Michael Daly wrote:

From the Backpacker review:
http://www.backpacker.com/gear/artic...3,4006,00.html

"Since the Air Core is not self-inflating, it takes some effort
to blow up--typically 4 minutes of puffing"
[also the lack-of-insulation problem]

Of what material is the Big Agnes Air Core mattress constructed?
I've never liked the feel of air mattresses (or water beds) but
friends who like air mattresses are often disappointed when their
air mattress pops on the first night out!

Thermarest has two new models, with lighter foam and fabric, and
a tapered design. The Prolite 3 weighs only 1 lb 4 oz, same as
the regular size Air Core, and is supposedly just as comfortable
as the original 1.5"-thick Thermarest.

"Alex Horvath" wrote in message
m...
Not to be argumentative, but Backpacking magazine says air mattresses
are more comfortable (and I agree) and they are now recommending the
Big Agnes over Thermarest. I have never understood why Thermarest
would believe that people would not want to take 30 seconds to blow up
a air mattress. The only advantage of having a lot of foam inside is
the insulating quality but of course that is not an issue for warm
weather kayaking/rafting.

It's not as much insulation as comfort.