REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Packable
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Durability
Insulation gaps
Narrow
REI Co-op Flash 3-Season Review
With this name, we expect solid performance from spring to fall; this is more of a summer pad that will be outgunned by cold fall nights
Credit: REI Co-op
Our Verdict
The REI Co-op Flash 3-Season sleeping pad is ideal for those interested in getting into the backcountry without breaking the bank or weighing your pack down with heavy equipment. We felt the pad's overall performance did not live up to the name “three-season”, as we spent several cold fall nights out cursing the designers for building gaps into the insulating layers. The pad is a bit lacking in the padding department as well, making it less ideal for side sleepers. We only felt fully suspended with no protuberances touching the ground when lying on our back or front. Ultimately this is a bargain/entry-level pad that will get the job done.
Our Analysis and Test Results
It was clear early on in our testing that the Flash 3-Season wouldn't be winning any awards this year. From the moment we plopped down, there was a notable lack of cushioning, and visible gaps in insulation that we imagined would create some gripes. While we were generally quite comfortable on the Flash, we found ourselves wanting a touch more warmth on chilly fall nights and enough cushioning for occasional side sleeping.
Performance Comparison
While far superior to any closed-cell foam pad we have tested, the Flash is quite thin compared to most inflatable sleeping pads.
Credit: Brian Martin
Comfort
When testing sleeping pads, some components are immediately apparent such as pad thickness and the structure of baffles being supportive enough to handle side sleeping or areas of increased pressure. The Flash 3-Season simply does not have enough thickness or necessary structure to support side sleeping without contacting the ground underneath the pad. While the Flash is significantly more comfortable than a plain old closed-cell pad, pushing through to the ground just doesn't cut it these days. That being said, if you are strictly a back or front sleeper, the Flash does seem capable of keeping one suspended off the ground.
More than once during testing, we woke up in the middle of the night and slipped a closed-cell pad underneath to take the edge off (add for a bit more warmth), which greatly enhanced the comfort of this pad.
The quilted pattern did feel quite nice when flat on our back. When propped on elbows, side sleeping, or basically doing anything that didn't distribute our weight evenly, we poked through to the ground.
Credit: Brian Martin
Weight and Packed Size
At about 16.6 ounces, the Flash 3-Season isn't exactly a heavyweight; in fact, the weight and packed size are respectable. Some pads offer more warmth and comfort with less weight, but for the relatively low cost, the Flash is pretty light. There is a bit of a catch-22 in having a lightweight and packable pad that isn't really capable of seeing you through a rugged backcountry adventure, though, and it begs the question, why not make it a bit warmer, a bit more comfortable, and a touch heavier? Catch-22s aside, the packed size is excellent; smaller than a standard Nalgene bottle and able to disappear in the bottom of your pack.
While settling on the more minimalist end of the backpacking sleeping pad spectrum, we found ourselves wishing it had a bit more gusto overall and would have even been willing to haul an extra five ounces to get it. That said, the 3-season is respectably lightweight.
Credit: Brian Martin
Warmth
There is a critical flaw in the Flash 3-Season insulation pattern. While the quilted baffles are pretty comfortable when lying flat on your back, the laminated spaces have no insulation, leaving only the individual quilted baffles with the responsibility of providing all of the heat retentions. This design might not be so ineffective if the pad were a bit thicker and the baffles had more overlap though the way it stands, heat seems to escape through this pad easily.
The listed R-value is 3.2, which is right where it should be for survivability over three seasons. Over the cold nights we spent on this pad, our testers universally agreed that the 3.2 might be a bit generous. Not only for comfort reasons, but for warmth, we ended up having to supplement this pad with a closed-cell foam pad to make it through a few colder fall nights (in the mid-30s) without chattering our teeth out.
The Flash and its warmer sibling the Thermal share a common issue. The quilted pattern omits insulation between the quilted cells.
Credit: Brian Martin
Ease of Inflation
The Flash 3-Season is in the minority of sleeping pads that ship without a pump sack. As the pad isn't very thick, it does inflate quickly through lung power but leaves the user with an inevitable hyperventilation buzz. While we don't mind the buzz too much, ultimately, moisture-filled breath will lead to pad degradation and create a potential for mildew and mold inside the pad.
When we hurried, it only took about a minute to inflate the Flash to its most firm setting. While the dual valves don't feel as substantial or durable as some tested this year, they proved to be leak-free and do a nice job retaining our hard-fought lung-powered inflation efforts.
Even though there is no pump sack included with the 3-Season Flash, it inflates quickly.
Credit: Brian Martin
Durability
Over the multi-month testing period, the Flash 3-Season held up quite well. The downside of our testing process is the relatively short amount of time to expose durability issues with sleeping pads that should last for years. Our testers noted the relatively fragile feeling rubber comprising the inflate and deflate valves and material that doesn't feel especially resilient. Upsides include REI having an excellent return/repair policy and downsides being a greater potential to be left with a flat pad in the backcountry.
In our multi-month experience, the Flash did well and didn't exhibit any manufacturer defects or issues with durability.
Credit: Brian Martin
Value
The Flash 3-Season is priced at a fair discount compared to our award-winning sleeping pads, but this doesn't mean it is a great value. If you are simply looking for a pad to get you out the door and a high level of durability or comfort aren't critical, the saved dollars could be spent on a nicer sleeping bag or other comfort/warmth boosting items. That said, with a relatively low level of comfort and the Flash's propensity to let cold seep through, your money may be better spent on the thicker and warmer pad offerings on the market.
Conclusion
The advertised weight, r-value, and attractive quilted baffle design drew us into this pad. We had high hopes for a low-cost alternative to some of the more expensive lightweight insulated pads on the market. Ultimately, we found the Flash 3-Season to be too thin and cold to be a highly recommended alternative to the top pads. If you're looking for an entry-level option and aren't planning any big expeditions, this could be worth checking out.
The 3-Season flash was an overall functional pad that might need some supplemental warmth during colder months and may be more appropriate for back sleepers given its relatively thin cushioning.
Credit: Brian Martin
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Brian Martin
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