Big Agnes Rapide SL enclosed sleeping pad review: a plush pad in a small package
With one of the wettest UK winters in living memory seemingly on the way and the unbridled joys of spring just around the corner, it’s time to start preparing your gear for another exciting series of backpacking trips. And I think I have a simple 3 season sex that you need.
It’s called the Big Agnes Rapide SL, and it’s so comfortable and supportive that it really blurs the line between lightweight camping gear and the kind of sleeping comfort you’d expect at home.
Big Agnes Rapide SL review included sleeping mat
Price and availability
In the UK, the Big Agnes Rapide SL retails for between £135 and £155 in the limited edition reviewed here. You can buy it direct from Amazon (£155), Ultralight Outdoor Gear (£135), Alpine Trek (£138) and Taunton Leisure, where it currently retails for £88.20.
If you’re Stateside, consider heading straight to Big Agnes, where the smaller 20″ x 72″ version retails for $169.95. Alternatively, head over to Amazon or REI Co-Op, where it retails for $159.15.
Design and features
Big Agnes is a Colorado-based outdoor brand known for its wide variety of innovative camping equipment and backpacking equipment. Founded in 2001 and named after a nearby high mountain, the company focuses on lightweight performance, comfort and durability, and has already enjoyed great success with a range of award-winning tents, sleeping bags and padded pads that have proven popular among seasoned campers.
(Image credit: Future)
The Big Agnes Rapide SL is one such product that occupies the space between big light efficiency and wilderness comfort. And, believe me, this unusually small package turns into the most comfortable sleeping pad I’ve ever had the good fortune to try.
The Big Agnes Rapide SL is available in six sizes – 20 x 66”, 20 x 72”, 20 x 78”, 25 x 72”, 25 x 78” and 40 x 72” double. I got the slim 20 x 72″ (50.8 x 182.88cm) and, unless I’m a skinnymalink, I think I’d end up choosing the wider 25″ (63.5cm) model for a tad more girth.
(Image credit: Future)
The small form factor version I received weighs 21.05 ounces (597g) while its packed bag measures 8.46” x 4” (21.5cm x 10cm) – about the width of a toilet roll and not too long. And best of all, it all goes back into its waterproof hard case without any finger-fighting flares, which is exactly what you want when you’re packing after a stormy night on the summit.
With its 3.5” (9cm) height and raised outer chambers (4.25” / 11cm) that help keep users focused on the mat, the Rapide SL also offers a truly impressive stand alone despite its low weight.
One of the Rapide SL’s most notable design elements is its ‘I-Beam’ construction, which creates a stable interior structure while minimizing material consumption.
This method distributes body weight evenly across the entire surface of the pad, helping to prevent the ballooning sensation experienced with many cheap air mattresses.
Most importantly, its attractive, deep-orange, stretchy pattern really improves comfort by producing a low, pillowy feeling that reduces pressure points – including hips and elbows – during side sleeping. And what’s more, without any annoying screeching noises when you walk through it.
(Image credit: Future)
As expected from a company like Big Agnes, the choice of materials plays a large role in the performance characteristics of the Rapide SL. In this case, you get an incredibly durable, non-slip, ripstop nylon combined with aircraft-grade TPU lamination and strong welding, which strikes a balance between durability and packaging.
Make no mistake, this mat feels durable enough for three seasons of use and plenty of inflation and deflation episodes. Instead, it comes with three self-adhesive repair patches – just in case.
Insulation is an equally important design highlight with this mat. As a result, it uses two layers of heat-reflective film to trap radiant body heat and improve thermal efficiency, resulting in an R-value of 4.8, which makes it durable in the three-season category and allows it to expand slightly in cold weather when paired with a suitable sleeping bag.
Likewise, its internal antimicrobial treatment helps prevent mold or bacterial growth over time, and I consider that a very useful feature of gear that can be kept hydrated after a trip.
With its clever structural design, efficient padding technology and easy-to-use features, this mat is a brilliant sleeping platform that feels much bigger than its weight suggests – the main reason, perhaps, why it remains a very popular choice among weight-conscious travelers looking for reliable overnight comfort.
