Large Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad Evaluation

Backside Line

The Large Agnes Rapide SL Insulated is likely one of the extra comfy backpacking pads in the marketplace – and it doesn’t harm that it’s tremendous reasonably priced and sturdy, too. Gear Analyst Heather Eldridge examined this pad over 15 nights, mountain climbing over 200 miles in Oregon, together with the Timberline Path round Mt. Hood, and located it comfortable, straightforward to inflate, and sturdy. 

The Rapide SL has plush facet rails that measure 4.25 inches thick – the deepest of any pad on our finest backpacking pads information – so that you’ll keep centered, supported, and comfy evening after evening. With many inclusive measurement choices, this pad caters to numerous physique varieties and sleep types at a aggressive value.

The draw back of this pad is that it weighs over a pound, making it one of many heavier and bulkier backpacking pads we’ve examined. Whereas we just like the valve system, it’s a bit gradual to inflate due to the large inner quantity. The pad felt colder than its 4.8 R-value signifies, so it is probably not an excellent match for those who’re a chilly sleeper or tenting in below-freezing temps. 

Nonetheless, the Rapide SL is a terrific possibility for backpackers who need a plush, high-quality sleeping pad for the backcountry at a value that’s arduous to beat.

Consolation

The Large Agnes Rapide SL is a significantly comfortable pad for sleeping below the celebrities. This mannequin is 3.5 inches thick within the center, so it doesn’t matter what place you sleep in or how a lot you toss and switch, you received’t backside out or really feel the lumps and bumps under. However, its facet rails add one other dimension: they measure 4.5 inches off the bottom, creating one of many highest quantity backpacking pads we’ve reviewed. 

The facet rails assist to maintain you focused in the midst of the pad all through the evening, particularly if you’re pressured to sleep on sloped floor. In our testing, we discovered that they work fairly properly and stop sliding far more than the common pad. However like every product, they’re not good, and you continue to may slide round a bit.  

The double-layered ripstop nylon is mushy and quiet to the contact, so that you received’t be disturbed by loud, crinkling noises through the evening. The inflation valve and pump sack make it straightforward to attain the best firmness by letting air out. We additionally admire that Large Agnes affords the Rapide SL in lots of sizes. This pad is an effective selection for all physique shapes with lengthy, vast, and double pad variations.

The Rapide SL affords spectacular consolation, however there are some drawbacks. We love how thick it’s, however this plush design doesn’t work for everybody – some campers might discover it’s too mushy and high-profile for his or her preferences or sleeping type. The thick nylon materials is nice to put on, nevertheless it makes the pad heavier than aggressive pads, so it isn’t as comfy to hold on lengthy journeys. We additionally discovered throughout testing the Rapide SL isn’t as heat as its R-value signifies, so for those who’re sleeping in temperatures close to freezing or under, this pad may really feel a bit chilly.

Weight & Packability

The Large Agnes Rapide SL Insulated isn’t the lightest possibility on the market, nevertheless it’s nonetheless price carrying for people who need a plush and easy-to-use pad. Weighing in at 18 ounces, the Rapide SL affords a warmth-to-weight ratio that’s pretty common amongst backpacking sleeping pads. 

The combo of this pad’s insulation and ripstop nylon successfully minimizes extra bulk, so it’s straightforward to fold, roll, and match into its stuff sack. The pad has two valves: a one-way nozzle for inflation and a separate dump valve for rapidly releasing all of the air. Regardless of its bulk when arrange, the common Rapide SL packs all the way down to a small 4 by 7-inch package deal. Meaning it suits in any backpack horizontally or vertically, leaving loads of room for different gear.

18 ounces is pretty heavy in comparison with different ultralight sleeping pads, so the Rapide SL’s weight could also be a downside for minimalists, ultralight backpackers, and people mountain climbing longer miles. This weight doesn’t embrace the pump sack both, so that you’ll want so as to add a few ounces for those who carry it alongside. In our testing, we discovered the pump sack and inflation nozzle to be a bit clunky, so filling the Rapide is a little more tedious than deflating it. That stated, these are minor complaints for people who don’t thoughts somewhat further weight through the day for lots of consolation at evening.

Heat

The Large Agnes Rapide SL Insulated affords dependable heat, making it a strong selection for three-season adventures. With an R-value of 4.8, this sleeping pad successfully insulates in opposition to the bottom, permitting for comfy sleep in cooler situations. 

The three.5-inch thickness enhances warmth retention, creating a comfortable sleeping floor that minimizes warmth loss throughout chilly nights. Its sturdy supplies, like double-layer ripstop nylon, additionally contribute to its heat, and the facet rails assist forestall warmth loss from transferring round, retaining you focused and heat all through the evening.

Whereas the heat offered by the Rapide SL is commendable, our testers discovered the pad colder than anticipated on chilly nights. An R-value of 4.8 ought to hold customers heat to round 20°F, however Gear Analyst Ian Krammer discovered it typically struggled under 40°F. He examined this pad throughout a week-long journey in Utah’s San Rafael Swell in late November, the place in a single day temperatures dipped to freezing and under, and the Rapide felt chilly. 

That stated, this pad continues to be an excellent possibility for cool late spring, summer time, and early fall nights, the place, when paired with a high quality sleeping bag, the Rapide will hold you toasty heat.

