View Full Version : BA pads
i have two thermarest, Prolite 3 Reg and Short, i have been looking at the BA pads and has anybody switched from thermarest to BA and which one do you like the best and why
Cabin Fever
08-28-2008, 22:20
comfort and warmth...BA all the way. Ease...thermarest. The BA Insulated Air Core is like an ultralight swimming float. Very comfortable and creates a good warm barrier between you and the ground. The downside is having to blow the darn thing up. 10 minutes to blow the thing up is worth 8 hours of comfort to me.
I have owned and used TR LE series mattress since it was introduced. It is still a great mat, 2" thick, but weighs about 2.5 lbs. I still use it winter camping for warmth.
I bought a BA insulated Air Core early last year. I sleep better on it, no doubt.
I cannot use the pro3 you do. Too thin for my bony hips, as I am dedicated side sleeper. The pro4 is bare minimum for me, at max inflation. And that is why when I needed to go lighter and smaller, I decided to try the BA. The pro4 just had too little margin for me.
So for me BA good = small pack size, weight reduction, better margin for sleeping comfortably. Not so good = blowing up daily, poor insulation in any temp close to 30 degrees, at least for me. At 30 or lower, I can feel the pad sucking the cold right out of me. Other users may not feel this way, but for me, I have tried and the BA is no good below or close to 30 without addtion of a zrest or ridgerest or other bad to insulate better.
I like the BA, and blowing it up doesn't bother me in the least, just not as convienant as the TR. If you are looking for more padding, maybe the Pro4 or adding a shorty zrest is the ticket. BA is an alternative thou as well.
My .02
Littlest Hobo
08-29-2008, 12:05
While hiking in Vermont last year, I met up with a couple of guys who were using BA pads and became instantly jealous of its thickness when compared to my Thermarest. Bought one as soon as I got home.
Trade offs? Not many. I don't find the air core that difficult to blow up, and it's only a smige heavier than the ProLite. However, you will notice when parts of your body "fall off" your pad in the middle of the night. I've woken up several times now with the feeling that I've "fallen" out of bed. The relative thinness of the Thermarest means that you don't notice this as much.
As my arthritis got worse, I moved from a 3/4" TR pad up through to their 2.5" Camp Rest, at 4#.
Made the move to a BA two years ago and love it. Takes 21 puffs to fully inflate it. I often let air out as my body warms the air in the pad and it expands.
Lately it delvoped a slow leak. So slow I cannot find it in the bathtub, but in the morning it is half inflated. My hips just touch the ground (side sleeper).
Anticipating the leak getting worse and having read a review at Backpackinglight.com, I looked at the BA site and like their new, very light, pad:
http://www.bigagnes.com/str_pads.php?bid=8
I will be ordering one of these puppies soon.
review:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/big_agnes_clearview_air_pad_review.html
Blissful
08-29-2008, 14:53
BA is a great pad for comfort, esp if you are a side sleeper like me. You need to inflate it, but I didn't find that a major issue even when I was tired. It does tend to leak at times, but BA is good with replacement if defective (they sent one to me in Gorham).
Blissful
08-29-2008, 14:54
I looked at the BA site and like their new, very light, pad:
http://www.bigagnes.com/str_pads.php?bid=8
I will be ordering one of these puppies soon.
review:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/big_agnes_clearview_air_pad_review.html
Looks good for summer, but hope they come out a better model for early spring (35 is too cold for me to take).
The BA pads are great for comfort until you they leak in the middle of a 2 week trip. I used one for my thru hike last year and did not have a single problem, loved it. This summer I got one of the new light weight ones and it started leaking in the middle of my 2 week hike on the JMT. I had a patch kit but could not find the leak. I will still use a BA pad since they are so comfortable but hope I do not have a problem again
rpenczek
08-29-2008, 15:52
I changed from a Prolite 4 to a BA 15 degree pad about 1.5 years ago and have not looked back, I would not change back for anything. BA pads rock.
SmokeHouse
08-29-2008, 16:14
I thought about the BA, but I do alot of Winter packing so I'm going with the Exped downmat... They cost more with a little more wt, But the Exped 7 is 2.8" has temp rate of -11, the Exped 9 is 3.5" temp rate is -38. At least get a good night sleep and stay warm.
