Large Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad Evaluation

Backside Line

The Large Agnes Rapide SL Insulated is without doubt one of the extra snug backpacking pads available on the market – and it doesn’t damage that it’s tremendous inexpensive and sturdy, too. Gear Analyst Heather Eldridge examined this pad over 15 nights, climbing over 200 miles in Oregon, together with the Timberline Path round Mt. Hood, and located it soft, straightforward to inflate, and sturdy. 

The Rapide SL has plush aspect rails that measure 4.25 inches thick – the deepest of any pad on our greatest backpacking pads information – so that you’ll keep centered, supported, and comfy night time after night time. With many inclusive dimension 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 sluggish to inflate due to the big inner quantity. The pad felt colder than its 4.8 R-value signifies, so it might not be an ideal match in the event you’re a chilly sleeper or tenting in below-freezing temps. 

Nonetheless, the Rapide SL is a terrific possibility for backpackers who desire 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 soft pad for sleeping beneath 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 aspect 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 aspect rails assist to maintain you targeted in the course of the pad all through the night time, particularly in case you are pressured to sleep on sloped floor. In our testing, we discovered that they work fairly properly and stop sliding way more than the typical pad. However like several product, they’re not good, and you continue to may slide round a bit.  

The double-layered ripstop nylon is smooth and quiet to the contact, so that you received’t be disturbed by loud, crinkling noises throughout the night time. The inflation valve and pump sack make it straightforward to attain the perfect firmness by letting air out. We additionally recognize that Large Agnes gives the Rapide SL in lots of sizes. This pad is an efficient selection for all physique shapes with lengthy, extensive, and double pad variations.

The Rapide SL gives spectacular consolation, however there are some drawbacks. We love how thick it’s, however this plush design doesn’t work for everybody – some campers could discover it’s too smooth and high-profile for his or her preferences or sleeping model. The thick nylon materials is nice to put on, however it makes the pad heavier than aggressive pads, so it isn’t as snug to hold on lengthy journeys. We additionally discovered throughout testing the Rapide SL isn’t as heat as its R-value signifies, so in the event you’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, however it’s nonetheless price carrying for people who desire a plush and easy-to-use pad. Weighing in at 18 ounces, the Rapide SL gives 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 bundle. Which means it matches 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 disadvantage for minimalists, ultralight backpackers, and people climbing longer miles. This weight doesn’t embrace the pump sack both, so that you’ll want so as to add a few ounces in the event you convey 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 mentioned, these are minor complaints for people who don’t thoughts just a little further weight throughout the day for lots of consolation at night time.

Heat

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

The three.5-inch thickness enhances warmth retention, creating a comfy sleeping floor that minimizes warmth loss throughout chilly nights. Its sturdy supplies, like double-layer ripstop nylon, additionally contribute to its heat, and the aspect rails assist stop warmth loss from shifting round, preserving you targeted and heat all through the night time.

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 mentioned, this pad continues to be an ideal 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 achieve 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 night time. 

We love a big dump valve for quick and easy deflation, and Large Agnes gives probably the greatest: 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 largest gripe about establishing the Rapide comes all the way down to its pump sack and inflation valve. The pump sack is practical, however it’s a bit heavier than competing choices and its flat design may 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 dimension, which implies it takes a bit longer than lower-profile backpacking pads to inflate. This pad may even take way more vitality and breath to fill in the event you depart the pump sack at residence as a result of 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 establishing on uneven or rocky floor, so your pad will maintain air for years with minimal upkeep. 

Its sturdy aspect rails assist preserve its construction even after prolonged use. The inflation and deflation valves can stand up to hundreds of inflation cycles, and aviation-grade TPU lamination on the seams and welds makes them robust. In case your pad does start to leak, Large Agnes additionally contains 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 every other 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 problem rapidly and completely. 

Lastly, whereas the aspect rails add sturdiness, they might be inclined to put on in high-use areas, particularly for individuals who sleep close to the sting or toss and switch all through the night time. That mentioned, the Rapide SL will final for years with a little bit of care and a focus and gives 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. Due to a snug, thick design and huge aspect rails, this pad is nice for backpackers who desire a significantly comfortable place to put down after lengthy miles. 

It’s simple to inflate, quiet, and sturdy, making it a stable selection for brief to medium treks from late spring till early fall. With many inclusive dimension 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 ideal 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. 

Nevertheless, relying in your wants, these might be minor points. In case your essential goal is to maximise backcountry consolation at an inexpensive value, this is without doubt one of the greatest choices available on the market.

What Different Sleeping Pads Ought to You Take into account?

Take a look at our full listing 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 a better R-value and a significantly decrease weight, the Tensor All-Season is an efficient 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 enhance 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 climbing in heat summer time climate, this pad is a good 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 the 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 better option for light-weight backpackers who don’t wish to sacrifice heat.

Klymit Static V2 Evaluation: In case your essential goal is to decrease price as a lot as doable, the Klymit Static V2 is probably the most inexpensive air pad on our Greatest Sleeping Pad Record. The Klymit Static V2 supplies 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 gives lower than half the heat of the Rapide SL.