NEMO - Tensor™ Elite Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad

This inherently does not answer your question, because it is only R2.4, but I've been using the new Tensor Elite which packs to the size of my fist and weighs 7oz. I've used it on multiple 32F nights on shaded ground. I have used my torso-length 1/8" pad to supplement sometimes, but not all the time, and have not perceived a difference in warmth. I've mostly used it for grip. In summary, I've been impressed by it and would currently not consider anything else for a sub-20L pack system Edit: meant to say Elite, not Extreme

Yeah I'm kind of in the same position. It's about what you'd expect, it's comfortable within the limits of a short, regular width pad. It's very slippery. I've used it for about 10 nights, mostly in Grand Canyon, and it hasn't leaked yet. I'm pretty good at fixing sleeping pads, so I bought it knowing that if a leak is fixable I can handle it in the field, and if it's not fixable they will warranty it for me and I could ask for something different. Like I said I've used it in combo with 1/8 ccf because that's part of my pack but I don't think that's necessary. So, in summary, I'm skeptical of it but I have yet to be given a reason to believe it's a stupid product. It's a huge gain in comfort:weight ratio compared to my Xlite.

I have about 10 nights on one. It's comfortable and hasn't failed yet. It's very easy to use compared to Neoair because of the valves. It is definitely slippery and I sometimes use a 1/8" foam under it to mitigate this. I have yet to be cold on it, even with a few nights around freezing on shaded ground. I have a similar philosophy about its durability. I'm pretty good at fixing pads in the field so if occasional leaks are fixable I'm okay with that. If something stupid fails that's not fixable, I'll be asking for a different one when I warranty it. They are pretty great at customer service and if they are going to launch a product like this I'm not ashamed to hold them accountable

It's the quietest pad I've used, except for occasional little squeaks against the CCF I use under it

The Tensor Elite has thinner material than the Uberlite

Slightly more comfortable and completely silent unless you put it on something squeaky in my 10 nights of experience

I agree but also more slippery, and obviously less durable

10 nights here so I'll help -It is not noisy at all unless you put it on top of something squeaky. -It is quite slippery, moreso than a Neoair. I often struggle to decide between putting my 1/8" foam below (protection and grip) or above (body grip). I think ultimately I will stick to below and put some Seam Grip on top for body/sleeping bag grip -It's the easiest pad to inflate and deflate in existence IMO. This is because the valves are excellent, mine is the short version so it just doesn't take much lung time, the dump valve is wide open, and the material is so supple so you don't have to be careful about folding it nicely. I was actually struck right away by how all of these things contribute to its ease of use

I mostly agree with you. I was already carrying a Thinlight on 98% of trips even with a heavier inflatable. So that's actually why I decided to try the Elite. I personally got it for less than 200 as well.

Tensor Elite Short Mummy is 7.6 oz. With the stuff sack and patch kit it's 8.04 oz. With the included pad inflator that I doubt literally anyone will use, it's 10 oz. Source: I own it.

The released specs are exactly the same. Your assumption that "most" people will use all the extras that come with pads is flawed. At best I would include both minimum and full weights when available.

I've only slept on it for one night with a Thinlight underneath, where it got down to 35F and I felt the cold under the pad for sure but it was fine. A coworker that also bought the pad who is going on the PCT soon slept on it for a month indoors to test it out and had his rip open. He claims he just rolled over and heard it pop. [Here's a video of the damage.](https://imgur.com/a/lGLgBd3) I would *never* use it without a Thinlight.

I only use pads that are too short for me. I currently use an XLite Womens (66") and a Tensor Elite (63"). I like having my feet hang off the edge after a long day of hiking, it feels better. If I'm on a longer pad or in a bed, I will do the same thing.

I’m a side sleeper as well and I stopped using my Nemo tensor so much because of the potato chip bag noise effects heh. This past winter, I’ve used the Sea to Summit comfort plus. It is easily the most comfortable pad I’ve ever used for side sleeping. And inflates and deflates easily. Highly recommend!

Is it noisy? The tensor I bought a couple of years ago is still going strong but man it’s like sleeping on top of a potato chip bag. I’m a guy that moves from side to side so it can be a problem some nights.

25 inches wide a must for me, ounces be damned.

It’s subjective, of course. While I’d agree the Tensor is no where near the most comfortable, I’ve found it to hit the sweet spot in terms of being comfortable *enough*, light *enough*, warm *enough*, etc. Every other pad I’ve tried excels at one thing while falling far short in another. (Etherlite: comfy but cold. Xlite: warm and light but uncomfortable and loud. Etc.) Tensor is good *enough* in my experience.

25 inch wide + short is something I’d be interested in. (Paired w/ 1/8 inch ccf)

Same. Love the 3R (not slippery, not noisy, vertical baffles and “rails”) but really jealous of the Tensor Elite weight. Now, if Tensor made the Elite in a 25”, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

I just spent my first night sleeping on a tensor elite. Loved it! 40F was the nighttime low temp and I was fine. It is comfortable but slippery. More comfortable than either an xlite or an uberlite for sure. I got the short version which weighed 7.5 oz on my scale. I added pillow attachment loops at a point that my Big Sky Dream Nation pillow slightly cantilevered off the head end and that worked great. The net effect is that it worked like a full length and I am 5’-10” — I wasn’t expecting that. A pleasant surprise all around.

You've tested *all* of them? You find the Nemo more comfortable than an Etherlite XT? An REI Helix? An Exped? A Rapide SL? That doesn't compute for me. The Nemo is more comfy than a Neoair but well below all of those.

The Nemo Elite pads have been discussed on this sub as a potential (even lighter) successor to the Uberlite. All the weights referenced are pad-only. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1hwnj25/nemo\_tensor\_elite\_lightest\_pad\_ever/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1hwnj25/nemo_tensor_elite_lightest_pad_ever/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1dv0yrp/nemo\_tensor\_elite\_2025\_a\_potential\_uberlite/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1dv0yrp/nemo_tensor_elite_2025_a_potential_uberlite/) Your tables, your rules. Just thought I'd let you know.

Yes it's a concern. It's filling a niche formerly occupied by the thermarest uberlite, which was recently discontinued presumably because of the prevalence of durability issues. It feels a bit more substantial than the uberlite. But if I were going to rely on it, I would make sure I had a patch kit and knew how to use it, and be more careful with site selection than normal.

15D vs 10D on the Nemo💀 (And they admit it got pinholes during testing)

I spent one night on mine in a shakeout last weekend. I used a 10° ZPacks regular bag. I wore Marino base layers AND down pants. AND a ghost whisperer down puffy. I’m female. I sleep cold. It went down to 25° F. I got the 5’3” version of the Elite. My impressions: * Not more or less comfortable than my thermarest xlite. * Slippery AF. Like an eel slippery. I was already prepared for this from the reviews and had put a bit of seam sealer on the bottom side. It definitely helped. I was on a cushy flat spot so unsure how this will handle real world slanted tent spots. I’ve added a bit more to the underside of my pillow. (It slid right off despite having a strap.) * I was FREEZING. It went down to 25° F. I brought a thermarest CCF pad and a second puffy as a “just in case”. A few hours in, I added pad under the elite and put on the puffy, I was still cold. I kinda don’t blame this pad. It was just a super cold night and there had been snow on the ground only 48 hours before. * the flat valve is a pain. I use the zero pump and getting everything connected properly took longer than blowing up the pad. I assume I’ll get better at this but I definitely prefer thermarest’s valve which is a no brainer. * the size is PERFECT!!!! I’m 5’5”. I like my feet to hang off the end slightly. I wish all the other companies would make this size. Why is it only a choice between 6 feet or something that doesn’t even support the knees??!? * I’d previously been using the regular xlite (pre NFT but with the fancy valve the introduced in 2020) which I’d manually shortened to 60 inches. **The Elite saved me 3 oz** over that. To me, that makes the Elite worth taking a risk on. * I’m obviously worried about its durability. However, I used the torso length uberlite for about a month on the PCT. It held up just fine. I only ditched it because it was just too short for comfort. So, I’m pretty nice to my pads. I’m going to give the Elite a go on the CDT. Fingers crossed. 🤞

Took my tensor to the desert and was not careful enough and got holes within two nights. I realized in desert where likelihood of cactus needles being everywhere is high, just need to bring ccf and pair together. I used a tyvek ground sheet for a while then recently made switch to adding a thin light pad and ditching tyvek. Just picked up this new pad and will give my son the tensor. Ive had no issues with the tensor in the 3 years since After being careful while setting up camp. But I also am a weekend warrior and spend more time looking at my lighter pack than actually backpacking 🤷🏻‍♂️

I used mine for 40 nights, and it developed a leak around the valve. A support ticket, and two weeks later and they shipped a brand new one to me with no cost to myself.

