Wellax Ultralight Sleeping Pad Review

Are you on the market for an ultralight sleeping pad? There are plenty of great options available, but if you are on a tight budget, the pickings are slim. However, during my search for a cheap, quality sleeping pad, I found the Wellax Ultralight Sleeping Pad on Amazon. Does this pad offer the best bang for your buck? Let’s find out.

Note: The Wellax Sleeping Pad was previously referred to as “Chillax”, in which I have a model with that designation. I am not sure why the name changed.

Wellax Sleeping Pad Overview

Dimensions	78″ x 24″ x 2.5″
Weight	14.5 oz
Packed Size	10″ x 3.5″
R-Value	2.1
Material	20D Rip-stop Nylon
Price	~ $40 (Check the latest price here)
Pump Included	No
Stuff Sack Included	Yes

Reviewing the stats, the Wellax Sleeping Pad has everything someone needs in a 3-season pad. Let’s dive a little deeper and see how this pad performs and how it stacks up against the competition.

The Design

The Wellax Sleeping Pad is made from 20D rip-stop nylon fabric that is near silent, waterproof, and tear resistant, all while still being lightweight (more on that later). The pad also reflects your body heat back to help keep you warmer.

The baffle design consist of more than 300 “Air Sprung Cells. It’s described as being a single layer to help keep the weight down, while still providing cushion to keep you comfortable.

Packability

The Wellax Sleeping Pad comes in it’s own stuff sack (which unfortunately I lost on a previous backpacking trip) and measuring it as I write this review, it is approximately 11”x4” rolled up. This can probably be rolled a little tighter as Wellax says it compresses down to 10”x3.5” but it is compact enough to fit into my backpack.

Inflating

Wellax boasts that the sleeping pad can be inflated in 4 to 6 breaths, but that has proven pretty unrealistic for me, a guy who is in decent enough shape. I find that it usually takes 7 to 8 deep breaths to fully inflate the sleeping pad, which while more than Wellax claims, still isn’t terrible.

Dimensions

Once inflated, the sleeping pad measures 24” wide, 78” long, and 2.5” thick. If you have been researching other pads, you may notice that this pad would be considered a “large” model. Typical sleeping pad sizes are 20”x72” but I prefer a larger size due to having broad shoulders as the extra width helps to keep my arms from falling over the sides. I’m no taller than average so the extra length of the pad wasn’t of much importance to me. However, if you are taller, the 78” might be perfect.

The 2.5” thickness of the Wellax Sleeping Pad and the air cell baffle design provide nice cushion for side sleepers. I can comfortably lay on my side and not worry about my hip digging into the ground beneath the pad. However, when I roll over and create extra pressure on the pad, my joints can briefly feel the ground, but that’s to be expected when concentrating so much weight in one spot. While this pad suffices for a side sleeper, there are better options available detailed in “6 Best Sleeping Pads for Side Sleepers that Really Work.”

R-Value

The Wellax Sleeping Pad has an R-value of 2.1, which isn’t great. However, it is better than the other cheap options on Amazon that all have R-values between 1.3 and 1.8. That said, the Wellax sleeping pad’s R-value is adequate for 3-season camping, so unless you plan on camping during freezing weather, it will probably work for you.

How does the it compare to the competition?

The dimensions previously listed above compare very well to the much pricier Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xlite long model, which measures 25”x77”x2.5”. So the Wellax Sleeping Pad is the same thickness, while being one inch shorter on the width, and one inch longer in length.

Considering the almost identical measurements between the Wellax and the NeoAir Xlite, you might be surprised to find out that the Wellax Sleeping Pad weighs less than the NeoAir Xlite long, being only 14.5 ounces compared to 16 ounces! So not only did I stumble upon a low cost large pad with a decent R-value, it is also ultralight and even lighter than the NeoAir Xlite long model which costs $200! All this and the Wellax Sleeping Pad currently costs right around $40 on Amazon!

However, with such a drastic price difference you can’t expect the Wellax Sleeping Pad to be everything the Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xlite is. The Wellax falls short of the NeoAir Xlite when it comes to it’s R-value, that scientific measurement that determines how well a sleeping pad will insulate you. Both pads are considered three season pads, but the Xlite has an R-value of 4.2 while the Wellax has an R-value of 2.1.

I don’t know how much warmer the difference in the R-values will keep you, but it is worth noting. It is also again worth noting, that while the Wellax Sleeping Pad does fall short of the NeoAir Xlite in R-value, it exceeds all of the other cheaper pads I have found thus far on Amazon, most of which have a measly 1.3 R-value.

And one other notable feature of the this pad compared to the NeoAir Xlite: It isn’t as noisy! Yes, if you have read enough reviews on the Xlite, you have probably heard the complaints of the crinkly noise it makes whenever you move a muscle. The Wellax does make some noise while shifting your body, but nothing like the Xlite. So, if you are a light sleeper, the noise from the Wellax shouldn’t disturb you or any neighbors sleeping nearby.

Wellax Sleeping Pad Review Recap

So let’s recap what has been highlighted so far. The Wellax Sleeping Pad is:

• cheap
• ultralight
• of larger size compared to most other sleeping pads
• good for three seasons
• quieter than the NeoAir Xlite

The Negatives

So what’s not to like about this pad? It can’t be all marshmallows and rainbows, can it? Here are a few negatives:

• Breaths to inflate – Not bad, but not what Wellax claims
• No additional sizes
• Loses air overnight

Breaths to inflate

I can’t inflate this pad in 4 to 6 breaths. With 7 to 8 deep breaths, I can get it pretty close to fully inflated. Again, this isn’t a major downfall, it just isn’t what Wellax claims. I have read other peoples reviews though claiming they can inflate the this pad in fewer breaths, so maybe it’s just me.

No additional sizes

Another thing that may be discouraging to some is that there are no sizing options for the Wellax ultralight sleeping pad. Unfortunately, it’s one size fits all. This doesn’t bother me since it meets my number one criteria of being wide, but for those who want an even lighter pad, having the option to choose between a small, regular, and large would benefit Wellax’s brand. A regular length wide model would be a great idea as well, a size that Therm-a-rest has recently released themselves with the NeoAir Xlite (what took so long?).

Loss of air overnight

The biggest negative to note is that the Wellax ultralight sleeping pad has lost a some air each night I have slept on it. Not a major loss, but noticeable. This can possibly be blamed on air condensing as it gets colder, but I suspect there may be a slight leak somewhere. This could just be a defect in my sleeping pad, but it does affect my overall opinion of the reliability of the Wellax.

I would not rely on this pad for a long distance thru-hike. If you are planning on hiking the AT, the PCT, or any other long distance trail, stick with a more reliable, tried-and-true sleeping pad. Maybe it would survive the journey, but I have my doubts.

Wellax Sleeping Pad Review: Final Verdict

I think the Wellax Sleeping Pad is an excellent deal! If you are looking to get started in backpacking and need a cheap alternative to the pricier options, then this pad should be considered a top contender. While I wouldn’t want to rely on it for extended trips, I wouldn’t hesitate for even a minute to bring it on a weekend trip. After all, it is comfy thanks to its size and baffle design, and the price just cannot be beat for an ultralight sleeping pad that doesn’t have a pathetic R-value.

The Wellax Sleeping Pad might not be the perfect pad (heck, point to one that is), but Wellax certainly did something right with this pad. I hope to one day see an expanded product line from these guys. If that happens, you can expect to see further reviews, all hopefully going as well as this one.

Keep up the good work, Wellax!