Big Agnes AXL pads. Anyone buy one yet? Spec vs actual weight?

So..what is the actual width blown up?

I received my Axl (non-insulated) 25X72 Rectangular yesterday. Weighs 366g on my scale, BA claimed weight is 369g. So I guess that’s better, haven’t inflated it or used it yet. I’ll report back.

I received my non-insulated 25×72 size AXL today. Weight came in at 12.7 ounces vs. the advertised 13.0 ounces.  Happy that it is less.

I have now inflated my non-insulated 25×72 AXL and had a chance to test it out a bit.  Seems pretty comfy.  A lot like the SLX I have been using.

The inflated width and length are spot on as advertised (25 inches wide and 72 inches tall).

Happy that weight, width, and length are all as advertised.

My findings are the same as Rob P. Less weight while meeting the HxWxL specs.

Also if anyone is interested, I used my Camp-Tek/Thermarest mini pump with Camp-Teks 3D printed BA adapter. Within 2min 30sec the pad was inflated enough that I only added 3 breaths after I disconnected the pump+adapter.

Steven – Does the Big Agnes adapter come with the Camp-Tek pump when you purchase it, or is it something extra that needs to be ordered?

Hey Rob. I was going to say no, but I think if you’re buying one new from Camp-Tek (as opposed to Therm-a-Rest) you can contact them and request the adapter.

In my case I already had a couple of the pumps and emailed Camp-Tek re; a BA adapter, they sent me a link to Shapeways (small batch 3D printing outfit) I think it cost me about $7, works great, feather light.

Just picked up two regular rectangular insulated AXLs. Listed at 11.9oz.

Actual weights on my scale are 12.19oz and 12.26oz

Hey Steven – was there a file for the 3D print that they provided? I’d love to get an adapted fro an exped schnozzle to BA fitting.

@landrover: either this or this, not sure which one you need, and I’m assuming one of them would work with your snozzle but don’t know.

Thanks Doug. Just ordered both, lets see which one works.

good to hear the wide width is accurate. sound like the weight miscalcs have to do with insulation.

I returned my AXL reg/W to my local REI. They didn’t have any reg.W’s in stock, but I had the staff member measure the L/W they had, and it only ended up 23.75 inches wide. I didn’t bother to weigh it.

I’ve ordered a new one, and am hoping to get the correct spec.s (or at least closer to them).

Apparently, the production problems are not over quite yet.

Well that’s a bummer. I just ordered a R/W yesterday, no shipping date as of yet. Be interesting to see what it comes in at.

I guess I got lucky, at least so far. I got the 25×72 insulated AXL, listed as 15.2 oz, mine came in fresh from the shipping box at 15.3 (so that includes the stuff sack, repair kit and that piece of saran wrap type stuff they wrap around the mattress in shipment. Took it out and blew it up – 25×72, just as listed.

My mummy shaped AXL pad weighs in at 10.2 ounces including stuff sack and patch kit. I made an adapter to use the Snozzle bag for inflation with a 3/4 x 1/2 PVC fitting and some electrical tape. Info is here.

Ooooooo, LOVE it, Axel!  Thanks for posting that — maybe I’ll return my BA pumpsack that I bought…

Axel has an AXL. (Sorry, couldn’t stop myself.)

I bought the insulated long wide last week.  It is 15.9oz on my digital scale, right at the advertised specs.

I did something similar with mine (just got it yesterday).  I suppose I missed/forgot this thread and started my own.  I also jerry rigged a rubber band o-ring to use my Schnozzel to inflate my AXL.  I noticed that this pad is slippery!  To me, the Exped is just about perfect–the new Exped Hyperlites have a non-slip honeycomb pattern.  (I also wish they would put this pattern on the underside of the pad so it doesn’t slide on your cuben floor).

I’m undecided if I’ll keep mine.  I got the 20×72 rectangular.  It is 10 g over spec.  That’s not the most troubling part.  The difficulty is that with such a thick pad, my elbows seem to hang off uncomfortably.  Since mine is the regular width, there isn’t room for my elbows as a back sleeper.

I think Exped just about perfected the pad / inflator system with their valve design and the Schnozzel. The Exped Hyperlite Medium Wide I purchased a few months ago is 14.8 oz.  This AXL 20×72 is 12.25 oz.  That’s a difference of 2.55 oz.  Now add an o-ring adapter so I can use my Schnozzel and you are around a difference of 1.5  – 1.75 oz or so.  The Exped Medium Wide is, well, wider.  My elbows rest comfortably on the pad.  It’s also thick, but not too thick.  A too thick pad could be a liability if you are already hitting your head on your shelter and there is condensation.  I don’t know–it’s a tough call.  I trust Exped–I’ve owned my UL 7 since 2012 or so and no issues.  I haven’t used Big Agnes recently.  The AXL is a new pad, so reports of failures are not going to be forthcoming until after the summer.  The Hyperlite had its share of failures but Exped has had plenty of time to address this.  Which is more comfortable?  Vertical baffles or quilted design?  I don’t know.  I just know that I can’t use a NeoAir (uncomfortable for my lower back) and the Exped design helps me sleep well at night.

It’s a tough call…Help?  I feel like the princess and the pea. :) My wife thinks I’m crazy for buying and trying all these pads…

@Axel

Just saw your post on your DIY inflator coupling with your Schnozzel.  How much does it weigh?  Seems like PVC would be heavy.

The PVC reducer (or bushing) 1/2×3/4 with electrical tape to increase the circumference on the male end to fit into the AXL…. is .4 ounces (11 grams).

My second try at getting an “on spec” 25×72″ AXL has failed.  The weight is 0.2 under, but once again, the width is not there (un-inflated it’s 29″, which means it will be 24″ inflated (25+3+3 should be 31″).  Didn’t bother measuring the length, because if the width is too narrow, who cares?

Edited:  Oooops — the AXL does, in fact, inflate to 25″. I was using my ExPed as a reference — it is 31″ wide uninflated. The “tufted” design of the AXL must use a LOT less fabric than the vertical baffles of the Exped…didn’t realize that!

Do you have a pic and link of the o-ring adaptor? I love the idea!

I think you should blow it up Valerie. When I measure mine without air, I get 28-29 inches, but measured blown up it’s 25″. Can’t tell you why that is, but that’s what my tape measure says.

AXEL inspired me. Went to the local hardware store and got a 1/2″ 90 degree combination elbow. One end fits snugly into the AXL air hole (with a bit of added electricians tape per AXEL), my Camp-tek inflator fits on the other end snugly (with a touch of added electricians tape). Rigged it up, turned on the Camp-tek. Nothing. Shit. The Camp-tek doesn’t blow hard enough to dislodge the flap covering the hole. Hmmmm.

Got a small piece of hardish, flat plastic, taped it across the center of the opening that goes into the AXL air hole. Voila! The hard plastic pushes the center ‘button’ enough to allow air into the pad. Still need 2-3 breaths to finish it off, same with my XTherm. The widget and Camp-tek (with batteries) weighs 3 oz., which is fine by me! Thanks AXEL!