Looking to upgrade my sleeping pad in a 12L 3-season overnighter kit, so optimizing for packed size. I know about therm-a-rest 3/4 pads, but I've had issues with nerve compression due to the baffle design, making it really hard to sleep. If there's nothing better out there, I can try to make it work. Its specs are hard to beat... I've been eyeballing the new S2S XR pad. Seems to pack even smaller than their shortest UltraLite pad (the orange one.) Weirdly the small and regular have the same packed size listed on the S2S site. Heavier than the x-lite but pretty packable, comparable r-value and I could actually sleep on it. Any other pads people would recommend? Really aiming for >3 R-value minimum so I can get 3 season usage. Thanks Edit: Ordered the Tensor Elite Short to couple with a torso-length GG thinlight. Technically that's two pads and not one, but being able to just throw the thinlight on the outside of the pack makes that a non-issue, plus I get the various uses it provides. We'll see if I regret my decision...

this is probably what I'm going to end up going with. ordered the tensor elite short and an S2S XR short to compare. S2S is heavier and bulkier but still pretty small with a better r value and durability. although at 12L it probably won't win out over the tensor

I do have an Xtherm NXT for my bigger 4 season setup. but the tensor elite looks pretty cool at a ridiculous 7oz and tiny packed size. but it's pretty low R-value at sub 3

Just recieved my tensor elite today. Pretty impressed. It feels way more durable than uberlite. But it's slippery as hell. That is my only gripe. For 8.5 oz though I'm not complaining. The pack size is also pretty remarkable. It's literally the size of a coffee cup.

That's the 2022 version of Tensor, the 2024 ones seem working fine, for now.

Pinhole is actually better than tearing off of internal baffles since it's much easier to repair. I worry more about the leaking point you cannot easily figure out and cannot be patched in wilderness.

That's the 2022 version of Tensor, the 2024 ones seem working fine, for now.

The ones with the old valves were usually well below advertised weight too. My old one was 208 grams. I do think the extra length on this Nemo one would be a pretty big improvement to sleep quality over the short xlite.

Indeed it isn't. It was my first branded pad and is really user friendly. The Tensor is quite small but also taller than this sea to Summit one.

Nemo Tensor. If you're willing to sacrifice a little R value, the Tensor Elite is tiny (and comes in small mummy so even smaller) with R-2.4. Otherwise the all-season or extreme conditions one. I use the extreme conditions most of the time and can get away with an ultralight quilt

If packed space is that much of a premium, I would go with the Nemo tensor elite (packed inside the 12L), with a 1/8” thinlight CCF pad on the outside. The Nemo elite is ridiculously small when packed down. The addition of the CCF gets you to right around 3 r value and adds in some protection for the pad and some flexibility if the pad ever happens to bust.

My Tensor Elite weighs 9.1oz by itself on my scale. Is yours 8.5?

Yeah - I bought a Klymit has it is talked about as a competitor to the bigger names. Laid on it one time, sent it back, and happily sleep on a Nemo Tensor Elite.

Yeah - would be fine. Straps are adjustable and corner slots are pretty big already. On my Nemo Tensor, it’s quite loose so I imagine it could likely take up to 6” or so. With that said, I don’t think you require something so thick to be comfortable.

As both my Nemo Tensors already leak, I definitely don’t want a thinner material. And no wide version. I’m out on the Elite.

The Tensor AS and Ultra 5R are great pads for the canadian rockies. Both might be slightly cold depending on where you're going in mid-may as there can still be snow on the ground or the ground could still be frozen even if the snow has melted. I find frozen spring ground as cold as snow in the middle of winter. I'd look at a Neve Waratah quilt. The Waratah -8C is $353 CAD.

I've spent 5 nights on the Tensor Elite and wanted to share some initial thoughts since there isn't much information out there and my testing yielded some results I found interesting. Here are my thoughts in no particular order but numbered in case someone has a question/comment about a specific point. 1. My size regular pad came in 14g over spec at 254g compared to the 240g advertised (no stuff sack or dodads). 2. I did not feel any heat-loss through the pad down to 2C/35.6F (with a 30f zpacks solo quilt, boxers, and an OR echo t-shirt). 3. The 20in width was noticeably narrow after spending most of the last couple of years on 25in wide pads. That being said, it wasn't as big of an issue as I thought it would be due to the next point. 4. Comfort is really good for the pad. It is more comfortable than I expected by quite a bit. I only woke up a couple of times to shift positions each night I used it. Two reasons for the comfort: 1) slightly dimpled horizontal baffling helps with pressure relief and 2) the lightweight materials have quite a bit of stretch/give to them which helps with pressure relief too. 5. Durability will be a question mark until more pads are used for more nights. The shell material is thin and the TPU to hold air in is thin, which is what led to issues with the Uberlite. But maybe Nemo did some magic to make the materials more durable than the Uberlite.

Closed cell foam pads like that are awesome but they unfortunately dont work too well for side sleepers (i mean they can but not nearly as comfy as a inflatable pad). I personally use a nemo tensor elite and a 1/8” foam pad combo and even together its only about 10 ounces which is still less than a switchback and vastly more comfortable.

19 oz/538 g is heavy. You’ll have to sacrifice elsewhere to make up for this. The Nemo mummy pad with practically the same R-value is only 13 oz, 30% less. 

I have several tensors(elite, extreme, etc.) they are quiet on their own. In the tent is kinda grips the floor which makes and interesting sound when you move around. I'd test it both ways, but it's my favorite pad of all time fwiw.

Just got my regular mummy Nemo tensor all season and fully agree. 22" at the shoulder that tapers down to the same size as currently at the feet or even slightly smaller would be ideal for me

I have a Nemo tensor long wide. I'm 6'1" 175lbs I like to incorporate a 1/8" gossamer gear closed cell pads under my Nemo for puncture protection. I inflate the Nemo as much as the inflation bag will allow. I'll also put my emptied pack under both pads where my knees will go and my extra clothes under the head. This elevates my knees and head for a much better sleep experience.

I use mine with a GG 1/8 “ pad below and haven had a problem I came off a tensor wide long all season so it was a bit to get use to the narrow width (I am a big guy @ 6’2” 265lbs) It gets the job done and doesn’t weigh shit.

Don’t go self inflating if you want that much height. Car camping, yes, any of the massive, tough, heavy self inflating mats will be fine.   Go to a camping/bushwalking shop and try a Nemo tensor insulated (wide). Fill it up then let out juuuust a bit of air. You can put a closed cell foam mat underneath if you can’t get a balance between a comfortable shape and your hips touching the ground.  Sea to summit are also comfortable but don’t insulate as well.   Also - I know you know this - it’s easier if you can lose a bit of weight. I find it much less comfortable sleeping on the ground after gaining weight. 

Nemo tensor. Hands down no regrets, I sleep really well on it. Also recognize that Nemo has life time warranty. If there is a leak or something, you can get it fixed or replaced.

I'm 6'2 250. I use Nemo tensor long wide. I sleep like a rock.

I use Nemo tensor for backpacking and I sleep on my side. It's pretty comfortable. Pro tip.. 2 pillows. I have a thermarest and a sea to summit pillow for the height with I sleep on my side.

I swear by the Nemo Tensor large. The 25 inch one. I also have 2 pillows, a cheap gear doctor one from amazon that straps to the pad, and a Nemo fillo. I need these as a side sleeper to avoid having my neck cricked. I am also a fan of quilts. I have 2 from Zen Bivy. With this setup, I have had night on the trial that were better than nights at home. I move a lot when I sleep, and switch between sides and my back. This is the only way for me to get rest. Combine with an eye mask and ear plugs!

