One of the large debates within the backpacking world: inflatable vs. non-inflatable (foam) sleeping pads. They each have their execs and cons, and I’ve spent a whole bunch of nights sleeping on each. However as soon as I noticed how significantly better I sleep on the inflatable type, I by no means regarded again.
I not too long ago examined the NEMO Tensor All-Season ultralight insulated mummy sleeping pad on my thru-hikes of the Oregon Coast Path and the Bigfoot Path, and after spending over a month sleeping on this little pillow of a mattress, I’ve to say I’m an enormous fan.
The Tensor All-Season is an ultralight sleeping pad. It may be used for a spread of actions, from one-night backpacking journeys to thru-hikes to automobile tenting journeys. Nonetheless, the meant goal is for many who journey mild and are in search of an inflatable sleeping pad for multi-day backpacking journeys that may hold them heat and cozy throughout a spread of temperatures.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Common Mummy Specs:
MSRP: $199.95
R-Worth: 5.4
Dimension: 20 x 72 inches
Minimal Weight: 14.1 ounces
Packed Weight: 1 pound, 1 ounce
Thickness: 3.5 inches
Circumstance of Overview
I used this sleeping pad for a pair in a single day backpacking journeys earlier than taking it on my thru-hikes of the Oregon Coast Path and the Bigfoot Path in August/September of 2024. I’ve used it for over a month in whole. Throughout that point, I encountered nighttime temperatures starting from the excessive 70s to the excessive 30s.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Pad Options
Spaceframe baffles: NEMO’s proprietary baffle design makes use of low-stretch, die-cut trusses to offer a steady pad that also has some give so that you don’t really feel such as you’re sleeping on a board.
Thermal Mirror movie: Inside every baffle are two suspended layers of ultra-thin, metalized Thermal Mirror movie, which mirror physique warmth and contribute to the pad’s general 5.4 R-value, offering a 3.5-inch barrier that retains its consumer heat throughout all 4 seasons.
Floating layer development: The layers’ floating development helps to remove the crinkly sound that many insulated air pads are disliked for, permitting each the sleeper and close by neighbors to not wake with every physique motion.
Sturdy Nylon: Constructed with 20D (high) and 40D (backside) nylon, protects in opposition to punctures and tears.
Micro-adjustable Laylow valve: This zero-profile valve permits for straightforward inflation in lower than a minute and even simpler deflation inside seconds.
Equipment: A Vortex pump sack is included with the pad, saving you breath and inflation time, particularly at elevation, and maintaining moisture from getting into the pad. The pad additionally comes with a restore package in case of a puncture or leak, a drawstring stuff sack, and a Velcro strap.
Utilization
This can be a stable four-season, ultralight, easy-to-use backpacking sleeping pad. At 14.1 ounces for a 5.4 R-value, it’s an excellent possibility for the ultralight neighborhood particularly. Whereas the excessive R-value is pointless for summer season journeys or quick excursions the place you’re assured of nice climate, it’s an enormous added bonus for any sort of prolonged backpacking journey or thru-hike.
The All-Season Tensor offers sufficient heat for all kinds of temperatures or climates however is mild sufficient that you just don’t essentially need to personal a number of sleeping pads for various seasons. And the compact dimension, together with the convenience and velocity of inflation and deflation, simply sweeten the pot for somebody who’s establishing or tearing down camp rapidly daily, as on a thru-hike.
Gear Particulars
I selected to go along with the mummy-shaped sleeping pad as that’s the model that I’ve used up to now for inflatable pads. I additionally just like the smaller width of the bottom as a result of, on heat nights, I prefer to sleep on my abdomen with one or each legs off the pad. The mum form solely is available in one dimension — common (72 inches), which is ideal for me, a 5’5″, 120-pound feminine.
NEMO additionally gives the identical pad in an oblong possibility. This feature is available in common, lengthy huge, and common huge.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Pad Execs
Heat: The excessive 5.4 R-value saved me heat on nights that have been simply above freezing, even after I was compelled to sleep in a moist quilt and clothes.
