I wish this pad came in a short wide, but the higher side baffles really help me stay on the pad. And I’m definitely sleeping better. Even the upgrade to a 3-4” pad is better than 2-2.5” pad. Have a great day!
Used this a couple weeks ago on a 3 day trip. Was very comfortable and kept me warm in 20 degrees high country temps. Love the petite sizing and side bumpers to help keep you on the pad.
I know right! The raised sides are a game changer! Did it keep you warm at 20deg Fahrenheit or Celsius? I would assume 20F would be too cold for that pad..
Thanks for providing a one-year review of this sleeping pad! It's one thing to see quick reviews for comfort, but it speaks volumes on the durability of the piece to see how well it holds up over a year. Amazing that your dog didn't damage it by stepping on it! I was able to find the regular 20-inch version for $100 less than the 25-inch model and wasn't sure if that much expense was worth the upgrade. I'm interested to hear if anyone has any opinions on this and if wide is really worth the extra dough.
I think it’s dependent on what kind of sleeper you are and the size of your body. I weigh about 150 lbs and I fit on the regular pad. It works better than others because the side baffles are higher. For me personally a wide pad doesn’t make sense and the added weight and expense isn’t worth it. In winter I use a wide pad to provide more warmth. But I don’t use it that much since I prefer the BA Rapide.
I love that pad, nice and thick for a big guy like me. When I was in Jackson, WY, I fell in love with another, but it was spendy. It was perfect though. The Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated. It will be my luxury item. Great video!
The way it cradles you in the pad is the reason I can tolerate a 20” pad so well. It did not work on my xtherm. I was always slipping off that pad. The fabric is very comfortable. The tensor I thought was a bit softer, but a bit “stickier” feeling when it was warm.
I don’t know your exact issue but I also find extra pillows are a huge help. I bought 3 of the 1 oz pillows from garage grown gear. They are light enough I can bring 1,2 or all 3 to help ease pressure on my lower back and shoulders. Although I’m a side sleeper at heart my hips don’t like it. The thicker pad that I can deflate a bit makes it as tolerable as I can stand for short amounts of time. I’m also known to take a big dose of ibuprofen so I can relax and get to sleep with a bit of pain relief. I’m not a doctor, so don’t follow my medical advice 😂
I’ve been using the Tensor EC and it is comfortable. Imo the VA Rapide is more comfortable but not far off. The Tensor All Seaaon has a slightly higher R value than the Rapide. I do t think you can’t really go wrong with either pad honestly.
Thanks for a great review. I am a five foot 2 female too 😊. Would be handy if you could include metric measurements perhaps on screen. Watching you from Somerset in the U.K 👋. Might just have to get one of these! Take care and happy camping
My old pad is a big Agnes clear view mummy 60” which fits nicely under my mummy bag and only weighs 11 oz. I can’t find a comparable replacement option in that weight range
I’ve never heard of that pad. Good weight though! I have a really old BA pad but it’s leaked from the time I got it and I never bothered to do anything about it…poor choice on my part. Have you looked at the ThermARest xlite? That comes in about 12 oz I think.
@@UnlikelyHiker you should email big Agnes they will usually offer a replacement or credit for your pad that leaked. They only require that you cut off the valve and write a case number on the pad and send them a photo. I’ll look at the therma rest but I still have my Agnes.
Oh, what I would do for a short wide pad!! I have been on the lookout for one, and nothing so far. Ah, the sounds that happen when we try to record! Sometimes, I'm like, "Clearly I'm in the middle of nowhere."
It’s been insane since the hot humid weather broke 😂 it’s so frustrating! I have considered chopping my Nemo but I’m really scared to. I’ll let you know if I find one, you can let me know if you spot one!
We are travelling around the Europe by bicycle and bought Rapide SL because of such a good reviews. We are using them almost every day. After three months they started falling apart. In both mattresses, insulation layer is getting damaged more and more inside the mattress and it’s moving to the edges. One mattress started to leak in 11 places (!). It’s always the same pattern - it leaks in the holes where the mattress layers are joined together. You patch it and the new hole appears. Now it started happening with the other one. I got pictures and videos to proof everything. Same is happening to both mattresses. I’m just sick and tired of these mattresses. We bought them because everyone is talking how good and comfortable they are. We can not rely on them. I guess it’s good after one year if you use them from time to time. Now we are in the process of returning them and bought Thermarest Xlite. Will see how it goes.