My Tensor squeaked loudly on my tent's floor I came up with a super light fix, the lightest gauge poly tarp painters drop sheet, cut to size. It's only 23g, \~ 1/3 the weight of a thinlight

I backpack a lot on top of motocamping and found that the Nemo Tensor UL mat is great. It retails for $180 on rei right now but it’s worked great in my opinion. It depends on what you want though. It’s expensive but the lightweight is noticeable when backpacking. I don’t know if it’s worth the splurge just for motocamping however. Ive used it for at least 75 nights though now and it’s held up. Smaller than most inflatables too.

I can’t comment on the others but I have had a Tensor Insulated for a few years and absolutely love it. I’m a side sleeper and I’ve used it down to 30F and it gets the job done but that’s about its limit. If I were going to be in temps consistently that low I’d put foam under it.

No it has a good baffle structure. Amazing for its weight. I inflate it, then let bits of air out so that my shoulder is about an inch off the ground when I’m on my side and then it’s perfect for the night.

Sea to Summit EtherLight XT Insulated. I also have a NEMO Tensor Ultralight but find it too thin for side-sleeping.

So cool that they offer those in wide and long sizes. They're already thick and that extra room is really nice.

Yeah. There is a little difference. A lot of times with pads you're paying for weight, how small it compresses and the R value (warmth) you get from that. But sometimes you can also get the comfort. If you're looking I might check out the Nemo Tensor. They've got a few different models but I think they're all 3.5 inches thick. I think that's at least an inch thicker than than the Klymit. They also come in wide and long sizes. The extra width, while it's a touch more weight, is really nice. But if you don't get out a ton I can't say if the extra cost is worth it. If you do, or find something on a sweet sale, it's a solid investment and will probably be more comfortable.

Cool. And no. I've never had one one issue and it's been out a lot. The one thing I am careful about is clearing my site of anything that might puncture the floor or pad. But I've never felt the need to baby it. For the thickness, weight and pack size it's really worked well for me. I'll go back to it when/if it fails.

I might check out Nemo pads. I have the the UL insulated and really like it. 3.5" thick, comes in wide and long sizes, R value is 5.4, weighs roughly a pound and it's quiet. I clean my site but haven't had a puncture over the four years I've had it. Here's a deeper dive in to that one, and some others, that might help. I think OGL does a really solid job with their reviews. They give you the good and bad. [https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-sleeping-pad](https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-sleeping-pad)

I love my NEMO Tensor.

I have a Nemo Tensor Ultralight, which isn't self inflating, but then I picked up a cool little 1.2 oz pump off Amazon that inflates it in no time. FLEXTAILGEAR Zero Pump 1.2 oz Portable Air Pump for Inflatables, Ultra Mini Electric air Pump Air Mattress Pump, Rechargeable Air Pump for Pool Floats Air Bed Air Mattress I'm pretty happy with this setup.

I have the Nemo Tensor, and it's pretty decent. The big thing I didn't realize for too many years is you're not supposed to fill an inflatable pad completely, nowhere near full. Learning that was a game changer for comfort.

Tensor is nice and quiet, and for me at least quite comfy with a little air let out. Between my wife and I we have three versions, and if you’re really going to go down to 30F I’d say get the xtreme version. The summer and all season version will help down that low, but are noticeably colder sleeping at those temps.

Also a side sleeper, Nemo Tensor insulted and a sea to summit pillow worked for me! The trick for me was putting the pillow between my knees, and using a stuff sack of my puffy and hiking clothes as a pillow for my head. Hope you get it figured out! Keep trekking!!

I have 2 winter setups. Lightweight is a nemo Tensor insulated with a thermarest z fold under it. With a 0 degree down bag I've been cozy into the teens. It comes in under 5lbs so it works in the backcountry or if space in the car is at a premium. My no restrictions set up is an exped megamat with a 0 degree bag and a patagonia macro puff quilt. The quilt over the down bag keeps all the condensation out of the down and in the synthetic insulation and gives me a warmed place to put stuff like layers or my water bottle that isn't in my bag with me. The down side is that it weighs over 10lbs and takes up a lot of space.

My 6 ft husband is happy with his Long Wide Tensor Insulated. He has not had any problems with leaks or seams, and it's large enough for him.

I sleep very comfortably on my XLite (old model). I would rate my husband's Nemo Tensor Insulated slightly more comfortable than the XLite, but the difference is not much. If I want to sleep as comfortably as possible, I switch to a hammock. I have never found any ground system as comfortable as a properly hung and adjusted 11 ft hammock.

I would also pick an emo. I have one of the tensors, I think the insulated one so I can use it in snow. It's pretty comfy. I think I found another one of those (or very similar sleeping pad) at the resale section of REI, and ended up having to repair a half inch gas, but some sealant and tape over it, and it's held up fine. So OP, if you want cheap but good, consider if you're willing to repair gear that other people are getting rid of because of repairable damage.

The Nemo Tensor line of pads is what you need. I haven't messed with the Elite (8.5 oz / regular mummy), but the Trail (13 oz / regular mummy) and Insulated (14.1 oz / regular mummy) have treated me well this year. If you want to get full-season use, just get the insulated—it has an r-value of 5.4 and is only \~1 oz heavier.

For -5C and durability I would personally take the Thermarest X-Therm mummy. R7.3, 440gr (although mine weighs 460gr in reality), and a 70D material on the underside. Anecdotally, I can feel the cold seep through my Nemo Tensor Insulated (R4.2) from around freezing.

Same here - Tensor Insulated down to about freezing when I can start to feel the cold seep through. The Tensor Insulated has been replaced by the significantly warmer Tensor All Seasons, and that would be my recommendation.

After reading a lot of advise like this, I bought a rectangular wide pad for my thru hike (Nemo Tensor Insulated). When my partner joined for a bit with an X-Lite regular mummy, it turned out that she (5ft) much prefers the wide pad, while I (6ft side sleeper) sleep just as well on the regular mummy (even though I, too, often kick a knee up). Obviously she took the Nemo back home to save me some weight for the remainder of the trip. Just goes to show how personal these things are.

Both Thermarest and Nemo pads work for me, and I suspect many others would as well. Regarding shape, I think I actually need *less* space than someone who sleeps on their back. Regular mummy pads work great for me.

I started with Nemo tensor insulated pads and the BAs are definitely more quiet. I find they’re more comfortable as well.

For me, only the S2S Ether Lt XT and the Nemo Tensor work. Horizontal baffles are a nightmare with the "slipping off" feeling and movement! I sleep on my side and stomach and sometimes back, and those two work great.

For me the S2S works where others don’t work. I find horizontal baffles extremely uncomfortable … it feels as if anything closer to the edge falls down and doesn’t give any support. So for me the S2S works for longer trips and for shorter I use a short version of the Nemo Tensor.

Agree. I have Nemo tensor and S2S Ether Lt xt because I find horizontal baffles very uncomfortable.

Using a Nemo Tensor short. It’s sufficient if it goes to your knees … on my side I curl up and on my back I put my feet in my backpack. Whatever you use for a pillow should be off the pad anyway.

Despite the comment below, I'm with you. I used a S2S inflatable pad on the PCT and it was fine (needed one replacement). I have since experimented with just taking the Switchback for longer and longer trails. And it's fine, especially after I hacked the pillow attachment so it stays put ... love it. Just back from a 3 day trip where I though I should try my Nemo Tensor Insulated pad again ... and regretted it. I didn't sleep any better, the moving around is more difficult (to stay on it) and of course the setup is more difficult (and more susceptible to damage). So, back to the Switchback it is!

I hate my NeoAir, I don’t find ThermaRest pads comfortable at all. I’d take a CCF over a Thermarest. For trips where I want an inflatable over a CCF, I just got a Nemo Tensor since they’re on sale at REI (25% off). At least in store, it felt a lot better than my NeoAir or CCF.

Comfortable, I have one now. Before I had a Nemo pad I returned and honestly, kind of wish I had kept it. Only downside was it took forever to inflate. Also, these things go on sale/get returned all the time. I’d look for one second hand if possible.

nemo tensor. buy it on amazon.

This pad is worlds more comfortable than the fully inflatables and it has a good r-value (5.1). I returned the Nemo tensor everyone loves so much and replaced it with this and I think it was well worth it. Yes, the weight and packability are worse, but I just can’t find an inflatable that is comfortable enough for me to think the weight/size savings are worth it.

