Here is how these two sleeping pads compare on the numbers. The Ultralight Women's Insulated takes a modest overall edge, led by warmth, but the Q-Core SLX has its own case.
| Sea to Summit Ultralight Women's Insulated | Big Agnes Q-Core SLX | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 80✓ | 74 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 3.5 R✓ | 3.2 R |
| Weight | 16.9 oz✓ | 18.0 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 0.73 R/100g✓ | 0.63 R/100g |
| Packed size | 3.44 L | 1.55 L✓ |
| Thickness | 2.0 in | 3.5 in✓ |
| Durability | 39 /100 | n/s |
| Price | $179 | $170✓ |
| Features | 1Pump sack included | 1Repair kit included |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Tapered | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Ultralight Women's Insulated 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.
The Sea to Summit Ultralight Women's Insulated against the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX is a study in priorities. The Ultralight Women's Insulated wins on warmth and low weight, and the Q-Core SLX pushes back on packability and cushion.
The Ultralight Women's Insulated is warmer (R 3.5 vs R 3.2), 1 oz lighter, and stronger on warmth-to-weight. The Q-Core SLX is more packable (1.6 L vs 3.4 L), thicker for more cushion, and $9 cheaper. On the default GearScore the Ultralight Women's Insulated leads 80 to 74.
Pick the Ultralight Women's Insulated if you care most about warmth and low weight, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the Q-Core SLX if packability and cushion matter more to you, or you are focused on saving space in your pack.
The Sea to Summit Ultralight Women's Insulated. It is warmer (R 3.5 vs R 3.2) than the Q-Core SLX.
The Sea to Summit Ultralight Women's Insulated. It is 1 oz lighter than the Q-Core SLX.
The Sea to Summit Ultralight Women's Insulated, 80 to 74 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Ultralight Women's Insulated for warmth, or the Q-Core SLX for packability. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.