Big Agnes - Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad

Big Agnes is the best I’ve found. Pricey but well worth it.

I’ve used the Rapide down to about upper-20s and stayed ~relatively~ comfortable, but that probably was more so due to having a good sleeping bag/quilt. As others have said, you could get a thin closed cell foam sleeping pad to put underneath it. R values are generally additive. If weight is a concern, I’ve heard some people say they put one of those reflective emergency blankets (extremely lightweight) under their sleeping pads. Though, it’s debated if this actually does anything. It might be better used sandwiched between a foam pad and the rapide, or on top of the rapide itself (if you don’t mind the obnoxious crinkliness)

I went with the Big Agnes Rapide SL. It’s a little heavier than other UL pads, but the added comfort was so worth it. Plus, their customer service is superb.

Big Agnes rapide SL wide and a queen fitted sheet. I know you said no air mats but you’ll never get a better night sleep camping, and IIRC they also do a double sized mat. Also IIRC lifetime guarantee.

I’m similar size, and I’ll echo others I. The Big Agnes Rapide SL, but get the wide lad and opt for the long pad as well. Is almost as comfortable as my bed at home, has cool side rails to keep you on the pad as well. Packs up reasonably light and small as well. I’ve used it down to about freezing temps and it doesn’t feel cold at all - it has a down top with a heat reflector apparently which helps reflect body heat when it’s cold…but also doesn’t make it hot to sleep on when it’s warm and muggy nights like we had this summer. I’m also a side/stomach smelter and it’s great for that too.

We have gone through five different sleeping pads over the years. I know you said you’re on a budget, but man a good sleeping pad is one of the most important pieces of kit you can buy. We bought these red inflatable air mattresses from Amazon for our kids and they’re fine, but my daughter isn’t a fan of the ridges they have on them. We have finally settled on Big Agnes Rapide mats. They are expensive, but when I say they are as comfortable as my bed at home that isn’t hyperbole.

I have no experience with the vectair but we did upgrade a couple years ago from self inflating MEC pads to a similar thickness air pad (Big Agnes Rapide SL) The comfort upgrade of the new pads ks night and day difference. My wife’s biggest complaint is how her hips bugged her on the old pads, it’s a non issue. Such a great upgrade, I’d say try the vectair.

Big Agnes Rapide SL. Don’t look at the price tag, just buy it. It is one of the most comfortable mattresses of any kind I’ve slept on, including real beds. Packs small, fairly light. Oh and did I mention insanely comfortable?

Have you considered a camping cot? There are a lot of ultralight options now which are about the same price as a good sleeping pad for side sleepers. The only difference being is the weight, you’re looking at around 1.5kg for a cot bed which would be double the weight of a sleeping pad. For me, the extra weight is worth it for the comfort. For context I’ve tried Therm-a-Rest, Big Agnes and Nemo mats. If I’m going for comfort, the cot bed wins every time.

Yes it's a matter of seeing what works for you. Personally - I am a side and stomach sleeper. Mummy type bags and narrow tiny pads suck. I used to use a Nemo bag with a sleeve to receive a Klymit V. This worked ok, but not great at all. I finally got fed up and too the extra weight. I now use a Big Agnes Rapide double wide and a Kelty Galactic down rectangular bag. Went on a trip last week and it was the best camping sleep I ever had.

Big Agnes rapide sl, the wide long version is a great sleeping mat

I have the BA Rapide. I believe the outer edges are slightly larger, so your arms don't sink. They are raised just a bit and are more comfy. I find it pretty comfortable.

2nd the BA rapid SL 25”. It’s the most comfortable backpacking pad IMO. If you are looking for strictly car camping pad. And weight is not an issue. We use Aire landing pads for that situation. Very durable and comfortable.

If we're dividing the weight by 2 people, check out Big Agnes Rapide Tent Floor Pad. Mine perfectly fills my 2P tent and is like 3lbs or so. Not unreasonable for 2P hiking that short a distance.

