synthetic |
| R-Value | 5 |
| Repair Kit Included | Yes |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Gender | Unisex |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Love this pad
YumaPav10 years ago
I've owned this pad for 4 years. I am an avid backpacker, spend at least 50 + nights on the trail a year. Both a Grand Canyon hiking and river guide as well as PCT and Utah hiker. I am around thorns and sharp rocks constantly and only once have I had to patch a hole and that was when I was hit by a tornado at night and thrown 15 ft into a mesquite bush. I repaired my pad and I'm still using it a year later.
YumaPav
Yuma, AZ
48 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Good Relationship Gone Bad
Scoutmaster6111 years ago
I've had the insulated Q Core for almost a year, and was singing its praises from the start, but now, not as much. I'm 5' 10", and weigh 190. As a side sleeper, I was happy to have found a sleeping pad that allowed me to sleep on my side without having my shoulder and hip sore in the morning.
Initially, everything was great, and I would have given this 5 stars +. However, after about 6 trips with this, my satisfaction is waning, for one reason - the pad loses air, and I find myself bottoming out. The first time this happened, I figured I hadn't sealed the valve properly. Next time out, I sealed the valve tightly, and the same thing happened. I wake up, roll over, put about 20 puffs into the valve (not as easy when you are laying on it) then back to sleep. This past weekend on a two-night trek in Nantahala National forest, it happened again, only this time, it leaked twice in the same night, so leak may be getting worse.
Just got done trying to find the leak by inflating, and submerging in a tub of water. Couldn't find a single bubble. I'm very meticulous about my campsite. I pick spots with no roots or rocks, and remove all sharp objects. I always sleep in a tent with a footprint. The pad is not damaged, it just loses air through the night. Now I'm questioning whether I want to trust this on a 12 day trek in New Mexico in June. Bottom line is that it is
super comfortable, but mine is unreliable.
Scoutmaster61
Cleveland, TN, United States
20 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
YumaPav
Yuma, AZ
Love this pad
10 years ago
I've owned this pad for 4 years. I am an avid backpacker, spend at least 50 + nights on the trail a year. Both a Grand Canyon hiking and river guide as well as PCT and Utah hiker. I am around thorns and sharp rocks constantly and only once have I had to patch a hole and that was when I was hit by a tornado at night and thrown 15 ft into a mesquite bush. I repaired my pad and I'm still using it a year later.
Yes , I recommend this product
Satisfied Sailor
Draper, Utah
Get this pad now !!!!
11 years ago
I'm fat and kind of tall so I got the biggest mattress that they make. This thing rocks. I initially purchased one for use on a sailing trip where I was sleeping on islands in Washington. Never slept better while out doors. As others have mentioned, it was a pain to inflate 30-35 breaths. Subsequently, I purchased the thermarest battery operated inflator (the one that only weighs 3 ounces or so), for backpacking. With the pump, it only took about 4 minutes to blow up with no pulmonary effort on my part. I've been backpacking with it 4 other times and I love it. It keeps me warm and comfortable. I sleep on my side and this is the only mattress that has worked for me.
Yes , I recommend this product
AZhkr
Phoenix, AZ
GREAT PAD!
9 years ago
I bought this pad 3 years ago and have used it many many times. It didn't matter if I was using on a beach, rocky campsite, or a hardwood floor I was always comfortable. The pad is very thick and provides lots of insulation from the ground. Moreover, it has large bolsters on the sides that keep you and your sleeping bag on top of it. While the pad is almost perfect, there are two flaws; inflation and noise. It would be impossible to design a pad this large and thick to compress so much without a large volume to be filled. So, you'll need quite a bit of lung power to inflate it all the way. Lastly, the pad is noisy. It doesn't bother me but, others sleeping near by may have nightmares of a clown tying balloon animals.
Yes , I recommend this product
bacabaday
albuquerque, nm
ok pad
12 years ago
I spent 6 weeks camping in Alaska and bought this pad for that reason. A few weeks before I slept on it for 3 days the first night had a slight leak, probably didn't tighten the valve enough. No problems after that. After I got to Alaska it worked great for about 2 weeks. Maybe a puff or two after 5 days or so, no big deal. After that I started getting a slow leak, a puff or two every couple days but that quickly turned to 3 or 4 every day and eventually 5-6 every few hours to keep off the ground. The pad is VERY comfortable and light. packs small and would be perfect other than the leak.
