Big Agnes Rapide SL vs NEMO Tensor All-Season (2026)
Two official 72 × 20 in rectangular inflatable pads. The documented trade is a less expensive, rail-sided Rapide SL Regular versus a lighter, higher-R Tensor All-Season Regular, not Regular Mummy.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec and pricing pages and the findings of the reviewers we name and link. We haven’t field-tested these products ourselves, and we don’t give scores. How we pick.
Quick answer
Choose Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated ($169.95) if you want the official 20″ × 72″ Rapide at $169.95 with official 4.25 in rails. Choose NEMO Tensor All-Season ($199.95) if you want the official Regular rectangle at 15.5 oz minimum / 1 lb 2 oz packed and official R-value 5.4.
Last updated Prices checked Nov 2026
Check Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated price (opens in a new tab)Check NEMO Tensor All-Season price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated | NEMO Tensor All-Season | |
|---|---|---|
| Official price (fetched Nov 10, 2026) | $169.95 for 20″ × 72″ (SKU PRSLIR24). Official nearby sizes: 20″ × 66″ $159.95; 20″ × 78″ $179.95; 25″ × 72″ $219.95; 25″ × 78″ $229.95; 40″ × 72″ $339.95. OutdoorGearLab (Sept 5, 2025) and CleverHiker (Sept 2026 updates) both listed $170 | $199.95. CleverHiker’s September 17, 2026 guide listed $200 and usually cites the Regular Mummy, not this Regular rectangle |
| Official Regular weight / packed size | Official trail and total weight for 20″ × 72″ are both 18 oz / 510 g. OutdoorGearLab measured an even 18 ounces on the 72 × 20 in pad and listed packed volume 1.9 L, about 7 in long and less than 5 in in diameter. CleverHiker also measured 18 oz Regular and listed packed size about 4 × 7 in | Official minimum weight 15.5 oz / 440 g; official packed weight 1 lb 2 oz / 522 g; official packed size 10.0 × 4.0 in (dia). Official Regular Mummy is a different SKU at 14.1 oz / 400 g minimum and 1 lb 1 oz / 480 g packed |
| Official size / thickness / R-value | Official 20″ × 72″ rectangle; official R-value 4.8; official 3.5 in / 9 cm center and 4.25 in / 11 cm outer chambers. OutdoorGearLab measured those same 3.5 / 4.25 in figures | Official pad dimensions 72 × 20 in; official R-value 5.4; official 3.5 in thickness. Official fabric is 20D top / 40D bottom, with a Vortex pump sack and Laylow valve |
| Reviewer warmth notes (dated) | CleverHiker, last updated September 21, 2026, said near-freezing Utah testing felt colder than the official 4.8 R-value suggested and recommended it as a three-season pad rather than a cold-weather specialist. We report that disagreement and do not invent a temperature rating | CleverHiker’s September 17, 2026 guide treated the Tensor All-Season as its overall favorite and said testers used a Long Wide rectangular pad for more than 29 backcountry nights down to about 23°F, including light snow, without leaks or valve issues. That field note is Long Wide, not Regular |
We compared these pads using official Big Agnes and NEMO product pages fetched November 10, 2026, OutdoorGearLab’s Rapide SL review published September 5, 2025, CleverHiker’s Rapide review last updated September 21, 2026, and CleverHiker’s best-pads guide last updated September 17, 2026. Official 20″ × 72″ Rapide and official Tensor Regular are both 72 × 20 in rectangles, so that is the comparison here. Official Tensor Regular Mummy is a different SKU at a lower official 14.1 oz minimum weight. This page is also distinct from our XLite vs Tensor, Ether Light XR vs Tensor, and foam-pad pages. We have not slept on either pad. We do not republish numeric scores.
