A sleeping pad is one of the most important purchases a backpacker or camper can make. Nothing affects your recovery, performance, and overall mood like sleep does — which was why I was grateful this fall for my Big Agnes Rapide SL. Despite sleeping on rocky, uneven surfaces and the cold Northwestern weather I had been camping in, I was staying warm at night and getting good rest.
Big Agnes is not new to the backpacking sleep system and equipment space. The brand’s Boundry Deluxe pad was named GearJunkie’s Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad for Side Sleepers in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads guide. We’ve reviewed its Q-Core SLX Double Insulated Pad, the Dream Island Double Wide Sleeping bag, and several of the brand’s tents and packs over the years.
In 2024, the brand retooled one of its bestselling sleeping pads, the Rapide SL Insulated pad. I put the 2024 version of the Rapide SL to the test over two camping trips and numerous chilly fall overnights in the Midwest. If the updated Rapide hadn’t lived up to Big Agnes’ claims, I could have had some cold, restless evenings.
In short: The Big Agnes Rapide SL ($150) delivers excellent insulation and comfort in a tiny package. It has an R-value of 4.8, which makes it ideal for three-season camping. It’s also lightweight and compact at just 14 ounces and 4″x7″ rolled up, so it fits well in a backpack. The value this sleeping pad offers at a competitively low price makes it an excellent choice for campers and especially backpackers who want to ensure a cozy, comfortable night’s sleep.
If you’re in the market for a new backpacking sleeping pad, compare the Big Agnes Rapide SL to those on our guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads.
- Available sizes: 20×66”; 20×72”; 25×72”; 20×78”; 25×78”; 40×72”
- Thickness: 4.25"
- Weight: 18 oz. for 20×72”
- R Value: 4.8
- Compressed size: 4×7” for 20×72”
Pros
- Comfortable
- Great warmth-to-weight ratio
- Compact and easy to carry
Cons
- Standard size is small
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
Compared to the previous iteration of this sleeping pad, the 2024 Big Agnes Rapide SL is an ounce lighter and an inch smaller when rolled up. The pad is made with durable, double nylon ripstop fabric and dual layers of reflective heat film to add insulation without weight. The surface is quilted for the user’s comfort, and the I-Beam construction adds support.
Backpacking and Camping With the Big Agnes Rapide SL
I tested the 20″x72” size of the Rapide SL for 6 days while backpacking and camping in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in mid-September. It also came with me car camping in southern Illinois in October. I slept on sand, dirt, and somewhat rocky terrain with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to low-40s at night.
One of my favorite things about the Rapide SL is how little space it takes up in my pack. It’s about the size of a standard 1L Nalgene water bottle, so this sleeping pad was easy to stuff in my pack. With its narrow shape, I conveniently fit it horizontally next to my pot and water filter.
The R-value-to-weight ratio of the Rapide SL is one of its most impressive features. R-value measures insulation. The higher the number, the warmer the pad. The Rapide has an R-value of 4.8 at a weight of only 18 ounces. That’s competitive with most of the pads on our guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads. The Big Agnes Rapide SL would be the fifth-best-insulated pad on that list.
The most comparable pads on our guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads would be the Therm-a-Rest 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). Both are more expensive than the $150 Big Agnes Rapide SL.
Given its warmth-to-weight ratio, the Rapide SL is a great value for the price.
The Rapide SL’s exceptional warmth is all the more impressive, given its lightweight package. It’s rare to find an ultralight pad that is insulated enough to use in winter. Big Agnes has created something unicorn-like with this upgraded Rapide SL.
Sleeping on the Big 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 nearly silent when I turned over. Unlike other pads, it did not sound like plastic wrap or crunching when I rolled around. Its quilt-like design also seemed to distribute my weight evenly.
I found Big Agnes’ Divide Insulated Pad, which consists of more of a rail design, to be uncomfortable on my back. The vertical rails dug into muscles that were already sore from backpacking. The Rapide SL’s quilted structure is a far more comfortable design by comparison.
Despite sleeping on rocky, uneven surfaces, I never noticed the ground beneath me, even with my extremely thin ultralight tent. The 4.25-inch thickness of the pad truly delivered. Temperature-wise, this sleeping pad was the best of both worlds.
In Michigan, it could be up in the 60s at night. So sometimes, I slept on the pad with my sleeping bag half-tossed on me like a blanket. Despite the heat, I felt cool enough on warm nights. I didn’t notice myself sweating or sticking to the pad.
On chillier nights in Illinois, I was plenty warm in shorts and a T-shirt with my sleeping bag half-zipped up. You don’t seem to lose much heat through the Rapide SL.
Big Agnes Rapide SL Durability and Other Features
Contrary to what one should do with a sleeping pad, I was not careful with my Rapide SL. I scraped it against rocks and let my dogs walk and jump on it. Despite my efforts, I noticed no discernable wear and tear on the pad.
Thanks to the dual-action valve, the pad is easy to inflate. It comes with a pumphouse inflation sack, but I prefer to blow mine up. This usually takes less than a minute.
As with any pad, rolling it up to fit it back into its stuff sack is a bit of an endeavor and a tight squeeze, but I never failed to get it back in the bag.
One Drawback: The Size
The Rapide SL’s single biggest con is its size. The 20×72” size I tested is what Big Agnes considers regular or standard. But as someone who is only 5’6”, I felt as though I fully used every inch of the pad. Despite its 6-foot length, I found my toes hung slightly off the bottom when I was using a pillow up top. There was also very little room to roll over or adjust sleeping positions in the middle of the night.
A taller person would likely need to purchase the 20×78” (long). Even I would have probably preferred a slightly larger pad. The long version retails for the same price as the regular and weighs 1 ounce more. The brand also offers a 25×72” (regular wide) version that costs an extra $50 and weighs 5 more ounces.
Depending on your stature, you may be sacrificing some comfort and spaciousness when purchasing the regular size.
Big Agnes Rapide SL: Conclusions
I’ve slept on many Big Agnes Pads, including the old Rapide SL, the Divide, and the Q-Core Deluxe. This current Rapide SL was the most comfortable and lightweight of the bunch. I would advise users to purchase the slightly larger versions of the pad if they are taller or tend to be a side sleeper.
Ultimately, if you are the kind of backpacker who contemplates how they can shave ounces off their pack weight but still want to be comfortable, Big Agnes’ Rapide SL is an excellent choice. It delivers a high degree of warmth and comfort at a fair price.
