Great review! As a hiker in his 40's and over 6 feet tall, the big agnes "quilted line" is by far the most comfortable ive come across. also quieter, than many insulated pads. The Nemo Tensors are second for me, needless to say I value comfort over a few extra ounces, lots of smart ways to make up the deference in weight. Keep up the good work!
Xtherm XL user looking to downsize, I ordered the BA Rapide, BA Zoom and Exped Ultra 3R to test at home. By process of elimination, the BA Zoom was first to be packed up and sent back - it's lightweight in every sense, I want a pad I look forward to sleeping on, this was like sleeping on a pool inflatable, and the valve sucked. The choice between the Exped 3R and Rapide was very tough. Ultimately I've gone for the Exped because it's much lighter for a not too distant R value.. though it isn't quite as comfortable. I only wish the Exped mats had more of a youtube review presence!
@@OutsideChronicles I use the flextail pump. It’s easier than the pump sack, and it also is a nice tent lamp and in a pinch you can stoke a fire with it!
I have the Rapide and it’s my fav pad ever! Super comfortable and warm. I just recently finished 2 nights in the snow, and the pad was remarkably warm and efficient, even though it was directly on the floor tent on the snow, and the inside of the tent was actually fairly wet from some rain the first night. Highly recommended here.
Yes its definitely worth the little extra weight ! Love my Rapid SL for shoulder season adventures, much warmer than my Ether Light XT and a bit more comfortable, valves are just fine, no issues there for me
I bought BIG AGNES RAPIDE SL and used it last week for the first time - it was around 0 celsius outside and (very unpleasant surprise) I felt cold. It seemed like the pad is full of cold air and no insulation, it was cold at the pressure point where my body touched the pad. I did not see if the reflective film fell on to the ground, but it felt like that. I did a ton of research before buying one and nobody mentioned any warmth problems.
800g is extremely heavy these days. I use Klymit Inertia X Frame in summer. 150g. In spring and autumn Klymit Inertia Ozone 350g. And in winter both of them - 500g. I am a warm sleeper.
Its easly the best on the market! I sold my thermarest and sea to summit either light as well. Its very comfy and its super warm as well. Perfect, I went with large and wide haha
@@OutsideChronicles yeah haha but main reason is for autumn and winter when we spend more time in tent and I need extra to put my water bottle, electronics and other stuff on the pad with me and under quilt etc to keep warm. But im 180cm and like sleep flat or on the belly so help to have a large as well!
I have the older q core deluxe. I think now it would be considered a lower r value boundary or Rappide. And the r value stated for the q core deluxe I don’t think is as accurate as it should be (by very little…). All that said, I think I am going to up grade to either the boundary (much bigger) or Rappide because their tables are higher. Even if they are not accurate it will still be higher than what I have now. And… they may feel exactly the same and I am wasting my money and return them to REI.
I have not tried the NeoAir XLite yet, however, it has the same horizontal baffling as my Xtherm and only .5" more loft. It it probably a little more comfortable than the Xtherm, but I think the BA Rapid will still be the tops in comfort. It has more loft and the quilted baffling.
I have a quilt that has wrap around pad straps at hip and shoulder to secure it to mat. Will the raised sides of the BA mat stop these straps from sitting flush on top surface of mat? Dont want the straps to dig into me! What is your experience using a quilt with this mat?
That is not a problem at all. The bigger problem is to make sure your straps are long enough to fit around the wide pad. I have an Outdoor Vitals quilt. They fit but are snug. I do not feel them at all. See you outside!
How is the noise level compared to other insulated pads. The Sea to Summit Etherlight Insulated is very good except for the crinkle noise from the foil insulation
I guess it could because it is made to reflect heat. Your body will be generating heat, so if it was a hot night, a lower r-value will “breath” more. I personally use my 6.9R Thermarest in the summer. I just got back from a trip and it was not hot. I think the lower r-value would be beneficial in a very small use case. The 3.5”/4.25” comfort will win out. See you outside!
I think you could. I am fine on my mummy style Thermarest. The wide pad is really nice, I may not go back to a regular unless I really want to shed ozs.
Now I see this one after I commented on the Neoair video lol. I prefer the lighter Big Agnes Zoom. The loss in R value to the Rapid isn't a big deal most of the year in the SE. Side note since Nemo Tensor was mentioned - The reviews over the last 6 months to a year have been terrible. A high % of reviews have issues with deflating often if not outright tearing. This can't be all on the users at the rate this seems to be occurring more recently.
I was on the fence with the Zoom and Etherlite due to some reports of cold spots. I sleep cold and use a quilt. I did not want to chance it. Thanks for the info on the Tensor. I know it is popular. See you outside!
Any advice on packaging this back into its bag? 😅 I bloody struggle. Can’t do it. It also always seems to have a pocket of air that bulges when I roll it up to pack away… even though the air is gone?!
It's a good pad but I found an even thicker and wider pad on Amazon for just $40. It weighs about 0.6lbs more but I think it's worth it for the cost savings.
