How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
REI Co-op AirRail 1.5 Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
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The REI AirRail 1.5 Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad features a hybrid design that offers low weight, compressibility and ample sleeping comfort.
Shop similar productsKey Details
Insulated
Yes
Pad Thickness (in.)
1.5 inches
- Hybrid design combines an insulated-foam center panel with large air tubes outside to keep you from rolling off; outer tubes are insulated with PrimaLoft® microfiber fill
- Cross-cored foam insulation is lightweight, compressible and stable
- Quick-closing, high-flow valves
- Durable 75-denier polyester top has an embossed nonslip surface; 75-denier polyester bottom resists wear; all seams are welded
- Tapered mummy shape reduces weight and packed size
- R-value equals 4.2; most sleeping pads we sell range in R-value from 1.0 (minimally insulated) to 9.5 (highly insulated)
- The REI AirRail 1.5 Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad comes with a stuff sack
- REI Co-op brand is certified to The Climate Label; we actively fund efforts to reduce carbon emissions across our business and support climate projects around the world
Imported.
View all REI Co-op Self-inflating Pads| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Self-inflating |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Mummy |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Insulation Type | Open-cell Foam |
| R-Value | 4.2 |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 1.5 inches |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
Buying Advice
Better gear is built together
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
LOVED it! 6'4" 230 pounds
Keith - Florida Beaches10 years ago
I loved this. Tip: do NOT over-inflate... my first night, i made it really firm and didnt sleep as good as the rest of the trip when i learned to only put enough air in it to prevent my hip from bottoming out when sleeping on my side.
Used a few times on guys weekends away where i drew the short stick and was on the floor, other times in the tent...
Last weekend we took a twin 3" air mattress with us and i was really surprised that it was no where near as comfy or warm as this skinny little pad.
As others mentioned, the rails are nice and serve as subconsious "dont roll off the pad" influencers..
A great buy and wonderful product!
Keith - Florida Beaches
Clearwater Beach, Florida
75 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Wanted to like it....but
MSalas8 years ago
I had this pad for a few months. I really wanted to like it, but I ended up returning it to REI. It is definitely comfortable, and the rails really do help keep you centered on the pad. But it's just too big and too heavy for backpacking. Probably be great for car camping. But for my purposes, it just didn't work. I was even willing to deal with the weight. What it really came down to was size. I tried rolling it several different ways, tried it in a compression sack. It was just too big and took up too much real estate in my bag.
Of course REI customer service is great. I returned it with no issues, and went with a Big Agnes pad instead.
MSalas
VA
36 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Keith - Florida Beaches
Clearwater Beach, Florida
LOVED it! 6'4" 230 pounds
10 years ago
I loved this. Tip: do NOT over-inflate... my first night, i made it really firm and didnt sleep as good as the rest of the trip when i learned to only put enough air in it to prevent my hip from bottoming out when sleeping on my side. Used a few times on guys weekends away where i drew the short stick and was on the floor, other times in the tent... Last weekend we took a twin 3" air mattress with us and i was really surprised that it was no where near as comfy or warm as this skinny little pad. As others mentioned, the rails are nice and serve as subconsious "dont roll off the pad" influencers.. A great buy and wonderful product!
Yes , I recommend this product
Remembering Through Nature
Baltimore, MD
A great nights sleep...
11 years ago
Admittedly, I have only used this self-inflating pad for one evening so I can not speak about its durability. Fortunately, the evening that I used it on provided a great opportunity to review the pads comfort level. I was able to use this pad in my Kelty Crestone 1 tent at 39 degrees F in rain and wind. I was completely comfortable and warm on the pad and found it comfortable to sleep on my back, sides and stomach. I am 5'5" and about 135 lbs, so that may play a factor in my level of comfort. I would recommend this pad to those who are more comfort oriented, b/c it does not pack down small nor will it be your lightest option. I was able to fit it into a 38L pack with the rest of my gear for a 1-2 night trip without a problem.
Yes , I recommend this product
Gabriel4Cole
Indianapolis, IN
Looks silly, works great.
11 years ago
I use this mat for backpacking and car camping and the occasional night at a friends place when beds/couches are full. I fall asleep on my back and roll around in the night to get comfortable. Usually in the night I roll off and wake up on the ground. My original Thermarest mat was warm and comfortable but I had to get a larger size model because I kept rolling off. The rails on this model fit me well around my elbows and keep me in a comfortable and warm spot all night. Have used it in grass, on a riverbank, and in the woods and it has been comfortable and durable. Great features and performs like it should.
