Honest Review: Kilos Gear Aero Cloud Elite Sleeping Pad
A Cold Night, a New Pad, and a Real Review
There’s nothing worse than a cold, sleepless night on the trail. You can have the best sleeping bag on the market, but if your sleeping pad isn’t up to scratch, you’ll be shivering in no time. That’s why I was keen to test the Kilos Gear Aero Cloud Elite sleeping pad in a real-world wild camping setup — no studio lights, no gimmicks, just a cold UK night and a one-person tent.
Gear Overview: Kilos Gear Sleeping Pad & Pillow
Specs and First Impressions
Aero Cloud Elite Sleeping Pad (Large)
Dimensions: 202 x 66 cm (79.5 in x 26 in)
Thickness: 10 cm (4 in)
R-Value: 5 (solid insulation from the ground)
Price: Around £100
Inflatable Pillow
Compact and lightweight
Soft-touch fabric with a strap to secure it to the pad
Setup in the Hilleberg Soulo Tent
My tent of choice was the Hilleberg Soulo, one of the most popular solo tents around. It’s snug, and I was curious to see if the large version of the pad would even fit. It did. Perfectly. Not a millimetre of space wasted.
With the FlexTail Gear inflator in hand, I filled the pad in no time. While it comes with an inflatable sack, I went the quick route. I also manually inflated the pillow, which took no effort at all.
Fit and Feel
The material on the pad felt a bit plasticky at first, but once inflated, it was reassuringly solid and supportive. The 10 cm thickness was a game-changer, especially for side sleepers like me. Combined with the soft, non-slip pillow, the full setup felt like it was made to be used inside the Hilleberg.
The Overnight Test
Comfort & Warmth
Using the Rab Ascent 900 sleeping bag and camping in temperatures hovering around 0°C, I was warm all night. The R-value of 5 clearly held up. And more importantly, I could sleep on my side without bottoming out or developing pressure points.
Final Verdict — Is It Worth It?
Let’s get brutally honest:
The pad felt great.
It didn’t slide around in the tent.
The pillow stayed in place.
I slept. Properly. Comfortably.
I can’t say a bad word about the performance.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Here’s why:
Why This Pad Might Be the Sweet Spot
It’s not cheap, but it’s not £200+ either.
It offers real warmth and comfort without the boutique price tag.
It’s beginner-friendly and genuinely performs.
Key Takeaways
If you're side sleeping, the 10 cm thickness matters.
R-value 5 is enough for sub-zero nights.
It fits the Hilleberg Soulo like a glove.
The pillow strap is an underrated hero feature.
It's the most comfortable mat I've used.
A Note to New Campers
We’ve all started with the cheap stuff. Maybe it was a £40 Vango mat from a big box store. It works, until it doesn’t — and you’re cold, uncomfortable, and looking for your next upgrade. Before you jump to a £250 mat, maybe this is the middle ground you’re after.
Would I use it again? 100%.
What’s your go-to sleeping pad for cold weather camping? Or have you found a pillow that actually stays in place? Let me know in the comments 📏
Is this the BEST Budget Friendly Camping Sleeping Pad?
Testing the Kilos Gear Aero Cloud Elite sleeping pad — is it the best budget camping mat for wild campers? Let’s find out how it performs. In this honest review, I test the Kilos Gear Aero Cloud Elite sleeping pad and inflatable pillow in freezing temps inside the Hilleberg Soulo. With solid warmth, comfort for side sleepers, and an R-value of 5 — is this the ultimate budget-friendly setup?
After six months of wild camping through storms, frost, and woodland, the OEX Phoxx 2 has proven itself. Lightweight, durable, and affordable, this tent could be one of the best budget shelters for UK wild campers.