I had a Tensor and it was uncomfortable for me as well. I’ve found Exped inflatable pads comfortable. My favorite right now though is the Neoloft.

I think it is. I always clear my chosen tent spot of rocks, twigs, debris and such before I set anything up. My tensor lasted my hike over the span of two years and is still going strong. It definitely never hurts to have something under it for extra protection and piece of mind though. An added bonus is that it’ll stop your pad from sliding around in your tent if you’re not on a totally flat spot. I used a lightweight microfiber towel (my luxury item, I swam a lot) for that.

I've had a broken spine and pelvis so I researched and tested a lot for a sleeping pad. Any thick self inflating pad was either WAY too heavy, bulky, or had bad reviews... So I ended up with a Nemo Tensor. I know you prefer self inflating but I'd give this pad a try, maybe go to a store and lay on it. I find it quiet, warm, and supportive. I sleep all night and no body aches.

Looking at this one as well - although just the regular 25” wide version. I have a Nemo tensor and I’m not totally in love with it. For the size and weight, sure. But my wife and I just got back from a pretty short 3 day backpacking trip and I just couldn’t get comfortable on the tensor. I probably have 15-20 nights on the tensor and I’m just not sold. Typically a UL believer, but I’m really considering ponying up for the bulk and weight of this ultra mat - if it would result in better sleep. We have a mega mat queen size for our car camping kit, and it’s a dream. Haven’t used any other Exped mattresses yet, though

I second this! I recently switched to a zenbivy ultralight mattress, and I slept so comfortably, especially as a side sleeper. I previously owned a Nemo Tensor. It was okay, but I should have gotten it wide. I don't toss and turn, but my mind is more at ease if there's a little extra space, lol. That's a great idea using the nemo pad pump sack because the zenbivy pump sack does suck. I personally use a flextail pump for an extra 4.3oz, but I'll use the nemo pump sack next time!

Sweet! I have a Nemo Tensor in the way myself

It's subjective. I just upgraded from a klymit static v. My top 2 choices were the nemo tensor or the thermorest neoloft. I went with the tensor. I've used it on 11 nights in the last month. Absolutely love it. My buddy preferred the neoloft but hasn't bought it yet. I also got the nemo filo pillow. Huge upgrade from the sea to summit air pillow I had before.

+1 for the Nemo Tensor. After trying 5 or 6 different pads, I tried a Tensor. Within 3 seconds of laying on it, I knew my search was finally over

I've been using my Nemo Tensor for 6 years. I had to patch a small pinhole (it was entirely my fault that the hole got there) 3 years ago. It's still going strong

Any of the Nemo Tensor line is great and not loud and Zen Bivy also makes really good pads as well. That will likely be the next one I buy.

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated and Nemo Tensor are both widely regarded as The most comfortable pads. I have or tried both and they're great.

I just moved to a Nemo tensor, lighter and warmer than the exped I had bf

Best sleeping pad is a 1,000% subjective. Different pads will be comfortable to different people depending on their preferences and sleeping habits, and the most important thing is finding a sleeping pad that is comfortable for you to sleep on. Now, there are **objective** differences between sleeping pads when it comes to things like price, R value, weight, packability, durability, etc. Many of these qualities are going to be directly antithetical to each other (e.g. higher R values and durability are generally going to come with a weight penalty; lighter weights/more packable are almost always going to be more expensive as well as more delicate). You just gotta try to find the pad that feels comfortable to you AND has the best combination of those objective qualities that matter most to you. Personally I've settled on the Therm-A-Rest Neoloft as my 3-season pad and the BA Campmeister Deluxe as my colder weather pad. Those pads are bigger and heavier than a lot of options on the market but they are super comfortable for me to sleep on and are made from more durable materials (75D on the BA and I believe 50D top/75D bottom on the Neoloft) so hopefully the odds of me waking up on a flat pad on cold hard ground are greatly reduced. Although I do also own a Nemo Tensor if I ever feel like I need to go super light for some reason. I am lucky to be in a position to own several high-end sleeping pads to keep around as options for different conditions!

Nemo tensor has been great for me.

Tensor is great but is a tad loud imo. I still love it, I have the wide pad which I highly recommend BUT make sure it will fit in your tent before buying (most 2p tents aren't 50 inches wide).

I went with Tensor. I run cold. It’s really warm, small/light. I find it’s also somewhat “quieter” - I move around a lot. I’m a side sleeper. Very comfortable. Those Klymit sleeping mats didn’t do it for me either, but I really like the Klymit pillows. I had issue with Klymit losing air in cold temps and Tensor has been awesome.

Nemo tensor with a classic foam pad underneath. The tensor has a micro adjust valve to that allows you to adjust the pressure to what works for your body. I think most people think pads should always been fully inflated (myself included for years). Using that micro adjust valve to release some air while you’re laying on the pad is a serious game changer. Allows the pad to contour to your body versus feeling like a hard bed.

This is great advice on the inflation level of the pad. I am a hammock camper and sleep with a Tensor pad inflated to about 70% when in the hammock. I sleep with the Tensor pad instead of an underquilt so I have the option to sleep in a shelter if the weather is especially bad of if I am coming into camp later than normal. The deflation of the pad when sleeping in the shelter greatly improved my sleep comfort.

With the upcoming REI sale on REI and Nemo sleeping pads, I am considering upgrading. I have a klymit static V, and have never once slept well on it (2 trips). I don’t go backpacking much, but want to go more. Better sleep would make it more appealing. Obviously a sleeping pad can only get so comfortable. How much better do they get though? UPDATE: Went to REI to try all the different options. I personally found the Nemo tensor to be the most comfortable. My wife preferred the REI Helix. We both preferred the tensor/helix over the Exped Ultra 5r. We brought one of our Klymits with us, and it was a night and day difference. We ended up buying both the REI Helix, and the Nemo Tensor. We will try both over a trip this weekend, and exchange as needed afterwards (at the REI staff members recommendation). We can apply the price match policy once the sale hits to get the better prices.

Tensor was a dream. Slept like a baby 90% of nights and got some reason not at all the other 10%.

I have a previous back injury. I find the Womens S2S Etherlight to be the most comfortable, though the least warm. Next for comfort is the Nemo All Season, as well as the Nemo Tensor. In comfort, they are both just slightly less comfortable than the S2S. Both are warmer than the S2S. I have used the ExPed Hyperlight pad for about 40 nights. I believe this pad has been replaced with the newer version. Mine was a 2.8R value. For me, the warmth was equal to the S2S pad. It was not an uncomfortable pad. It just wasn't as comfortable as the S2S and Nemo pads. I tried the Thermarest NeoAir Xlite. My lower back ached when I used the pad. It just didn't have the support I needed. I wish I could use it as it has great warmth to weight ratios. I used the wide versio pads for each of these, though the Exped was a mummy MW version I would assume what is comfortable for me may not translate to you as your back injury may be different than mine. My injury involved the lower back. I have slept in a hammock a few nights and never experienced back pain.

Two cents. I’ve had multiple Nemo tensors and they all leaked and tore beyond repair. Same with Uber lite which is quite low R value. Now I use Neoair Xlite NXT. It seems to strike balance between durability, r value, and weight savings. https://www.rei.com/product/241034/therm-a-rest-neoair-xlite-nxt-sleeping-pad

6' 2" and a bit heavier, also side sleeper. I have a Nemo tensor and REI mahma quilt and love them. 

I took a Nemo Tensor with me, but after trying them both in various combinations, the foam mat was super comfortable by itself (and made less noise). If you already own one, bring it and make the decision yourself. I definitely wouldn't buy one for the trip. Another recommended item (if you're a cold sleeper) - a sleeping bag liner. I had a 20⁰ F Thermo-Reactor liner, and I was never cold - other climbers were cold.

I used a Nemo Tensor previously for weight savings which sure works great in the back woods. Took it car camping once and was just miserable knowing I didn’t need the weight savings. Bought the megamat and it was a game changer for car camping. Never slept so good in a tent.

For backpacking, I have had a Nemo Tensor (I got it for $125) for a few years now. It's WAY warmer than cheaper pads, packs down to the size of a Nalgene, super light (~14oz). Even getting a good, actually insulated, inflatable mattress is better for car camping. I picked up a cheap queen size from Sierra Designs for like $60, and my butt is finally warm.

