NEMO Equipment, Inc. Astro Air Short
Take the comfort of your bed outdoors with the Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core SL.
Brand: NEMO Equipment, Inc.
Model: Astro Air Short
[most comfortable]
“It’s Hyatt-level comfort for only a pound,” says one tester, who calls the ounce-shaving mummy shape and 3.5 inches of cushion “the ideal balance of efficiency and comfort.” Instead of using vertical or horizontal tubes, the Q-Core welds both types together in a quilt-like pattern that delivers outstanding stability.
“There’s no raft-like rebound when I roll over,” says a tester. A thin layer of synthetic insulation boosts the R-value to 4.5. In Colorado’s Park Range, our tester slept warm through a 20°F night—in a 30°F bag. Downside: The superlight nylon shell material requires TLC. $160; 1 lb.; 70” x 20” x 3.5”; bigagnes.com
Forget your typical inch thick backcountry pad, Astro Air Short is 2.5″ tall and has engineered I-beam baffles that create a flat sleeping surface. The 75D polyester fabric resists puncture while keeping weight down. Add the lightweight washable slipcover or Pillowtop with 1″ of foam to increase comfort and insulation. Packs to 8″ X 2″.