Kilo’s Gear Aero Cloud Sleeping Pad Elite Review – A Comfortable Night in the Wild
A good night’s sleep is one of the most important factors in wild camping. It doesn’t matter how warm your sleeping bag is—if you don’t have a proper sleeping pad to insulate you from the cold ground, you’re going to feel it.
That’s why I was excited to test out the Kilo’s Gear Aero Cloud Sleeping Pad Elite (Large Size) and the Kilo’s Gear Inflatable Pillow, which the team at Kilo’s Gear kindly sent over.
For this test, I used them inside my Hilleberg Soulo, one of the world’s most well-known one-person tents, and paired them with my Rab Ascent 900 sleeping bag. The forecast was set for 0°C overnight, making it the perfect opportunity to see whether this setup could keep me warm, comfortable, and well-rested in the wild.
So, was it worth it? Let’s find out.
First Impressions – Build Quality & Design
Straight out of the bag, the Kilo’s Gear Aero Cloud Sleeping Pad Elite feels different from other mats I’ve used. It has a plasticky feel to it—not in a cheap way, but just different from the OEX Flux 7R I’ve been using.
✔ Dimensions: 202cm x 66cm x 10cm (79.5in x 26in x 4in)
✔ Weight: Just under 1kg
✔ R-Value: 5.0 (suitable for three-season use)
For context, a high R-value means better insulation. The OEX Flux 7R I’ve used previously is rated 7.2, meaning it’s better suited for extreme cold, whereas this pad sits firmly in the all-season category.
Inflation & Setup
The pad comes with a pump sack, allowing you to inflate it by blowing air into the sack and squeezing it into the mat.
⚡ Good news: I didn’t need to do that! Instead, I used my FlexTail Gear pump, which made inflation way quicker and easier. I usually add five breaths after using the pump, but this mattress didn’t even need that much extra.
✔ Quick inflation
✔ Thick & supportive feel
✔ Straps onto the pillow to prevent slipping
Will It Fit Inside a Hilleberg Soulo?
If you’re a solo camper, you’ll know that some sleeping pads can be too big for one-person tents.
This was my biggest concern—would the large size actually fit inside the Hilleberg Soulo?
✔ Surprisingly, it fit like a glove.
It actually filled the entire floor space, which I liked because:
It eliminated cold spots on the edges.
There was less risk of sliding around if the ground wasn’t perfectly level.
The pillow straps meant the pillow stayed in place all night.
Testing the Comfort – A Full Night’s Sleep
So, how was it to actually sleep on?
💤 Sleeping Position: I’m a side sleeper, and most mats don’t offer enough thickness to keep my hips from sinking into the ground.
⚡ The 10cm thickness of the Kilo’s Gear pad changed that completely.
✔ Felt just like a bed at home—genuinely the most comfortable sleeping pad I’ve used so far.
✔ No sliding—thanks to the snug fit inside the Hilleberg Soulo.
✔ Stayed warm—despite 0°C temperatures, I didn’t feel the cold ground at all.
And the Kilo’s Gear Inflatable Pillow?
✔ Soft & supportive – No weird stiffness.
✔ Straps onto the mat – No waking up with it halfway across the tent.
I honestly slept really well, which says everything about the comfort and insulation this setup provides.
Would I Recommend It?
If you’re looking for a high-quality sleeping pad and pillow that won’t break the bank, YES—100% I’d recommend this.
I’m not going to stand here and tell you that the pad is made from some space-age technology—I don’t even know what it’s made from. But I do know this:
✔ It has an R-value of 5.0, meaning it’s warm enough for most camping conditions.
✔ It’s thick enough (10cm) for side sleepers, making it feel like a real mattress.
✔ It’s one of the most comfortable pads I’ve ever used—no gimmicks, just solid comfort.
How Does It Compare to Other Sleeping Pads?
Here’s the reality of how most people end up upgrading their sleeping pad:
1️⃣ You start with a cheap £35-40 Vango mat because someone in Go Outdoors told you it was good.
2️⃣ You freeze on your first winter camp, realise it’s rubbish, and it bursts within two months.
3️⃣ You start researching better mats and see people recommending £250+ models like the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm.
4️⃣ You wonder, “Do I really need to spend that much?”
5️⃣ You find a middle ground—something high-quality, warm, but not ridiculously expensive.
And that’s exactly where this Kilo’s Gear mat fits. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s also not overpriced—it’s the right balance of comfort, warmth, and durability.
Final Verdict
If you’re serious about getting a good night’s sleep while wild camping, don’t cheap out on your sleeping system.
✔ Kilo’s Gear Aero Cloud Sleeping Pad Elite – Large: One of the most comfortable & warm mats I’ve used.
✔ Kilo’s Gear Inflatable Pillow: Soft, straps onto the mat, and doesn’t move in the night.
If you’re looking for a mid-range alternative to expensive sleeping pads, this is 100% worth considering.
👉 Where can you buy it? https://kilosgear.com/products/aerocloud-sleeping-pad-elite
Looking for a budget-friendly camping sleeping pad that actually delivers on comfort and warmth? In this review, I put the Kilos Gear Aero Cloud Elite to the test on a wild camp in the Hilleberg Soulo.