Thick: The three.5-inch thickness saved me off the bottom even when rolling round at evening or sitting on the pad.
Quiet: I used to be shocked by how quiet the Tensor All-Season was. I’ve slept on different inflatable pads which have woken me up with the sound my very own motion throughout the evening. Each backpacker has had that evening in camp the place they find yourself sleeping subsequent to the noisiest sleeping pad ever that wakes them up with each little twitch of the consumer. However fortunately, this pad eliminates that problem.
Versatile: One big benefit of most inflatable pads in comparison with foam pads is the flexibility that they supply for various aspect sleepers. I have a tendency to alter place quite a bit after I sleep, normally falling asleep on my abdomen after which rolling round to sleep on either side and again all through the evening.
The Tensor was truthfully fairly cozy in each place, however I undoubtedly bought the very best sleep on it after I was laying on my again. However I didn’t expertise the dreaded hip rub that some pads will provide you with once you switch onto your aspect to sleep and your hips are all of a sudden digging into the bottom.
Handy valve: My absolute favourite a part of this sleeping pad was the micro-adjustable valve. I can’t inform you what number of instances on previous journeys I’ve sworn, whereas hyperventilating into my sleeping pad on the verge of passing out, that I’m quitting thru-hiking as soon as and for all.
Inflating sleeping pads is, for my part, one of many worst elements of backpacking. However the Tensor’s double valve means you’ll be able to inflate the pad in lower than a minute with out worrying about air escaping between breaths, after which deflate the pad inside seconds with one pull of the plug with out having to roll round on it and squeeze all of the air out by hand.
Velcro strap: I additionally liked the Velcro strap that got here with the pad which made it straightforward to maintain collectively in my backpack with out having to battle to shove it right into a tiny stuff sack.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Pad Cons
More durable setup than foam: General, I used to be fairly pleased with the Tensor so far as inflatable sleeping pads go. With all inflatable sleeping pads, the largest downfall, for my part, is the time they take to arrange in comparison with simply throwing out your foam pad and sleeping wherever you need.
Extra susceptible than foam: One other con is that you must be extra protecting about the place you place your pad, normally requiring some sort of floor fabric or a really non-pokey floor in case you are planning on cowboy tenting in comparison with the non-inflatable pads that you just don’t actually have to fret about both of issues with.
Exhibits grime: I are likely to get very soiled when I’m thru-hiking (I imply, who doesn’t?) and inside a pair weeks of utilizing the Tensor, the whitish gray coloration of the highest of the pad began to look extra brown. I personally don’t care concerning the aesthetics of my gear, and I even have but to clean the pad, however the seems is likely to be a draw back for somebody who isn’t as hiker-trashy as me.
Stuff sack sturdiness: I are usually fairly tough on my gear, and I ended up tearing the stuff sack that the pad goes in throughout the first week of utilizing it. However as soon as I switched to the Velcro strap, I discovered that simpler to make use of anyway and ended up tossing the stuff sack.
Consolation: I can’t say that sleeping on the Tensor All-Season was as comfy as sleeping on a reminiscence foam mattress again house, however then once more, I don’t know if any ultralight pad is.
Price ticket: Coming in at about $200, this undoubtedly isn’t an inexpensive sleeping pad, so in case you are in search of a price range merchandise, this undoubtedly isn’t it.
General Worth
General, I believe the NEMO Tensor All Season Ultralight Insulated sleeping pad is definitely worth the cash. Nothing is worse than being chilly at evening and never getting a superb evening’s sleep if you end up backpacking. So, whereas the value level is a bit excessive, I really feel like spending somewhat extra cash to have such an excellent R-value in a light-weight, cozy, and easy-to-inflate pad that can be utilized year-round is worth it.
In case you are trying to improve from an inexpensive sleeping pad or are in search of a pad for an upcoming thru-hike, this can be a nice possibility. When you’re on a decent price range or are a kind of unfussy individuals who can sleep wherever, I’d say this pad is pointless for you.
Store the NEMO Tensor All-Season Insulated Sleeping Pad
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The NEMO Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated SleepingPad was donated for goal of overview
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