I slept on mine in the mid 20s or lower (water bottles froze) with a 20-degree quilt. Never felt cold from the pad.

That makes alot of sense, when I was looking at the Rapide SL for myself a few years ago and last year for my partner; I didn't see anything about issues with the Rapide only the Zoom. Thankfully she bought the old version of the Rapide SL for £90 as places were clearing stock for the new one. That also explains why despite being a cold sleeper has no issues with warmth.

Big Agnes Rapide for me...100+ nights on one

I have no experience with the vectair but we did upgrade a couple years ago from self inflating MEC pads to a similar thickness air pad (Big Agnes Rapide SL) The comfort upgrade of the new pads ks night and day difference. My wife’s biggest complaint is how her hips bugged her on the old pads, it’s a non issue. Such a great upgrade, I’d say try the vectair.

Big Agnes and sea to summit checks all your boxes. Small/compact, uses vertical baffles to prevent that bouncy castle feeling and provide actual support

Everyone is recommending systems that work for them, which is amazing. There are so many good options. I use a rapide SL big Agnes pad for me with a Nemo rift bag. For my pup, she has a whyld river bag/bed (can be separated during warm weather) and a foam pad that slips into the bed sleeve. I went with whyld river because it packs down so well and has connection points that work well for me. My pup needs the ability to switch positions during the night and their snaps (one of 2 connection methods with the other being more secure) allows the quilt/top to separate before tension may create a tear. We sleep in a Nemo tracker tent. Pup is 85 lbs lab/pit mix.

Im a big fan of the Big Agnes Rapide.

Plus one. I have a therm-a-rest Xtherm, two cheap Amazon pads (they didn’t last), a Big Agnes, and I’ve tried the foam pads (they’re not for me). Exped seems to have the best tech. Their pads are quiet, comfy, reliable, and I love the synthetic down on the inside

BA rapide SL is what ive settled on. Good weight for the comfort.

I'm a big fan of the Big Agnes Rapide SL. It's the most comfortable pad I've owned and packs down really small. It's expensive, but worth every penny. I've had it for a few years and taken it on a ton of trips and it hasn't failed me yet. And, if it does, it comes with a patch kit. One thing to think about when setting up camp is to make sure the ground you're putting your tent on is clean of any sticks or thorny weeds, and always use a footprint. This could be the cause of your flat pads, or it could be that you're using cheap pads made of low grade material. 

Important to know from the start: I have scoliosis as well as a lingering low back/hip injury, and at home I sleep on a probably-too-soft mattress. But I don't have any of the problems I mention below even when I sleep in a different bed with a different firmness, such as while traveling for work or family. My setup as of last year's season is a Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol underneath the Big Agnes Rapide SL inflatable pad (standard length, wide width). In other words, I'm not laying flat on the ground by any means - there's plenty of cushion from uneven or firm ground, and I haven't had any temperature issues (I pair these two pads with a now-discontinued Sea to Summit down bag that's plenty cozy). The Big Agnes pad was new last year, after multiple seasons attempting and failing to make a thin Therm-A-Rest Trail Scout work with the Z-Lite (I would anti-recommend the Trail Scout for this and other reasons). But this current setup isn't working very well, either. On some nights I found myself waking up with a leg or two numb on some nights because of some position that had me cutting off circulation. (This happens at home occasionally when I'm sitting flat on the floor, but rarely when I'm sleeping or lying flat.) Even though I played around with the inflation level of the Big Agnes pad, as I was worried it was maybe too firm at full inflation, that didn't seem to help much. I also prefer to sleep on my stomach, and I haven't figured out a backcountry pillow option that's flat enough to keep my neck at a comfortable angle without being non-existent, as sleeping directly on my arms puts them numb too. Out of desperation, I tried bringing my flat-yet-not-paper pillow from home for a trip last year, which feels embarrassing to write because of the pillow's weight and bulk, lol. If it had worked, I would make adjustments to my kit to bring it every time, but it didn't really fix the setup (which is probably for the best for the rest of my packing list), so I'm back to the drawing board. Given all this, I'm feeling nervous about this season's upcoming trips, as I'm not someone who functions well on a lack of sleep. I'd prefer to try and adapt my current setup before I buy new stuff, too, as these are otherwise high-quality products that I think will last a while, if I can make them work for me. For folks who have finicky backs, or sleep in ways at home that are harder to comfortably do out on trail, how do you adjust your sleep setup for overnighters? What might I change here that will help me sleep better while on trail and thus have a better trip overall? I'm considering the Nemo Fillo Elite - can any stomach sleepers attest to this or other semi-inflatable pillows as being worth the buy?

