I love this pad and have slept well in the back country ever sense i have gotten it. I can't sleep on my back so I slept crappy on my zlite but once and I got this I was sleeping well. It packs down way smaller than any thermarest and is way more comfortable. I only have one complaint and it is that it sucks to fill up because you use so much air, especially at high elevation. But if the stuff sack turned into a pump, much like the OR mats do, that would put this pad to 5 stars.

After being stoked about my new Big Agnes Zirkel bag and Air Core REM sleeping pad, I must say that I was not comfortable with the result. When the pad is inflated and inside the sleeve of the bag, it makes for a fairly rigid setup. This prevents one from being able to bend knees for side sleeping and it prevents one from sitting up in the bag. It's a cool design and the specs are great but, for me, it's not the ideal solution I was hoping for.

I have used this a few times, all in varying circumstances, and have been only mildly happy with the results. I laughed when I read it was hard to blow up and I have found that indeed it is a lengthier process then I would prefer. The fact that it makes it hard to sit up and play crib is kind of a bummer. Also I have not mastered the sleeping bag/ pad combo yet the pad seems to get all twisted and then takes more work to untwist it prior to deployment. Enough of the negatives I DID find the pad to be SUPER comfy. It does a great job in its main purpose in life. Also it packs down super small and fits in the sleeping bag stuff sack which is very nice.

I sleep on my side and this pad is by far the most comfy that I've tried. My shoulders never hit the ground and I never slide off because I also have a BA bag. It also can't be beat for pack-ability.

the reason i gave this 4 out of 5 is because it doesn't keep me as warm as i would like. but, i'm fine if i also use a cheapo foam pad from walmart. since those weigh practically nothing i don't mind too much. previous reviewers are right, you can slide off it if you aren't on level ground or if you move a lot in your sleep, but oh well. i keep it around because it makes a huge difference when it comes to keeping me from feeling rocks and sticks and having aching bones in the morning. i haven't had any problems with leaking, but even if i ever do, it comes with a repair kit.

It is light but I am not sure on the comfort yet. I need to play around with the air pressure. So far, I have only used it when very firm and it is too hard. The nice thing is I do not bottom out on the mattress when on my side. My hips hit the ground while on my side with my Thermarest but not the BA.

This pad came with a mummy bag that I bought and it works great plus it is light and not too bulky. It is a flat pad and does not look like the picture but it's actually a very comfy pad but I like that it goes inside my mummy bag on the bottom in a built in pocket for the bottom side.

the pad works great and is super comfy. takes a while to blow up though and you do slide around on it if your on a slope

This pad is very comfortable. I have a hard time sleeping on my side with other pads but not with this one. I have used it several times and have slept great. I used it in the snow, in January in Southern Utah, and at an early spring backpacking trip. It rolls up to about the size of a Nalgene and is lighter than my other pad too. It fits great in my Big Agnes winter sleeping bag's pocket. I fit fine on the long (I am 6'2", 210 lbs).
Get one and you won't regret it.

I have only used this pad three nights in a tent and I loved the pad bag combo. It was really nice to be able to pick up my bag and pad all at once. It was really easy to inflate it took less than ten minutes and it was the same to deflate and pack up. I was very satisfied.

I have only used this pad three nights in a tent and I loved the pad bag combo. It was really nice to be able to pick up my bag and pad all at once. It was really easy to inflate it took less than ten minutes and it was the same to deflate and pack up. I was very satisfied.

Way better than a Thermarest. Much better sleep. More compact, much lighter. Also includes repair kit. Big agnes makes the BEST products. Prolite 4 sucks. Air Core RULES!

great for backpacking, very compact. will fit down to the size of a nalgene bottle.

I have used several other pads, and I have a very hard time understanding why someone would pay more for a self-inflatable pad that is inferrior in every aspect that I can think of. Yes it may take a little longer and a few deep breathes to inflate, but the next morning when I am packed up and ready to go, my brother is still rolling around on his self-inflatable and then trying to shove it in the larger stuff stack. It is also thicker (don't inflate it to its maximum though, it's not an air mattress, you won't roll to the middle) so you don't get that one pesky stone jabbing you in the back like you do with the thinner pads. Buy this pad and no other!

