Air pad storage and care is a little simpler. Further, if weight isn't a major concern, it's also worth checking out Nemos premium Quasar 3D below, which features a soft-touch top, rectangular shape, and slightly higher R-value of 3.5. The original Tensor was somewhere between good and great. If you are like most backpackers, you dont head out year-round. Air pads dominate the backpacking market, but self-inflating models still have a place due to their convenient setup, greater durability, and cushy foam padding. If you need the extra warmth or durability and can afford it, the XTherm NXT is an exceptional cold-weather standout for serious adventurers. In terms of shape, they fall into two basic categories: mummy pads that taper towards the feet to cut weight, and rectangular pads that are more spacious and accommodating for comfort-minded or active sleepers. Because your legs have fewer contact points with the ground, some people dont mind the short length (and they sometimes throw an extra piece of gear under their feet for cushioning and warmth). For the same price, the Nemo is thicker (0.9 in. Air Pads My primary use for these pads will be for climbing trips but I also have plans to backpack in the future. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Top Pick winning Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated, Editors' Choice-winning Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, A true jack of all trades sleeping pad with a highly effective updated valve system, This model boasts a big weight savings, is comfortable, and provides great all around performance, This pad boasts an excellent value in a light and compact package. and packed size (6.5 x 10 in. It also includes a compact stuff sack and repair kit. With an R-value of 3.5, some of our testers still felt cold while sleeping on the snow, so we recommend pairing this pad with a foam one like the Therm-a-Rest ZLite Sol for forays into winter conditions. All current sleeping pads above are now rated based on a standardized ASTM International test. For three-season backpacking, the Tensor proved up to the task. This pad uses a stuff sack inflation system that works better than similar designs from Thermarest. The original Tensor was somewhere between good and great. Sea to Summit includes a similar system with models like their Ether Light XT and Comfort Light Insulated, and weve found it takes only around three or four full bags to inflate the pads. Looking for something a bit warmer? Klymits radical X Frame pad may have put the company on the map, but their follow-up Insulated Static V Lite is their best offering. Your IP: In the end, the Switchback above beats it in comfort with its thicker, more plush design, but the Z Lite is the proven choice that still gets the slight edge in weight (14 oz. The sleeping pad you bring on an expedition can be the difference between a comfortable outing in nature and a sleepless night spent tossing and turning. But for the highest R-value of any backpacking pad here, the new Exped Ultra 7R takes the cake at 7.1. Remove all the air from the pad and keep it rolled up in its storage bag to protect it from punctures. Thickness: 3 in. We tested the Ionosphere 5 and the Stratosphere 4 on a recent trip to Patagonia; we were disappointed with the slippery, overly streamlined nature of the former, and came away with slightly more promising impressions of the latter. You get a little less than an inch of closed-cell foam, along with a reflective coating designed to capture radiant heat. Negatives are that the foam brings extra poundage and they dont pack down as small as an equivalent air pad. on their Comfort Light, and 4 in. That makes this one of the chunkiest backpacking pads around, but perhaps surprisingly it still feels very stable. The low weight makes it a high performing pad for those looking to parse down their base weight without sacrificing comfort. All rights reserved. What we dont: Heavier than the leading Therm-a-Rest pads. Now, youcould spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. NEMO Tensor Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad. Well-versed campers are comfort experts, and one item they dont compromise on is a sleeping mattress. The Nemo Tensor is made from 100% bluesign-certified, recycled 20-denier polyester fabric. The medium version also rolls up to just9.5 x 3.5 inches. I'm looking for a r-value of 3.5+, 25" width, 2.5" minimum thickness, lifetime warranty and weight under 2lbs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They also may offer a little more insulation (the women's ProLite Plus has an R-value of 3.9 vs. 3.2 for the unisex pad), making them a great choice for all shorter adults who sleep cold. With any pad you choose, make sure to take proper care to avoid holes. And like the XLite above, the XTherm NXT features new technology that delivers a quieter sleep than the outgoing version. The pad is super easy to usejust unroll it and open the valve to inflateand its 3.2 R-value and 1.5-inch thickness offer enough warmth and protection for most spring, summer, and fall trips. Rampant psytrance addict, quaffer of ale, and serial cat fancier. First off, the pads packed size (11 in. Category: Air padWeight: 1 lb. It has an R-value of 2.5 meaning it provides moderate insulation from ground temperature. ).See the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated. For $20 less, we prefer the XLites greater versatility, but for warm-weather adventures when weight is your primary consideration, the UberLite is the pad to get. Firstly lets look at why and when to use a sleeping pad. Want more deetz on why its so damn perfect? Self-inflating pads can have similar issues, although modern designs like the Nemo Flyer (6.5 x 10 in.) Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. Most of the sleeping pads on the list are built for 3-season conditions with varying levels of insulation. at the feet), it takes up nearly the entire tent floor to eliminate any possible gaps. Its worth noting that we had the Tensor Insulated in the top spot until recently, but the XLite NXT has overtaken it for a few key reasons. But for $10 less, the Nemo Tensor Insulated is nevertheless a premium backpacking sleeping pad thats well deserving of a spot at the top of our list.See the Nemo Tensor Insulated. Stay Warm & Comfortable Camping in 2023! But as a versatile add-on or a dedicated UL pad that wont pop, the Switchback is a great piece of gear to add to your kit. Low weight and packed size are two great reasons to choose this pad. You can open the top cap to bleed off the air, inflate the pad, and pull out the bottom tab to deflate the pad rapidly. Ultralighters love the low weight and dependability, budget backpackers love the price, and winter campers use it as a second mat for a boost in warmth. Yes, theyre the least comfortable option, dont pack as small, and dont have the highest R-values, but they also have exactly a zero percent chance of deflating in the middle of the night. In use, weve found its not as fast as the flat valve competition, but its sturdy build and replaceability (something thats not typically possible with a flat valve) make it worth the tradeoff in efficiency for high-volume users like thru-hikers. By comparison, the Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad comes in at $50 BUT it is neither ultralight nor insulated so that is not exactly a fair comparison. Close, Ladies & Gents, Its Time to Step Your GEAR Game Up. Added up, the Quasar toes the line between a camping mattress and a backpacking pad better than most. On the other hand, if your backpacking trips are characterized by warm, summery conditions, a lower-R-value pad can save you some money (that said, very few can compete with the Therm-a-Rest in terms of weight). But if you dont plan on venturing far from the car, we recommend a thicker and more luxurious camping mattress instead. NEMO | This vs That Tensor Ultralight vs Quasar 3D Sleeping Pads - YouTube Sign in 0:00 / 5:57 NEMO | This vs That Tensor Ultralight vs Quasar 3D Sleeping Pads 2,678 views. With a 20-denier shell, the pad is similarly vulnerable to punctures as the brands much lighter Tensor, although (as we mentioned above) youll at least have a little foam cushioning with the Flyer to keep you protected if the pad gets a hole. If youre serious about backpacking, often find yourself out in the shoulder seasons, and want the best 3-season pad money can buythis is it. If do you use the pump, you do help to reduce the risk of moisture (saliva) entering the pad which increases its lifespan. NEMO redesigned its Spaceframe what the brand calls the structural baffles inside the pad that give it support and stability to make both the insulated and uninsulated pads warmer. Beyond the slim profile, they often have dedicated openings for inflating and deflating, and importantly, a flap that keeps air from escaping while blowing into the opening. It also comes with a pumpin case you need a bit of help (but thats extra weight). And in many cases, the pump bag doubles as the pads stuff sack, which means youre not adding any weight by gaining this convenience. This pad packs down relatively small for its massive inflated size. Okay, there are a few other tips. And if durability is your aim, there are other options: For example, Expeds Dura 3R combines 75x170-denier face fabric with a 3-inch-thick air-pad design ($150; 1 lb. Treat it well, and it'll likely reward you for years to come. Most 3-season backpackers should get a sleeping pad with an R-value in the range of 3 to 5, and this where a majority of our picks above are rated. These arent the most comfortable models, but they do allow you to cut significant weight. A good nights sleep on a backpacking trip used to be a rarity, but todays sleeping pads are much improved over their predecessors. Category: Air padWeight: 1 lb. vs. 6.8 x 11 for the Therm-a-Rest). Make the most of your home away from home by choosing the best camping tent for your adventure. The pad also weighs just 12.5 ounces and stuffs down impressively small, making it a premium choice for weight-conscious hikers, climbers, and more. For side sleepers and those who move around a lot during the night, Sea to Summits Ether Light XT Insulated is the ticket. 3 inches of quiet and supportive cushioning without the usual "waterbed" feel. means less insulation overall (the Expeds R-value is 1.5).See the Nemo Switchback. ).See the Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus See the Women's Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus. A number of air pads on our list come with dedicated pump bags, which offer a host of benefits over a standard inflation valve. The primary downside is a greater puncture risk, and its a big consideration. She has been writing about outdoor product, business and issues for more than 20 years. It is a great pad for hiking or camping during cooler climates and is reasonably priced for a product from one of the best camping brands. For both pads, the highlight was the large, elasticized opening on the stuff sack, which is the best design weve seen yet. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. The momentum in hiking footwear is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. Well, the Nemo Tensor is pretty good in this department and utilises a two-step locking valve system that keeps the air in. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. Now that is not cheap by any stretch. And theyre the perfect secondary pads to bring along for winter camping. Price is the biggest hurdle for most backpackers, with the Therm-a-Rest XTherm starting at a steep $240 for the regular size (the large is even more at $270). The Nemo Tensor uses a " New Laylow zero-profile, multi-functional, micro-adjustable valve ." Say that three times fast. Self-Inflating Mats Continue reading to see why we loved the Tensor and why it might be the right addition to your kit. The NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad has always been wide, supportive, quiet, and relatively warm. See the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite. thick on their Ultralight Insulated, 2.5 in. However, sometimes the ground does not seem all that happy to have us lay on it and some terrain can serve us up nights of serious discomfort and cold. Im not the soundest sleeper. REIs $100 Flash used to be one of our favorite budget pads, but their new Helix takes aim at a different market with a warmer, more insulated design (R-value: 4.9). We feel this is a fair price compared to other pads on the market. And then you wont have to keep the receipt. The non-insulated version is $190. By comparison, the Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad comes in at $50 BUT it is neither ultralight nor insulated so that is not exactly a fair comparison. , supportive, quiet, and its a big consideration venturing far from the and... The best camping tent for your adventure any possible gaps at the bottom this... 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