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Big Agnes's Rapide SL Insulated mats are thicker than standard which enhances comfort, they are also pretty warm and have raised side rail baffles to keep you comfortably on your mat. A solid comfort choice without a big weight penalty.
Big Agnes says
INSULATED, SUPERLIGHT, COMPACT 3-SEASON AIR CHAMBER SLEEPING PAD.
When it comes to superlight, three-season comfort, the Rapide SL Insulated pad stands alone. Built with offset I-Beam construction, this proprietary design reduces weight while providing multi-directional support for consistent stability and comfort. This superlight air chamber pad sleeps warmer using PrimaLoft® Silver Insulation and is third party rated with an R-Value of 4.2 for use through three-seasons. The Rapide SL Insulated is lighter, tougher, more packable, easy to inflate/deflate, and provides superior performance and packability for any adventure. Save your breath for the miles ahead and use the included pad inflation sack to inflate.
Our Verdict
Big Agnes' Rapide SL Insulated Wide Long Sleeping Mat is at the higher weight range for an insulated airbed but there are reasons for that, firstly the mat is at least 9cm thick, that's 2cm thicker than standard dimensions and means its going to be more comfortable as you sink further into it.In addition the outer rail baffles are 11cm thick, this doesn't sound like much but its suprisingly effective at stopping you migrating onto the floor during the night.
It's also got a high R-Value making it suitable for 3 Season plus usage. We also like the inflation sack which takes the effort out of blowing it up, and the deflation valve has an unrestricted airflow and so the mat deflates really quickly. These mats also come with a tiny repair kit for the mat and valve.
The Rapide SL series mats are a solid comfort choice without too much of a weight penalty.
- Reviewed by Basecamp Gear
Features
- R-Value: 4.2, Three-Season
- 3.5” / 9cm thick pad with 4.25” / 11cm larger outer chambers keep you comfortably cradled in the middle of the pad
- Quilted top provides a cushioned pillowy sleeping surface
- Durable, superlight nylon double ripstop
- PrimaLoft® Silver Insulation working with a heat reflective barrier traps body heat and reflects it back, so you stay comfortable as the temperatures drop
- Proprietary offset I-Beam construction reduces weight and provides consistent stability and comfort
- Aviation-grade TPU lamination provides ultimate weld strength and dependability
- Quieter materials than other pads on the market
- Antimicrobial treatment inside the pad prevents microorganism growth
- Individually inflated and tested at our factory ensuring 100% quality performance
- High-volume valve allows for efficient and easy inflation, super-fast deflation, and micro adjustments
- Includes pad inflation sack, protective storage sack, replacement valve seal, and 3M repair patches
Specifications
- Weight: 749g (excludes pad inflation sack)
- Pad inflation sack weighs: 116g
- Dimensions: 25" x 78" / 64 x 198 cm
- Thickness: Outer 4.25" / 11cm, Inner 3.5" / 9cm
- Packed size: 5.5" x 8.5" / 14 x 22cm
- ASTM R-Value: 4.2
- Shape: Rectangular
Materials & Construction
- Durable, superlight nylon double rip-stop fabric
- Aviation-grade TPU lamination technology provides ultimate weld strength and durability
- Quieter materials than other pads on the market
- PrimaLoft® Silver Insulation
- Layer of heat reflective film
- High-volume valve allows for efficient and easy inflation, super-fast deflation and micro adjustments
- Valve illustration copy: One-way inflation valve with micro air-pressure adjust button
- Quick-deflation valve
ASTM R-Value:
From 2020, there is a new industry standard for measuring the R-value (level of insulation) of sleeping mats – ASTM F3340-18. This new standard is the sleeping mat equivalent to the EN rating for sleeping bags.
You can now directly compare the R-value of mats rated using the ASTM F3340-18 with confidence that is a fair and accurate comparison between mats. In simple terms, the higher the R-value, the warmer the mat.
In general terms, an R-value below 2.0 is for summer use, 2.0 to 4.0 is for cooler 3 season use and 4.0+ is for winter temperatures. This will be also be dependent on your sleeping bag, how cold you sleep etc. Please contact our customer service team if you need advice on choosing the right mat for your activity.