This page compares like-for-like official Regular rectangles: Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated 20″ × 72″ and NEMO Tensor All-Season Regular. Official prices fetched November 10, 2026, were $169.95 for the Rapide 20″ × 72″ and $199.95 for the Tensor All-Season. Official Rapide trail and total weight for the 20″ × 72″ size are both 18 oz / 510 g, with official R-value 4.8, official 3.5 in / 9 cm center thickness, and official 4.25 in / 11 cm outer chambers. Official Tensor All-Season Regular figures are 15.5 oz / 440 g minimum weight, 1 lb 2 oz / 522 g packed weight, official R-value 5.4, official 3.5 in thickness, official pad dimensions 72 × 20 in, and official packed size 10.0 × 4.0 in (dia). Those Regular figures are not the official Regular Mummy, which NEMO lists at 14.1 oz / 400 g minimum and 1 lb 1 oz / 480 g packed on the same 72 × 20 in outline but a tapered mummy shape. OutdoorGearLab’s Rapide review, published September 5, 2025 and clearly dated, listed $170 and measured an even 18 ounces on the 72 × 20 in pad, plus 3.5 in interior / 4.25 in rails and a packed volume of 1.9 L. CleverHiker’s Rapide review, last updated September 21, 2026, and its best-pads guide, last updated September 17, 2026, both listed $170 and a measured 18 oz Regular, packed about 4 × 7 in, and said the pad felt colder than the 4.8 R-value suggested during near-freezing Utah testing. CleverHiker listed the Tensor All-Season at $200 and often cites the Regular Mummy’s 14.1 oz weight; we keep that mummy figure off the Regular rectangle column. We have not slept on either pad, and we don’t give scores. We also do not invent a temperature rating from an R-value.
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated vs NEMO Tensor All-Season: side-by-side
| Rapide SL Insulated 20″ × 72″ | Tensor All-Season Regular (rectangle) | |
|---|---|---|
| Official price (fetched Nov 10, 2026) | $169.95 for 20″ × 72″ (SKU PRSLIR24). Official nearby sizes: 20″ × 66″ $159.95; 20″ × 78″ $179.95; 25″ × 72″ $219.95; 25″ × 78″ $229.95; 40″ × 72″ $339.95. OutdoorGearLab (Sept 5, 2025) and CleverHiker (Sept 2026 updates) both listed $170 | $199.95. CleverHiker’s September 17, 2026 guide listed $200 and usually cites the Regular Mummy, not this Regular rectangle |
| Official Regular weight / packed size | Official trail and total weight for 20″ × 72″ are both 18 oz / 510 g. OutdoorGearLab measured an even 18 ounces on the 72 × 20 in pad and listed packed volume 1.9 L, about 7 in long and less than 5 in in diameter. CleverHiker also measured 18 oz Regular and listed packed size about 4 × 7 in | Official minimum weight 15.5 oz / 440 g; official packed weight 1 lb 2 oz / 522 g; official packed size 10.0 × 4.0 in (dia). Official Regular Mummy is a different SKU at 14.1 oz / 400 g minimum and 1 lb 1 oz / 480 g packed |
| Official size / thickness / R-value | Official 20″ × 72″ rectangle; official R-value 4.8; official 3.5 in / 9 cm center and 4.25 in / 11 cm outer chambers. OutdoorGearLab measured those same 3.5 / 4.25 in figures | Official pad dimensions 72 × 20 in; official R-value 5.4; official 3.5 in thickness. Official fabric is 20D top / 40D bottom, with a Vortex pump sack and Laylow valve |
| Reviewer warmth notes (dated) | CleverHiker, last updated September 21, 2026, said near-freezing Utah testing felt colder than the official 4.8 R-value suggested and recommended it as a three-season pad rather than a cold-weather specialist. We report that disagreement and do not invent a temperature rating | CleverHiker’s September 17, 2026 guide treated the Tensor All-Season as its overall favorite and said testers used a Long Wide rectangular pad for more than 29 backcountry nights down to about 23°F, including light snow, without leaks or valve issues. That field note is Long Wide, not Regular |
What are the pros and cons?
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated: pros
- Lower official Regular price ($169.95 vs $199.95) at the same official 72 × 20 in rectangular outline
- Official 4.25 in outer chambers give a rail-sided official profile the Tensor Regular does not list
- Official 18 oz 20″ × 72″ weight matches OutdoorGearLab and CleverHiker Regular measurements
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated: cons
- Heavier official Regular weight than the Tensor Regular’s official 15.5 oz minimum / 1 lb 2 oz packed
- Lower official R-value (4.8 vs 5.4)
- CleverHiker, last updated September 21, 2026, said the pad felt colder than the 4.8 number suggested in near-freezing testing
NEMO Tensor All-Season: pros
- Lighter official Regular minimum and packed weights (15.5 oz / 1 lb 2 oz) at official R-value 5.4
- Official 20D top / 40D bottom fabrics, Vortex pump sack, and Laylow valve
- CleverHiker, last updated September 17, 2026, still treats the Tensor All-Season as its overall favorite, with a dated Long Wide field note down to about 23°F
NEMO Tensor All-Season: cons
- Higher official price ($199.95)
- Official Regular has a flat 3.5 in thickness, with no official 4.25 in rails
- CleverHiker often cites Regular Mummy 14.1 oz; that official mummy weight is not this Regular rectangle
Which should you choose: Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated or NEMO Tensor All-Season?
