Here is how these two sleeping pads compare on the numbers. They score within a hair of each other, so it comes down to the details below.
| Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic | Big Agnes TwisterCane BioFoam | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 76✓ | 75 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 2.0 R✓ | 1.7 R |
| Weight | 14.0 oz | 14.0 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 0.50 R/100g✓ | 0.43 R/100g |
| Packed size | 16.44 L | 12.64 L✓ |
| Thickness | 0.6 in✓ | 0.5 in |
| Durability | 100 /100 | 100 /100 |
| Price | $34.95✓ | $69.95 |
| Features | 0 | 1EVA foam contains 60%+ sustainably grown sugarcane resin✓ |
| Type | Closed-cell foam | Closed-cell foam |
| Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: RidgeRest Classic in blue, TwisterCane BioFoam 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 Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic against the Big Agnes TwisterCane BioFoam is a study in priorities. They are close enough that this really is about which handful of specs you weight most.
The RidgeRest Classic is warmer (R 2 vs R 1.7), stronger on warmth-to-weight, and thicker for more cushion. The TwisterCane BioFoam is more packable (12.6 L vs 16.4 L). Their GearScores land within a couple of points (76 vs 75), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the RidgeRest Classic if you care most about warmth and warmth-to-weight, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the TwisterCane BioFoam if packability matter more to you, or you are focused on saving space in your pack.
The Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic. It is warmer (R 2 vs R 1.7) than the TwisterCane BioFoam.
The Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic. It is stronger on warmth-to-weight than the TwisterCane BioFoam.
They are nearly tied at 76 and 75 on the default algorithm, so re-weight the score to your own priorities to break the tie.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the RidgeRest Classic for warmth, or the TwisterCane BioFoam for packability. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.