That stinks that has happened! I’ve been using mine for quite a while-probably about 60-90 days on it. I didn’t think the Rapide had dimples that met in the middle. Were you using a pump to fill it up? I’ve never had a pad failure like that. My 1st inflatable pad (BA actually) leaked from the start, but I got it about 10 years ago. I was happy with my XTherm, Klymit (I still use it and it’s patched in 3 places), UberLite, Nemo Tensor, the Rapide, and now the Nemo Tensor EC. I did read somewhere that a double repair with repair glue on the bottom patch is strong. That’s what I did on my Klymit pad. Thermarest pads are pretty bombproof, but I was just miserable sleeping on them. Good luck in the pursuit of your perfect pad!
@@UnlikelyHiker yea, I was always using pump sack to pump them. It’s been two weeks now with Thermatest Xlite and I can tell for sure that Big Agnes was more comfortable. I’ve patched some holes with pvc glue and it seems to work very well, but I just can’t wait for another hole to appear. After 11 holes in one mattress it’s time to say stop :)
I keep trying to get this and Long Wide sells out really fast, especially any right now on the sales. But now with the Tensor Extreme is out, I'm torn on taking the gamble on that.
I’m comfortable on both. The smallest pad possible is lighter, it frees up a large area for my dog to sleep and I still have tons of room for my gear to be inside. In the winter I use a regular length pad to make sure I will be warm enough. That’s my reasoning personally
No I haven’t since I was tying out the Nemo tensor EC this winter. It probably would be good into the mid 30’s if you are a warm sleeper. For me it would most likely be fine into the low 40’s. I’m a colder sleeper.
@@UnlikelyHiker I went to a REI store to buy the Nemo Tensor All-Season, but I tried at the store both of them and the Rapide SL supported my weight better and seemed more comfortable
I why do I think you are taller than that?? LOL Water temp here is holding at 85 and no toe nibbling fish... Or otters.. Carry on. Very nice review! P.S. Right after your video was a Chik-fil-A ad... Very fitting.... :)
The chick fil a opened up in front of the mall on 7/20! Lol, I’ve been eating chick fil a for 26 years though 😂 I was never quite 5’4 but I’ve shrunk! I see the sea surface temps in the gulf have hit 100 deg. Wth! Crazy. Over 86 is just hot!
For me it definitely is that co durable. Everyone’s mileage will vary. A few people have reached out to tell me they didn’t live it as much as me, and that’s fine. We are all different! I wasn’t aware they updated the Rapide…hmmmmm lol I like the updated r value!
Hi i have been watching for a couple years mostly just sandbaging but i was wondering if you have thought about doing any collab hikes in the past or future
@@UnlikelyHiker lol no deffinatly not. Sandbaging like just watching without commenting. It's a term people would say talking on C.B. radio's like your radio's on but just listening (sandbagging) not taking part I the discussion.
You and I represent different end of the height spectrum and pad needs, average/regular just doesn't work well. You being almost average U.S. height for females (5'4") and me being far above average height for U.S. males (5'9"). That means a "regular" pad fits almost everyone, but outliers (you and I) either carry more than necessary, in your instance, or make do with extensions in my case (additional foam, place pillow in shoes/boots, etc.). Fortunately for those taller than I (>6'3"), there are a few pads up to 78".
That is very true. The long pads go to 78”? Or is it less? With so many kids in the backcountry I feel like there should be a kid sized pad 😂 I’d be willing to pay a little more to get a custom length pad. That could go in either direction. The downside would possibly be it’s a special order item, so playing to the masses is likely the only option. Good point.
@@UnlikelyHiker Yes, there are pads that go to 78” and there are a few hikers that are even taller! I agree that there should be kid-size pads, something like the 40” ride height that Disney sets for the majority of their rides and the obvious 60” (5’). Obviously, volume manufacturing and wholesale/retail inventory requires product regularity, but it would be cool if we could order a specific length from and a selection of 3-4 widths on pads that were built linearly and cut/sealed to length, I’d pay extra for that.
I thought about the custom length sealing too, but realistically there is probably only a few pad manufacturing facilities that produce all the pads. Probably doesn’t exist here in USA. But I think we just came up with a new idea!!! Custom sealed pads 😂