@@OutsideChronicles maybe for additional information: swiss peak, 2300m, about 10°°C, tyvek footprint, big agnes tigerwall UL platinum tent floor, used a warm quilt, was def. freezing from the pad (at my back)..personally I am a bit a colder sleeper, a little sensitive but not much
@@Kreuzass Thanks! I am a winter backpacker and ironically am a cold sleeper. Thanks for the additional data. 10°C is 50°F and I would not consider that all that cold. An R-value of 4 should be comfortable at a lower temp than that. Glad I went with the BA Rapid. Thanks for confirming!
It looks like there was a slight refresh in 2024. If you compare the two, the 2024 (no year on Amazon) has an R-value of 4.8 where the 2023 version is 4.2. The 2024 version is also a ounce less. Good catch!
@@OutsideChronicles ok thanks, please could you update us how you get on in the 30s I think this is going to be my next pad but wasn’t sure how it handles the cold. Thanks
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Great review! As a hiker in his 40's and over 6 feet tall, the big agnes "quilted line" is by far the most comfortable ive come across. also quieter, than many insulated pads. The Nemo Tensors are second for me, needless to say I value comfort over a few extra ounces, lots of smart ways to make up the deference in weight. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for confirming! The Tensor is not a bad pad, but the BA just feels more like my bed. See you outside!
Xtherm XL user looking to downsize, I ordered the BA Rapide, BA Zoom and Exped Ultra 3R to test at home. By process of elimination, the BA Zoom was first to be packed up and sent back - it's lightweight in every sense, I want a pad I look forward to sleeping on, this was like sleeping on a pool inflatable, and the valve sucked. The choice between the Exped 3R and Rapide was very tough. Ultimately I've gone for the Exped because it's much lighter for a not too distant R value.. though it isn't quite as comfortable. I only wish the Exped mats had more of a youtube review presence!
I have heard great things about Exped. I may give one a try at some point, but am happy with my Extherm and Rapide. Thanks for the great comment!
I bought the Rapid SL last year and I love it!
Great to hear! It seems very durable too. Do you use the pump sack or USB pump? See you outside!
@@OutsideChronicles I use the flextail pump. It’s easier than the pump sack, and it also is a nice tent lamp and in a pinch you can stoke a fire with it!
WOW ! I just bought it and having your opinion on the product makes me VERY happy with my choice 😊
You will love the pad, thanks for the vote of confidence.
I have the Rapide and it’s my fav pad ever! Super comfortable and warm. I just recently finished 2 nights in the snow, and the pad was remarkably warm and efficient, even though it was directly on the floor tent on the snow, and the inside of the tent was actually fairly wet from some rain the first night.
Highly recommended here.
Great to hear!
Yes its definitely worth the little extra weight ! Love my Rapid SL for shoulder season adventures, much warmer than my Ether Light XT and a bit more comfortable, valves are just fine, no issues there for me
I wanna see someone compare this to the megamat 10 by exped so badddd
Excellent review. Thank you!
We are hiking in Adirondacks and are going to buy couple of those for overnight hikes ADK to high peaks.
We backpack in the ADK too, and love this pad. Especially when the ground has a lot of pesky roots and rocks around!
Have fun! What’s your itinerary in the Adirondacks? Let me know if you have any questions. See you outside!
I bought BIG AGNES RAPIDE SL and used it last week for the first time - it was around 0 celsius outside and (very unpleasant surprise) I felt cold. It seemed like the pad is full of cold air and no insulation, it was cold at the pressure point where my body touched the pad. I did not see if the reflective film fell on to the ground, but it felt like that. I did a ton of research before buying one and nobody mentioned any warmth problems.
800g is extremely heavy these days. I use Klymit Inertia X Frame in summer. 150g. In spring and autumn Klymit Inertia Ozone 350g. And in winter both of them - 500g. I am a warm sleeper.
I love my Rapide, worth the extra 2-6 oz. over other pads I feel. WHat pillow are you using? Looks nice.
It’s the Trekology Aluft Pro: trekology.com/collections/sleep-systems/products/aluft-pro-inflatable-pillow-for-camping. See you outside!
Its easly the best on the market! I sold my thermarest and sea to summit either light as well. Its very comfy and its super warm as well. Perfect, I went with large and wide haha
Great to hear! That large wide has to be like a twin bed! See you outside!
@@OutsideChronicles yeah haha but main reason is for autumn and winter when we spend more time in tent and I need extra to put my water bottle, electronics and other stuff on the pad with me and under quilt etc to keep warm.
But im 180cm and like sleep flat or on the belly so help to have a large as well!
Sounds super comfy.
Thanks for the info.
It is! I sleep really well on it, on my side. See you outside!
I have the older q core deluxe. I think now it would be considered a lower r value boundary or Rappide. And the r value stated for the q core deluxe I don’t think is as accurate as it should be (by very little…).
All that said, I think I am going to up grade to either the boundary (much bigger) or Rappide because their tables are higher. Even if they are not accurate it will still be higher than what I have now.
And… they may feel exactly the same and I am wasting my money and return them to REI.
You will really like the Rapide if you like the Q Core. I can’t comment on the R-value differences. See you outside!
