Nemo Tensor Ultralight Sleeping Pad

Product Information

Looking for something a bit warmer? Have a look at the ThermaRest NeoAir XLite NXT instead. Durability The rest of us sane people however tend to take a more measured approach and know that there is a time and a place to use a sleeping pad. For example, whilst a lot of campgrounds, forests and mountain tops are kind of moist, soft and ok to sleep on, others are just not. Also, if you are camping in icy conditions then hard frozen ground can ruin your night’s rest and your vertebrae at the same time! If any of you have ever been to a music festival and camped out for a week, then you will know how much you come to value the little comforts after 3 to 4 days of hard partying! Seasoned festival pros know too well the value of bringing a sleeping pad along with them for the ride alongside a good festival tent. A fancy valve that lets you inflate and deflate easier than other twist and pull valves. More on sleeping pad valve types in our Guide. In short: The NEMO Tensor Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad proved to be both comfortable and warm, but the most obvious advantage was quietness. NEMO’s unique Spaceframe baffles allow suspension of two layers of an aluminized film within the air space of the pad, separating them from body movement. It provides silent nights and excellent support. NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad Construction

Two Layers of Thermal Film Insulation– Thermal Film Insulation is lightweight and quieter than the competition. Spacious– Even with a six-foot frame, I found this pad to have plenty of space. This is awesome for anyone who likes to splay out and has plenty of room for most people in general. The Tensor EC borrows some core elements from existing NEMO pads, like one-way lay-low valves, and suspended Thermal Mirror metalized film. However, it employs a new baffle tech called Apex. Four layers of its thermal film are placed over trapezoidal trusses (flexible, vertical supports within the pad), as opposed to the common rectangular design. The NEMO dual valve system. The bottom valve only lets air in unless you put a little pressure on it, which allows the user to dial in the air pressure. NEMO Tensor Ultralight Insulated Pad Cons Part of the popular Tensor series the insulated version offers a solid 4.2 R rating that will keep you warm most of the year round.

NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad Construction

Metalized film in sleeping pads isn’t new. The effective, compact, light solution minimizes heat loss but usually means dealing with a loud, crinkly pad.

The NEMO Tensor is a sleeping pad that hits nearly every mark well in an overcrowded field. In both insulated and non-insulated versions it has a respectable weight for an air pad, has 3 inches of cushion that’s dispersed very evenly through the quilted baffles, and is nice and quiet when you roll over.

Our Verdict

As a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Climate Action Corps, NEMO has set aggressive goals for making more climate-friendly materials choices. The Tensor now uses Bluesign-approved, 100% recycled, luxury polyester on the top and bottom. The new film reduces how much body heat mixes with the air inside the pad, and how much the air inside the pad absorbs cold from the ground. The new construction upped the R-value of the insulated pad from 3.5 to 4.2 while keeping it at 15 ounces. The uninsulated pad went from an R-value of 1.6 to an R-value of 2.5 but held strong at 13.8 ounces. Each sheet of film is slotted over these trusses, with different-sized holes in each sheet. That eliminates the need to weld them in place. By free-floating each sheet, NEMO not only cuts weight but greatly reduces the loud crinkly sound that is so common — and insomnia-inducing — with insulating air pads. An air pad with twist and pull valve usually takes this many breaths to inflate. You’ll be huffing and puffing.

Make the most of your home away from home by choosing the best camping tent for your adventure. We found the top car camping and family camping tents for every budget and use. Read more… How Does It Work? You can now directly compare the R-value of mats rated using the ASTM F3340-18 with confidence that is a fair and accurate comparison between mats. In simple terms, the higher the R-value, the warmer the mat. For a more cushioned feel, the valve makes it easy to release air even if the pad is fully weighted. Open the top cap and simply push the internal valve down slightly. Micro adjustments are easier to make than most pads I’ve played with.I’ve spent roughly a month’s worth of nights getting familiar with this pad, so I’ve had a good chunk of time to get familiar with it. I’m mostly going to talk about the two factors that make this pad unique: its insulation and its large cut. Insulation

You’ll find the NEMO Tensor 20R in hot competition with many pads, including self-inflating pads and air pads, but we found it’s unique and dialed-in features top notch, while also being competitively priced. Using distinctly shaped baffles, the Apex™ design evenly suspends a record four layers of insulating Thermal Mirror™ film inside the pad. The strategic placement and number of layers combine to produce incredible warmth at as little as one pound, making this pad a winter-worthy companion that won’t weigh you down. Just as important, the floating construction prevents annoying crinkling noises so you and your camp partners can sleep soundly even on the most restless nights. Warmth, quiet, and 3.5 inches of stable cushioning together make Tensor synonymous with comfort. About the size of a standard Nalgene bottle. Really, really small. More on sleeping pad size in our Guide. The Insulated version of the Popular Tensor mat, this version offers a very good weight to R value rating so is perfect for colder conditions where every gram still counts. Nemo says: Note that most sleeping pads have an R rating of 1.0 (good for warm weather) to 5.5+ (for use in extreme cold).In NEMO-speak, the number is the width, and “R” means Regular, “L” means Large, and “S” means Short. We tested the 20R Mummy, but it’s offered in many other sizes, as you can see. The Insulated version of the Popular Tensor mat, this version offers a very good weight to R value rating so is perfect for colder conditions where every gram still counts. In creating such a lightweight monster insulator, Nemo did have to cut some corners — namely in the comfort and useability departments. Warmth and an ultralight profile are prioritized here. The architecture of the design also helps to protect elbows and hips from poking through to the ground.