Have you ever had a terrible sleep when camping because no matter how warm your sleeping bag is, your body still feels cold? Maybe you are a side sleeper and your hips and shoulders touch the ground. Or maybe, your partner wakes you up at night as they toss and turn on a noisy, crinkly sleeping pad. If you have had any of these problems on a camping trip, read on, I believe the Nemo Equipment Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad may be perfect for you.
6 Reasons to Love the Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad
- 3 inches of Spaceframe™ baffles to provide support and comfort
- Thermal Mirror™ provides a best-in-class insulation value of R-3.5
- 20D fabric that is soft and quiet
- Micro-adjustable valve provides the perfect firmness
- Ultra-compact – it rolls up smaller than a Nalgene water bottle
- Lightweight – it weighs only 1.5 pounds
Available At:
– Amazon
– REI
– Backcountry
Who is the Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad for?
- Backpackers
- Car Campers looking for a compact option
- 3-4 Season Campers
Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
Nemo Equipment specifically designed their Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad to address the problem of an uncomfortable night’s sleep when camping. Therefore, they made the sleeping pad using 3 inches of Spaceframe™ baffle to provide a comfortable, supportive cushion. Therefore, if you are a side sleeper like myself, the 3-inches of air-filled baffles provide comfortable cushion support while you sleep. In addition, with 3-inches in the chambers, it provides plenty of room for the two layers of suspended Thermal Mirror™ metalized film to reflect your body heat with a best in class R-Value of 3.5. As a result, you don’t have to worry about your body heat migrating to the cold ground below!
Finally, my search for a sleeping pad has ended! I’ve spent the better part of 3-years trying out and hating different sleeping pads.
– Keith
Nemo uses an exterior 20D fabric that has a soft touch and keeps noise to a minimum when you roll over at night, unlike other sleeping pads that are crinkly and loud. The 20D fabric makes the sleeping pad a bit heavier than other sleeping pads, but it also makes it more durable. In short, there is nothing worse than puncturing your sleeping pad and have it deflate while you are sleeping.
The new Laylow™ multi-function valve is fantastic. First, it’s similar to a Sleep Number mattress, in that you can easily adjust the firmness with the micro-adjustable valve for a perfect night’s sleep. In addition, when it’s time to pack up, you can release all the air at once so it deflates quickly to roll up into its small stuff sack. When rolled up, it’s approximately the same size as a Nalgene water bottle.
At 1 pound 8 ounces (675 grams), this is a very light sleeping pad. It’s not the lightest on the market, but when you compare the durability of the 20D fabric, the 3-inches of Spaceframe™ baffles, the R-Value of 3.5, and that it packs up to the size of a Nalgene water bottle (.93 cubic liters), it’s a compelling option for a backpacker. Also, with an MSRP of $159.95 for the regular-sized pad, it’s one of the most affordable on the market. Moreover, it’s even a great option if you are car camping!
Dislikes?
The only downside of the Tensor Insulated is the weight. In short, if you are a weight-weenie, there are other options like the Thermarest NeoAir Uberlite or a closed-cell foam pad.
Insulated Air-Filled Sleeping Pad Category Ranking:
These ratings are based on the large (25×76) version of the Nemo Tensor Insulated sleeping pad.
- MSRP Rating: 2nd
- Weight Rating: 3rd
- Cost Per Gram Rating: 4th
- Time to Inflate Rating: 3rd
- Time to pack Rating: 2nd
- Volume (packability) Rating: 2nd
- Insulation Rating: 5th
- Overall Rating: 1st
Other Sleeping Pad Options
How to Choose a Camping Sleeping Pad.
Are you still having trouble determining which is the best camping sleeping pad for you? Check out our article on how to choose the best camping sleeping pad for you!
Fit and Sizing
I’m 6’2” so I chose the long-wide version (76” x 25”). Admittedly, it’s a bit more expensive and heavier due to the extra material, but I find it’s more comfortable and worth it.
Since most 2-person backpacking tents are around 50-52″ wide at the head and 48-42″ wide at your feet, you’ll probably want the mummy shape so that two sleeping pads fit in the tent.
Common Questions
Question: Is this sleeping pad too warm for summer months?
Answer: In the summer, I’ll typically use a quilt instead of a sleeping bag, so the insulation is fine. Plus, when sleeping, you compress the sleeping bag insulation. Therefore, your sleeping bag doesn’t provide too much insulation performance between you and the sleeping pad.
Question: What is an R-Value
Answer: R-value is a measure of thermal resistance; the higher the R-value, the more thermally resistant the material or structure is. The Nemo Tensor Insulated sleeping pad has an R-Value of 3.5. Additionally, ASTM F3340-18 is the new testing standard that provides an R-Value for like-like comparisons.
Question: What’s the point of a pump sack?
Answer: Some people get light headed when they inflate their sleeping pads. So, this is a nice alternative. In addition, it lessens the moisture inside the sleeping pad that normally occurs when inflating with your lungs.
Question: How thick is it when inflated?
Answer: It’s 3-inches thick once inflated.
Question: How many sizes does it come in?
Answer: The insulated version comes in five sizes: Short Mummy, Regular Mummy, Regular, Regular Wide, and Long Wide.
Question: How do I inflate my Nemo Tensor?
Answer: You can inflate your Nemo Tensor two ways. One way is to attach the Vortex pump sack. The other way, is to use your lungs by directly placing your lips to the air valve. The pump sack allows you to fill the pad with fewer breathes and eliminate any dizziness.
Specs:
- Packed Weight: 1 pound 8 ounces (675 grams)
- Packed Size: 3 inches x 8 inches (.93 cubic liters)
- Climate: all-season
- R-Value: 3.5
- Thickness: 3.0 inches
- MSRP: $159.95 – $179.95 (regular to long version)
- Cost Per Gram: $0.29 (long version)
Construction & Materials
- Type: air-filled camping sleeping pad
- Fabric: 20D PU Polyester
- Insulation: Aluminized Film
- 3-inch Spaceframe™ baffles
- Valve: Laylow™ zero-profile, multi-functional, multi-adjustable valve
Bottom line:
The Nemo Equipment Tensor Insulated Ultralight Sleeping pad is our top pick. In addition to the subjective qualities we mentioned above, it’s qualitative attributes make it our choice for Best Overall in the air-filled sleeping pad category.
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