The new Nemo Tensor Elite sleeping pad is an actual contender for greatest ultralight pad at a scant 8.3 ounces.
The Tensor Elite attracts apparent comparisons to the (now discontinued) Therm-a-Relaxation Uberlite, with related weights, sizes, heat, and worth. Can this new child on the block tackle the reigning champ?
Nemo Tensor Elite Sleeping Pad At-A-Look
MSRP: $200 common / $230 quick
Supplies: 10D Nylon, aluminized movie insulation
R-value: 2.4
Weights:
- Pad solely: 8.3 oz common / 7.2 oz quick (revealed weights)
- My common pad hit the dimensions at 8.7 oz, or about 5% over spec
- Restore package: 0.15oz
- Stuff sack: 0.3oz
- Inflation bag: 2.2oz
- Velcro packing strap: 0.1oz
Dimensions (L x W x H):
- Common: 72” x 20” (at shoulders) x 3.5” (revealed dimensions)
- My pad measured nearer to 71” lengthy and three.2” thick (to the very best a part of the baffle)
- Brief: 63” x 20” (at shoulders) x 3.0”
The Nemo Tensor Elite inside a Durston X-Mid Professional 2
Supposed Use
The Tensor Elite is an ultralight, 3-season sleeping pad greatest used for the quickest and lightest of missions. Its thinner supplies will want hikers with cautious web site choice or extra sturdy tent flooring or footprints.
Circumstance of Assessment
I obtained this superlight pad on the tail finish of summer time. My affinity for high-mountain climbing means it noticed probably the most use on brisk nights round Colorado, together with peakbagging journeys to 14ers and a brief jaunt within the San Juans.
NEMO Tensor Elite Sleeping Pad Options
Superlight Materials
The Tensor Elite is made primarily from a 10D nylon material branded below the Cordura label. Whereas Cordura doesn’t imply something tremendous particular so far as material expertise goes, they’re usually thought to be the next high quality material maker, utilizing premium yarns and effectively managed manufacturing.
The skinny 10D material is the most important contributor to the scant 8.3oz weight for the reason that shell accounts for many of the materials in a sleeping pad.
Non-Steady Baffles
One other step to making a lighter pad is to take away as a lot baffle materials as potential. Baffles are essential in controlling the stiffness and form of a pad; with out them, your sleeping floor could be a giant spherical balloon. Sleeping pads sometimes have strains of baffles organized both alongside the size of the pad or throughout.
The baffles on the Tensor Elite are usually organized in a horizontal sample. As an alternative of a steady line, nevertheless, they’re “dashed” to create extra of a gridded look. Not solely does this assist remove materials, nevertheless it additionally helps the pad really feel much less “directional” in its stiffness.
The baffle sample on the Tensor Elite, backlit to emphasise the sample.
Consolation
Baffle design is a giant a part of the comfortability of sleeping pads. I’ve historically used horizontal-baffled pads and discover them snug sufficient. The non-continuous horizontal baffles have been a slight step up for me in consolation, though the pad’s basic lack of stiffness and temperature sensitivity erased most of these features for me.
The consolation of a pad is extremely particular person, nevertheless, so I can’t actually name this a professional or a con. The very best factor you are able to do to see if a pad works for you is to easily give it a strive.
Mummy Form and Two Lengths
The mum form (widest on the shoulder and tapering in the direction of the toes) is a typical pad form for these attempting to save lots of weight and match into smaller tents. It’s 20 inches extensive on the widest level, which is the usual for backpacking inflatables.
The Tensor Elite is available in two sizes: 6′ and 5’3. The 6’ commonplace size is, sadly for me, a bit too quick for taller of us however effectively suited to the center 80% of adults. The shorter size might be higher suited to youngsters and shorter adults, though its meager 0.9oz weight financial savings and $30 worth premium are exhausting to justify when it is likely to be outgrown shortly.
NEMO Tensor Elite Sleeping Pad Professionals
Lightest in Class
The ultralight world continues to be mourning the lack of the Therm-a-Relaxation Uberlite. Till now, there have been no different critical contenders for a real ultralight, full-size, inflatable sleeping pad available in the market. At 8.3* ounces for the common dimension, the Tensor Elite is even lighter than standard-thickness foam pads.
*Mine got here in at 8.7 ounces for the pad alone, which places it neck in neck with the Uberlite slightly than beating it. The burden variation was <5%, which is pretty commonplace for any such product.
Tiny Packed Dimension
Weight and bulk are sometimes correlated for like supplies, and that holds true with the Tensor Elite. After folding it into thirds and rolling, I measured the circumference as simply 10” (~3.2-inch diameter). That’s nearly the precise dimension of a lidless Nalgene and fairly a bit smaller than the thru-hiker commonplace Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite’s 15-inch circumference or the winter-weight XTherm’s 17.5 inches.
