Wild campingBig AgnesSleeping mat

Big Agnes Zoom UL sleeping pad review: a teeny tiny pad that packs a mighty punch

Lightweight and packable with an R-value of 4.3 — one of the most impressive sleeping pads we've tested, despite a near-identical weight to the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite.

By Adrian Wilson

✓  RecommendedBig Agnes Zoom UL Sleeping Pad RRP~£155Weight<400gR-value4.3 The good✓  Very comfortable — rectangular, no rounded corners
✓  Great warmth for weight — R-value 4.3
✓  Very quiet
✓  Easy to inflate via included pump sack
✓  Tiny pack size
The not-so-good✗  Quite expensive
✗  Thin material needs care on sharp ground

At a glance

Overview

Big Agnes is behind some of the most innovative developments in the UL space. Hailing from Colorado, they've produced excellent shelters like the Fly Creek 2 and the Three Wire Hooped Bivy, and their sleeping pad range has quietly built a strong reputation. The Zoom UL is their lightest and most compact pad — and their big step into the ultralight sleeping pad market.

Compared to the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite: the Zoom UL is fully rectangular (no rounded corners), delivers 3 inches of cushioning (half an inch more than the XLite), and packs slightly smaller at 10x20cm vs 10x23cm. Compared to the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT: the Zoom UL is lighter, though the Ether Light XT is thicker and arguably more luxurious. At ~£155, it's at the expensive end — but what you get is among the best 3-season pads on the market.

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How we tested

We tested the Zoom UL on around 25–30 nights across fastpacking, bikepacking, backpacking and mountaineering trips through summer, autumn and winter. We carried it on a 60km run through the Chilterns, used it on multiple Dartmoor wild camps, and put it through a particularly chilly 3-day trip in the Brecon Beacons around Llyn y Fan Fach. One of our editors even spent a few days sleeping on it on a living room floor in lieu of a spare bed.

Features and performance

Comfort

The main reason we love the Zoom UL is comfort. It's quiet, wonderfully wide and very thick — if you inflate it fully, no single part of you touches the ground, even when you lean something sharp like a knee into it. For side sleepers, this means pressure points at the hip stay properly supported. It's genuinely one of the most comfortable pads we've tested.

Warmth and R-value

At R-value 4.3, this is a very warm 3-season pad. On the Brecon Beacons in early winter, temperatures dropped well below freezing and we remained comfortable. At -9°C on an exposed plateau, we did feel some cold through the hips and doubled it with a foam mat for extra insulation — but that's pushing the limits of what a 3-season pad should reasonably be expected to handle.

Inflation and deflation

The included pump sack makes inflation easy without breathing into the pad directly — important because moisture from your breath can freeze inside the pad in cold conditions and eventually cause mould. To deflate, insert the key at the pump valve to hold it open and roll up as normal. The lightweight material makes it slightly harder to completely evacuate air compared to thicker pads, but it's still quick enough in the field.

Pack size

At 10x20cm packed, the Zoom UL is comparable in size to a tin of baked beans and weighs a little more than a can of Coke. We've had it in the bottom of 20-litre fastpacking packs and barely noticed it's there. For any adventure where pack weight matters, this is the pad to reach for.

Quick tipProtect your investmentThe Zoom UL's lightweight ripstop nylon needs a little care — always pair it with at least a groundsheet. In UL tents with thin bathtub floors like the Decathlon MT900 UL 2, check the ground carefully before pitching. Repair patches are included for field fixes.

Our verdictOne of the most impressive 3-season pads on the market — comfort, weight and warmth in one tiny package.The Zoom UL's combination of pack size, R-value and comfort is hard to beat. It's become one of our favourite pads — the one we'd reach for on any adventure where weight matters and a good night's sleep matters more.At ~£155, it's definitely at the expensive end. But if you take care of it, you'll have a comfortable and versatile sleeping pad that can tangibly improve the quality of sleep you get outdoors — from Dartmoor to the Brecon Beacons and beyond.

FAQs

How warm is the Big Agnes Zoom UL sleeping pad?R-value 4.3 makes it a very warm 3-season pad — suitable for spring through autumn and into mild winter use. In genuinely cold winter conditions, consider doubling it with a foam mat for extra insulation.

How comfortable is the Big Agnes Zoom UL sleeping pad?Luxuriously comfortable — soft, quiet and wide enough for side, back and stomach sleepers. It's up there with the most comfortable pads we've tested at any weight.

How easy is it to inflate the Big Agnes Zoom UL?Very easy. The included pump sack lets you inflate without breathing into it directly — keeping moisture and mould risk out of the pad. Highly recommended over mouth inflation.

Is the Big Agnes Zoom UL sleeping pad worth the money?At ~£155, it's definitely expensive. But when you factor in the comfort, warmth and tiny packed size, it delivers. For regular adventurers counting grams, it's a worthwhile investment.