If you have one nearby, REI has sleeping pads blown up you can lay on and test out. Everyones body and sleeping preferences are different. Once you figure out what kind of baffles you prefer, finding a sleeping pad will come easier as there are so many options. Especially if weight isn't an issue. I have a Nemo Tensor. It has quilted baffles. Everyone loves it, and it hurts my back and hips so bad. I also have an Exped pad and one from Zenbivy with vertical baffles. I love these. They cradle my body better. Thermarest is super popular. Most are horizontal baffles. They don't look comfy to me but it seems like people sleep well on them. Sea to Summit and Big Agnes are other popular sleeping pad brands. What kind of temps are you expecting? You'll want to choose a pad with an R value appropriate to your camping needs. Most choose a 3 season with an R value between 2-4. I would stick on the upper end if you're a cold sleeper.

Sleeping bag won't do anything for comfort while laying down. A good pad is what you want. Sea to Summit Ether XT Light, followed by Nemo Tensor, are my recommendations. Pillows are more forgiving. Wife and I use the Therm-a-rest ones.

I think any of the inflation pads will be pretty similar (as opposed to self inflating that are typically thinner). So Thermarest NeoAir NXT, Nemo Tensor, plus those already listed. Circa 3 inches thick to allow the hip to stay off the ground, and a square shape rather than mummy.

Have you tried any of them? Your local REI would at least have the Helix. I too had that on my shortlist and when I tried it I didn’t like it, I found I bottomed out too easily when moving and side sleeping. Like when I laid flat I’d be a couple mm off the ground, but then shifting too much weight to my hips would have me touch the ground. Again, it was fine and pretty comfy when my weight was fully distributed. My point is go and try them. I ended up going with a Nemo Tensor.

I was skeptical of the ones that local Moshi provided, and took my Nemo Tensor. Didn't need it at all. The sleeping mats provided are fantastic all around. And Altezza are faaaaaaaancy.

I have some experience with both the Neoloft and the Tensor .. I did a sagged bike tour last month with the Neoloft (not hauling the gear so weight is not an issue), and I backpacked with it this week. I normally use the Tensor for backpacking but my daughter had no warm pad so I let her take it this week. I find the Neoloft unbelievably comfortable, it's as good as a high-quality mattress on your bed at home. It doesn't need to be under-inflated like most pads, it's best for me with a pretty high level of inflation. If you are a side sleeper it's golden, there is no discomfort at all. I am mainly a back sleeper but I also like to move a lot so I rotate through positions before I fall asleep. The Tensor I find perfectly OK if I get the inflation level right, but its not good on the side so I usually just avoid side sleeping with it. Based on my experience the Tensor might work if you are a back sleeper, but its a definite step down and the Neoloft could be worth the weight penalty in the end.

I had durability issues with multiple attempts at the Tensor, but that was before they upgraded the materials somewhat. I kinda wanna try the new Elite just because of the insane weight.

I had a Nemo Tensor straight POP with a one-inch tear from a extremely tiny burr on the edge of my quilt pad strap!

they both kinda suck tbh try a nemo tensor, big agnes rapide, or sea to summit etherlite, or thermarest neo air

the z lite and nemo tensor combo has never failed me

I have a Nemo Tensor, Thermarest NeoAir X-Lite, and an Exped Ultra. My favorite of the 3 is the Exped. I haven't used the Rapide, but I'd put it in the same class as the ones I have. At that point, they are all so similar, buy the one that is the most comfortable for you. $20-30 less or more at that price point isn't huge, and is 100% worth it for more comfort.

6'1, 260 lb side sleeper.... Exped Ultra 3R is my pad of choice for my climate, but they have some with much higher R-values. It's more comfortable, to me, than either the Nemo Tensor or Thermarest X-Lite.

Try the Nemo Tensor, the Exped pads, and the Big Agnes Rapide (heaviest, but thickest). You should be able to lay on all of these at an REI if you have one nearby. They should have all the most popular ones blown up and ready to try.

I own 3 Nemo Tensors. They are fantastic.

Will depend on you. I've used mine down to freezing

I've had a terrible time finding a sleeping pad that is durable. The Nemo tensor has failed on me twice now (the second one was a replacement). It slowly loses air, and so you are on a 3 hour schedule until you are reinflating it. Does anyone make a durable pad, preferably one with a high R value that I can take the sub-arctic on a month-long trip and not fear every night that I will end up on the ground?

I just finished spending a week on a Nemo Tensor and it’s cool so far. I got it on Marketplace used like new for $100. I came from a Sleepingo off Amazon and the Tensor definitely retains heat better and has much better support. It feels air mattress thick coming from the cheap ultralight pad. It’s crinkly. There’s survival blanket type material in there. That said I’m happy. Definitely not looking for a new pad.

I love my Nemo Tensor and use it year round. As for bag I have a zenbivy light quilt that is great for temperature flexibility. Mine is rated for 25F and works for me late spring through early fall. The new 2025 ones have a 10F option which will extend the usability. In the summer you can just use it as a light blanket and then sinch it up like a bag when the weather cools.

I find the Tensor the more comfortable of the two. Edit: I think the new Tensors are a half inch thicker than they used to be. (They are definitely quieter than they used to be)

I'm really skeptical of the advertised R-Value on these pads from Chinese brands. I think they have found a way to get a pad to test to a really high value, but doubt it will actually perform in the real world to that value (like the Zoom UL). The setup of the R-Value test is a little different than actual real-world use. JustinOutdoors tested a bunch of new cheap mid-to-high R-Value pads and I believe he reported that most seemed to perform below what was advertised. Do you even need R9 in the winter? I've never heard of anyone cold on an X-Therm and it's R7.3. Personally, I'm always carrying an R2 foam pad in the winter anyway, so I'd rather take the weight penalty and combine it with my Nemo Tensor AS for a total of R7.5, and the foam pad serves multiple functions (sit pad, pad to stand on when changing clothes or shoes, safety backup if the inflatable has a leak, etc).

I spend 40-50 days backpacking during the summers and use a Nemo tensor all season. I’ve been sleeping great since I got it, I’m a big fan. I also double up with a foam pad like others have mentioned. Imo the investment is worth it for good sleep.

Nemo Tensor. Not self inflating, but they blow up fast with the bag included. I'm a side sleeping and need the 3" it provides.

Yup, I'm 62 and it is wonderful.

I have previous generation NeoAir Xlite and XTherm pads (with the older valve that looks like a small black cylinder protruding from the pad. The XLite has a bit of that "potato chip bag" crinkle which I think has gotten better in the newer models. In terms of comfort, my Nemo Tensor is WAY more comfortable, but my first Nemo Tensor failed when it kept getting little holes where the dimples are located. The NeoAir XTherm is AWESOME for warmth. I took mine on my Mt Baker climbing/mountaineering class in mid July 2024 and it was great there, and I didn't seem to mind the comfort as much. Maybe I was just tired at the end of each day and didn't care! I have a Kilos AeroCloud Ultra on the way to try and compare, which will probably be my wife's pad when we go to Iceland this summer to hike the Laugavegeur. She has lower back issues and keeping her on a comfortable pad is very important. We're always trying to strike a balance between comfort and weight for her gear. I think the Rapide SL is another good pick. Hard to know which of all these options are the best.

Current best on market imo is the Nemo Tensor. 3.5 thick 5.4 r value and still only weighs 15oz. Uses 20D nylon and has been very durable for me

Nemo makes the best sleeping pads on the market currently. They test the best and have the best weight to r value ratio.

They have crappy R values, though. Fine for summer camping, but in anything below 60F you probably need something beefier. For fall/winter trips I use a nemo tensor, and if it is below 50 I will add a foam pad under the nemo to achieve an R value of \~5. Foam is better than no pad, but not by much.

Try to search for nemo tensor second hand. Found one barely used for €120,- and best decision I have made

I’m heavyset and getting old with back injuries to boot. I sleep really well on the tensor, better than I thought possible in the woods.

I used the Nemo Tensor and then switched to Big Agnes Divide. Thicker and got better sleep (side and back sleeper).

I'm a stomach/side sleeper and I've really liked the Nemo Tensor. That's an ultralight though and may be way more expensive than you need because of it.

super impressed with my new wide, long, tensor.