Ease of Setup

The Rapide is easy to arrange due to a wise two-valve system. The included pump sack attaches to the one-way valve, and it takes 10 to 12 repetitions for the pad to succeed in most inflation or about 1 to 2 minutes. As soon as inflated, the Rapide SL holds its form properly with out including air all through the evening. 

We love a big dump valve for quick and easy deflation, and Large Agnes affords top-of-the-line: merely pop the cap off the second valve for quick air launch. The nylon materials and low-bulk insulation fold simply and are easy to roll and slip in its stuff sack – key for any backpacking journey the place effectivity issues.

Our greatest gripe about organising the Rapide comes all the way down to its pump sack and inflation valve. The pump sack is purposeful, nevertheless it’s a bit heavier than competing choices and its flat design might be annoying to fill with air. The nozzle of the pump sack doesn’t at all times snap securely onto the sleeping pad valve, which might result in them disconnecting throughout inflation. 

The Rapide additionally has a considerable inner measurement, which implies it takes a bit longer than lower-profile backpacking pads to inflate. This pad will even take far more vitality and breath to fill for those who go away the pump sack at house resulting from its excessive quantity.

Sturdiness

The Large Agnes Rapide SL Insulated is constructed with sturdy supplies and wonderful consideration to element, which makes it a dependable selection for long-term use. The ripstop nylon floor is superb at resisting punctures, injury, and tears, so rocks and sticks are much less prone to injury it when mendacity down within the backcountry. This toughness is very noticeable when organising on uneven or rocky floor, so your pad will maintain air for years with minimal upkeep. 

Its sturdy facet rails assist preserve its construction even after prolonged use. The inflation and deflation valves can face up to 1000’s of inflation cycles, and aviation-grade TPU lamination on the seams and welds makes them sturdy. In case your pad does start to leak, Large Agnes additionally consists of restore patches, a storage sack, and even a alternative valve seal to extend the lifetime of the Rapide SL.

On the draw back, the Rapide SL Insulated is thicker than virtually another backpacking pad on the market, which is nice for consolation, however extra floor space means extra room for injury to happen. And whereas the supplies are robust, the seams aren’t the strongest we’ve examined. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer had a difficulty with a leaky seam after solely 6 nights, though the included restore patch fastened this challenge rapidly and completely. 

Lastly, whereas the facet rails add sturdiness, they could possibly be prone to put on in high-use areas, particularly for many who sleep close to the sting or toss and switch all through the evening. That stated, the Rapide SL will final for years with a little bit of care and a spotlight and affords an impressive worth for its value level.

Ought to You Purchase the Large Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad?

The Large Agnes Rapide SL Insulated is price contemplating in case your high priorities are consolation and affordability. Because of a snug, thick design and enormous facet rails, this pad is nice for backpackers who need a significantly cozy place to put down after lengthy miles. 

It’s easy to inflate, quiet, and sturdy, making it a strong selection for brief to medium treks from late spring till early fall. With many inclusive measurement choices, the Rapide SL accommodates totally different physique varieties and sleeping positions, and its low value makes it accessible for a lot of budgets.

However this pad is heavier than the main competitors, so it isn’t an excellent match for lengthy treks or ultralight backpackers. The pump sack and nozzle design make inflation a bit extra cumbersome than we’d like, and regardless of its larger R-value, our testers felt it was too chilly for 30°F nights. 

Nonetheless, relying in your wants, these could possibly be minor points. In case your foremost goal is to maximise backcountry consolation at an reasonably priced value, this is likely one of the finest choices in the marketplace.

What Different Sleeping Pads Ought to You Take into account?

Take a look at our full record of the Greatest Backpacking Sleeping Pads for all our high suggestions. 

NEMO Tensor All-Season Evaluation: The Rapide SL is heat, however the Tensor All-Season is hotter. With the next R-value and a significantly decrease weight, the Tensor All-Season is an effective selection for three-season backpacking, and it’s simply as thick and straightforward to arrange, too. This mannequin packs a bit bigger and is a little more costly, however the improve in sturdiness, comfort, and luxury are price it for people who sleep chilly or are headed into chilly in a single day temps. 

NEMO Tensor Path Ultralight Evaluation: If you happen to’re primarily mountain climbing in heat summer time climate, this pad is a superb selection – it’s a bit dearer, however you’ll save appreciable weight for a similar thick pad, cozy consolation, and ease of use. The draw back? It’s not as heat because the Rapide SL and packs a bit bigger.

Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite NXT Evaluation: The XLite is a equally heat and sturdy 3-season backpacking pad with an eye fixed in direction of consolation. It’s a half-inch thinner than the Rapide SL, however due to its baffle design and ample cushioning, it feels very cozy within the backcountry. The XLite is dearer however a lot lighter, making it a more sensible choice for light-weight backpackers who don’t wish to sacrifice heat.

Klymit Static V2 Evaluation: In case your foremost goal is to decrease value as a lot as doable, the Klymit Static V2 is probably the most reasonably priced air pad on our Greatest Sleeping Pad Listing. The Klymit Static V2 offers an honest steadiness of sturdiness and weight. Though it’s one of many thinner pads we’ve examined, its ease of use isn’t almost nearly as good, and it affords lower than half the heat of the Rapide SL.