Double Sleeping Pads for Bikepacking: Three Tested

If you’ve ever shared a tent with a significant other, you’ve likely wanted to have your sleeping pads connected while cuddling or watching a movie on the iPad. There’s nothing worse than investing in a spacious tent only to roll off into the space between two sleeping pads. There are straps you can use to make this happen, but Emily and I were interested in trying a different solution and seeing what it would be like to share a single massive sleeping pad. We were on the hunt for the most comfortable night out that would allow us to sleep close together. We wanted a plush, oversized, double sleeping pad and weren’t ready to accept anything less.

• 
• 

I’ll admit that I’d written off double sleeping pads before every trying them. My initial impression is that they should be reserved for car camping or close-to-home campouts when weight and pack size aren’t as important. Our camping equipment is some of the bulkiest gear we bring bikepacking, so if I can keep those components tight and small, I’ll do it. When gearing up for two months of bikepacking in Australia, I threw all of this out the window.

This was our first taste of double sleeping pad life, and we fell in love. We logged over 30 nights inside our Durston X-Mid Pro 2 tent alongside a Big Agnes double sleeping pad. Upon returning home, we quickly started researching other potential options that would be suitable for bikepacking. The thing is, most double sleeping pads are heavy and bulky, sitting at around four to five pounds (1.8-2.2 kilograms), and only a handful weigh under three pounds, which is heavier than most single sleeping pads. Aside from eliminating the dreaded sleeping pad gap, double sleeping pads have the potential to increase warmth and fill the entire tent floor, providing more room to sprawl out. However, you also run the risk of ruining two people’s sleep if it pops or leaks, which is less of a concern when using single pads. The real question is, how much is comfort worth to you?

Double-Wide Sleeping Pads Compared

Before we dig into the reviews, I’ve gathered some lightweight (sub-three-pound) double sleeping pads for a comparison chart. You’ll find the R-value, dimensions, weight, and pack size for each of them below. You’ll notice right away that the Exped Ultra 1R Duo M is the least heavy at an impressive 1.6 pounds, and the Big Agnes Rapide SL Double-Wide sits right in the middle but has the largest pack size. Kelty, Sea to Summit, MEC, and others also have double sleeping pads, but they are over the three-pound mark, so I’ve left them off. You can find them listed at the bottom of this article.

• 
• 
• 

For this roundup, we landed on the Big Agnes Rapide SL Double-Wide, Exped Ultra 1R Duo LW, and Klymit Double V. Each pad has a unique design, distinct pros and cons, and slightly different specs.

Big Agnes Rapide SL Double Sleeping Pad

2.6 lbs / 72 x 40 x 4.25″ / Made in Taiwan / $299 at Big Agnes REI

The Big Agnes Rapide SL comes in a double-wide 40 × 72″ version that’s big enough for two people but not too wide that it doesn’t fit into a slim two-person tent. It’s a heavy sleeping pad with PrimaLoft Silver Insulation inside and an R-value of 4.2 for proper three-season use. In hindsight, bringing it to Australia was a smart move because we spent many near-freezing nights outside with the pad, and we were never cold. On top of that, it’s also 4.3″ thick, and the quilted top provides a cushioned surface that is lightyears ahead of the ultralight, single-person sleeping pads I’m used to.

• 
• 
• 

The pad is made from ripstop nylon with laminated seams, their proprietary offset I-Beam construction, and an internal layer of heat-reflective film that works with the PrimaLoft insulation to keep the user warm. Emily and I insist it’s the most comfortable sleeping pad we’ve used, and with no gap in the middle separating us, it has elevated our camping experience to luxurious status. Since it’s not that wide, we’ve found sleeping head-to-toe is the most effective way to use it. While this is partly because we’ve been using the Durston X-Mid Pro 2, which has a parallelogram interior, sleeping reversed means way more shoulder room for both of us.

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 

Unfortunately, all of this comfort comes at a cost. The Rapide SL Double sleeping pad is big and awkward to pack. For hauling, it requires a rear rack platform, a basket, or an oversized handlebar bag or harness. In Australia, Emily strapped the pad to the top of her Old Man Mountain rack, and while it was bulkier and heavier than what we’re used to, it played an essential part in making our camp setup comfortable for two months of living on our bikes. It seems to be holding up well from a durability standpoint, and the dedicated inflate and deflate valves paired with their inflation sack make it easy to set up and pack away. From what we’ve experienced, it takes about 10 full pump bags to inflate fully, which seems to be quite fast.

• 
• 
• 

Klymit Double V Sleeping Pad

2.8 lbs / 74 x 47 x 3″ / Made in China / $149 at Klymit

Klymit has two double sleeping pads in their lineup, the Double V and the Double V Insulated. Both are 47 by 74” (WxL) and 3” thick when inflated, but the insulated version is suitable for colder temperatures thanks to internal synthetic insulation and a higher 4.4 R-value. It’s also nearly 400 grams heavier and has a much larger pack size than the non-insulated version we tested. In the name of packability and weight, we opted for the standard Klymit Double V Sleeping Pad.

• 
• 
• 

Like Klymit’s other V-shaped sleeping pads, the Double V uses their unique patented baffle design, which has V-shaped baffles along the center of both sides and raised side rails to keep the users centered on the pad. According to Klymit, the position of the baffles also limits the amount of air moving between both sides, potentially disturbing the users at night. It’s made from a 75-denier polyester fabric, has an R-value of 1.6, and weighs 2.8 pounds (1,193 grams), which aligns it with the Big Agnes Rapide SL Double but with a slightly smaller pack size. The included roll-top stuff sack doubles as an inflation sack, and it’s generously sized to make packing the pad away less of a chore. The pad has dedicated inflate and deflate valves, and due to the deep welded baffles, it has the potential to be the fastest-inflating double sleeping pad we tested. Unfortunately, the inflation bag Klymit includes is much smaller than the others, so it takes about 15 full bags of air to fill it up.