I went from an OK REI inflatable to a NEMO tensor and then a Sea to Summit Etherlite XT. The waffle-looking baffles on the two latter pads were a huge improvement in comfort. I think the Etherlite is slightly more comfortable but I switched mostly for durability reasons. 3+ inch thick pad with the waffle pattern is the way to go in my book. Back feels better in the morning and I wake up way less often because some body part fell asleep.

Agreed. The only other pad that's more comfortable is the Campmeister Deluxe or Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft, but they pack about twice the size of the Rapide SL, but still smaller than those dang self inflating pads.

Check out the sleeping pad comparison chart I posted. It's a quick reference for pack size and weight across multiple brands. The best 2 light air pads that are still comfortable: Big Agnes Rapide SL NEMO Tensor (any version really) I personally prefer the Rapide SL but my wife really likes the Tensor. Both available in 20x72 up to 25x78, I always recommend at least a 25" wide. Both insulated and smaller packing that the other that may offer more comfort or insulation like the Big Agnes Campmeister Deluxe or Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft. Maybe not as small as some cheaper Amazon pads or the infamous Klymit static V but guaranteed more comfortable. They also have lifetime warranty which I know doesn't help you in the woods, but does protect your investment in the event there's a leak you can't find. The Big Agnes zoom is too crinkly like all the Thermarest air pads are. The Sea to summit etherlight packs too big for what it is and the external material is super squeaky on a tent floor.

For car camping, I love my Exped Megamat. It's probably the most comfortable sleeping pad out there, I sleep better camping than I do at home. I used it a ton when I was 300+ lbs, it held up just fine. As far as backpacking, I have a Nemo Tensor that has worked well at my current weight, around ~280lbs.

Best pad I’ve ever slept on. Returned a tensor after it failed on first use. The extra weight is well worth the higher durability and extra comfort IMO.

The Nemo Tensor is quite comfortable imo. The real answer is that comfort is pretty subjective, and the best route is for you to go to REI or similar and lay on a bunch of different pads.

I bought a Nemo Tensor last season and love it. I went with an extra wide and it’s been fantastic. I’m a side sleeper so the little extra space has been great.

I have the tensor AS and I’m really happy with it. I can sleep through the night without any problems. I have never tried the XR but I have tried the XT (previous version) and I found it a little “waterbed” feeling. A fully inflated tensor almost doesn’t feel like an air mattress and if slightly deflated it is still very stable and also very soft. But you seem to suggest that it’s the other way in your experience. In the end probably comes down to personal preference. Try to go to a retailer where you can test them side by side, try them at various pressure levels (note that R value drops when not fully inflated) and see which is more comfortable for you!

have you used an air mattress before? its different and of course you have the worry that you could pop it during your trip. i dont find it that long to deflate and roll up that said i use a nemo tensor and have been happy with it. whichver way you go consider getting a wider one like 25" for more comfort.

whichever air mattress you choose, try to get one that is not noisy when you roll around. some of these sound like you are crunching a chips bag all night, is noisy for you, but anyone near you as well. ive used both and found that the air pads are easier to sleep on your side. and honestly the space saving is so large. i used a nemo tensor, if you can afford the space get the wide pad, the extra few inches are worth it. as far as reliability, will you be near towns that you could replace it if you could not repair it? otherwise make sure to always clear our campsite of debris, use a groundsheet to protect againt punctures.

The NEMO Tensor is a quiet pad. No potato chip bag crunchy noise

I sleep amazing in both my exped mat (I don’t remember the name, it’s a discontinued ultralight double pad) and my memo tensor. Mind you, two things that seriously improve how I sleep is whether I use a pillow (a bunch of clothes in a sack works best for me), and whether I end up putting something under my knees. But yeah I’ve gotten 12h sleep nights backpacking with them.

Not self-inflating and won't accommodate your dog width-wise but hear me out. I'm the side sleepers of side sleepers. If it's not paramount that it can accommodate your dog width-wise and you're ok with taking 5 deep breaths - I know you're a big guy so I understand if that's not a possibility - look into the Nemo Tensor. They come in different lengths for bigger people. I'm a bigger guy (250 pounds) and a side sleeper as I said and the Nemo Tensor is amazing for me. It won't accommodate your dog width-wise but he could probably sleep between your legs if you really wanted him to. It comes with this "vortex" bag that will inflate the pad really quickly. I'm amazed at how well it works. 5 or so breaths and it's filled. It's extremely light and compact, basically the size and weight of a water bottle. It is the most comfortable inflatable mat I've ever slept on. We have frequent "yard camping" trips in our bumpy front lawn and I honestly get as good a night's sleep on this as I do on my bed, side sleeping and all. It's a bit more expensive but if you're an REI member (and if you're not and one is near you sign up if only for this purchase, I think it's $20) get this. If you sign up you can return it no questions asked. As a side sleeper I was searching for the best mat and this is it.

I have a NEMO tensor and would second this, totally reliable.

I’m going to add that bringing some kind of repair kit for an inflatable mattress is something I wish that I had done. I had a nemo tensor that has popped twice, once a complete unrepairable blow out because I over inflated, and the other time I’m going to blame my dog for (but mostly myself because I used an inflatable with a dog in my tent.) I did carry the included patch kit with my mattress, but it came with 2 patches and I had 3 holes. My brother suggested wrapping some gorilla glue tape around my trekking pole for emergencies like this, I’m going to test it out with my busted pad just to see if it would work. Side note, if anybody reads this and has a suggestion for an indestructible sleeping pad that gives more cushion than egg shell foam, I’d love to hear it. I’m a side sleeper and a princess, so if there’s a unicorn pad out there, let me know. If someone invited an inflatable/hybrid foam, I would give you my money immediately. Like right now, I would skip my mortgage payment and give that money to you.

Went from Tensor to a S2S Etherlight and it is even better. The extra 1/2” of thickness makes a lot of difference if you’re a side sleeper (or heavier)

That’s what I did also. Went from crappy Amazon pad, to x-lite, to Tensor, to Etherlight. Each one was leaps and bounds improvement over the previous.

Nemo tensor. I went with the alpine long wide.

I’ve had the Nemo tensor for a couple years. Love it. And I think they’ve even made some slight improvements since then. It uses an inflator bag and inflates easily/quickly. Packs small, light weight. And pretty quiet. And down the road you can grab a FlexTail Zero inflator, if you prefer. It’s really nice just pushing a button and coming back a couple minutes later to fully inflated pad. Like others have said, recommend getting the wide version for comfort. Really makes a difference. It comes with some patches but I’ve never needed them. Just be careful with it and it’ll last a long time.

I did that with my couple year old Nemo Tensor on my ‘22 hike. The Tensor of that era had a reputation for being a bit fragile. I did over 1800 miles with it on the GG ⅛” pad and had no leak issues. I’ve used it for a few years since then and only developed a slow leak this summer. I really think the ⅛” pad helped!

I am a fan of the NEMO Tensors

We use a normal.air mattress about 11" tall I think. And then we put a foam mattress topper on it. It's not thick like memory foam (not hot like memory foam either) it's not Anton of cushion. But it's enough to not feel like a plastic airbed. I find it quite comfortable, and I'm a 6'4" guy over 40, which usually means normal people gear is under-engineered for me. I have nice Nemo tensor sleeping pads, but I'd take this setup way over any sleeping pad I've ever tried. With the right inflation (just enough give) I sleep about as well as an average non-luxury mattress. Definitely need to bring decent pillows from home though. Pillows are most important for me as a side sleeper.

I have a Thermarest Pro trail Lite that seems to work well. I have probably 2000 miles on it. I use a close foam mat under it too. I have a Nemo Tensor that I am going to try this season. I got it out of the discount / return bin at REI for like half price.

I used to have 3 Nemo tensor. One of them blew up while inflated inside the car crossing the Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado (+11,000 feet). It was my fault, just be careful. Got the REI Helix after that, which is much more bulky but comfortable to sleep (wider and greater R value). Bottomline: Nemo Tensor is more packable but delicate, Helix is more comfortable and warm but less packable.

ccf pad cut down to size for the doggo, and an inflatable pad (xlite or tensor) for you next to it -- or get used to sleeping on ccf pads too if that wouldn't be good enough and she couldn't be taught to accept it

I had the same problem with the rapide so switched to a Nemo Tensor and as long as I don't over inflate it I sleep like a baby

I've been using the nemo tensor all season pad. It has an r value of 5.4. I've used it on below freezing nights and it has worked well for me. It also packs down really small.

