NEMO - Tensor Non-Insulated Regular Wide 2023
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Last updated: Dec 30, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
443
89
"I had mine staked down in packed sand during a rainstorm that dropped 1.5”-2” per hour for 3 hours according to a ranger station nearby and it took it like a champ."
"My old Breville lasted 10-11 years ... I got the new one 3 years ago with the air fryer option … if it breaks tomorrow I would figure out how to get it again - I seriously love it."
"after heavy and extreme and I mean extreme use in a very dirty environment, after a year the range suddenly cut down... I felt like I'd gotten my measly 20ish buck worth from them and didn't fault jlab due to the extreme circumstances I used them in daily. ... I work in a hot asa filthy steel mill and the fact they lasted a year was impressive to me."
287
39
"it weighs under 350g"
"under 700 grams including stakes"
"It folds up and is super easy to bring on planes and for rentals"
270
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"I just put up with the pinholes and patching them on trail because I can't sleep better on any other pad. ... There's a huge difference in comfort depending on your body between the dimpled baffling of the Etherlight/Tensor and the horizontal baffling of the Xlite. ... I can't sleep on horizontal baffling despite all the good features of the Xlite. ... I'm a side sleeper and my arms and shoulders ache and/or fall asleep or go numb on the Xlite. For whatver reason I can only sleep on dimpled baffles (tensor, etherlight)"
"I sleep all night and no body aches."
"This specific pad and its sibling, Ether Light XT Insulated, have been my primary pads the past four-ish years. ... They are 4" thick and the most comfortable pads I've used, probably tied with the NeoLoft. ... Never woken with my arm numb, and the only pad I've ever slept seven-plus hours straight-through."
18
3
"The investment in an exped is worth it, especially the air bag to blow them up is genius."
"It uses an inflator bag and inflates easily/quickly."
"It can inflate the mattress in just a couple of minutes ... the best part is it can deflate absolutely all of the air out of the mattress, and it can be easily rolled up into its included storage sack."
10
8
"Because of this I bought the Nemo Tensor which is much quieter than the Sea to Summit."
"not loud"
"The NEMO Tensor is a quiet pad. ... No potato chip bag crunchy noise"
Disliked most:
26
28
"it's so ridiculously loud I can't use it!"
"Only real con is that this thing is CRINKLY ... definitely the loudest pad I've used ... would honestly be a dealbreaker"
"potato chip bag noise effects"
24
24
"it always makes back and hip issues worse."
"it hurts my back and hips so bad."
"I am a flopper and tended to roll onto the edges, which made them collapse and dumped me onto the ground."
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"found it to be the equivalent warmth of the insulated static v plus my ccf, and even pairing the etherlight extreme with a ccf, and having it fully inflated wasn’t nearly enough for sleeping on frozen ground or snow."
"I've got three nights on it so far in temperatures ranging from upper 30s to mid 40s and I have been cold on it every night. ... It wasn't freezing, but it was noticeably cool and feels like an accurate R-value would be significantly lower. ... That night the pad felt a little colder than my nights on the Neoloft have been, but not by much."
"too cold for what they said it was"
36
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"Big Agnes has valve issues ... mine didn't even last 3 uses"
"After two months on the road it is now failing almost every night. ... I’ve exhausted the patches that came with the pad and it’s now covered with third party gear repair patches. ... I paid good money for this thing and it is absolutely not worth it."
"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!"
0
1
"the moving around is more difficult (to stay on it)"
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.
r/Ultralight • Sleeping Pad Choice ->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.
r/CampingGear • MegaMat Duo Sleeping Mat - Medium, worth the hype? ->nemo tensor. buy it on amazon.
r/PHikingAndBackpacking • Inflatable Sleeping Pad ->This! I started buying tensors because they were the only reg/wide rectangle pads at the time. They work great and are comfy enough for side sleeping for me.
r/Ultralight • UL comfortable sleeping pad for side sleepers? ->I’ve got 2 BA pads for my kids but haven’t had any issues with them at all, but they don’t seem anywhere as nice as my Nemo Tensors. A buddy has an BA pad and did get it replaced via warranty. With that said, my Nemo Tensors have been amazing and one of them lasted over 7 years. Got it replaced very easily with Nemo, too!
r/CampingandHiking • How common are the problems with insulation in Big Agnes pads (esp. Divide)? ->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.
r/CampingGear • Good sleeping pad? ->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.
r/backpacking • Are inflatable pads uncomfortable for anyone else? ->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!
r/REI • Looking forward the unicorn of a sleep pad. Quiet. Side sleeper. Lightweight ->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.
r/wildcampingintheuk • Best sleeping pads for side sleeping? ->My Nemo pad is more comfortable than my Purple bed 😂
r/WildernessBackpacking • How much better are “nice” sleeping pads? ->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.
r/backpacking • What’s the best self inflating sleeping pad for backpacking? ->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
r/WildernessBackpacking • Megamat “Ultra”… still very heavy ->How much weight is too much for you, though? I’m a larger guy (230lbs) and find the tensor uncomfortable. It’s usable, but I don’t sleep great on it. My wife has the quasar and it’s way more comfy for me. Recently, I said screw it and tried an Exped Ultra mat. It’s quite large, and has some weight to it. BUT I sleep better than I ever have in the backcountry. So it’s my luxury item - and I’ll gladly carry the extra weight for the improved sleep I get.
r/backpacking • Gear recommendations - sleeping pad! ->I totally recommend the quasar. I think it’s a great balance of size, weight, and comfort. My wife is a side sleeper and loves it. The extra thickness definitely helps if you are a side sleeper. She’s small. Loves the quasar. Hates my tensor - just for the side sleeping. For what it’s worth!
r/backpacking • Gear recommendations - sleeping pad! ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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