Yes , I recommend this product
MSalas
Virginia
Wanted to like it....but
8 years ago
I had this pad for a few months. I really wanted to like it, but I ended up returning it to REI. It is definitely comfortable, and the rails really do help keep you centered on the pad. But it's just too big and too heavy for backpacking. Probably be great for car camping. But for my purposes, it just didn't work. I was even willing to deal with the weight. What it really came down to was size. I tried rolling it several different ways, tried it in a compression sack. It was just too big and took up too much real estate in my bag. Of course REI customer service is great. I returned it with no issues, and went with a Big Agnes pad instead.
No, I do not recommend this product
Outlaw
Bremerton, Wa.
Top Notch
10 years ago
I'm 6'2" I use a military sleeping bag with a goretex bivey. This pad fits inside the bivey, under the liner with no problem and doesn't take up any room I need to roll around. Comfort, not to bad at all. It's firm and the side rails are useful to help know where you are on the pad in the middle of the night while rolling around. Downfall. When storing the pad for transportation, it is a little larger than most. My previous pad was a big agnes, it rolled up just a bit smaller than this one. But this is no big deal for me. I learned from this product that it is good to store...when not using it....partially inflated so that the core doesn't compress over time.
Yes , I recommend this product
Schmidr
Robins, Iowa
Best ground pad for tall/broad men
11 years ago
This was a great choice for 3 nights crossing the Grand Canyon. At 6 foot 4 inches tall I found this to be the right size for me. I was looking to shed ounces everywhere I could, but when it came to good sleep and recovery time from Rim to Rim hiking, this was worth the tiny extra weight. Great design, with the side rail ( never slid off the side). It takes a few puffs to fully inflate, but would consider it a self inflating. Pull it out of the sack and let it air out a little. that first time may take a little extra on the "self inflation". Wife picked up the women's model and it too performed as described.
Yes , I recommend this product
nokoryous
Roseburg, OR
Rest that puts the rest to shame
11 years ago
After 2 nights on the ground in the Cascades I'm wondering...can a sleeping pad be genius? To start, this thing has a great thickness and good cold-absorbing materials, but the rail in the AirRail 1.5 is what's absolutely brilliant. Lacking the insular filling used in the body of the pad, the rail pumps up plump to help keep your arms on board. I tested quite a few pads in store where my arms simply didn't fit at all. But then it occurred to me that these empty, wide capsules being hollow allows this pad to be even lighter weight and does not waste pack-weight with insulating a part of your body that doesn't need to be that warm-your arms! This is the 3-season pad to beat. Wonderful!
Yes , I recommend this product
ElleG22
Seattle, WA, United States
The AirRails Really Do Work
10 years ago
I bought this pad earlier in the summer for a backpacking trip and to replace my older, thinner pad. I was skeptical at first about the AirRails really working, but I have a huge problem with sliding off my pad in the night, so I thought I would give it a try. I'm glad I did! I no longer wake up in the middle of the night cold, on the ground and the pad has a great R-value that I've really noticed: to the point where I'm considering buying a lighter sleeping bag. I recommended this pad to another friend, she bought it and loves it as much as I do!
Yes , I recommend this product
eastbeast2
Ann Arbor, MI
Nice!
12 years ago
I'm 6'3", 190lbs and have tried several brands/variations of sleeping pads. The REI AirRail 1.5 Self-Inflating Pad (long wide) is just what I've been looking for. I used up on the shores of Lake Huron in Canada where the temps dropped down to nearly freezing (34 degrees) and it provided plenty of insulation. I'm mostly a side sleeper and this provides ample cushioning for me. What I like most is the roominess of the width and the guidance of the side rails.
Yes , I recommend this product
CharminULTRA
Philadelphia, PA
Not for side sleepers
10 years ago
I bought this pad because I liked the design with the rail. I like that aspect of the design, but the pad itself is simply too thin for side sleepers, and it creates massive gaps in support of your body (stomach, chest). This puts too much pressure on your shoulder and hips, and makes the pad uncomfortable. I would even argue that the pad is too thin for back sleepers too, as you still have support gaps under your lower spine, which for me resulted in too little pressure on my upper back, resulting in more pressure on my head. That ended up giving me a headache. Overall, I think it's a good pad if it works for you. But for if you are a side sleeper I would find something much thicker.
No, I do not recommend this product
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