Exped, thermarest or Big Agnes?

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nikosia7

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Oct 25, 2011
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I have been debating between an exped synmat/downmat, thermarest prolite plus or big agnes q-core. I don't have any experience with them. Seeking feedback from those who have used these products with feedback. Many thanks
 
I had a prolite plus and really liked it. Tough, packs down pretty well but was too narrow when I needed to use it for the family camping (have a rectangle size sleeping bag for family campin). So I didnt want to get a pad that was bigger and heavier when packed out then my prolite +...something I could use for both backpacking and car camping. I traded in my prolite+ to REI and got a NeoAir All seasons. I havent used it yet but I do like that the R value is better, it is a full rectangle no taper, yet smaller packed out and around the same weight as my Prolite+. The Prolite+ was very comfy so I am hoping the neo will be as comfy...it is thicker. Only thing I worry about is noise...the prolite + was quiet if you move around the neo air is a little nosier. Not sure about the agnes.
 
Thanks soap. You are always helpful with questions. I will consider the prolite plus and looking into the neo air
 
I use a Big Agnes insulated air core and its great. Its tough as hell and it will be the most comfortable of all of them. But it technically can get a hole I suppose if you try hard enough, but I have used mine and on some rougher ground and never had an issue, its not a flimsy blow up. And it packs small..
 
i had a thermarest prolite plus and got rid of it. i'm a big fan of exped (i have a synmat ul 7 and downmat 9 lw for winter). separate inflate and deflate valves (no more blowing, close valve, breath, open valve and blow again cycle), higher r-value per weight, thicker with the same weight or lighter, comes with it's own storage sack and repair kit unlike thermarest.
 
I have a Big Agnes Lost Ranger 15 bag with accomping insulated air pad. It is awesome. Best rest on the ground I've ever had and I use this ranging from a cot to crummy bunk beds to hard ground starting May through about now. Lightweight and easy to use. Then in the winter I switch over to the Downmat 7 and a Kifaru bag and it is off the scale awesome for hard, cold and unforgiving weather. I spent a restful warm night in a tarp shelter during a 35 mph blizzard with sub teens snowy weather. The Agnes is lighter and best suited for reasonable weather. The Downmat is as well but too warm for nicer weather, is heavier and I have the older blow up with the compression sack model which is a pain. Both are great, but you need to consider your needs and conditions and match accordingly.
 
I recently purchased the Exped Synmat UL 7. I love it. Incredibly light weight, durable, and compact.
 
JV3 said:
i had a thermarest prolite plus and got rid of it. i'm a big fan of exped (i have a synmat ul 7 and downmat 9 lw for winter). separate inflate and deflate valves (no more blowing, close valve, breath, open valve and blow again cycle), higher r-value per weight, thicker with the same weight or lighter, comes with it's own storage sack and repair kit unlike thermarest.
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What ^he said.

I'm putting the downmat 9M on my Christmas list. In winter i've used a closed-cell foam + 3/4 length self-inflating pad combo for a long time, but the Exped system makes sense. I can use it in most seasons except summer.
 
I only have the BA insulated air core and I have no complaints. It is thick enough for comfort and seems to be warm enough for my needs but isn't overly hot in warm weather. It isn't light but it does pack down very small. No leaks yet. I can't speak for the other brands.
 
I used to own Thermarest products and they were just fine but have since upgraded to a Nemo air pad... night and day from a comfort standpoint. I have heard good things about exped but I think they tend to be heavy but Big Agnes is usually a very good deal. Nemo has solved all of my issues with pads and their comfort is outstanding in the usualy rocky campsites in the BWCA where I camp a lot.
 
I recently spent 2 hrs at an REI store comparing all of the above models, and ended up getting the Big Agnes Q core. It was the most comfortable of the backpackable size/weight mattresses. I have used it on one trip so far and it was excellent, as comfortable as sleeping on a regular bed! I highly recommend it, esp it you have back problems or are going to be sleeping on cold or rocky surfaces.
 
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Exped Synmat 7 LW here. It is a little on the bulky/heavy side compared to neo air and the like, but boy is it comfy. I love light weight gear, but I'll make sacrifices here and there for comfort. This is one of them for me. Less back pain and a better night's sleep makes the trip more enjoyable.
 
I have the BA Insulated Air Core. 2.5"x25"x78". It is great! That thickness keeps me comfortable in the night. It takes about 25 deep breaths to fill, and packs down to a bit larger than a nalgene. Weighs something like 28 oz. I've used it down to about 15-20 degrees without getting cold.
 
One thing I have noticed is that when sleeping on my back on the Big Agnes, I suffer from arm drop unless I add some clothing or gear to extend the width in the shoulder/chest area. The problem goes away when I sleep on my side. Measure your shhoulder and chest width. Is it 24" or greater? Then you might find yourself laying a coat beside your mat to increase the width. I don't know the width of all the available mats but I would guess that this isn't an uncommon inconvenience.
 
nikosia7 said:
Thanks eomeo. Seems like exped and big agnes are getting the most kudos
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Big Agnes is kind of like a budget Exped, at least to my mind. I have the Air Core and Insulated Air Core, and they are great. If I'd bought the insulated version first, I probably wouldn't have bothered with the regular one, but it was the other way around. Could have gotten more R-value for the weight with an Exped, and they are nicer mats, but also more expensive. If I had to start over, I'd probably just buy a Synmat UL 7, since it doesn't get very cold here that often, and it's 9oz lighter than my regular Insulated Air Core(and only 9oz heavier than my Klymit X-Lite Recon).
 
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