• 
• 

Much like the single Klymit V Ultralight SL sleeping pad I tested a few years back, Emily and I were surprised by how comfortable the Double V Sleeping Pad was. Regarding overall sleeping comfort, it fits right between the Big Agnes and the Exped pads. It seems Klymit’s V-shaped baffles are less affected by pressure and do a good job supporting the users, whether we were on our sides or backs. My only real gripe is that the two valves are on opposite corners at the top end of the pad, so unless you’re working together, it sometimes means walking around to the other side of the tent to inflate or deflate.

• 
• 
• 

Exped Ultra 1R Duo Sleeping Pad

2.1 lbs / 78 x 51 x 3″ / Made in Taiwan / $269 at Exped REI

There are an impressive six double sleeping pads within Exped’s Duo lineup, ranging from their super plush 6” thick MegaMat Max to the more bike-friendly Ultra 1R Duo. The Exped Ultra 1R and 3R Duo Sleeping Pads are the lightest weight and most packable of the bunch, thanks to their 3” thickness, tapered profile, and lightweight 20-denier ripstop polyester construction. The only difference between the Ultra 1R and 3R is that the latter has Texpedloft microfiber insulation and a 2.9 R-value, hence the name. The Ultra 1R has no internal insulation and a 1.3 R-value—the lowest we tested. The lack of insulation, lightweight fabric, and tapered shape of the Exped Ultra 1R LW Duo makes for the lightest and one of the most packable double sleeping pads in this roundup. It’s also one of the largest at 77.6” long by 51” wide, but they offer an M Duo version that is 72” x 41.3” and over half a pound lighter. It’s nice to see two size options because the LW version we tested, while notably spacious, was too big to fit in most of our lightweight two-person tents. The only tent wide enough to accommodate it was the MSR FreeLite 3-Person Tent we reviewed last winter.

• 
• 
• 

The Exped Ultra 1R Duo is the only pad we tested with separate inflate/deflate valves for each side, allowing each person to dial in their preferred firmness. It also means each person’s movement during the night has less effect on the other side. Exped includes their Schnozzel Pumpbag for moisture-free inflation, a cinchable stuff sack, and a patch kit. The Schnozzel bag is the most user-friendly pump bag we’ve used. It’s made from a lightweight 20-denier recycled nylon fabric with a large opening that’s easy to capture air without blowing into it. It can also double as a lightweight waterproof compression sack thanks to the integrated roll-top closure and can be combined with their Universal Valve Adapter to work with almost any sleeping pad. It takes about five full hits from the Schnozzel Pumpbag to fill up one side, which is impressively quick considering the pad’s size.

Emily and I agree that the Exped Ultra 1R Duo LW was the least comfortable sleeping pad we tested, although still an upgrade over two single pads. Despite being able to dial in each side’s air pressure, the shallow baffles fell short compared to the plushness of the Big Agnes pad and the unique V-shape of the Klymit. It also tapers down from 51.2” wide at the shoulders to 40.6” at the feet, which isn’t huge, but it was noticeable. The 1R Duo M is 10” narrower and likely a more realistic option for anyone using a lightweight two-person tent or any shelter with a tapered floor.

• 
• 

Other Double Sleeping Pads

• 

  Nemo Quasar Double Insulated Sleeping Pad

  The Nemo Quasar Double Insulated Sleeping Pad is just slightly heavier than the sleeping pads we tested, making it another realistic option for bikepacking. It has an R-value of 3.3, it’s 3.5″ thick, and has a built-in pillow area that looks pretty comfortable.

  3.3 lbs / 76 x 52 x 3.5″ / $279 at Nemo

• 

  Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Double Wide

  The Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Double Wide is a plush, 3″ thick self-inflating air mattress with a 30-denier polyester knitted upper, 30-denier polyester base, and a R-value of 4.1. It has a foam interior, which adds to its bulk and weight, but it’s bound to be incredibly comfortable.

  5.8 lbs / 72 x 50 x 3” / $299 at Sea to Summit

• 

  Sierra Designs 2-Person Airbed

  The Sierra Designs 2-Person Airbed is a luxurious inflatable mattress that comes complete with a battery-powered pump, a built-in pillow area, and to bring the comforts of home with you, it fits a standard queen-sized fitted sheet. We’re not sure how much it weighs or it’s R-value rating, but it doesn’t look like something we’d bring bikepacking.

  77.9 x 55.9 x 7″ / $69 at Sierra Designs

• 

  Big Agnes Divide Insulated Double

  The Big Agnes Divide Insulated Double is a reasonably lightweight, three-season air chamber sleeping pad that’s just over one pound heavier than the Rapide SL we tested. It’s interesting to see it has a lower R-value, but much larger footprint and pack size, making it less ideal for bikepacking.

  3.75 lbs / 78 x 50 x 3.5″ / $249 at Big Agnes

• 

  MEC VectAir Insulated Double Sleeping Pad

  The MEC VectAir Insulated Double Sleeping Pad tips the scales at 4.1 pounds, is made of abrasion-resistant 75-denier polyester, has internal high loft synthetic insulation, and a R-value of 4.8. It’s a big pad and packs down to roughly double the size of a Nalgene bottle.

  4.1 lbs / 76 x 50 x 3″ / $289 CAD at MEC