A close look at two sleeping pads buyers cross-shop. The Ultra 3R takes a modest overall edge, led by low weight, but the Q-Core SLX has its own case.
| Exped Ultra 3R | Big Agnes Q-Core SLX | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 77✓ | 74 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 3.2 R | 3.2 R |
| Weight | 16.5 oz✓ | 18.0 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 0.68 R/100g✓ | 0.63 R/100g |
| Packed size | 2.16 L | 1.55 L✓ |
| Thickness | 3.0 in | 3.5 in✓ |
| Durability | 12 /100 | n/s |
| Price | $170 | $170 |
| Features | 0 | 1Repair kit included✓ |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Ultra 3R in blue, Q-Core SLX in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. GearScore is the rating for the Overall use-case (0 to 100). Pick another above to re-score. Prices are current MSRP.
Put the Exped Ultra 3R next to the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX and the trade-offs are clear. The Ultra 3R wins on low weight and warmth-to-weight, and the Q-Core SLX pushes back on packability and cushion.
The Ultra 3R is 1 oz lighter and stronger on warmth-to-weight. The Q-Core SLX is more packable (1.6 L vs 2.2 L) and thicker for more cushion. On the default GearScore the Ultra 3R leads 77 to 74.
Pick the Ultra 3R if you care most about low weight and warmth-to-weight, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Q-Core SLX if packability and cushion matter more to you, or you are focused on saving space in your pack.
The Exped Ultra 3R. It is 1 oz lighter than the Q-Core SLX.
The Exped Ultra 3R. It is stronger on warmth-to-weight than the Q-Core SLX.
The Exped Ultra 3R, 77 to 74 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Ultra 3R for low weight, or the Q-Core SLX for packability. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.