REI Helix Insulated Air Sleeping Pad Evaluation

Backside Line

In case you’re on the lookout for a sleeping pad with nice insulation, however with out the hefty price ticket, the REI Co-op Helix Insulated Air Sleeping Pad delivers. With an R-value of 4.9, it’s one of many warmest choices on our backpacking sleeping pad information, making it an amazing alternative for cold-weather adventures. CleverHiker gear analyst Heather Eldridge used this pad on a week-long, 80-mile backpacking journey via Oregon’s rugged Wallowa Mountains in chilly fall situations, the place she discovered the pad to be cozy, heat, and quick to pack up. 

It’s a cushty sleeping pad for again and stomach sleepers, and the easy valve system, quiet cloth, and accessible value level are nice for inexperienced persons and shorter backpacking journeys. Plus, REI presents the Helix in huge and lengthy choices at no additional price – a uncommon and welcomed change – making it a wonderful worth for campers of any form or measurement. 

Nonetheless, this pad isn’t with out its drawbacks. The quilted design might not go well with everybody, because the welded sample might really feel a bit bumpy for some customers. Additionally, aspect sleepers and tosser turners might backside out when shifting round at night time. The Helix can be one of many heaviest and bulkiest backpacking sleeping pads we examined, making it much less preferrred for long-distance journeys and arduous mountaineering miles. 

We additionally discovered the Helix’s sturdiness fell a bit brief in our testing, with a few air leaks creating faster than different pads. So, like all air pad, you’ll need to deal with it with care in rugged environments. If you need a handy, heat, and reasonably priced pad for the backcountry, the REI Helix hits a pleasant steadiness.

Consolation

The REI Helix Insulated Air sleeping pad checks each field for again and abdomen sleepers. At three inches thick, it presents loads of cushioning to maintain you off the chilly, bumpy floor, and the quilted design cradles the physique nicely and distributes weight evenly. Its valve permits you to regulate the firmness to your liking, and the 30D nylon cloth is quiet, so that you received’t cope with the annoying rustling sounds of different pads while you roll over throughout the night time. 

This pad is a superb choice on the subject of staying heat on chilly shoulder season hikes. Paired with a heat sleeping bag, you’ll keep cozy right down to round 20°F with the Helix, because of its excessive R-value of 4.9. The Helix is huge on the shoulders, so it’s an amazing match for various physique sorts and sleeping types. We additionally like that REI presents huge and lengthy variations at no additional price, which isn’t the norm. This consolation stage typically comes at a premium value, however the Helix could be very reasonably priced for adventuring in chilly situations.

Nonetheless, consolation isn’t common. Facet sleepers and folk who transfer lots throughout the night time might backside out on this sleeping pad as a result of steep dips within the quilted sample. The pad is huge on the shoulders, nevertheless it tapers on the toes like a conventional mummy design, which could not work for individuals who prefer to unfold out. Its dimpled design absorbs uneven and rocky floor nicely, however its pillowy cells might really feel too pronounced for delicate campers. 

These are pretty small hang-ups – this pad is reliably cozy for most individuals in most situations.

Weight & Packability

For shorter treks, cold-weather adventures, and lower-elevation hikes the place weight isn’t a precedence, the REI Helix is a strong alternative. This pad is sort of a bit heavier than comparable sleeping pad fashions, tipping the scales at 21 ounces. However these additional ounces are value it when in a single day temps drop, and staying heat is essential to journey. 

This Helix packs up simply because of the mix of devoted inflation and deflation valves and versatile nylon cloth that folds and rolls simply. We like that the stuff sack is roomy, so that you received’t be wrestling to get the pad again inside. Its packed measurement is 5 x 10 inches, so it’s bigger than most backpacking sleeping pads, nevertheless it’s not too dangerous. 

This pad just isn’t amongst our prime decisions for long-distance backpacking or mountaineering arduous miles. Weight is a vital consideration for backcountry journeys, and that’s one of many key weaknesses of the Helix. It was one of many heaviest backpacking sleeping pads we examined, and the distinction is noticeable in comparison with a top-of-the-line sleeping pad.  

There are some pads on this value vary that weigh considerably much less, however not many that may match the heat of the Helix. So, in case your predominant targets revolve round heat, consolation, and saving cash, the Helix may nonetheless be match in your backpacking model. If, like us, conserving your pack weight down tends to be vital, you might need to think about different choices.

Heat

The REI Helix Insulated Air presents a strong 4.9 R-value to remain heat in temperatures as little as 20°F, making it an amazing bang in your buck for cold fall and spring situations. Its 3-inch thickness places loads of house between you and the chilly floor, and two-layer reflective insulation helps lure warmth all through the night time. Paired with a good sleeping bag or quilt, it’s a wise alternative for shoulder season and gentle winter journeys. 

We did discover a couple of shortcomings with this pad throughout our testing. For aspect sleepers, the quilted design and deep welds may cause uneven heat distribution and bottoming out. That may result in chilly spots on the shoulders, hips, and knees. The pad additionally tends to backside out if under-inflated, which might cut back its insulating capability for chilly sleepers. 

Additionally, our testers discover that this pad falls brief in additional excessive temperatures beneath 20°F. So, you might need to add a closed-foam cell pad for additional insulation on snowy journeys or think about a extra premium pad designed for excessive winter use.

