Here is how these two sleeping pads compare on the numbers. They score within a hair of each other, so it comes down to the details below.
| Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated | REI Co-op Helix Insulated | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 79✓ | 79 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 4.8 R | 4.9 R✓ |
| Weight | 18.0 oz✓ | 21.0 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 0.94 R/100g✓ | 0.82 R/100g |
| Packed size | 1.45 L✓ | 3.05 L |
| Thickness | 4.3 in✓ | 3.0 in |
| Durability | n/s | 30 /100 |
| Price | $160✓ | $169 |
| Features | 1Pump sack included✓ | 0 |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Rectangular | Mummy |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Rapide SL Insulated in blue, Helix Insulated in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. GearScore is the rating for the Overall use-case (0 to 100). Pick another above to re-score. Prices are current MSRP.
The Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated against the REI Co-op Helix Insulated is a study in priorities. They are close enough that this really is about which handful of specs you weight most.
The Rapide SL Insulated is 3 oz lighter, stronger on warmth-to-weight, and more packable (1.5 L vs 3.1 L). The Helix Insulated is warmer (R 4.9 vs R 4.8). Their GearScores land within a couple of points (79 vs 79), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the Rapide SL Insulated if you care most about low weight and warmth-to-weight, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Helix Insulated if warmth matter more to you, or you are focused on colder nights and shoulder-season trips.
The Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated. It is 3 oz lighter than the Helix Insulated.
The REI Co-op Helix Insulated. It is warmer (R 4.9 vs R 4.8) than the Rapide SL Insulated.
They are nearly tied at 79 and 79 on the default algorithm, so re-weight the score to your own priorities to break the tie.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Rapide SL Insulated for low weight, or the Helix Insulated for warmth. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.