I have been using a Warmlite Down-filled Air Matress (DAM) for the last several years. However, it developed a serious leak around the fill (that defied attempts at repair) and costs $140 to replace, so I thought I would give the REM a try. The price is comparable to quality self-inflator, while the weight is comparable to a thin foam pad. Playing with the air pressure yields a very, very comfortable, conforming mattress. The down-side of all non-filled air mattresses is that they require an insulator as the air temperature drops. I use a layer of foil-covered bubble-wrap (building insulation). This nearly doubles the weight, but is still well less than the DAM, or a full-length self-inflator. I sleep heavy, and will find the ground, even on 1.5" self-inflators. The REM kept me very comfortably off of the ground. The material appears as tough (puncture-resistant) as any self-inflator I have tried. If you need the comfort of a thick mattress, and can't afford, or want the weight (28oz) of a DAM, this is an excellent choice.

For the first time in my life, I had a good light sleep in the woods. Usually on my Thermarest, I need to change positions several times per night due to soreness. Not on the Big Agnes REM Core Sleeping Pad. With its two and half inches of padding, I sleep comfortably. It also packs so small that I can carry a smaller pack. And I am saving over a pound in weight over my full length Thermarest. There is one drawback to this pad - no insulation. So when I am packing into snowy areas or places where the ground has recently been frozen, I bring a full length half-inch foam pad. Then I get three full inches of padding for only around two pounds.

The Big Agnus mummy sleeping pad is terrific. The fact that it inflates, it can be rolled into a tiny package just perfect for limited storage when kayaking. It is also a very comfortable pad. This is a purchase well worth the cost.

What an awesome sleeping pad! I have used the thermarest ultralight pads in the past and this puts them to shame. It was truly like sleeping on air. My hips never felt the ground whether I was sleeping on a wood floor shelter or on the ground. It is lightweight and ultracompact. It may weigh a little more than than the foam pads, but it is worth every ounce.

After several sleepless nights on self-inflators, I decided to try the Big Agnes Air Core. Wow! I actually got some sleep in the woods and I wasn't on the ground in the morning. Someone at Big Agnes deserves a raise. Works particularly well in conjunction with Big Agnes bags which incorporate a pocket specifically for the pad. Great product!

I purchased for my wife as an upgrade from a non-inflating pad. What a difference! I tested it as well and agree the thickness makes the difference in comfort. It insulates well too. She used it in mid 30s°F temps and stayed warm. It takes longer to inflate, but it packs and stores smaller than my self inflater.

Big Agnus REM mummy sleeping pad my RATING…. Size = A++ Weight = A and most importantly COMFORT A+++++++ Cost = A+ well worth every penny -- It was as if I had my Sealy pillow top mattress in the woods!! It packed very easily for extended trips; hiking/kayaking. Even through it’s not self inflating, it only requires about 17 big puffs to sleep on 2.5 inches of “comfort”. I won’t leave home with out the REM pad…. I’d instantly find something else to leave behind.

Made our sea kayaking and backpacking this summer that much more fun with the kids- they loved carrying them (even our 6 yr old!) and even more sleeping on them. And they even come with a built in patch kit!

I finished a Quetico multi-day paddle and portage trip in July 2004. The Big Agnes pad gave me the best sleep ever. Personally, it is more comfortable that my bed at home. I've used everything from cots, to self-inflating pads, to ensolite and its brothers. Big Agnes is worth the 19-24 oz, whether thru-packing or pack and paddle.

Like all air mattresses, the Air Core REM Sleeping Pad afforded little insulation and contributed to some teeth chattering through the night that I used it with a thirty-degree sleeping bag in 35-40 degree weather.

On the other hand, it was very comfortable, and I stayed on it a lot better than I had anticipated I would. I woke in the middle of the night from temperature, not sore hips.

If you only backpack in warmer climates, this is a sweet little deal.

Just got back from 2 weeks in Colorado elk hunting. The pad was very comfy to sleep on, but when not on a level surface, I woke up often from sliding off. I would not buy the mummy style again, as I believe the rectangular would be easier to stay on. It inflated easily,and deflated to the pack nicely. Good quality material,light weight,but slippery.

