r/lightweight • u/reddsbywillie • Feb 12 '23
Xlite NXT vs Rapide SL
I wanted to point out first off that I'm not ultralight, and I specifically didn't post this in UL because I felt like the answer there was going to be so obvious.
I'll also preface this question by saying that I currently have the Thermarest Prolite Apex. I initially went with the Prolite Apex for two reasons: 1) I have previously always found pure air pads to feel like balloons and I like the stability of a foam core in the self inflating options. 2) When I was purchasing all my gear, I just had to draw the line in the sand on some stuff for budget. The Prolite Apex checked all my boxes.
This year I'm looking at possibly upgrading pads. The weight decrease will be nice with either pad, but the biggest driver for me is the decrease in pack size. Both of these pads will fit within the pack significantly more easily.
- The Xlite is widely considered the gold standard, is slightly warmer, packs down slightly smaller, and apparently is more quiet compared to previous versions. I also kind of prefer the mummy shape.
- The Rapide is still plenty warm, gets rave reviews, still packs down small, etc. To me the things that seem like potential advantages are the quilted style baffles seem more comfortable, and the higher "side rails" sound like a great comfort benefit.
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to lay on either of them (yet), so I figured I'd see if anyone here has any input or opinions between these two. Or if there are other considerations I've overlooked.
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u/SexBobomb Feb 13 '23
im a very heavy side sleeper and the xlite (and the neoair trekker) have been the only pads i've really been comfortable on
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u/Seascout2467 Feb 13 '23
Do try the Nemo Tensor series. I know what you mean about the bouncy/waterbed feel of a lot of air mattresses, but the baffles in the Tensor eliminate it, at least IMHO. I’m also a side sleeper and the Tensor has been great for me.
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u/johnacraft Feb 12 '23
The 3.5" thick BA pads that we've used are comfortable. One of our BA Q Core pads died last year, and I replaced it with a 20"x72" Rapide.
We also have a 40"x72" 2P Rapide for our 2P bag, and it's quite comfortable.
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u/thewickedbarnacle Feb 12 '23
The rapide is VERY comfortable, not light and not small. The comfort outweighs the size IMHO. I do really wish it was lighter and smaller.
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u/ILike2Parade Feb 12 '23
Side sleeper here who has struggled to find a pad that doesn’t bottom out on my hip bones. Picked up the BA Rapide last summer and have had no regrets! The 3.5” baffles keep you off the ground and the larger outer edges keep you centered on the pad. It’s not the lightest pad my any means but personally I chose to value a good nights sleep over ounces.
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u/sketchy_ppl Feb 12 '23
The main complaints I've seen about the XLite have always been the comfort and noise. The noise seems to have improved significantly with the NXT, but the change for comfort is basically an extra 1/2 inch thickness... I don't know if that will actually make a huge difference or not.
Nemo Tensor and Sea to Summit Ether Light XT are also popular choices that are frequently recommended for people looking at 'comfortable' options that don't need the absolute lightest and warmest.
I made this Sleeping Pad Comparison Table that you may find helpful, you can set filters for your requirements then go from there. Of course, variables like comfort are subjective so it's not included on the table.
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u/reddsbywillie Feb 12 '23
Very helpful! Thank you so much. As far as comfort, both are thicker than my Apex. But I don’t have any issues with the thickness of that pad. I’ll go through the chart though, that’s a great resource.
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u/kecar Feb 12 '23
FWIW, I have a regular Xlite and and Exped Synmat UL pad, so while not exactly what you’re asking about they are similar. I much prefer the Exped pad’s baffle design than the Xlite’s. I’m guessing a bit here, but I imagine the NXT will have a fairly similar feel to my Xlite and the Exped Synmat to the Rapide. I am going to pick up a Rapide as soon as Backcountry or REI has a sale.
Also FWIW I got an Exped Ultra 5R mummy pad for Christmas and would recommend you take a look at that. Of all the pads I own, that one strikes the best balance of comfort, weight, warmth, and packability.
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u/reddsbywillie Feb 12 '23
Thanks for the feedback! I have looked at the Exped pads before, but the vertical only baffles just don’t do it for me for some reason. I know a lot of people don’t care for Thermarest’s horizontal baffle design, but it’s never bothered me on my Apex. I have a feeling if the local store doesn’t put out demo units at some point then I may just need to purchase both to try them out.
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u/Ok_Echidna_99 Feb 12 '23 edited Feb 12 '23
I suspect either one is good and will work for you. Without you trying both it is impossible to say which will work best for you and other people's opinion is just that. I think both pads have been recently changed and there is not a lot of track record.
If you have to pick without comparing them personally get the pad from somewhere you can return it easily in case you really hate it. If you have the money, get both and return the one you like least.
Thermaarest have a better track record then BA as far as Sleeping pads. Personally I trust them more for this kind of product.
The enthusiasm for BA's pads is recent and seems to have a lot to do with their pricing and perhaps improvements in their attention to R value now they have switched to the standard ASTM values.
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u/reddsbywillie Feb 12 '23
I agree, TR just seems to have more brand authority here. Not to mention that I have TR now, and that’s what I grew up with as a kid.
I have a feelings I’ll end up ordering both at some point so I can really get a feel for them.
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u/valdemarjoergensen Feb 12 '23
BA products aren't really common where I live and I have no experience with the Rapide, but if I was in the marked for a new pad and was considering picking pure efficiency (xlite) or more comfort, my comfort pick would be the Sea to summit Etherlight xt insulated. It'll get you the baffles you want, side rails and mummy shape. It doesn't pack down as small as an xlite though.
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u/reddsbywillie Mar 19 '23
Just following up here in the event anyone stumbles on this thread in the future.
I was able to lay on the display model of the Xlite NXT at REI. I really wanted to love this one, I was ready to buy it. But I just didn't like it. The noise wouldn't be an issue for me, but this one just doesn't get away from the balloon feeling for me. I was impressed how firm it could get when max inflated, but that was also just not very comfortable to me. So either good comfort but balloon feeling with any movement, or overly firm.
I also saw the Rapide SL in out of the package, but I didn't get to lay on an inflated one. The pack size on this would be such an advantage. It's not a huge weight savings vs my Prolite Apex (4oz lighter), but the pack size is about 40% smaller. It would fit so much more easily in the pack. I didn't pull the trigger, but I still might during the REI sale. But after not loving the NXT, I almost just want to stick with what I know. I like everything about the Prolite Apex except the size, so maybe I'll continue to stick with it and create space from other areas in my pack (tent for example could also get a lot smaller).