Great video! Kinda mad at myself for not waiting until the pad had been longer on the market before buying. Initial reviews seemed great. I've recently had this pad out at around +3-4 celsius WITH an extra foam pad with an R-value of 2 under it. And while I was never freezing, I was never warm either... While the comfort is great, the pad has ended up being a big disappointment for me, unfortunately. I wanted a 4 season pad - and this ain't it.
My AXL just died (developed an unfindable leak), and BA offered to replace it with a Zoom. I’ve been happy with my Q-Core SL, which is still happily kicking. I never had issues with the single BA valve on the AXL. Is the Zoom comparable in warmth to the insulated Q-core?
I'm not sure the reflective film dropping to the bottom is going to make much of a difference to how effective it is. It works by reflecting body radiation rather than trapping air. The downside of this type of insulation is that convection currents within the pad can still occur and would, irrespective of where the film sits. I have a Sea to Summit Etherlite and althoug comfortable I worry about the baffles creating points of failure as we have already had on one pad. I suspect at some point I'll upgrade to a BA Rapide SL but we'll see.
i dont find it less noisy than the xlite :) - and comfort is definitely a more suvjective factor than weight and warmth - i sleep just as well on my xlite as the Zoom UL - was a bit disappointed by it - material is less comfortable in a quilt sleeping on it than an xlite- the valve is pretty bad/annoying and material is way more slippery than the xlite
Great summary. For colder temps, i go with Tenzor as it is def warm, great valve, light and comfortable enough. For warmer temps, Etherlight as its the most comfortable pad imo (wish it was lighter and more packable though)
You've become a sleeping pad expert Just by looking at the construction design you know what kind of pros and cons it brings. I also like the fact you think about the durability of the pad. It's easy to make a light pad with a 10D fabric but you're likely to have a terrible experience with it deflating in the middle of your trip. I bet you have a scientific background.
Just got my zoom and was wondering how to deflate it. Thanx for the information, I'd suggest putting an e-blanket under it to up R-value. I'll let you know how well it works after my AZT hike in the Spring.
I love the way you lay your pads on gravel🤣 I know you keep moaning about horizontal baffles. Have you tried deflating the pad to get comfy. You should try the Thermarest Topo Luxe with 4 inches of comfort, good to sink in.
Any thoughts on a warmth Comparison with the uberlight? Cheers! Also I'm coming from Australia, joining 2 Calgary friends to do the GDT July 4th, come visit and do a section with us 😁
I have the zoom and a Nemo switchback that I plan to pair for snow camping in teens/twenties F. I was planning on using my down jacket for extra insulation. Either between them so it puffs up into the dimples of the Zoom or on top so it blocks heat loss from around the sides. Any recommendation on that?
This video should have been titled “Almost a new contester for best UL pad” because if you summed it all up, there’s better alternatives in comfort, cost and performance. Good video otherwise, as always! 👍🏼
For some people this is the best ultralight sleeping pad. If I am prioritizing weight and comfort, this is the pad I go for. If I am prioritizing weight and warmth, then I go for the xlite. I would say the Zoom UL is the best, with an asterisk.
CHECK IT OUT HERE ➡ geni.us/ZoomUL
PackWizard Comparison: bit.ly/3Qw2Wns
Great video!
Kinda mad at myself for not waiting until the pad had been longer on the market before buying. Initial reviews seemed great.
I've recently had this pad out at around +3-4 celsius WITH an extra foam pad with an R-value of 2 under it. And while I was never freezing, I was never warm either...
While the comfort is great, the pad has ended up being a big disappointment for me, unfortunately. I wanted a 4 season pad - and this ain't it.
Rapide SL wide - way better and warmer, worth extra few grams!
Best sleep I’ve ever had in a tent. Rapide sl for the win!
Hope they watch this and fix the reflection and mount it on the inside better to get that R-value up. And switch out that valv!
I've mentioned these things to Big Agnes. So they are aware.
My AXL just died (developed an unfindable leak), and BA offered to replace it with a Zoom. I’ve been happy with my Q-Core SL, which is still happily kicking. I never had issues with the single BA valve on the AXL. Is the Zoom comparable in warmth to the insulated Q-core?
I'm not sure the reflective film dropping to the bottom is going to make much of a difference to how effective it is. It works by reflecting body radiation rather than trapping air. The downside of this type of insulation is that convection currents within the pad can still occur and would, irrespective of where the film sits. I have a Sea to Summit Etherlite and althoug comfortable I worry about the baffles creating points of failure as we have already had on one pad. I suspect at some point I'll upgrade to a BA Rapide SL but we'll see.
i dont find it less noisy than the xlite :) - and comfort is definitely a more suvjective factor than weight and warmth - i sleep just as well on my xlite as the Zoom UL - was a bit disappointed by it - material is less comfortable in a quilt sleeping on it than an xlite- the valve is pretty bad/annoying and material is way more slippery than the xlite
I think I am still going to upgrade from the Q Core Deluxe to the Rapide SL.
Great summary. For colder temps, i go with Tenzor as it is def warm, great valve, light and comfortable enough. For warmer temps, Etherlight as its the most comfortable pad imo (wish it was lighter and more packable though)
Im glad i bought the s2s ether light wide. Super comfortable and weight doesnt matter when my base weight is still 10 pounds
You've become a sleeping pad expert Just by looking at the construction design you know what kind of pros and cons it brings. I also like the fact you think about the durability of the pad. It's easy to make a light pad with a 10D fabric but you're likely to have a terrible experience with it deflating in the middle of your trip. I bet you have a scientific background.
Just got my zoom and was wondering how to deflate it. Thanx for the information, I'd suggest putting an e-blanket under it to up R-value. I'll let you know how well it works after my AZT hike in the Spring.
Zenbivy sleeping pads? lightweight
I love the way you lay your pads on gravel🤣
I know you keep moaning about horizontal baffles. Have you tried deflating the pad to get comfy. You should try the Thermarest Topo Luxe with 4 inches of comfort, good to sink in.
just got a flextail zero to try and make deflating easier and the attachments don't actuate the valve 😖
Any thoughts on a warmth Comparison with the uberlight? Cheers!
Also I'm coming from Australia, joining 2 Calgary friends to do the GDT July 4th, come visit and do a section with us 😁
Ur arrow graphics at 1:20 isn't pointing at anything, was there supposed to be a price there?
after shitty sea to summit that has same buffles and get warranty damage so fast, im very scary about the same construction here ))) beware
I have the zoom and a Nemo switchback that I plan to pair for snow camping in teens/twenties F. I was planning on using my down jacket for extra insulation. Either between them so it puffs up into the dimples of the Zoom or on top so it blocks heat loss from around the sides. Any recommendation on that?
Why do you prefer the Helix over the SL Rapid?
Warmth and comfort
How does the zoom ul differ from the rapide sl?
Do you inflate by mouth?
This video should have been titled “Almost a new contester for best UL pad” because if you summed it all up, there’s better alternatives in comfort, cost and performance.
Good video otherwise, as always! 👍🏼
That wouldn't get as many clicks, but rule of thumb if the title is a question the answer is almost certainly "no".
For some people this is the best ultralight sleeping pad. If I am prioritizing weight and comfort, this is the pad I go for. If I am prioritizing weight and warmth, then I go for the xlite. I would say the Zoom UL is the best, with an asterisk.
And this is why people watch you! The good, the bad and the ugly