Tensor™ Elite Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad

Mine got a pinhole leak at the start of a thru hike. Trying to submerge it in a public bathroom sink was fun.

[This thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1qkk4yh/ccf_pads_made_from_xlpe/) made me aware of something that I've been wanting for a while: a CCF pad that is as light as a Thinlight but with egg crate bumps that ventilate better when used as a back panel on a backpack. I've never been able to use my Thinlight for this because my back gets too sweaty. It works fine with bumpy pads, but I can only use [small sit pads](https://imgur.com/a/ti5WyFy) because full length bumpy pads are too heavy and bulky. I could find very limited information about this pad so I figured I'd bite the bullet and post my first impressions and compare it to other pads. Here's some specs: * The cheapest I could find the pad was $30, which is overpriced I think, but so is everything on post-tariff Aliexpress these days. * Weight came in at 104g, which is pretty much on spec. It comes with two elastic straps (1g each) and a protective stuff sack (10g) which I am unlikely to use, but is nice to have. * It claims to be made out of IXPP, which is stiffer and stronger than pads made out of IXPE (common in generic pads, including the generic pad I compare it to). I can't tell for sure it *is* IXPP, and technical info listed goes back and forth on it, but I'll assume so as it seems harder than IXPE. * It has a claimed R-value of 1.8 which is clearly bullshit. The bumps probably add some benefit, but I don't expect it to be significantly warmer than a Thinlight. * /u/downingdown measured the actual foam thickness to be [about 2mm](https://imgur.com/a/21pfbP5), or 1.2mm thinner than a Thinlight, and the bumps to be 12mm. * [It's wider than other pads](https://i.imgur.com/UpClriu.jpeg), but the bumps stop short of the sides so there's little benefit to that. I'll almost certainly trim it to fit my torso length. I compared it to [a number of CCF pads I had on hand](https://i.imgur.com/etZlBz4.jpeg): * my GG Thinlight (older 20" wide version) - 94g * a generic $1 Aliexpress pad - 311g * an [Exped Flexmat M](https://www.expedusa.com/products/flex-1-5r) I won at PCT Days - 321g The most comfortable was the generic $1 pad. [It's the thickest](https://i.imgur.com/aeE8U8i.jpeg), and made out of the softest foam, but I think it's mostly to do with the dome bumps instead of pyramid bumps. I'm sure there's a reason why most egg shell pads use pyramid bumps, but I find them much less comfortable. This is the only pad I would actually use on its own. For the record, I've also previously owned a Nemo Switchback and [Decathlon MT100 pad](https://www.decathlon.com/products/hiking-mattress-forclaz-m100-foam) and found neither more comfortable. The Flexmat is made out of a harder material, which along with pyramid bumps makes it pretty uncomfortable. I noticed only a minor difference in comfort between this and the Y-55, which is wild considering it's almost 3 times heavier and an order of magnitude thicker. There was a noticeable difference in comfort between the Y-55 and Thinlight, despite being similar in weight. The bumps definitely make a difference, however it remains to be seen how long that will be the case. Theoretically the Thinlight's EVA will withstand repeated compression a lot better and those bumps aren't very rigid. Next I compared how well it worked with the slipperiest pad in existence, the Nemo Tensor Elite. [When I rub the Y-55 on the Tensor](https://i.imgur.com/uOZ4n4I.jpeg), it moves a bit more than when I do the same with the Thinlight, but in actual use laying on the pad and moving around neither moves very much compared to without. I did the same with my DCF groundsheet with the same results. Another selling point for me was that I assumed the bumps would help prevent pokey things from rubbing against the Tensor instead falling into the wells, which it may very well do, but I also noticed that the Y-55 is a magnet to all dust, dirt, and hair on my floor. Much more so than the Thinlight. That's all I got for now. I'll be using it on a number of thru hikes starting in a couple months and will be able to give a long term review later this year. I think even for $30 it's a viable if not superior alternative to the Thinlight, especially for those that can't easily get one. --- [Pictures!](https://imgur.com/a/SLYlY2n)

I just checked myself, they're both listed as 1lb but the listed weight in grams puts the Eclipse at 20 grams heavier. That's not nothing, but considering it is in fact thicker, warmer, and cheaper, I too am wondering why you would choose the Tensor now if you had to pick between the two. I feel like a lot of people in this thread are trying to defend existing purchases.

Again, no one is telling you to get a new pad. The question is why you would choose a Tensor over the Eclipse.

One more time, I'm not telling people to buy anything. The literal point of OP's post is to ask why anyone would buy the Tensor over the Eclipse. And a bunch of people are giving reasons that only defend their existing purchase. Cool, great, enjoy your pad, but that's completely irrelevant to OP's question. "I don't need a warmer pad" is not a valid reason to choose one over the other.

I don't know what you're looking at but they're both listed as the same weight. And no one is asking you to buy a new pad.

Assuming you are attempting to go ultralight — else why post here? — you should be looking for the lightest pad that is appropriate for the target conditions. Since your intended use is summer, you don’t need a high r-value pad. Getting one would only add unnecessary weight. It will also cost more than a closed cell foam pad, and you mentioned cost as a consideration. So I’d suggest you get something like a Nemo Switchback, cut it down to six panels (about 170g / 6 oz), and *learn* to get comfortable sleeping on that. Comfort is not a fixed point, but can be achieved with a proper mindset and a willingness to practice. You are going to get a lot of non-UL advice on this subreddit, despite the stated focus. (A tell is that they don’t mention weight when making a recommendation.) Don’t spend money on a heavy pad that will move you away from your assumed goal of going ultralight. If you really want an inflatable, look at the Nemo Tensor Elite (240g / 8.5 oz). That’s the lightest inflatable option currently available and is quite comfortable.

I’ve had my eye on this. I ultimately didn’t go with it because I’m gearing my setup to be even lighter than this, but it seems nice. https://kilosgear.com/products/aerocloud-sleeping-pad-elite I went with the Nemo Tensor Elite Mummy Pad, but it is more expensive like you mentioned. For the packed size and weight, it’s a very efficient design.

Plenty of brands use 20D, the few times they've ventured lower has massively impacted durability; see the thermarest uberlite and the current Nemo tensor elite, which Nemo even admitted developed pin holes during testing. You will be fine with 20D with or without CCF underneath. I use an X-lite which is 30D I believe but previous mats I've used were 20D all fine and I'm don't exactly baby my gear lol.

Less r value but the Nemo tensor elite is at 8.5oz for the short length and you don't need to cut anything. Mine worked amazing without a problem on the PCT. I guess you could cut this down as well to save another 3oz ish.

I used a nemo tensor elite which is 2.6R for may 2nd.

Different use cases. Nemo tensor elite is simply made to be as light as possible, akin to the discontinued thermarest uberlite. It's only got an R value of 2.4, but it's 8.5oz The Xtherm is a full on 4 season pad with a 7.3 R value, but that comes with a weight of 15.5oz. it's direct competition would be the Nemo tensor extreme. Both of these are top of class for warmth to weight though.

I use a nemo tensor elite weighs like 8oz and packs up to the size of a white claw. It was expensive but it plays a huge role in reducing weight and bulk in my sleep system. I usually hike longs days and have no problem sleeping on it. My sleeping bag is a 2017 Rab Mythic 200, weighs about 1lb, comfort to 6deg Celsius. I usually layer up if it gets below 8-10deg Celsius, I'll wear my alpha direct layers or a puffy which i am carrying anyways. I use a nemo fillow elite which weighs 3 or 4 Oz. Whole system is about 1lb 12oz if you dont count alpha layers