In our review of the Big Agnes Insulated AXL sleeping pad, you will see how Big Agnes enables you to have a comfy night’s sleep. Also, the Insulated AXL enables you to comfortably camp further into the shoulder season. This review will provide our thoughts and compare the Insulated AXL with other sleeping pads in the 3-season, ultralight insulated sleeping pad category ensuring that you make the right purchase decision.
6 Reasons to Love the Big Agnes Insulated AXL Sleeping Pad.
- Tons of air padding – 3.5″ in the center with 3.75″ on the sides
- The 2-way micro-adjustable valve creates the perfect firmness
- The nylon fabric is very tear-resistant and quieter than other pads
- R-3.0 insulation value due to PrimaLoft™ Gold
- Antimicrobial treatment inside the prevents micro-organism growth
- It weighs only 511 grams (1.13 lbs) for the 25″ x 78″ size
Have you backpacked at high elevation in the summer and felt the cold ground beneath you as you slept? Or, do you want to camp further in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall? If that’s the case, your current sleeping pad probably doesn’t insulate your body from the ground below so you can get cold at night when the temp drops. In short, heat moves to colder regions, so, if your body temp is warmer than the ground, your body heat will move to the cool ground and provide a less than desirable night’s sleep.
Who is the Big Agnes Insulated AXL Sleeping Pad for?
- Backpackers looking for the ultimate comfort
- Car campers who want to minimize the packing space in their vehicles
- 3-season campers
When I am camping, I want to feel comfy and snug-as-a-bug in my tent and sleeping bag, but I don’t want to buy 2-3 different types of sleeping pads based. In the past, if you wanted an insulated pad, it would be heavy, so you didn’t want to use it during the warmer months. Luckily, fabric and insulation technology has advanced. In our Big Agnes Insulated AXL review, we’ll share what we like and dislike so that you can get the perfect sleeping pad for your next adventure.
Available At:
– Amazon
– REI
– Backcountry
Big Agnes Insulated AXL Review
To provide you a comfy night’s sleep, Big Agnes’ Insulated AXL Sleeping Pad has four characteristics to accomplish this goal. First, the Insulated AXL Sleeping Pad has 3.25″ air cushion in the center of the pad, and larger 3.75″ air chambers along the outside. The thicker, outer chambers help keep you from rolling off your pad in the middle of the night. Second, they use a 2-way micro-adjust air valve, so you can dial in the pad to the exact firmness you desire.
Third, the fabric is a proprietary nylon ripstop that uses randomized high-tenacity yarns and high filament count that Big Agnes says increases tear strength by 25%. Additionally, they say it also decreases weight. But what I really like about the fabric, is that it’s quieter than other sleeping pads in this category. Fourth, they use PrimaLoft™ Gold insulation that provides an insulation value of R-3.0. If you inflate the pad with your breath, as opposed to using an inflation sack, you putting moisture inside the pad. Luckily, the Insulated AXL has an antimicrobial treatment inside that prevents micro-organism growth.
Dislikes?
For me, there are three downsides to the Big Agnes Insulated AXL sleeping pad. First, the micro-adjust valve is great to dial in your desired firmness, but the downside is that when you want to pack up camp, it’s slow to deflate. Second, it takes longer to inflate because of the 3.25″ inches of air cushioning. It’s more air volume, so it takes longer to inflate/deflate. Third, is minor, due to its size and PrimaLoft™ Gold insulation when rolled up, it takes more space in your backpack.
Pro Tip: when packing up camp and it’s time to roll up Insulated AXL pad, press the micro-adjust valve to let some air out of the pad. That way, it’s easier to twist and insert the valve plug. It’s a bit difficult to insert the valve plug to deflate the pad when it’s filled to the max with air.
Insulated Air-Filled Sleeping Pad Category Ranking:
These ratings are based on the Big Agnes Insulated AXL camping sleeping pad in size large (25×78).
- MSRP Rating: 7th
- Weight Rating: 2nd
- Insulation Rating: 7th
- Cost Per Gram Rating: 7th
- Time-to-inflate Rating: 3rd
- Time-to-pack Rating: 3rd
- Volume (packability) Rating: 3rd
- Insulation Rating: 7th
- Overall Rating: 6th
Other Sleeping Pad Options
How to Choose a Camping Sleeping Pad.
Are you still having trouble determining which is the best camping sleeping pad for you? Check out our article on how to choose the best camping sleeping pad for you!
Fit and Sizing:
I’m on the bigger side (6’2″), so I opted for the 25″ x 78″ version. I used it on multiple backpacking trips in the Uinta Mountains and Southern Utah and it performed very well. It has baffles with thicker outer baffles that keep you cradled in the center of the sleeping pad. Also, the quilted baffles provide excellent support for side sleepers.
Since the Insulated AXL pad uses PrimaLoft™ Gold for its insulation, it doesn’t roll up as small as other pads in this category. If you are looking to save space and use a small volume backpack, this may not be the pad for you. But, it is light. It’s one of the lightest insulated sleeping pads weighing only 1.13 pounds (511 grams) for the large version. Plus, it’s less noisy than other sleeping pads in this category.
Common Questions
Question: What’s the R-Value of the Insulated AXL?
Answer: The Big Agnes Insulated AXL camping sleeping pad has an R-Value of 3. ASTM F3340-18 is the new industry standard for insulation ratings so that people can make apple-to-apple comparisons.
Question: How do you repair a leak on a Big Agnes air-filled sleeping pad?
Answer: It’s an easy 6-step process. 1) Locate the leak. The easiest way to do this is with water. 2) Choose the appropriate size patch which is large enough to extend past the puncture. 3) Deflate the pad and clean the surface. 4) Peel and stick the patch to the fabric of the camping sleeping pad. 5) Smooth out any air bubbles. 6) Inflate and check the repair to confirm the leak is sealed.
Question: How many options are there for the Big Agnes Insulated AXL camping sleeping pad?
Answer: There are five size options: Small rectangle (20×66), Medium mummy (20×72), Medium rectangle (20×72), Large rectangle (25×72), X-Large (25×78).
Specs:
- Packed Weight: 18 ounces (511 grams) – 25″ x 78″ size
- Packed Size: 3.5″ x 8″ (1.26 cubic liters)
- Climate: 3-season
- R-Value: 3.0
- Thickness: 3.25″ – 3.75″
- MSRP: $159.95 – $249.95
- Cost Per Gram: $0.49 (25×78 large size)
Bottom Line:
The Big Agnes Insulated AXL sleeping pad is a very lightweight option that will provide you an ultra-comfy night’s sleep. If you prefer comfort and you don’t need to set-up/tear-down camp quickly, this is the pad for you.
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