Too hard to blow up. Once it's inflated and inserted into sleeve u can't sit up

This is the most comfortable bag I've ever owned. My girlfriend makes fun of the name and calls it Bagness but I don't care, I sleep better than I ever have in the backcountry.

Awesome sleeping pad, very compact, very lightweight, and extremely comfortable!!

I think it was most comfortable when filled half way. While sleeping on my side, I didn't have any problems slipping off of the pad and I use a North Face Cat's Meow.

Good, solid pad. Only takes 5 min or so to inflate. However, you do not want to take it winter camping. Otherwise, I would recommend it.

Much the better value of the two brands I have had. The "I beam" construction means the the air tubes abut and there is no area where there is no area that does not has enclosed air between you and the ground. More comfortable than pads on rough ground. Suitable for warm season backpacking. I did find the shipping charges to Australia fairly steep otherwise good value.

Just returned from a 2 week backpacking trip. This thing was pretty comfortable but I wish there was a hooded portion to cinch up when it got chilly, I spent half the nights sleeping deep inside the bag. It tended to slide across my ground tarp when we had to sleep on slightly unlevel ground (I had to build a barrier so I didn't end up off the side of the mountain). Other than that it was much more enjoyable than sleeping on the ground.

Incredibly small, light and comfortable. The only complaint I have is it squeeks a lot when rolling around. I am a heavy sleeper though. Too bad for the unlucky ones.

I Bought as a mate for my BA summer bag. Used this weekend w/ my Marmot winter bag due to cold snap. Really comfy. Flat out blows away my Therm-A-Rest Prolite 4 in comfort, Weight-11oz less, packability and price. Will only use Prolite in winter now. Nice product, highly recommended.

This is a superlight and compact pad for backpacking adventures. The key with this pad is to only fill it about half full with air to ensure comfort. If you fill it more than that you will tend to roll off and it doesn't conform to your body. It isn't a great insulating mattress pad, so only for warmer temps or you can put a closed cell foam pad underneath for additional insulation. Works great with the pad sleeve on all Big Agnes tents.

If the ground is flat a really good pad but NOT a good pad for any slope to the ground , you wll spend all night trying to stay on it.

Bet w/ the Big Anges Sleeping bags that have the pocket that the pad slids into would work great.

I used this pad on a cold winter camping trip. The night time temps typically dropped down to 10 deg. F. I was in a tent on top of snow and ice. I used a small closed cell foam sheet that I usually use to sit on, under my hips (underneath the sleeping pad). Despite the warnings for pads with only air filling, I stayed plenty warm, and would say that the pad insulated fine. I didn't experience any heat transfer issues between the pad and the ground/snow.

I love my Big Agnes Air Core REM Sleeping Pad! I have slept on rocks and you don't fell a thing. And it hasn't gone flat yet I thought it would. The only thing is that it that you slip off easy.

I have had this pad for years and I absolutely love it. It is incredibly comfortable all night long. I have learned that it is helpful to add more air right before bed and then I am good to go for the night. Plus it packs down super small so it hardly takes up any room in my pack.

This pad is one of the easiest to package up and carry. Softness is good. Big Agnes keeps putting out great product.

This sleeping pad is okay if you do not have a lot of room in your pack like me (I have a ghost 3100). But if you have a little more room I would strongly reccomend the therm a rest prolite three, it costs a little more but it's worth it. This pad feels like a beach inflatable (and you have to blow it up like one too) and is not very comfortable and I am always worried about popping it because the material does not seem very strong, small package though.

I bought one of these pads and sent it back after using it only 3 times. The first time, I slept in my tent, in a 15 degree (true rating) bag. The ground was damp (outside) and there was snow piled around (not under me). I had never gotten cold in that bag before, but did while sleeping on the Aircore REM. I inflated it all the way, to get me off the ground more, but that only made it more slippery and uncomfortable. The other two times were in cool weather. While I didn't get cold, I did wake up feeling quite stiff. Despite various levels of inflation, I was unable to get comfortable on this pad. While it does pack very small and light, I think I'll stick to my old Thermarest and/or EVA pad. On an extremely positive note, Big Agnes has THE BEST customer service I've ever encountered. Not only did they take the pad back without any debate (even though I bought it from Backcounty.com), they asked me detailed questions about what problems I encountered with their product.