Nemo Tensor Ultralight Sleeping Pad

Product Information

All of this on a 20-inch pad feels a bit hindering. Pads with similar high R-values, like Exped’s Ultra 7R and Dura 8R allow you a tad more girth, affording a cozier, less constraining sleep.

Its stand-out feature is its highly impressive 8.5 R-value, which makes the Extreme the warmest mat on the market and the mat with the best warmth-to-weight ratio. The regular mat, which weighs just 507g, outperforms other mats of a similar weight, some with R-values of less than 4, putting into perspective just how light and warm this mat is. Warm– The insulation in the pad is serious. It has the ability to basically add warmth to the temperature rating of most sleeping bags/quilts.

Conclusions

The low-stretch trusses within the pad reduce springiness and provide a surprising balance of support and give, despite the four suspended film layers beneath you. I had some fears — particularly as a side sleeper — that the “suspended” nature of the Thermal Mirror sheets would lead to an uneven feeling. But I was pleasantly surprised at how stable it felt, even while tossing and turning. Note that most sleeping pads have an R rating of 1.0 (good for warm weather) to 5.5+ (for use in extreme cold). And now to the crinkle factor. Even after all of the sleeping pads I’ve owned and tried, I never had one with metallic heat reflector technology. The Tensor reminded me why: the crinkle! The Tensor isn’t the original or main offender with the crinkle (that honor goes to the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite), but where does the madness end? I wasn’t woken up by the noise of the heat reflecting panels, but I did find it irritating every time I turned over. bluesign® approved premium nylon fabrics shave grams while offering superior puncture- and tear-resistance. The new film reduces how much body heat mixes with the air inside the pad, and how much the air inside the pad absorbs cold from the ground. The new construction upped the R-value of the insulated pad from 3.5 to 4.2 while keeping it at 15 ounces. The uninsulated pad went from an R-value of 1.6 to an R-value of 2.5 but held strong at 13.8 ounces.

Spacious– Even with a six-foot frame, I found this pad to have plenty of space. This is awesome for anyone who likes to splay out and has plenty of room for most people in general. The Tensor EC borrows some core elements from existing NEMO pads, like one-way lay-low valves, and suspended Thermal Mirror metalized film. However, it employs a new baffle tech called Apex. Four layers of its thermal film are placed over trapezoidal trusses (flexible, vertical supports within the pad), as opposed to the common rectangular design.

Conclusion

This is a unique example, but my climb allowed me to view and appreciate this pad from different angles. It proved the Tensor EC’s durability in harsher conditions than a generic camping trip. Our mummy-shaped, regular-length sample measures 72 inches long and 20 inches wide and has a verified weight of 14.9 ounces. Standard length for Regular-sized sleeping pads. The Larges are longer, the Shorts shorter (obviously). That’s not to say you can’t snag some serious Zs atop this pad, though. Yes, it’s a bit narrow and falls on the slippery fringe of the spectrum. But it boasts a plush 3.5-inch height and isn’t near as “bouncy” as other models I’ve tested, greatly improving sleep.