On official Regular rectangles fetched November 10, 2026, the Rapide 20″ × 72″ is the less expensive rail-sided pad ($169.95, official 18 oz, R 4.8, 3.5 / 4.25 in). The Tensor All-Season Regular is the lighter, higher-R rectangle ($199.95, official 15.5 oz minimum / 1 lb 2 oz packed, R 5.4, 3.5 in). Official Regular Mummy (14.1 oz minimum) is a different SKU and is not this comparison. CleverHiker’s September 2026 reviews measured the Rapide Regular at 18 oz and said near-freezing testing felt colder than the 4.8 R-value suggested. We have not slept on either pad, and we do not invent a temperature rating from an R-value.
Choose Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated if…
- You want the official 20″ × 72″ Rapide at $169.95 with official 4.25 in rails
- You want a rectangular Regular, not Tensor Regular Mummy
- You will treat CleverHiker’s dated near-freezing note as a disagreement with the 4.8 R-value, not a temperature rating
Choose NEMO Tensor All-Season if…
- You want the official Regular rectangle at 15.5 oz minimum / 1 lb 2 oz packed and official R-value 5.4
- You will pay the official $199.95 and are not shopping the 14.1 oz Regular Mummy
- A flat official 3.5 in profile is acceptable
Regular rectangle vs Regular Mummy
Official Rapide 20″ × 72″ and official Tensor All-Season Regular are both 72 × 20 in rectangles, which is why this page uses those two SKUs. Official Tensor Regular Mummy is also listed at 72 × 20 in, but it is a tapered mummy at an official 14.1 oz / 400 g minimum and 1 lb 1 oz / 480 g packed. CleverHiker’s September 17, 2026 guide usually cites that Regular Mummy weight when it lists the Tensor at $200 and 14.1 oz. We keep those mummy figures out of the Regular rectangle column. Official Rapide nearby sizes have their own official prices and official 17–37 oz trail weights; those are not this Regular comparison.
Who should skip both of these pads?
- Shoppers comparing Tensor All-Season with an XLite or Ether Light XR. Those official comparisons already live on other pages.
- Anyone mixing official Tensor Regular Mummy 14.1 oz into a 20″ × 72″ Rapide Regular table. The official Regular rectangle is 15.5 oz minimum.
- People who want a foam pad. Official Z Lite SOL and Switchback Regular figures are on a different page.
- Anyone looking for a temperature rating derived from an R-value. Official R-values here are 4.8 and 5.4; CleverHiker’s dated near-freezing note is a field disagreement, not a number we convert.
Frequently asked questions
Which official Regular rectangle is lighter?
Do they cost the same?
Are the official sizes the same?
Does a higher official R-value mean a warmer night?
Is this the same as XLite vs Tensor?
Sources
Prices, specs and land-unit rules were checked on the pages below as of Nov 2026. Brands and land units change prices and rules often, so confirm them on the seller’s or official land-unit page before you buy or go.
- Big Agnes: Rapide SL Insulated official product page (20″ × 72″ $169.95 / SKU PRSLIR24; official trail and total weight 18 oz / 510 g; official R-value 4.8; official 3.5 in / 4.25 in thickness; nearby official sizes and prices as listed in the table; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (bigagnes.com)
- NEMO: Tensor All-Season official product page ($199.95; official Regular 15.5 oz / 440 g minimum, 1 lb 2 oz / 522 g packed, 72 × 20 in, packed 10.0 × 4.0 in dia; official Regular Mummy 14.1 oz / 400 g minimum, 1 lb 1 oz / 480 g packed; official R-value 5.4; official 3.5 in; 20D top / 40D bottom; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (nemoequipment.com)
- OutdoorGearLab: Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated review (published September 5, 2025; $170 list; measured 18 ounces on the 72 × 20 in pad; measured 3.5 in interior / 4.25 in rails; packed volume 1.9 L; dated 2025 review, not a 2026 retest; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (outdoorgearlab.com)
- CleverHiker: Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated review (last updated September 21, 2026; $170; Regular measured 18 oz; packed about 4 × 7 in; official R 4.8 with a dated near-freezing Utah note that it felt colder than the number suggested; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (cleverhiker.com)
- CleverHiker: Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026 (last updated September 17, 2026; Rapide $170 / 18 oz Regular measured; Tensor All-Season $200, usually citing Regular Mummy 14.1 oz, R 5.4, 3.5 in, packed 4 × 10 in, with a Long Wide field note down to about 23°F; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (cleverhiker.com)
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