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.
| REI Co-op Helix Insulated | Exped Ultra 5R | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 79✓ | 78 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 4.9 R✓ | 4.8 R |
| Weight | 21.0 oz | 20.3 oz✓ |
| Warmth-to-weight | 0.82 R/100g | 0.83 R/100g✓ |
| Packed size | 3.05 L✓ | 4.11 L |
| Thickness | 3.0 in | 3.0 in |
| Durability | 30 /100✓ | 12 /100 |
| Price | $169✓ | $200 |
| Features | 0 | 3Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included✓ |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Mummy | Rectangular |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Helix Insulated in blue, Ultra 5R 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 REI Co-op Helix Insulated against the Exped Ultra 5R is a study in priorities. They are close enough that this really is about which handful of specs you weight most.
The Helix Insulated is warmer (R 4.9 vs R 4.8), more packable (3.1 L vs 4.1 L), and more durable. The Ultra 5R is 1 oz lighter and stronger on warmth-to-weight. Their GearScores land within a couple of points (79 vs 78), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the Helix Insulated if you care most about warmth and packability, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the Ultra 5R if low weight and warmth-to-weight matter more to you, or you are focused on counting grams on long miles.
The REI Co-op Helix Insulated. It is warmer (R 4.9 vs R 4.8) than the Ultra 5R.
The Exped Ultra 5R. It is 1 oz lighter than the Helix Insulated.
They are nearly tied at 79 and 78 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 Helix Insulated for warmth, or the Ultra 5R for low weight. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.