Ease of Setup

The REI Helix Insulated Air is environment friendly to arrange, making it a good selection for chilly situations while you’ll need to arrange gear shortly. A separate, devoted inflation valve snaps tightly onto the pump sack nozzle for a streamlined inflation that takes minimal effort. The included pump sack is sturdy, giant, and simply captures air – it takes solely 5 to 7 fills to inflate the pad. 

The 30D ripstop nylon compresses and creases with no subject, so that you received’t be battling the fabric when placing the pad away within the morning or pulling it out within the night. Whereas many pads are rectangular, this pad presents angles on the shoulders however tapers on the backside, so it’s straightforward to arrange in any tent model. The dump valve deflates the Helix in seconds for a quick breakdown, and whereas it’s not probably the most nuanced design, you possibly can nonetheless let air out in bursts to dial within the good firmness. 

Whereas there’s lots to like about this mannequin, it isn’t with out faults. Usually, the valve seams on sleeping pads are probably the most susceptible space and the more than likely to fail. Whereas we like the 2 separate nozzles for comfort, double-valve designs improve alternatives for seam failures. It’s additionally bulkier than different backpacking pads, that means it may well take longer to stow away throughout teardown and could also be more durable to suit right into a packed backpack.

Sturdiness

The REI Helix Insulated Air is constructed with a 30-denier nylon cloth that gives an okay steadiness between weight and sturdiness. Whereas the 30D nylon is comparatively light-weight, it holds up nicely for shorter journeys on comfortable to reasonable terrain. The grid sample and seams are welded for additional energy, which helps the pad resist gradual leaks over time. Its quilted design distributes stress evenly throughout the pad to cut back put on in concentrated areas. 

The included discipline restore equipment has adhesive patches for fixing minor backcountry points. For informal backpackers who aren’t arduous on their gear, the Helix presents strong sturdiness for its value level and will final a number of seasons with correct care.

Nonetheless, this pad isn’t as rugged as others in its class. In one in all our discipline checks, the pad developed a leak alongside a aspect seam after only a few nights of use, requiring an in-field restore. 

The 2 valves separated throughout the pad imply a double likelihood of failure across the seam as an alternative of 1 unit that may usually last more. Your sleep model may also have an effect on the sturdiness of this pad. Facet or stressed sleepers might discover themselves bottoming out, which might put extra stress on the seams and result in faster put on. 

Whereas the Helix’s sturdiness just isn’t a dealbreaker, you’ll must pay extra consideration to the place you inflate and deflate it. Keep away from brambles, sharp rocks, and kit that would puncture its floor. Even with these caveats, we’ve used this pad for a number of seasons with out main points; you’ll simply need to deal with it fastidiously.

Must you Purchase the REI Helix Insulated Air?

The REI Helix Insulated Air is an efficient alternative for budget-conscious backpackers on the lookout for excessive insulation of their sleeping pad. Its higher-than-average R-value gives strong heat in temperatures as little as 20°F. It’s good for chilly sleepers, chilly shoulder-season treks, or gentle winter adventures.

If you need dependable consolation, particularly for individuals who sleep on their abdomen or backs, the Helix’s 3-inch thickness and quiet cloth will match the invoice. With bigger sizes supplied at no additional price, this pad works for a variety of customers at reasonably priced costs. The easy valves make for quick inflation and deflation, and the tapered design means this pad matches nicely in any tent. In the case of excessive insulation at an impressive value, the Helix is among the many finest.

Nonetheless, we discovered some key downsides in testing this pad. The largest amongst them is weight. The Helix Air is a reasonably heavy pad for backpacking adventures, and we usually prefer to preserve our pack weight to a minimal, so this was a vital draw back for us. Moreover, our aspect sleeping pad testers reported that this wasn’t their favourite design as a result of they tended to backside out when shifting round, particularly when the pad’s firmness was inflated decrease. 

We additionally discovered that the Helix’s cloth is much less sturdy than a few of its opponents, requiring extra cautious dealing with to keep away from punctures. The pump sack’s single-purpose design can be not preferrred. 

In case you’re a budget-conscious adventurer occurring shorter journeys the place weight isn’t a prime concern, the Helix is a really wise and comfy alternative.

What Different Sleeping Pads Ought to You Think about?

Take a look at our checklist of the Finest Backpacking Sleeping Pads for all our prime suggestions. 

NEMO Tensor All-Season Evaluation: In case you’re keen to pay a bit extra for a considerable bump up in high quality, we suggest testing the NEMO Tensor All-Season. The Tensor is hotter, weighs much less, earned greater consolation scores in our testing, and remains to be very sturdy and simple to make use of. It’s one in all our prime suggestions for backpacking sleeping pads.

Massive Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Evaluation: Just like the Helix, the Rapide SL has a excessive R-value, so it’s an amazing choice for cold-weather journeys. The Rapide can be inexpensive, lighter, packs smaller, and is thicker for extra consolation and sturdiness. The Rapide is one in all our prime funds decisions for air sleeping pads which are snug and constructed to final.

Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Evaluation: The Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated shares the identical value level because the REI Helix and is simply as straightforward to inflate and pack. Nonetheless, the Ultralight Insulated is notably lighter, packs down smaller, and presents higher sturdiness. That mentioned, its insulation worth is far decrease, and it shares the identical bottoming-out chance when tossing and turning at night time.