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big agnes Q core vs therm-a rest neo ex lite

PostPosted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:03 pm
by Grampahawk
I haven't had to buy any significant gear in a while and I'm looking to use my REI rewards money, plus a Father's Day gift card towards a new pad. I'm looking at the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Lite vs. the Big Agnes QCore SL. I do a lot of winter camping and one or two glacier climbs a year so warmth is a consideration. I've never had a problem with my old Ther-a-Rest self inflating pad but I'm looking to upgrade for less bulk and weight. I'm a side sleeper. I've read various rewiews about each and they seem somewhat comparable but a lot of the reviewers don't seem to be out on a mountain, or in situations where it get down to 0 degrees. Your recommendations please.

Re: big agnes Q core vs therm-a rest neo ex lite

PostPosted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:31 pm
by fluxlib
I purchased the Large Size NEOAIR X-Lites last year and took it on a 5 night trip. Love the thing for sure. It's definitely warm but I would be a bit careful with it on sharper surfaces. packs up tiny and I got the best nights sleep ever! I sleep on my side and stomach and no bottoming out. They make a higher Rvalue one called the X-therm which might suit you better, or get the NEOair and back it up with a closed cell foam pad to boost your r value, protect the pad from puncture, and give you some backup in case of deflation.

I can't comment on the BA pads. I know that the synmats get a lot of good reviews as well.

Re: big agnes Q core vs therm-a rest neo ex lite

PostPosted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:04 am
by Mark M
I got the Xtherm last year. If you camp in the snow, I would get that one. It is lite and the R value is very high. In fact I think the r value of the xtherm is higher than by previous therma rest air pad and foam pad combined. I stopped using a closed cell foam pad in addition to my airpad for 1 or 2 night snow trips. Its plenty warm all by itself. It has proven to be durable so far. I have been using it regularly for the past year in the desert, cascades, sierra and only had one incident where it blew away at night in the desert while sleeping on a tarp. It flew off and landed in a creosote bush, but surprisingly only got one small hole, which was easily patched with the kit. They are ridiculously expensive, but i had some gift cards to burn like you. When you consider the weight savings of not having to bring an extra foam pad when snow camping, its worth it.

Re: big agnes Q core vs therm-a rest neo ex lite

PostPosted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 7:01 pm
by Grampahawk
I'll go with the therm-a-rest. I'd like to get the large because it's 25 inches wide but I think I'll have to get the regular size (20 inches) because I don't think the large will fit well in my bivvy