In November I went to a store and blew one up new and laid on it on the showroom floor. It was comfortable but sounded like a loud squeaky balloon. Every time I shifted weight or switched sides it was loud. Even someone walking by looked at me and said “that’s really noisy”. Because of this I bought the Nemo Tensor which is much quieter than the Sea to Summit.

I never ever regret spending decent sums of cash on my camping gear - it’s an investment in my hobby and it lasts me years to decades cause I take care of it. If I’m backpacking my primary concerns for a sleeping pad are weight, pack size, R-Value and comfort. A pool float isn’t going to be as insulating light or pack down as small as my Nemo Tensor so it would be an automatic no for me. But if it works for you then go for it.

I find that works very well (with gossamer gear thinpad and tensor) and if you bring an emergency mylar blanket to throw under that, it works better than an all seasons pad IMO. Also little things like pushing a bunch of leaves under your tent spot can do wonders. Backpacking brands are like any other company in capitalism where their sales success depends on convincing you you needs 10x different types of soap to be clean, 5x different types of jackets to be warm..etc I did a major and successful downsizing to 1 tent, 1 sleeping bag, 1 air mattress, 1 backpack... i could go on. It worked well across all seasons in the mid-atlantic which gets a lot of different types of weather.

I have the tensor too and have to deflate it quite a bit to get comfortable, and yeah sometimes a foam pad just feels better. I have an old hybrid type (Rei air rail) that I find to be SUPER comfortable. In the winter, I generally use an x-therm and find it comfy enough and toasty warm. You could try putting your foam pad on top of the tensor, and that might get you closer to what you’re looking for. It’s how I’ve used it in winter bc in my experience, the tensor is a chilly pad.

I had a rapide sl but now I have a Nemo tensor which I find more comfortable and it's lighter

They do 3 versions. The one I've got is 4.2 r value which is great for 3 seasons. They do a winter one as well+ a 2 season one

I’d go to an REI and try them. They sell the Nemo and the EXPED and also sell therm-a-rest, S2S, and big Agnes. All are great options But if comfort is not a factor at all, I’d go with the best price to weight ratio. Personally, I’d pick the Nemo. The lower r value one doesn’t sound like it’ll work for you, and i personally wouldn’t mess with the flextail. They’re an electronics brand and that pad isn’t tried and true like the Nemo.

It’s definitely subjective, but there are some design elements that contribute to a pad’s comfort. I have a bad back and I’m a side sleeper. I typically get 3-4 hours of sleeping on the trail. I’ve tried both the MSR neoair xlite and xtherm, Nemo tensor all season, Big Agnes Rapide and the klymit static V. I recently purchased the REI helix long wide pad and I’m now sleeping 6-7 hours on trail. I’ll gladly take the weight penalty for better sleep. Justin Outdoors has several sleeping pad review and comparison videos that are worth watching.

I have a Nemo tensor. I'm a side sleeper and can't fault it.

The comment from holdpigeon about closed cell foam (CCF) is correct. CCF is very insulating for it's size, and cheaper, and won't get a hole and deflate. Mountaineers use CCF for a reason. An inflatable air mattress is going to be thicker and possibly more comfortable for you; I have been very happy with the Nemo Tensor I bought a couple years back. Watch some gear review videos on Youtube. Enlightened Equipment quilts are probably my favorite, although many companies make quilts. A more extensive sleep kit would be something like the Zenbivy line. I do like the sheet, the rest is just a quilt on top that attaches to the sheet. You could certainly buy only the sheet to fit to your pad. (You can use any rectangular pad with the Zenbivy.) This is optional, but it feels good because you don't stick to the pad as much. But it adds weight. With backpacking, every luxury item in camp is also a weight penalty in your pack. Saving weight usually means paying for lighter/less durable gear, and/or just not bringing more than you need.

I have the Tensor and Ether Light XT. I find the latter more comfortable. There's a significant difference in packed size between the two, but iiuc the XR is significantly smaller than the XT.

I'm a back sleeper and find that the dimpled baffling systems on the Helix and S2S pads tend to be the most comfortable. Nemo Tensor is the next most comfy, and Thermarest horizontal baffles are the least comfortable for me. Can't comment on the Expeds as I haven't tried them.

Ha, same. Started with the 'ol cheapo Klymit Static V, moved to the small mummy Therm-a-Rest XLite NeoAir for a couple years, then figured I'd get a wide to see if that helped with side sleep comfort so my butt and knees weren't off the edges (& went extra warm because may as well eliminate redundancies) with the Therm-a-Rest XTherm in reg wide. No dice. Tried a friend's Nemo Tensor, and wasn't for me. Tried the large women's Sea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated air - dimples felt odd and was too thin; no better than my old mummy xlite for overall comfort even with the wider shape. Running out of budget to throw in for the S2S Ether Light XT test and given my experience with the Comfort Light, wasn't convinced it was the move. Still haven't tried vertical baffles like the Expeds, and maybe that'd do fine, but instead just went all in on the reg wide chonky Neoloft... and good god. With that soft knit stretch top, slept a like the coziest dreamy log for 8.5 hours first time I took it out (and then 6 the next, but only thanks to a disruptive woodpecker. Nature!) I hesitate to mention/recommend it here as it kinda undermines the whole forum topic (ultralight) with its extremely-not-ultralight weight. But packs just as small as my reg-wide XTherm and as a bike camper, pack size matters more than strictly weight so I'm sticking with it.

same! I thought all pads sucked when I only had the static v. Upgrading to the Nemo tensor all season was a complete game changer.

I had the kylmit Flying V as my first sleeping pad. Pretty weak and actually got me into hammock camping for sleep reasons alone. Now married so hammock camping is not done solo, I upgraded my pad to an all season Nemo tensor. Absolute game changer and the kylmit doesn’t compare at all. The Nemo is lighter and smaller as well. Pricey but well worth it imo

I really like my tensor, great pack size too! Not very quiet though.

I have the tensor and the REI higher R value version. The tensor rolls up smaller than a 32 oz Nalgene- they're both great for comfort, warmth, and space in pack.

The Tensor gets high marks on build quality. I’ve owned one that has been on many trips with me. If noise is a dealbreaker for you, definitely listen to the people who say it is loud. It is. By any sleeping pad standard. I’m a side sleeper and tend to get on better with slightly thicker pads. But at $80, the Tensor is a steal.

The Nemo Tensor I’ve had for about 4 years and it’s held up well.

Comfort is great- I got the insulated wide/long version. Can’t go wrong. For car camping I use Exped mega mat which is like a bed

Do you have a max budget? Do you have a good sleeping bag to pair it with? Any of the modern inflatable pads will fit in your bag unless you've brought enough other stuff to cross the continent on foot, lol Here's our experiences, though not a comprehensive review of everything on the market. TLDR probably get you an Exped Ultra 5R. Nemo Tensor: I am a flopper and tended to roll onto the edges, which made them collapse and dumped me onto the ground. Pad is comfortable otherwise. It does make quite the crinkly sound when moving. Exped Ultra 3R: probably a bit cold when temps are approaching the lower end of your range. Large side baffles (like the Big Agnes you linked, I think) keeps you from flinging yourself off the pad. Thick and comfortable. Fantatsic pump sack inflates the thing in like 20 seconds. Was entirely too cold for us where it gets colder than your range. Side note, it was paired with a Big Agnes sleeping bag which was horrible. Terrible bag. Exped Ultra 5R: all the pros of the 3R but warm enough! Great pad, my wife's current go-to. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite MAX: or whatever the yellow rectangle \~5R one is. Lacks the side bolsters of the Exped and is thinner, but is very comfortable and IIRC lighter. Another great pad, my current go-to. Pump sack is beyond useless, too porous and leaks air instead of blowing into pad. I just blow it up by mouth. Generally, I've found we prefer rectangular pads. If you're with someone else and you both have rectangular pads - make sure they fit in your tent! Many tents are tapered and your feet will overlap which is super annoying

big agnes rapide is the most comfortable, nemo tensor the second.