cwk
coeur d'alene, idaho
best pad on the market
12 years ago
Bought this pad summer 2012 and have used it about 8 times camping in Idaho, Utah, washington. I'm impressed with the comfort and warmth and its no exaggeration to say its like sleeping in a bed. I realize it takes a few minutes of work to inflate but worth it to me for the comfort & to save space in the pack. Rolls down to a small package & weighs around 2 pounds. Some say this is too heavy but I am willing to carry it if I can sleep well and feel good the next day. I also have an exped downmat which is a bit warmer but the q-core is smaller & lighter to pack. Both pads are fantastic and I rate them the same although the q-core is less expensive. I have wondered if moisture generated from lung power inflation will deteriorate the down insulation within. Overall I really like this and never leave home without it now.
Yes , I recommend this product
afv123
Long Island NY
I will NOT leave home without it!!
10 years ago
the most comfortable pad I have ever used, period. I am a side sleeper and move around a lot, the thickness of the pad & the pattern of the baffles really helps stop the "roll" you get from other straight-baffled bags. Also, it compresses reasonably well, doesn't weigh that much and as a Scoutmaster I have slept out in everything from sweltering heat to bitter cold- never had a problem, and none of that rice-crispy crinkling you get from foil-lined pads when you move your head. My one wish- I had the regular sized model which was great, but recently bought "L" model for its extra 5" of width. I really don't need the extra length ( if I'm not really careful it can hit against the ends of my 1 & 2 man tents, creating an opportunity for wicking in water from rain & condensation). If Big Agnes offered simply a wide model, without the extra length, I would be a very happy camper (did you see what I did there? LOL)
Yes , I recommend this product
SlowTom
Jacksonville, FL
TheLump?
4 years ago
Used seldom due to my unfortunate choice of the older BA. that had no bottom insulation and subbed in the pad in the sleeve for that. In year four, roughly tenth trip nephew using it reports walls internally have broken and it has a massive lump mid-pad that requires one curl around it. Regretfully I bought the 20” version of this to fit my BA bags, but not expecting it to last all that long considering this pad and earlier BA pad longevity. Done with this brand of pad and probably bag as well. Pity, I gather old rugby friends Were or are are tied to the company, but the product line isn’t working for me anymore.ah well.
Age:55–64
No, I do not recommend this product
humvlimo
Annapolis Maryland
Heavy Hiker Sleeps well
12 years ago
Bought this product on the 3/5/13. I weigh 265 Lbs and sleep on my side and stomach so comfort is usally out of the question when hiking. Headed up Mount Washington on 3/9/13.This is my 4th winter overnight trip on Mt. Washington. Set up tent on snow. Both of the other people in the tent had other therema-rest type sleeping pads. They both had moisture under there pads that ultimately got there sleeping bags wet. The Big Q had no moisture under the pad. If my heat doesn't hit the bottom of my pad then the cold from the ground doesn't get to me, Awesome. After three days of camping on Mount Washington I can say that this is the most comfortable pad I've ever used. It is a little heavy but if you weigh a lot you neeed a lot. A lighter person may be able to go with a thinner model but I am hooked for life. Headed to Alaska in December for two weeks of hiking and feel better about it now. Thanks Big Agnes
Yes , I recommend this product
sYnOnYx
Las Vegas, NV
Missing Something
12 years ago
So 24hrs later this thing is going back! Dont get me wrong, it is warm, it is comfortable, but there are drawbacks. I bet if you're reading this you may also be looking at the synmat. I'm going back for it even though it weighs 3oz more. The synmat was more comfortable in my tests, I didn't slip off as much and it was MUCH easier to deflate/inflate and pack. Supposedly there is some weird way to pack the q-core. It also seemed that the synmat felt more rugged. If your debating between the two, go to REI and try them out yourself.
NMPacker
New Mexico
One of theMost Comfortable Pad on Market
12 years ago
To aid in deciding to purchace: 1. Woks best when combined with Big Agnes sleeping system, when combined there is no sliding off. Ridges on edge keeps your body centered, great idea BA! Try it with a wide girth BA semi-rectangle Ultra Light down bag, and no more burrito mummy torture! 2. This is a max comfort pad with great loft for side sleepers and heavier people. If you have problems sleeping while you backpack because of padding this is the pad for you. Because it is for max comfort and loft it weighs more. 3. They now have an ultralight version, seems to have good reviews too, but not as much loft. 4. Have not noticed any noise, seems the same as other competing brands, I have tried them all, this has the most comfort.
Yes , I recommend this product
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