Left to proper: Therm-a-Relaxation XTherm, Therm-a-Relaxation XLite NXT, Nemo Tensor Elite.
Quiet Supplies
I anticipated this pad to be mild after I ordered it, however I wasn’t anticipating it to be so quiet. With minimal foil-based insulation and easy shell materials, the Tensor Elite might be the quietest inflatable pad I’ve used. It doesn’t crinkle when bent and has minimal “swooshing” when rolling over with layers on.
NEMO Tensor Elite Sleeping Pad Cons
Tremendous Slippery Floor
The sleek materials could also be quiet, however this similar property additionally makes it extremely slippery. Any pitch I made that was lower than completely degree had me slowly sliding in the direction of my toes all through the night time. Different components contribute to this drawback (like a silnylon tent flooring and easy baselayers), however both approach, slightly extra grip would assist hold issues in place with out modifications.
Inflation Port is Annoyingly Positioned
Nemo makes use of a one-way inflation port that’s flush with the floor of the pad, positioned across the left ear. As a result of it’s each recessed and located on a flat panel, inflating it by mouth was at all times an irritation, particularly the final 10% when the pad begins to develop into stiff.
This con could possibly be mitigated by utilizing the included inflation bag, however for such an ultralight product, bringing an additional 2.2oz is a tough promote for a minor inconvenience. Nonetheless, I feel a side-mounted valve could be simpler to make use of.
The inflation port is positioned close to the pinnacle. Be ready for a face filled with pad if inflating by mouth.
Sturdiness Is an Inevitable Concern
The Uberlite was usually criticized for its lack of sturdiness between punctures, valve leaks, and baffle explosions. One reviewer even examined its puncture resistance with a pine needle, a reasonably low bar to clear. All that occurred with a 15-denier material.
Trying on the Tensor Elite’s 10-denier material, I can’t assist however assume these points might be magnified. I don’t assume any particular coatings or manufacturing finished by Nemo or Cordura could make up the efficiency hole between this and the extra commonplace 20-30D material utilized in most pads.
I personally didn’t expertise any failures, however I additionally solely obtained a handful of nights with cautious campsite planning. The testing situations didn’t match the exhausting use of a 5-month thru-hike. Any time I take this pad out, its potential fragility stays prime of thoughts when sundown comes round.
Brief Dimension Could possibly be Shorter and Lighter
At 5’3, the quick dimension is greatest used as a full-length pad for shorter individuals. Within the ultralight world, utilizing “torso-length” pads (2/3 to three/4 size, or about 4-5 toes lengthy) is a typical tactic to chop that little bit of additional weight. At simply 9” shorter and 0.9oz lighter, it’s not likely price creating discomfort for minimal features.
For the true gram weenies on the market, it could be good to have a real partial-length choice obtainable.
Temperature Delicate
With an R2.4 insulation worth, the Tensor Elite is likely one of the least insulating pads available on the market. I feel the pad carried out at this degree, which is nice for summer time and shoulder seasons however not prepared for the near-freezing temps I normally discover myself tenting in.
On a very chilly night time alongside the Colorado Path that dipped to about 30 levels, I might really feel the chilly coming by the pad greater than I’d have anticipated. In fact, it is a pitfall of utilizing a quilt as a substitute of a bag, too; there’s no material or right down to make up for an inadequate sleeping floor. Both approach, I’ll be saving this pad for journeys with predicted lows above 38 or 40 levels.
One other downside of low-R-value inflatable pads is that their stiffness will change because the temperature fluctuates. Have you ever ever blown up a pad whereas organising camp, solely to come back again after dinner and discover it squishy once more? It’s not a leak. It’s the air inside turning into extra dense as your heat breath meets the cooling exterior air.
I discovered the Tensor Elite extra vulnerable to any such change than different pads and will even discover a distinction when the bottom temperature modified. Chilly, moist floor close to a river precipitated extra “deflation” than dry, grassy floor, even throughout related air temperatures.
The Tensor Elite paired with a Enlightened Tools Enigma. On a chilly January afternoon, the temperature differential from the frozen floor was capable of soften the pad, regardless that it was about 40 levels out.
Worth
The Nemo Tensor Elite is the lightest pad nonetheless in circulation. Its sturdiness and ease of use displays that. For these on the lookout for absolutely the lightest inflatable pad, that is most likely the best choice. At $200, it falls proper according to different premium inflatable pads. Have in mind the doubtless restricted sturdiness whereas factoring within the “price” of the worth tag.
Store the Nemo Tensor Elite
A Few Comparability Gadgets
Therm-a-Relaxation Uberlight (deadstock)
Exped Extremely 1R
Therm-a-Relaxation XLite NXT
The Nemo Tensor Elite was donated for goal of evaluation
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