A sleeping pad is without doubt one of the most necessary purchases a backpacker or camper could make. Nothing impacts your restoration, efficiency, and total temper like sleep does — which was why I used to be grateful this fall for my Large Agnes Rapide SL. Regardless of sleeping on rocky, uneven surfaces and the chilly Northwestern climate I had been tenting in, I used to be staying heat at evening and getting good relaxation.
Large Agnes just isn’t new to the backpacking sleep system and gear area. The model’s Boundry Deluxe pad was named GearJunkie’s Greatest Backpacking Sleeping Pad for Aspect Sleepers in our Greatest Backpacking Sleeping Pads information. We’ve reviewed its Q-Core SLX Double Insulated Pad, the Dream Island Double Large Sleeping bag, and a number of other of the model’s tents and packs over time.
In 2024, the model retooled one among its bestselling sleeping pads, the Rapide SL Insulated pad. I put the 2024 model of the Rapide SL to the take a look at over two tenting journeys and quite a few chilly fall overnights within the Midwest. If the up to date Rapide hadn’t lived as much as Large Agnes’ claims, I might have had some chilly, stressed evenings.
In brief: The Large Agnes Rapide SL ($150) delivers wonderful insulation and luxury in a tiny bundle. It has an R-value of 4.8, which makes it splendid for three-season tenting. It’s additionally light-weight and compact at simply 14 ounces and 4″x7″ rolled up, so it suits effectively in a backpack. The worth this sleeping pad affords at a competitively low value makes it a superb alternative for campers and particularly backpackers who need to guarantee a comfy, comfy evening’s sleep.
For those who’re out there for a brand new backpacking sleeping pad, evaluate the Large Agnes Rapide SL to these on our information to the Greatest Backpacking Sleeping Pads.
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Out there sizes
20×66”; 20×72”; 25×72”; 20×78”; 25×78”; 40×72” -
Thickness
4.25″ -
Weight
18 oz. for 20×72” -
R Worth
4.8 -
Compressed dimension
4×7” for 20×72”
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Snug -
Nice warmth-to-weight ratio -
Compact and simple to hold
Large Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad Assessment
In comparison with the earlier iteration of this sleeping pad, the 2024 Large Agnes Rapide SL is an oz lighter and an inch smaller when rolled up. The pad is made with sturdy, double nylon ripstop material and twin layers of reflective warmth movie so as to add insulation with out weight. The floor is quilted for the consumer’s consolation, and the I-Beam building provides help.
Backpacking and Tenting With the Large Agnes Rapide SL
I examined the 20″x72” dimension of the Rapide SL for six days whereas backpacking and tenting in Michigan’s Higher Peninsula in mid-September. It additionally got here with me automotive tenting in southern Illinois in October. I slept on sand, grime, and considerably rocky terrain with temperatures starting from the mid-60s to low-40s at evening.
One among my favourite issues in regards to the Rapide SL is how little area it takes up in my pack. It’s in regards to the dimension of a typical 1L Nalgene water bottle, so this sleeping pad was simple to stuff in my pack. With its slim form, I conveniently match it horizontally subsequent to my pot and water filter.
The R-value-to-weight ratio of the Rapide SL is one among its most spectacular options. R-value measures insulation. The upper the quantity, the hotter the pad. The Rapide has an R-value of 4.8 at a weight of solely 18 ounces. That’s aggressive with a lot of the pads on our information to the Greatest Backpacking Sleeping Pads. The Large Agnes Rapide SL could be the fifth-best-insulated pad on that checklist.
Probably the most comparable pads on our information to the Greatest Backpacking Sleeping Pads could be the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite NXT with an R-value of 4.5 at 13 ounces ($210) or the NEMO Tensor Insulated with an R-value of 5.4 at 15 ounces ($200). Each are dearer than the $150 Large Agnes Rapide SL.
Given its warmth-to-weight ratio, the Rapide SL is a superb worth for the value.
The Rapide SL’s distinctive heat is all of the extra spectacular, given its light-weight bundle. It’s uncommon to seek out an ultralight pad that’s insulated sufficient to make use of in winter. Large Agnes has created one thing unicorn-like with this upgraded Rapide SL.
Sleeping on the Large Agnes Rapide SL
My sleep setup consisted of the Rapide SL and a Nemo Disco 15 sleeping bag in a Nemo Hornet OSMO tent. I appreciated that the pad was practically silent once I turned over. Not like different pads, it didn’t sound like plastic wrap or crunching once I rolled round. Its quilt-like design additionally appeared to distribute my weight evenly.
I discovered Large Agnes’ Divide Insulated Pad, which consists of extra of a rail design, to be uncomfortable on my again. The vertical rails dug into muscle groups that had been already sore from backpacking. The Rapide SL’s quilted construction is a much more comfy design by comparability.
Regardless of sleeping on rocky, uneven surfaces, I by no means observed the bottom beneath me, even with my extraordinarily skinny ultralight tent. The 4.25-inch thickness of the pad really delivered. Temperature-wise, this sleeping pad was one of the best of each worlds.
In Michigan, it could possibly be up within the 60s at evening. So typically, I slept on the pad with my sleeping bag half-tossed on me like a blanket. Regardless of the warmth, I felt cool sufficient on heat nights. I didn’t discover myself sweating or sticking to the pad.
On chillier nights in Illinois, I used to be lots heat in shorts and a T-shirt with my sleeping bag half-zipped up. You don’t appear to lose a lot warmth by means of the Rapide SL.
Large Agnes Rapide SL Sturdiness and Different Options
Opposite to what one ought to do with a sleeping pad, I used to be not cautious with my Rapide SL. I scraped it towards rocks and let my canine stroll and bounce on it. Regardless of my efforts, I observed no discernable put on and tear on the pad.
Due to the dual-action valve, the pad is straightforward to inflate. It comes with a pumphouse inflation sack, however I want to blow mine up. This normally takes lower than a minute.
As with all pad, rolling it as much as match it again into its stuff sack is a little bit of an endeavor and a good squeeze, however I by no means didn’t get it again within the bag.
One Downside: The Measurement
The Rapide SL’s single largest con is its dimension. The 20×72” dimension I examined is what Large Agnes considers common or commonplace. However as somebody who is barely 5’6”, I felt as if I absolutely used each inch of the pad. Regardless of its 6-foot size, I discovered my toes hung barely off the underside once I was utilizing a pillow up prime. There was additionally little or no room to roll over or alter sleeping positions in the midst of the evening.
A taller particular person would probably must buy the 20×78” (lengthy). Even I might have most likely most well-liked a barely bigger pad. The lengthy model retails for a similar value because the common and weighs 1 ounce extra. The model additionally affords a 25×72” (common large) model that prices an additional $50 and weighs 5 extra ounces.
Relying in your stature, it’s possible you’ll be sacrificing some consolation and spaciousness when buying the common dimension.
Large Agnes Rapide SL: Conclusions
I’ve slept on many Large Agnes Pads, together with the outdated Rapide SL, the Divide, and the Q-Core Deluxe. This present Rapide SL was probably the most comfy and light-weight of the bunch. I might advise customers to buy the marginally bigger variations of the pad if they’re taller or are usually a facet sleeper.
Finally, if you’re the type of backpacker who contemplates how they will shave ounces off their pack weight however nonetheless need to be comfy, Large Agnes’ Rapide SL is a superb alternative. It delivers a excessive diploma of heat and luxury at a good value.