The process of inflation
(Image credit: Future)
The inflation system of the Big Agnes Rapide SL is similar to most backpacking mattresses and has two one-way valves: one for inflation, one for inflation. You can just use lung power to blow the carpet but this will give you a light head before reaching the goal. That’s why Big Agnes – indeed most backpacking mat manufacturers – include a lightweight balloon bag to help speed up the process.
However, I have never been able to hold enough air in the bag at any time to make that work. Basically, you need to open the wide end and try to take a deep breath before rolling quickly at the end so that you end up with a balloon-like structure to squeeze the air out of the mat. However, this is not easy if the bag valve is attached to the mat as you have to lift the entire mat when trying to inhale. Some users simply inflate the bag and roll it up, but this can also make you feel lighter. The bottom line is that it takes a few minutes to complete the inflation task.
Top: Flextail MAX PUMP 3; bottom: Flextail TINY PUMP 3X
(Image credit: Future)
So I contacted Flextail to test drive one of their most popular pocket-sized, rechargeable battery pumps to see what it’s all about. A Chinese company sent me their latest MAX PUMP 3 and TINY PUMP 3X (retailer links) and, oh my, what an amazing little invention they are.
I first tried the Flextail MAX PUMP 3 which doubles as a 300-lumen LED light with three brightness settings, a retractable tent hook and a tripod mount for placing it on the floor or table. The MAX PUMP 3 filled the Rapide SL in 23 seconds flat using 5kPa (500 L/min) of adequate pressure. It also does an excellent job of filling the thick Coleman Supercomfort foam mattress that comes with a matching filling bag. These were amazing results, especially considering how small and light it is – just 122g. The MAX PUMP 3 comes with five adapters to cover most types of air mattresses and water toys, as well as a small nylon carry bag.
I then filled the Rapide SL using the tiny, cheap and rechargeable TINY PUMP 3X weighing 67g. It did the same job of filling the air in 27 seconds at 300L/Min. This model also serves as a 300-lumen LED light and comes with five impressive light settings, from soft warm white to bright. Like the MAX PUMP 3, it also comes with a variety of adapters.
Both of these air pumps are among the most efficient and versatile camping equipment I’ve come across. In addition, they can also be used to fan the flames of a campfire and be attached to the back to absorb any remaining air from a mattress or air-beam tent. No, they won’t fill an air tent – that would be asking a lot – but they will tackle a host of other camping tasks with complete aplomb. Whichever model you choose, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Comfort and performance
(Image credit: Future)
There are many reasons why I love this 3 season backpacker mat. Its pocket size is small, and weighs no more than a full water bottle. Much more comfortable than I expected and extremely supportive, in no small measure due to the two raised outer compartments that helped keep me in a neutral position during the test.
I also found its insulation to work very well during my late fall tests, and I really rate the quality of the exterior materials, which feel solid, non-slip, and incredibly well made. The fact that it comes in the most delicious burnt orange color is an irresistible icing on the cake.
I tested the Big Agnes Rapide SL when I wrote my MSR Hubba Hubba NX tent review, and it was a good match for the MSR in everything. Although I’m built like a pipe cleaner, I never had any part of my body come into contact with hard ground, and that had a decent softness to the mat.
I will admit that at first I thought that its small width and depth of 9cm would not be enough for me to visit the country of nod, especially since I am more used to foam camp mattresses like Coleman Supercomfort or Quechua Ultim Comfort, but I was wrong because I slept like a puppy.
No, it’s not the lightest mat by a long shot – many weigh around 250g – but it’s a lot easier to sleep on than most light models that seem to be made of some kind of shiny mylar. And that, to me, is more important than a few extra grams of pack weight.
However, as mentioned before, I would definitely choose the 25” width version if I were to buy this mattress for myself, as the extra five inches would allow for more elbow room and less chance of my knee coming off the edge.
The decision
(Image credit: Future)
The Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated sleeping mat strikes a surprising balance between comfort, warmth and packability. Its 3.5″ size and supportive construction deliver excellent security and a good night’s sleep, while the 4.8 R rating provides reliable three-season coverage in most UK conditions. If you’re looking for a lightweight and packable camping mat that offers exceptional comfort above all else, go for it.