I just switched from A Thermarest Prolite 4 to a BA Insulated Air Core and I sleep much better.
Just Plain Jim
08-29-2008, 16:47
I bought the BA 2 years ago. My hiking buddies laugh while I spend extra time blowing it up, but the extra comfort is well worth it.
Speaking as another very enthusiastic BA fan for two years now, one tip I can offer is don't blow it up all the way. It takes me about 30 breathes to "fully" inflate mine (regular 20x72"), which I did many nights on the trail. After retiring for the night, I'd always let air out to find my preferred "sleep number" setting. I finally got smart and don't bother to fully inflate the BA - about 20 breathes does the trick now.
In anticipation of a 2009 thru hike, I recently purchased a new BA as the new line is a little lighter than what I had. My BA Insulated Pad (20x 72") weighs in on my postal scale at 23.7 ounces, lighter than advertised. I don't use the stuff sack provided.
I'm certainly interested in the new BA Clearview as a warm weather option and look forward to hearing more about long term durability and repair ease.
Blissful
08-29-2008, 20:44
I don't use the stuff sack either. Just fold it and put it in the very bottom of my pack.
one tip I can offer is don't blow it up all the way.
I discovered the same thing and only blow it up about 3/4 full.
I don't use the stuff sack either. Just fold it and put it in the very bottom of my pack.
Same here
do they pack down small?
yes, they can be folded flat or rolled
I've used the BA stuff for quite a while now. I have both the Air Core mummy and a rectangular. I've had 2 of the mummy pads develop leaks. The 1st I returned to BA which they happily replaced. However, the pad they sent me leaked right out of the package. I'm pretty certain that the person I was dealing with at BA thought I was trying to cheat them somehow but again, they replaced it. I've not had another pad leak yet.
Though I am a pretty wide individual, I sleep pretty darn well on the things although they are only 20" wide. But I use the BA sleeping system with a Zirkel so I don't roll off. Actually, I just did a short section of the Pinhoti and I used the mummy pad and my silk liner and I still had no trouble sleeping.
I like this stuff.
moondoggy
09-07-2008, 23:27
Thanks guys, for your very timely review...I just got back from 5 days in the Cranberry Wilderness. I've been using an EMS crash pad for about 4 yrs now and have grown to absolutely despise it. This trip was the last straw the second nite out I told the wife (who has the same pad) these expletive expletive things have to to go..... I'll be somewhere getting a BA pad before the week is out.....
No, I'm going to order one online now!!!
Thanks again
Gladiator
09-08-2008, 00:03
Do any of you have BA sleeping bags? I recently purchased one because of the pad sleeve feature. I was sold on the idea of not having to worry about rolling off of the pad. If any of you do have a BA bag, do you pack it in the stuff sack along with the pad, or do you pack the pad in a separate stuff sack?
Thanks,
Gladiator
RedneckRye
09-08-2008, 09:11
Do any of you have BA sleeping bags? I recently purchased one because of the pad sleeve feature. I was sold on the idea of not having to worry about rolling off of the pad. If any of you do have a BA bag, do you pack it in the stuff sack along with the pad, or do you pack the pad in a separate stuff sack?
Thanks,
Gladiator
I just got back from a 10 day trip using the BA Zirkel and a BA Insulated AirCore Pad. The pad was the most comfortable pad I've ever slept on. However, I found the whole system to be much more comfortable when I didn't use it as a system. With the pad slid into the sleeve of the bag I was too constricted and slept much better after I pulled the pad out of the bag. Luckily I was just borrowing the bag (BA has a great demo program for BA dealer employees) so I will stick to using my Western Mtn Alpinlite.
Depending on how long I'm away, I leave the pad in the bag and stuff the whole thing down in my pack. You'll find this a hassle sometimes when you pull the thing back out and have to look for the valve but it worlks for me. I don't use a stuff sack. I'm also a big guy with broad shoulders. When I bought my first BA Horse Thief, I was at 300 lbs + and even that bag in a long was way t oo tight so for a long time, I used the wedge accessory to give a bit more space in the bag. I've since lost 50 lbs and the Horse Thief is gone too but I still have the Zirkel. Don't need the wedge and I don't feel constricted. Of course, I still use a long and I reckon it maybe has a bit more room.
