Big Agnes Q-Core SL
Reviewed by
Unknown Caver
+231
December 5, 2016
This is a very good pad. Comfortable and fairly warm too.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Warm insulation
- Smaller packing size
Cons
- Must hold air, so not as durable
- Have to air it up and deflate it
Started using it at basecamp tenting for over a month in France and Turkey. Held up well for at least a year or so before developing flex fatigue holes between the inflation piece and the fabric. (I am rough on gear, leaving it in my car in summer heat etc.) This probably had some to do with the heat as well loosening the fabric at the spot. The supplied patch glue had long since melted in the heat so I just used some JB Weld that was handy to fix it.
This one is worth the money. Never slept so well. Plenty of durability for what it is made for, backpacking. Way better than the self-inflating Thermarest types I've tried and the pool mats.
Best part is it sort of holds you in place. The sides are thicker by just enough to help hold you in the middle. I've used it from 90°F down to 16°F. Won't bother with the other types as long as these are still around, unless I use one of those slightly uncomfortable egg crate pads as a second pad or backup.
Source: bought it used
Price Paid: $140