I recently used the Thermarest NeoAir XLite and didn’t find it comfortable. Would you say there’s much difference with this one?
I have not tried the NeoAir XLite yet, however, it has the same horizontal baffling as my Xtherm and only .5" more loft. It it probably a little more comfortable than the Xtherm, but I think the BA Rapid will still be the tops in comfort. It has more loft and the quilted baffling.
I have a quilt that has wrap around pad straps at hip and shoulder to secure it to mat. Will the raised sides of the BA mat stop these straps from sitting flush on top surface of mat? Dont want the straps to dig into me! What is your experience using a quilt with this mat?
That is not a problem at all. The bigger problem is to make sure your straps are long enough to fit around the wide pad. I have an Outdoor Vitals quilt. They fit but are snug. I do not feel them at all. See you outside!
How is the noise level compared to other insulated pads. The Sea to Summit Etherlight Insulated is very good except for the crinkle noise from the foil insulation
Very quiet, I also have an Xtherm and the BA has almost no noise.
Thanks for the review and info. Will the higher R value make it too warm on a hot summer night? Thanks
I guess it could because it is made to reflect heat. Your body will be generating heat, so if it was a hot night, a lower r-value will “breath” more. I personally use my 6.9R Thermarest in the summer. I just got back from a trip and it was not hot. I think the lower r-value would be beneficial in a very small use case. The 3.5”/4.25” comfort will win out. See you outside!
@@OutsideChronicles Thanks a bunch for the reply. You're the best.
Since you are a side sleeper, do you think you could have been happy with the Regular, instead of the wide? Saves a little weight
I think you could. I am fine on my mummy style Thermarest. The wide pad is really nice, I may not go back to a regular unless I really want to shed ozs.
Now I see this one after I commented on the Neoair video lol. I prefer the lighter Big Agnes Zoom. The loss in R value to the Rapid isn't a big deal most of the year in the SE. Side note since Nemo Tensor was mentioned - The reviews over the last 6 months to a year have been terrible. A high % of reviews have issues with deflating often if not outright tearing. This can't be all on the users at the rate this seems to be occurring more recently.
I was on the fence with the Zoom and Etherlite due to some reports of cold spots. I sleep cold and use a quilt. I did not want to chance it. Thanks for the info on the Tensor. I know it is popular. See you outside!
Any advice on packaging this back into its bag? 😅 I bloody struggle. Can’t do it. It also always seems to have a pocket of air that bulges when I roll it up to pack away… even though the air is gone?!
I fold it into thirds the long way and roll toward the valve. It helps to flatten out the air before rolling after it has been folded.
Hi ! on the website it says 4.8 R value and you said 4.2 is this a mistake or do you know somethign we don't haha?
In the new version, they adjusted the baffling and insulation.
Sounds nice, but $200? Do they ever go on sale?
I am sure. I’d check REI, Backcountry, or Moosejaw. They seem to discount the big brands the most often. See you outside!
It's a good pad but I found an even thicker and wider pad on Amazon for just $40. It weighs about 0.6lbs more but I think it's worth it for the cost savings.
Hope it works out, in my experience, you get what you pay for with outdoor gear.
Can I ask which one it was on Amazon ?
1:24 very important information! was freezing on the zoom ul last weekd and sent it back because of this...
That is really good to know, exactly what I feared with the Zoom UL and s2s Etherlite. Thanks for the comment!
@@OutsideChronicles maybe for additional information: swiss peak, 2300m, about 10°°C, tyvek footprint, big agnes tigerwall UL platinum tent floor, used a warm quilt, was def. freezing from the pad (at my back)..personally I am a bit a colder sleeper, a little sensitive but not much
@@Kreuzass Thanks! I am a winter backpacker and ironically am a cold sleeper. Thanks for the additional data. 10°C is 50°F and I would not consider that all that cold. An R-value of 4 should be comfortable at a lower temp than that. Glad I went with the BA Rapid. Thanks for confirming!
After a year I’ve always had leaks develop in my big Agnes pads. It’s always where the quilting pattern is. I decided I’m done with their pads.
Not good, my fingers are crossed it does not happen to my pad. Did you ever contact BA for a warranty claim on it?
I had same issue and they replaced no questions. So far so good on my new one after 4 uses.
Amazon all of the sizes and then they show the same but have 2023 after them. What is the difference?
It looks like there was a slight refresh in 2024. If you compare the two, the 2024 (no year on Amazon) has an R-value of 4.8 where the 2023 version is 4.2. The 2024 version is also a ounce less. Good catch!
@@OutsideChronicles Thank you Sir. 🙂
What’s the lowest temperature you’ve had it down to?
So far low 40s, going to try mid-30s this weekend.
@@OutsideChronicles ok thanks, please could you update us how you get on in the 30s I think this is going to be my next pad but wasn’t sure how it handles the cold. Thanks
I will always pay a bit more in money and ounces for a better nights sleep…. to a point.
Agreed, I carry a camp chair, it’s worth the 1lbs especially on 1-night trips.
@@OutsideChroniclesAt 1lb? I think that’s totally worth it. My days of sitting on a rock, log, or ground for more than a few minutes are long gone.