How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad
$159.95 – to $319.95
With a 4.8 R-value for 3-season comfort, this Big Agnes sleeping pad features improved insulation that boosts warmth and lowers weight. Plus, it packs down smaller than the original.
Key Details
Insulated
Yes
Pad Thickness (in.)
4.25 inches
Weight
Petite: 1 lb. 1 oz.
Regular: 1 lb. 2 oz.
Regular Wide: 1 lb. 7 oz.
Double Wide: 2 lbs. 5 oz.
Long: 1 lb. 3 oz.
Long Wide: 1 lb. 9 oz.
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- This superlight air chamber pad sleeps warmer using 2 layers of heat-reflective film and is third-party rated with an R-value of 4.8 for use through 3 seasons
- Proprietary design built with offset I-Beam construction reduces weight while providing multidirectional support for consistent stability and comfort
- 3.5 in. (9 cm) thick pad with 4.25 in. (11 cm) larger outer chambers to keep you comfortably cradled in the middle of the pad
- Quilted top provides a cushioned, pillowy sleeping surface
- Durable, superlight double ripstop nylon
- Seams and welds use aviation-grade TPU lamination, providing ultimate weld strength and dependability
- Antimicrobial treatment inside the pad prevents microorganism growth
- High-volume, dual valve allows for efficient and easy inflation, superfast deflation and micro-adjustments
- Includes pumphouse high-volume inflation sack, protective storage sack, replacement valve seal and 3M repair patches
- Individually inflated and tested at the Big Agnes factory, ensuring 100% quality performance
Imported.
View all Big Agnes Air Pads| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Air |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Insulation Type | Synthetic |
| R-Value | 4.8 |
| Repair Kit Included | Yes |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Packed Size | Petite: 3.5 x 7 inches Regular: 4 x 7 inches Regular Wide: 4 x 8 inches Double Wide: 5.5 x 10.5 inches Long: 4 x 7.5 inches Long Wide: 4.5 x 8 inches |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 4.25 inches |
| Dimensions | Petite: 66 x 20 x 4.25 inches Regular: 72 x 20 x 4.25 inches Regular Wide: 72 x 25 x 4.25 inches Double Wide: 72 x 40 x 4.25 inches Long: 78 x 20 x 4.25 inches Long Wide: 78 x 25 x 4.25 inches |
| Weight | Petite: 1 lb. 1 oz. Regular: 1 lb. 2 oz. Regular Wide: 1 lb. 7 oz. Double Wide: 2 lbs. 5 oz. Long: 1 lb. 3 oz. Long Wide: 1 lb. 9 oz. |
| Gender | Unisex |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
This is THE one…if comfort matters.
Backcountryluv1 year ago
I’m not sure why this sleeping pad doesn’t get more attention. You can’t even compare the comfort to the more popular Thermarest. It’s sooo much better. I sleep horribly in the backcountry. I am a light sleeper, I toss and turn, and I often get cold at high elevation because I don’t like to wear layers and I use a quilt. This pad far surpasses Nemo, Thermarest, and Sea to Summit in terms of comfort. The thickness and “rails” make all the difference. I always buy wide pads with all brands of sleeping pads because otherwise the edges tend to collapse and I roll off. I previously owned the Q Core Deluxe and SLX Insulated. This feels the same as those, but lighter weight and warmer. I can’t say I’ve tested the durability to its full extent yet, but I used the two previous models on two different JMT trips and they held up perfectly. I have never lost air from them or punctured them. They’ve taken a beating. So, this pad weighs a little more, but if you want a better night’s sleep in your tent, this sleeping pad is worth a few extra ounces. It’s also the quietest sleeping pad, especially compared to Thermarest.
Backcountryluv
Reno, NV
53 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Not warm enough, unpleasant surprise
justasfresh1 year ago
I bought BIG AGNES RAPIDE SL and used it last week for the first time - it was around 0 celsius (not that cold, but cold ground) outside and, very unpleasant surprise, I felt cold. It seemed like the pad is full of cold air and no insulation, it was cold at the pressure point where my body touched the pad (i am a side sleeper). I did not see if the reflective film fell on to the ground, but it felt like that. I did a ton of research before buying one and nobody mentioned any warmth problems. Is the reflective film problem has ALL THE RAPID SL pads or just few, should I send it to warranty? What do you think? Thank you.
justasfresh
Vilnius, Lithuania
24 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Reneim
Leaks right away!
2 months ago
Like many of the other reviewers here, this pad leaked on me right out of the box on my first (and only) trip with it. And just as disappointing, when I returned it, the employee claimed, "but this pad is so easy to repair!" Seriously?! This implies that I should expect it leak and I will most certainly have to repair it. And how easy is it to repair a pad on a backpacking trip? I've had a comfortable Thermarest pad for years and many trips without a leak, but would like to upgrade to something wider. I keep reading reviews of all brands that these pads leak pretty consistently. Is no company making a quality sleeping pad that doesn't lose air anymore?
Cotreks
BOULDER CO
Best pad out there
1 year ago
Truly just an all around great pad, in the past I’ve found Big Agnes pads to be extremely comfortable but not nearly as warm as the R value might suggest. I think they’ve finally fixed it with this pad, when laying on it you can feel the warmth bouncing back at you similar to other R5 rated pads, but this one is way more comfortable than the tensor, helix, and thermarest pads. Sleeps similar to my QCore deluxe in terms of comfort but way warmer and lighter. New weight and pack size is a huge bonus as well. With the warmth from this pad it’s almost a 4 season pad on its own, definitely with a ccf pad to bump another R2.