I continue to like this stuff.
karoberts
09-11-2008, 22:06
When I sleep in my BA, I feel like I am in my bed at home, only colder (if temp is below 40).
I have the BA insulated air core shorty mattress. Love it - like many other fans, I'm a side sleeper (when I'm not in my hammock), so the 2.5" thickness makes a big difference. Also have bursitis in my hips.
No special problems - any inflatable carries the risk of leaking, and you ill only discover the leak in the middle of the night - Murphy's law.
I carry mine by deflating, rolling up looseley to fill a stuff sack, and stuffing my sleeping bag in the middle, sorta like a corn dog, with a down dog and a BA wrapper.
As others have said, blowing up my BA pad is a PITA. But I scored it for $20 at a silent auction. It is comfy though.
On my recent hike of the JMT, I swapped out my BA for my daughter's tiny Bozeman Mountain Works Torsolite pad (10 oz). I slept fine. She was getting cold - so that's why I gave her my BA pad. I told her I wanted to use HER pad when I hike from now on.
sbennett
09-22-2008, 02:22
I had a Thermarest Prolite 4 and switched to BA pad, which I think weighed basically the same amount. The BA pad is eminently more comfortable. The complaint I have is that I feel lightheaded after blowing the thing up. Oh well....
dudeijuststarted
09-22-2008, 02:54
I've got an air core. At first I found inflating it to take only about 5 minutes and be worth it. Later I found that the weight and process of deflating was too much for backpacking, so I switched to a Z-Rest. I may use a combination of the two now that fall is here. It can be loud when rolling on your side, etc (in the event you're in a shelter), and I've found myself sliding off of it as well.
As others have said, blowing up my BA pad is a PITA. But I scored it for $20 at a silent auction. It is comfy though.
On my recent hike of the JMT, I swapped out my BA for my daughter's tiny Bozeman Mountain Works Torsolite pad (10 oz). I slept fine. She was getting cold - so that's why I gave her my BA pad. I told her I wanted to use HER pad when I hike from now on.
Why?
Did you find the Torsolite as comfy? How do you sleep?
Details dude! Details .....
I have the Pacific Outdoor Equip Insulmat in mummy shape. A little lighter than the BA Air Core however the baffles are a little larger. My buddy has the BA Air Core and like it better than mine. The smaller baffles make the comfort difference to me.
Big Agnes Air Core mummy plus closed cell foam on top= Thermarest, but more comfy.
Blowing into a mattress in freezing temps introduces ice into your insulation which is why I won't run out and buy a BA insulated pad any time soon.
Big Agnes Air Core mummy without closed cell on top is more comfortable and COOLER than a Thermarest.
Hammocks beat any pad in the summer! :)
fyi inflating through your bandanna would take care of most condensation in your pad if you're that concerned about it
I've got an air core. At first I found inflating it to take only about 5 minutes and be worth it. Later I found that the weight and process of deflating was too much for backpacking......
The easiest/ fastest thing to do is when you're almost ready to get up, open the valve and lay there for a minute or two. Then take pad and fold in thirds lengthwise. Roll it up by making a few folds to get most of air out, then bend the folds and roll the rest of the way. With a little practice, it's pretty fast actually. For me, I'd rather spend that little bit of extra time opening/ closing the pad instead of having a less then comfortable sleep.
The first couple of times deflating and getting it in the stuff sack was a pain for me too. Not anymore. When I first get up I push a little air out to get it into my ThermaRest chair to enjoy breakfast and coffee. When I take it out of the chair (already folded in half) I open the valve and fold it in half again and kneel on it with both knees and both hands. Then I fold it in half again (actually 8ths by now) and repeat both knees and hands. With all the air pressed out, I close the valve, and roll it up because folded in 1/8ths it is the size to fit the stuff sack. Goes right in fairly easy. Not a pain in the least! :)
I pump it up using the BA Pumphouse. Only half to get it about 1/2 inflated to fit properly in the ThermaRest chair. When ready for bed, I remove it from the chair and about three puffs by mouth and it's ready to sleep on.