Good review and I agree. I bought this one a few weeks ago for the same reasons (good price, quiet, warm, comfortable). Tested it out on the floor at home and had a great sleep. I could feel the air above cold, and the heat radiating from below.
I’ve been using the rapide SL most of 2023, it’s been really good, I’m a front sleeper so it’s really hard to find a comfortable sleeping pad, one thing I found with this pad is when I breath (obviously sleeping on my front) it pushes the front end of the pad up, like a see saw and I feel it on my face, just a slight niggle but definitely not a deal breaker, I’ve just ordered the updated Thermarest Neoair Xtherm NXT Max (RW) looking forward to trying that out.
How did you find the thermarest? I’m also a side/front sleeper and struggle to find a pad comfortable enough, I’ve just ordered the big rapide SL but wouldn’t mind having a plan B. Much appreciated.
@@TheMountainMan001 the Thermarest is also a decent sleeping pad, slightly stiffer and can be uncomfortable if you inflate too much, dial in the right amount of air and it’s really good, it definitely feels more durable and obviously is much warmer, I’ve had it on freezing ground and not felt any cold come through, I wouldn’t sell either of them or need anything else. I’m glad I have both.
i just got one based on the recommendation from a friend as my neoair xlite was not cutting it anymore. this weekend will be the first time out with it (and my new flextail) with a low of 28f - can't wait to transform my sleep too- worth the extra weight
I did my extensive research also, and this is the sleep pad I purchased. Being 6'4" I went for the 198cm long version, but purchased the standard width. A few reasons. It was an extra £40 for the wider / long version, but mainly because if I ever take my son / daughter camping I'm not sure the 2 sleep pads I have will sit side by side in my 2 man tent or if they do there would be no space in between which would mean I'm putting pressure through both pads whilst getting in / out and whilst getting changed etc. With a small gap, it's a space I can put my full weight on my knee without worrying about the sleep mat. In an ideal world I would have the long / standard width and long / wide width ........ maybe one day! Good review though and I would agree, great value for money for what you get and the comfort is great.
I'm the same size as you and got the long and regular width. I find being a pure side sleeper and the pad being square I don't need any more width I had a wide Eped before and I don't notice the difference.
I heard that in the 13th century it was still possible to travel from the coast of Dover and travel to London without ever leaving the forest\green canopy. Imagine being able to camp back then and go on a hike like that.
I have been on the hunt / research for a mat which is QUIET ... my Sea to Summit Etherlight XT Insulated is excellent except VERY NOISY. Like rolling during sleep disturbs others 10-15m away. Purchased the double wide version of Rapide and highly rate it. Comfortable, warm and QUIET .... happy camper
Just bought this mat in Regular Wide version, looking forward to using it now. I wasn't sure initially, as wondered if it might be slightly too heavy, however, it's a lot lighter than my Exped Downmat LW version, which just over weighs 1.2kg. So a big weight saving in comparison. As you say you can't put a price on a good nights sleep in the outdoors. Great review, thank you : )
You’ve convinced me. Looks great. ONLY issue - try and get one ! Almost impossible unless you want to spend £230 !! Any ideas who may have them at sensible money ? Love your channel !
Hi Andy, great review, I brought one last month, used it on a wild camp on Mam Tor, with my Kelty 3 season down bag I was like toast! I love it, sooo comfortable too. The only mistake was me being a tight arse and brought the regular, should have got the wide, I'm also 5'8.
The only real negative with the wide version is if you’ve got a 1 person tent. Most people to get away with a regular but I move around too much when camping.
Great review! Thanks!! This and the review of Dan Becker convinced me to buy this pad. I'm 173cm (5'8") tall and I went for the wide long. Long instead of regular because I'm a side and stomach sleeper and with the 183cm of the regular my pillow or my feet will fight with the pad lenght (my experience with the Klymit Static V insulated), so I took the 50 grams extra weight. Now searching for the ideal 3 season UL sleeping bag, for this toss and turn champion, to add to this pad.😊 Very comfortable pad for backpacking. For car camping I would strongly recommend the Exped Megamat 10, it's perfect for that.
@@BackpackingUK Thanks! I do have a Nemo Dagger 3P tent; imported that one from the UK (before the Brexit) and like it a lot. Nemo Equipment is quite expensive in The Netherlands and the dollar much stronger to the euro now too (hope for a devaluation, because the X-mid 2p is on top of my list 😉). I'll take another look at their sleeping bags. I thought choosing a pad was a struggle, but there are many more backpacking and UL bags than pads! 😅
G'day mate. I have just sold my Sea to Summit Ether lite XT after two nights hiking. Was too loud and I am a heavier chap and just felt everything. I am now looking at the Big Agnes /Q Core / Boundary / Rapide. I contacted Big Agnes and they said that they are discontinuing the Q core and replacing it with the Boundary.. I need a big comfortable pad and happy to carry a bit more weight to be comfortable! Decision pending!
@@BackpackingUK I’m hoping to pick one up myself soon. Was down to that or the Rapide SL, but going for the XLite as it packs down smaller and I’ll also be using it for bikepacking.
