Jim J Solo wrote on Oct 16^th, 2010 at 4:01pm:

I have the insulated air core pad that I bought in May.  Also have a cheap BA bag that I got last month.

The pad, which I've used a borrowed one a couple times before buying, is the most comfortable one I've ever used.  Warm, cushy.  I roll around and my hips never touched ground.  That is until it sprung a leak last week.  Only used 7 nights before it started leaking.  I hope I just got a bad one & expect a full replacement.  I heard one other person complain that they had 2 leak on them.  Something about bad design around the area where the valve & bag connect.

Having said that, after sleeping in the full BA system I really like it.  Since I roll around it was always a problem with the bag getting twisted and having my face in the head.  Not a problem with the BA system.

One odd thing about the system is you can't sit up in your bag once you have the pad inserted.  This required a minor adjustetment in my bedtime bivvy-sack yoga.

My only advice is to try before you buy.  Get both of you in the bag and see how it goes.  It may be cozy & romantic for the cozy & romantic moments.  If your partner or you ever get frustrated at the other hogging the bed, this isn't going to help.

Jim J Solo wrote on Nov 11^th, 2010 at 4:38pm:


It's tested out really well. Each side has it's own zipper, and it's very roomy. If you can share a double bed, you can easily share the Big Agnes double wide. Cuts down on overall weight, and the comfort temperature range is increased,,,think mittens vs. gloves.

There's another option mentioned in a BWJ summer 2010 article, "collective wisdom, overnight accommodations", from Dave Foley, it's made by Nunatak.

Kingfisher wrote on Oct 17^th, 2010 at 1:37am:


Thanks KF, it is nice. 

Back on topic, take a look at this. It's a bit different than zipping two solo bags together.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Both of us being campers, we've got the single models already.

Over the years I've car camped/ backpacked with a few lady friends and have tried both the double bag/ single mate-able bag approach.

The gals had one thing in common, they were always cold.  I was always too warm.  I'd leave my side unzipped, and as noted when I rolled over they got a cold shot of air.

I got an elbow in the ribs, usually accompanied by a few choice words

I finally settled on an over-sized bag for me, that could accommodate two for a time, and they had a suitable sized bag for their sleeping needs. Everyone got a good nights sleep and my ribs never felt better  Worked out better all the way around

I used 2-25" wide Thermarest pads side by side and they provided a good nights sleep. Now there are better/lighter choices.

I've never done the double-wide action, but from those who have there's at least one drawback.  Every time your partner rolls over, you get a cold draft.

If you're only occasionally going to be tripping together, get matching bags with the L/R zip.

Regarding BA systems, I'm going to switch to it for next year.  I've used their insulated air core pad and it's the most comfortable pad I've ever used.  Their system makes a whole lot of sense to me, why have 1/3 of the bag's insulation be useless weight & volume.  Also, I'm a tosser & turner in bed so their system makes even more sense for me.

I've never heard a bad review of Big Agnes gear or their service.

I for one have never thought about the size of the "bed" but rather what i was sharing it with,; I suppose that is a bit of a commentary on my musical taste and such. Indeed one does need a left and right handed model to secure the _______...fill in your own notion. I have operated thermarests for many many years and have yet to burst one yet, slow or otherwise...but I think that is more of an issue of overall mass to be sure! DB has a wise point about the draft issue...cant say I have ever noticed it before maybe that is about the focus at the time BA sorts out the sliding mat issue that is all to common of a problem, before that I stitched up my own webbing system that served the purpose and a few others. Have fun and live long & prosper. Its camping right!

And as to the pads ... my wife and I have used BA full sized Insulated Air Core pads for the past 5 or 6 years.  They are quite good in terms of comfort.  But if you compare them to what I suppose is now the gold standard for inflatable sleeping pads - the Thermarest Neo Air - they are heavy and bulky and I have to say less comforatable.  That being said the BA pads are quite a bit cheaper than the Neo Air.  But in the end I wasn't too happy with the BA pads because both of the ones I have developed  slow leaks, I think around the nozzle, which I have heard is a common problem.  I'm not sure what their warranty policy is.  I decided to pick up a Neo Air for a short trip this Fall into Algonquin and I was very impressed - super space age cool but, as I say, pricey.

I agree with the last two responses and I can offer a perhaps dated but practical reason. Eventually you will probably find that a good night's sleep is important too and zipped together is FAR more restrictive in mated bags than a twin bed. I also believe that mate-able bags require a left and a right zip which is fine until one of you realizes that the wind baffle, or whatever it's called, covers the zipper on one and lets a whole lot of cold air in the other.

The crux of the biscuit IS the apostrophe ...

If you could both be happy in the same twin bed for the rest of your lives....

Quote:


Yes - buy two single bags.