I've got a BA Rapide SL for my daughter to sleep on, but since I primarily hammock camp, I went the cheaper route for myself and got the REI Helix. It's a decently comfortable pad, especially when I pair it with my CCF mat, but you've got my attention with the Light Tour. Even if it doesn't sleep as warm as it should at a rated 7.5, it's probably at least as warm as my Helix, and much cheaper, and lighter.

I second this. I always grab my Rapide when I want to focus on sleep. My favorite pad by far.

I had the BA Q-Core for a few years until it too developed a slow leak. Thought I had maybe punctured it during a desert trip (thorns, needles and such). Did a soap smear to check for leaks. Turned out to be a material separation between the valve and the air mat portion. Glue just gave out, I guess. Called up Big Agnes and sent them an REI screenshot of my purchase date. BA was cool enough to send me a replacement of the Q-Core (discontinued) with the Rapide SL (current equivalent). Can’t say that either air mat is “ultralight,” but they are warm (good R ratings) and comfortable. As a 3-season High Sierra hiker, sleeping through very cold nights near glacial lakes is a big deal for me. Big Agnes makes great mats, sleeping bags, and tents. Their stuff is made to be durable without making comfort a secondary consideration. Yeah, I’m a fan.

It kept me warm in the low 30's (frost on the ground when I woke up). Edit: that's Fahrenheit (just above freezing).

Would love to hear how it performs in the cold. I have the Rapide and it is consistently uncomfortable below the low 40'sF.

I do a lot of winter camping (below freezing) and have never had any issues with this sleeping pad. Wear the right base layers and don’t get into your tent cold and you’ll be fine. I love my Rapide SL.

I went from a Klymit to a Big Agnes. Night and day difference. 

Most comfortable pad I’ve used is a Big Agnes Rapide SL. I have a bad back and sleep poorly in general. This pad is amazing for my needs. I’m 5’9” around 180 lbs with the regular length pad but 25 inches wide.

I would suggest the Rapide SL over the Zoom UL, just based on reviews about R-Value. If R-Value is not an issue, the Zoom is probably the better option. I use the Rapide on short trips and my Nemo All-Season any other time, which is comfy if you slightly deflate it.

Big Agnes Rapide SL. Don’t look at the price tag, just buy it. It is one of the most comfortable mattresses of any kind I’ve slept on, including real beds. Packs small, fairly light. Oh and did I mention insanely comfortable?

Big agnes rapide sl Not necessarily the lightest, but a really good balance of comfort, warmth, weight, and cost https://www.backcountry.com/big-agnes-rapide-sl-insulated-sleeping-pad

Of those I have experience of the S2S ultralight, Vango Aotrom platinum and the Rapide SL. The differences between the S2S and the Vango are minimal, S2S better feeling materials and more comfortable, but colder, noisier and more expensive. The Rapide SL is much more comfortable and warmer than both. My partner uses the Rapide SL and loves it, I personally use a Thermarest Xlite and whilst not as comfortable as the Rapide is considerably lighter and noticeably warmer. If you have a store anywhere near you can try out a few I highly suggest that.

Roughly the same size as this guy, and can also vouch for the Rapide SL in the 25" x 78" size.