Joined in 2023 
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63 About this deal
Overall I am happy with the pad so far, and assuming it will last like my other pad, I would recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade or get a new pad. Big Agnes has fabulous customer service. Each time I sent one for replacement, I had the new one within 10 days of sending it ( I shipped it via Priority Mail). For the record, they have redesigned and improved the Insulated Air Cores now. Another plus is that the Insulated Q-Core SLX Sleeping Pad comes in wide sizes, which can be advantageous to side sleepers who tend to turn from one side to the other during the night, helping you stay on your pad without the fear of rolling off onto the cold ground.
The Big Agnes Sentinel 30 double sleeping bag weighs in at 3 pounds 9 ounces, which is actually lighter than our two mummy bags combined. It’s specifically built to pair with our 2-pound 3-ounce Big Agnes Q-Core SLX insulated double-wide sleeping pad. Altogether, the setup feels like home: warm, spacious, and comfortable.
Don’t let the R-value of a sleeping pad go by the wayside! In the list above, I mentioned several other sleeping pad options that will work well for side sleepers, but the lower R-value ultimately kept them off the list. I always sleep and sit on the same side of the mat so that the inflation valve is face up and easy to access. What I love the most about the Q-Core SLX A wide range of sizes is also available for the Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad. It offers both mummy and rectangular shapes, plus short, wide, and long versions. One of these configurations is sure to be perfect for you, whether you want to cut ounces by going with the short mummy version, or you are big and tall and need a long, wide version. This pad proved to be very warm staying true to its advertised R value of 5. I used it in temperatures of 38°F. I am a cold sleeper though so I definitely need a high R value pad.
Design features of the Q-Core SLX Warmth Big Agnes doesn’t rate the warmth of their sleeping pads with an R-value, but instead gives a minimum temperature at which the mats will keep you warm. The Q-Core SLX is rated to 15ºF/ -9ºC, which will see you through most moderate winter camping conditions nicely. If you plan on sleeping directly on the snow then you may want to add a closed cell foam mat underneath. The mat is insulated with a high-loft synthetic material that is also highly durable and super light. And there is also built-in heat reflective technology to help harness as much warmth in the pad as possible. The top of the bag is plump with down fill while the bottom’s insulation is minimal. Dubbed “The Big Agnes System,” a pad sleeve replaces the bag’s bottom insulation to accommodate an insulated sleeping pad. That way, the pad provides the bottom insulation, a move that shifts the bag’s insulation where it will perform best (on top rather than compressed by your body weight on the bottom). The pad has I-Beam construction that provides stability without creating uncomfortably large humps. It’s plenty wide for two people at 40 x 72 inches and is rated to 32 degrees. If you find a small puncture (identified by a single steady stream of bubbles) mark it with a piece of chalk or masking tape. Let the pad dry and then deflate it.
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Standard size for most sleeping pads is 20” x 72”, but as side sleepers we may require a little additional space to maximize our comfort. Because we tend to shift from side to side, having a wider sleeping pad helps us stay on our pad and not roll off onto the cold ground. If you are a side sleeper that stays put, then a standard size pad might work great for you. The shape of a sleeping pad is another important characteristic to consider. You usually have two options: Mummy and rectangular. Insert the new valve flange through the deflator valve with the stem oriented up towards the inflator valve. Rectangular pads offer more space, but they will be heavier in general. The couple of extra ounces may be worth it to you though. Sleeping Pad R-Value Because we haven't tested the Air Core Ultra just yet, the rest of this review continues to reflect its predecessor, the Air Core. Hands-On Review of the Air Core
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