I have recently returned my xlite. I really wanted to love it but it is just too damn uncomfortable for me. Maybe because I am a side sleeper, I don't know but I wasn't getting proper support at any inflation level. I usually sleep very well on my seatosummit comfort pad (I wanted to upgrade because it was quite heavy) but I would wake up multiple times while using xlite from back and joint pains in my shoulders and hips. I don't think it was the main source of pain (which was hiking long distance) but it would amplify it and do not provide me a resting environment. I will be testing Big Agnes Zoom UL now, it is not as warm, a bit heavier and slightly less packable but I have high hopes in it due to its different baffle structure. This time I was choosing between Zoom and Rapide and Zoom was lighter and more packable.
Hi, thank you for the review. I saw another favourable review of it elsewhere and now I'm really wondering! I have seen Sea to Summit comfort light on special offer for £76 and I'm tempted, but do you think this is worth the extra outlay? I am (reluctantly) converting to bike/train/backpacking after a breakup (I don't drive) and am used to a 10cm zempire monstamat, usually on top of the decathlon bed bases which is super comfy, but not suitable for on foot! Although I am short, I am a little heavy and camp with my dog who usually shares my sleeping mat. I'm thinking I might need the extra wide (although I don't really need the length). Hmm. Your thoughts are appreciated. Also - what's that tiny pump you have? Thank you :)
@Backpacking UK your review makes me want it sooner. I'm a cold sleeper so I always take a foam mat as well to sit about camp with and extra 2.2 r value added to sleep system
Thanks for an awesome review, I’m sold! I’ll likely get the wide regular version. I was going to get the Alpkit EX sleeper mat to go underneath for extra warmth and general protection for the Rapide pad. However, the Alpkit sleeping mat is only 55cm wide whereas this Rapide wide pad is 64cm. My question is, hopefully you might be able to advise.. does it matter if you’re sleeping mat is smaller than your pad? Do you need to match their size? Thank you in advance (first time wild camper here!) x
Hi mate, been messing about for ages picking a mat, finally convinced thanks, but do you know if this fits in any of the trekker style chairs…..cheers 👍
You have some epic gear you brother 😎👍.I Use the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT grey 3 season which is 3.2 And I have the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT black which I think goes down to 6.2 for winter
Hello mate. Big fan of your channel with these honest reviews. How would you compare the Rapide SL to the Big Agnes boundary deluxe ? And how would these compare / rate to a cheaper Unigear Camfy P3 (if you've tired one ?) Thanks
@@BackpackingUK have you used either of the other mats. Boundary deluxe and Unigear Camfy P3 ? The latter is a fair bit cheaper, wonder how it compares ?
Hi Andy, a nice review as usuall. I was on a low budget and I came across a REI mat probably better spec than this for a fraction of the price. Its still on special offer.
Any tips on getting this back in its bag (or an alternative stuff sack?!) - I cannot for the life of me get it back in the bag, everytime I roll it up it has this pocket of air right at the end 😅
After one year of use this pad it looses air overnight. Can't find the hole. Really loved it before, very comfortable, like the material, color. looks and feels like quality sleeping pad
I’d say that’s more dependant on the ground you sleep on. This is really well made, and has a much better reputation than say Thermarest, but if a little spike pokes through the tent floor it’ll pierce (as will all pads).
If anybody has one of these mats and a flextail tiny pump…. You’ll know none of the nozzles really work properly. I’ve made a PERFECT adapter to solve this. I’ve uploaded a video to demonstrate it : ) I totally agree that the Rapide SL is the best mat ever.
The BA is definitely more comfortable, quieter and the pack size is smaller. There’s no difference in warmth though. The ME feels thicker so I would say less susceptible to punctures.
Hi Andy and everybody. Could anybody try help me ,,I just bought the big Angus Rapide ,,also bought off Amazon the Flexitailgate pump just having issues not knowing what valve to use from the kit sent could anybody tell me which one do I connect to the sleeping Matt there’s about six in total. Many thanks Stewart wilts 👍👍⛺️
I have this but find the R value rating a little optimistic and the pump sack it comes with is ridiculously bad compared to my old Exped one. It's like nearly 100 grams in weight and doesn't seal at the top to make a compression bag like the Exped
I don't use pumpsacks, personally I think they're all bad! I've been out +1 - +5 a few times in this and I've never been cold, I do use down bags though.
i love your reviews and tips but $200 for a wider mat seems an awful lot of money, am i missing something here, i like comfort but i couldn't sleep on that mat knowing i'd paid $200 for it, (sorry i don't mean to be negative)
They’ve ’upgraded’ it for 2024 and now use a foil like other mats. Personally I think this is a mistake. I’d try and pick up an old version in the sales, it’s excellent apart from proper winter use.
I've got a Mountain Equipment sleeping mat which is borrowed technology from Exped so very, very similar mats. It's a really good mat so I would expect the 5r to be good too.
Hate it myself. Just bought online & hopefully can return for refund. Might be the most comfortable in the world but difficult to inflate. $ wasted if not able to return for refund. Will throw away if unable to return.