4.3 lbs is heavy for a sleeping pad imo. I like the Nemo tensor it is expensive but wieghs 1lb and sleeps great. I go multi day hiking trips so I've got pack weight as a concern. If you're just camping in a campground or pull up site, I would go for the most comfortable pad you can find or a small blowup matress.

I took my Nemo Tensor, my tent mate didn't bring anything. While we both had problems with the cold (being an extra nalgene for hot water), I never complained about the ground. I'm a side sleeper for reference.

I currently use an xtherm for solo trips. Those are as noisy as can be. Great warmth to weight, but not a solution for you if you are sound sensitive. It's much louder than the sea to summit etherlights (if that's what you have). I also have an exped dura R5 duo, for me and the kid / me and the wife. As far as I'm concerned that thing is silent. It is however on the heavier side. They don't make their ultra series in an R5 version (which I want) for double sleeping pads, hence I went with the dura, but for your solo needs it could be an option. So I would look an exped ultra if I were you. Or alternatively the nemo Tensor (whatever level of insulation that fits you). Don't have it myself, but I gifted one to a friend not that long ago, that I have then tried. It wasn't noisy in itself, but I was trying it in a wood shelter, so I don't know how noisy it is against a tent fabric. Another solution to a think foam pad under the main pad could also be silicone. Not something I have tried myself either, but when people complain about sliding around on their pads in their tents, it's often recommended to use small daps of silicone on the tent floor or pad underside, to stop the two from sliding across each other. That might limit the noise a bit further to.

I went through the same narrowing process about 2 years ago and landed on the Nemo Tensor. I’ve never felt it is uncomfortable to sleep on, but that seems highly subjective. What I have certainly noticed is the warmth, and that is enough to make me say it’s the best option. It really is very warm even on frozen ground. I’ve used it a handful of times when the overnight low temp was in the 10s/20s F, and I have never felt a chill from the ground while sleeping on the Tensor, so I would for sure recommend if you expect to use it in any later fall/winter contexts.

Side sleeper checking in... In my search for something more comfortable, I tried the Zenbivy Ultralight mattress and I've been super happy with it however I sleep but mostly on my side. It's quiet too. My previous pad was the Nemo Tensor and it works pretty well too but I feel the zenbivy is easily more comfortable for me. Only negative is the pump sack that comes with it. It's surely convenient also being the stuff sack but it's small and I don't use a stuff sack for my pad anyway so I just use the pump sack I got with the tensor.

I’ve loved my Nemo tensor for the end of my trip. Ridiculously small, and has survived many nights so far.

If you’re considering a neoloft, another thing you could consider for about the same weight is an xlite or tensor with a zlite or switchback underneath. The CCF pad will protect your inflatable, prevent you from bottoming out when sleeping on your side, and makes for a really nice sit pad. Also you have a backup pad if the inflatable fails.

Have you considered a camping cot? There are a lot of ultralight options now which are about the same price as a good sleeping pad for side sleepers. The only difference being is the weight, you’re looking at around 1.5kg for a cot bed which would be double the weight of a sleeping pad. For me, the extra weight is worth it for the comfort. For context I’ve tried Therm-a-Rest, Big Agnes and Nemo mats. If I’m going for comfort, the cot bed wins every time.

My Nemo pad is more comfortable than my Purple bed 😂

Yeah. I don't regret getting a fancy Nemo pad because it's at least light and warm, but I've still never had a good night on one. 

I returned it to REI and got a Nemo

Nemo - I have the same pad and its great. Very comfortable, light and warm.

I’ve had it about a year I think. I had the previous version too the insulated. Both in regular wide. Before these I had an Xlite and a S2S ultralight insulated. The Nemo is more comfortable than either for me.

Buy once cry once. Thermarest, Nemo, Sea to Summit. They make the best small, lightweight, comfortable pads.

I’m not sure there’s a best one per se, there are a lot of equality pads out there and the one that best fits you and your needs might be the right choice for you. My favorite is Exped but I love my Nemo’s as well. My personal opinion tho is that you have nowhere to go but up. After fifty plus years of buying and using outdoor gear I can say that I actively despise only one brand, Klymit. And that’s all I have to say about that.

Exped echo chamber on reddit. I tried exped and nemo and the zempire monstabed at REI. Found the monstabed the most comfortable. I say try them out in-store if possible.

Lighter than the Nemo or Thermarest options, but thinner and less cushy feeling. Also nice that they come in wide variants.

Nemo. Lighter weight and a better R value. Now that Nemo has finally fixed the massive leaking problems they had on the 2022 and earlier pads I can recommend them. Lifetime warranty.

The measure of comfort for me is 4” of inflation. Below that and my hips hit the ground. Currently rocking a NEMO which is heavy (17 oz) but has been awesome.

I started on the old school thermarest shortie, then a full length, then switched to a big agnes inflatable--which i liked but went through two of them with bad valves. Switched to a nemo a couple of years ago, and love it. It's a little "crinkly" sounding, but otherwise well worth it. Good choice :-)

I own and use both. Both are now backups to my therm a rest neo loft bc that big boy is like sleeping in a real bed and is worth every ounce. But between the Nemo and ether light I’d say the Nemo is lighter and comfy, but the ether light is a tiny bit thicker and more comfortable, and the ether light is also more durable. My Nemo is still functional but I did have to patch it up once.

I upgraded from an older therm-a-rest to a Nemo, it is thick, warm, and comfy but noisy! Here is a good source of info, but they don’t consider noise an issue, so you have to look around if that is a consideration. https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-sleeping-pad

I did a 500 mile tour with a exped sleeping mat a little bit bigger than yours. I rolled a 3/4 Dow rod in the middle and strapped it long ways on my rear rack. I slept awesome but it was very cumbersome. For my upcoming tour I purchased a long wide Nemo pad. Since I am 6’4” and a side sleeper it is a constant battle of functionality and comfort.

I'd say it depends where you live and will it get cold at night. I had the Klymit for a number of years and works well if the air pressure doesn't change at night. If you live anywhere where it gets cooler, it will deflate during the night. I live in the Yukon, and recently bought a nemo. It works super well even in the winter and packs small and light. Otherwise, look for something with a high r rating. A cheaper option would be to get a z-lite thermarest to use under your klymit mat. They are bulky but super light, rated r2, and you can strap outside your bag. Personally, I'd only use the Coleman for car camping.

I have a Nemo bag and pad and have been quite happy with them both. Particularly if you're a side sleeper or otherwise restless, the Nemo spoon-shaped bags are great. They're not the lightest but they're light enough if you need that comfort. I suggest adding the Big Agnes Rapide to your list of potential pads.

Not for backpacking, but I love the exped megamat for my car camping. I've never tried their backpacking pads but just based on the megamat I would be tempted to try it. Currently have an aging Nemo pad for backpacking that I will at some point need to replace but with a toddler at home we are just car camping for now.

I actually cross-shopped these three pads earlier this summer, and tried each one of them. My thoughts below: Packed size (smallest to largest): \-Nemo \-S2S \-Big Agnes Actual measured weight (lightest to heaviest): \-Nemo \-S2S \-Big Agnes Comfort (most comfy to least comfy): \-S2S \-Big Agnes \-Nemo I settled pretty happily on the S2S. It's significantly more comfy (IMO) than the other two. The other two have a slippery surface that makes the last 1" on each side unusable since you slide off it anyway. Even the Big Agnes, with it's raised outer baffle, doesn't help as much as you'd think since it's so slippery. For reference, I'm a side sleeper and move around quite a bit throughout the night. The S2S surface has more friction, is quieter, and just isolates movement overall a little bit better than the other two. I couldn't compare/contrast actual warmth since I've only taken them summer camping.

LOL, yeah I dove pretty hard into upgrading my sleep system this year. I tried the rectangular reg/wide in all pads. I settled on the S2S and love it. I used the Nemo several nights as well as the S2S several nights. The S2S is way ahead of the Nemo in terms of comfort, with only a slight penalty in weight. Packability is pretty similar, with a slight nod to the Nemo. You may be thinking of the previous gen S2S "XT" pads, which were not very packable, slightly heavier, colder, and maybe louder? The new "XR" version is fantastic. Big Agnes was another step up in bulk and weight, and I just couldn't justify either when the comfort wasn't as great as the S2S (which surprised me). I never camped with the Big Agnes, only tried it at home.