Age:25–34
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Yes , I recommend this product
evite00
Sleeps cold
1 year ago
I tested the pad on different occasions and downtown the 30s. Based on the R value, the pad should have been ok. I started looking into the issue and fairly quickly figured out that this is a common issue with Big Agnes pads. Big Agnes insulation is different from Nemo and Thermarest. Instead of it being in a weaving pattern, it's just one gigantic piece of reflectix. The piece tends to fall to the bottom of the pad when inflated, and therefore, cold air can enter through the side walls. The pad is super comfy, but because of the issue, I am going back to Nemo.
No, I do not recommend this product
justasfresh
Vilnius, Lithuania
Not warm enough, unpleasant surprise
1 year ago
I bought BIG AGNES RAPIDE SL and used it last week for the first time - it was around 0 celsius (not that cold, but cold ground) outside and, very unpleasant surprise, I felt cold. It seemed like the pad is full of cold air and no insulation, it was cold at the pressure point where my body touched the pad (i am a side sleeper). I did not see if the reflective film fell on to the ground, but it felt like that. I did a ton of research before buying one and nobody mentioned any warmth problems. Is the reflective film problem has ALL THE RAPID SL pads or just few, should I send it to warranty? What do you think? Thank you.
Age:35–44
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:6'1"
No, I do not recommend this product
Orzon
Oregon
Leaks and shoddy workmanship
6 months ago
I've bought 2 of these, and altho they're comfortable (when they stay inflated) both have had problems with leaking within a month of purchase. In addition, both had the insulative lining fall off and bunch up inside, also within a month of purchase. I work outdoors and had these in one location without having to deflate/re-inflate more than a handful of times. The pad surface is also very noisy. My past experience with REI they have replaced faulty products without hassle. This time was no joy, they told me l had to contact the company.
Age:55–64
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'2"
No, I do not recommend this product
Samgrove1850
Best backpack pad
1 year ago
I bought this for some upcoming backpack trips and I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am with this pad. I am a side sleeper and constantly toss and turn at night. With this pad my hips never feel the ground and it makes little to no noise. The pad keeps me cradled in it as well and the setup and take down is SO easy! It also packs down your the size of a Nalgene water bottle which is also a plus. I am absolutely so pleased with this investment and cannot recommend this enough to people who have trouble getting comfortable sleep out there. Best slept I’ve gotten while backpacking this far
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Yes , I recommend this product
nicky
Width is one inch less than advertised
1 year ago
The width of the regular pad measured 19 inches, so one inch less than the advertised 20 inches. I think this is due to the large baffles along the sides, so Big Agnes assumes that the pad will be slightly deflated when you use it which would push the pad to the 20 inches. However, even with it slightly deflated, I found it much too narrow. Also, the larger baffles are effective only to their peak-- then, if you venture beyond them and towards the edge of the pad, you'll start sliding quickly off the pad. This brought the usable width to even less. This problem could be avoided with a regular wide pad
Age:18–24
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'7"
LiveForAdventure
Kept Me Warm in Alaska
8 months ago
Warm, very comfortable, great for side sleepers & easy to blow up. I used it with a foam pad underneath. I’m 5’4” - 125 pounds & the regular non-mummy, worked great with my Sea to Summit mummy down bag. The side baffles kept me from rolling off & I had zero issues with leakage. Freezing rain & wind the entire time and I was snug as a bug. Love it!
Yes , I recommend this product
Backcountryluv
Reno, NV
This is THE one…if comfort matters.
1 year ago
I’m not sure why this sleeping pad doesn’t get more attention. You can’t even compare the comfort to the more popular Thermarest. It’s sooo much better. I sleep horribly in the backcountry. I am a light sleeper, I toss and turn, and I often get cold at high elevation because I don’t like to wear layers and I use a quilt. This pad far surpasses Nemo, Thermarest, and Sea to Summit in terms of comfort. The thickness and “rails” make all the difference. I always buy wide pads with all brands of sleeping pads because otherwise the edges tend to collapse and I roll off. I previously owned the Q Core Deluxe and SLX Insulated. This feels the same as those, but lighter weight and warmer. I can’t say I’ve tested the durability to its full extent yet, but I used the two previous models on two different JMT trips and they held up perfectly. I have never lost air from them or punctured them. They’ve taken a beating. So, this pad weighs a little more, but if you want a better night’s sleep in your tent, this sleeping pad is worth a few extra ounces. It’s also the quietest sleeping pad, especially compared to Thermarest.
Age:35–44
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'5"
bike guy
Pacific North Wet
Going flat after 5 nights.
10 months ago
Sleeps amazing when its not leaking air. This model was a warranty replacement - got around 10 nights on the old model. Warranty replacement was easy through Big Agnes. This replacement made it around 5 nights and has a slow leak. I pack carefully, setup carefully - no rips or tears. It just doesn't last. Waking up on a flat air pad sucks. Creating all these microplastics is just awful - I'd much rather have a heavier pad that lasts longer than 1 season.
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'2"
No, I do not recommend this product
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