NEMO Quasar 3D Insulated Air Sleeping Pad 4.5 91 Reviews Item #186713 Top Rated Blue $159.95 - $199.95 Color: Blue Select a size $199.95 Long Wide $179.95 Regular Wide $159.95 Regular Quantity Ship to address FREE ($50 minimum) Shipping restrictions apply Pick up in store or curbsideFREE Find this item in store Add to cart Add to Wish List Aside from the price, theres not a whole lot that screams budget about the Air Core: you get a generous 3.25 inches of padding (including 3.5 in. This pad uses a stuff sack inflation system that works better than similar designs from Thermarest. The NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad has always been wide, supportive, quiet, and relatively warm. Bonded insulation or baffling techniques can bring impressive warmth, highlighted by the Therm-a-Rest XTherm NXT (R-value: 7.3). We feel this is a fair price compared to other pads on the market. NEMO COSMO 3D LONG WIDE,NEMO TENSOR ,255g/,,A New King Of Sleeping Pads? document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. REI is one of Americas biggest and most-loved outdoor gear retailers. 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. It also includes a compact stuff sack and repair kit. The Big Agnes Rapide SL is an excellent insulated sleeping pad (but not an ultralight one) that costs around $99 so if you are car camping or happy to carry some extra weight, do keep it in mind. Low weight and packed size are two great reasons to choose this pad. Nemo is perhaps best known for their backpacking tents, but theyve assembled a solid lineup of quality sleeping pads. So when I discovered the NEMO Tensor, I was psyched. Aint nobody about that! And as before, the XLite checks in 2 ounces lighter and is a bit more durable than the Tensor Insulated (30D vs. 20D), which can go a long way for those who sleep outside the tent or without a foam pad beneath their air pad. This pad packs down relatively small for its massive inflated size. 6 oz.Thickness: 3.25 in.R-value: 4.5What we like: Impressive warmth and plush padding for just $100.What we dont: Relatively heavy; vertical baffles are not the most comfortable design. This is part of REIs push towards inclusive sizing, and we appreciate the effort (with most pads, youll spend up for longer or wider models). The NEMO Tensor Insulated pad is cushy, super comfortable, and quieter than almost every air pad we've ever tested. The downside is that lower-denier fabrics have shorter lifespans and a higher propensity for durability issues in the backcountry. Bringing along a patch kit should alleviate most concerns, but its still the biggest reason to not buy an air pad. The original Tensor was somewhere between good and great. Let us be clear: denier matters and you can feel the difference. To start, theyll be shorter than the unisex padfor comparisons sake, the size-regular Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus is 72 inches long for the unisex version versus 66 inches for the womens model. Realistically, a double pad is fairly impractical as its heavy and bulky to pack, but it can be a fun option for couples and small families. All trademarks property of their respective owners And regardless of its weight, make sure to take reasonable care when setting up camp and stowing your pad (more on this in "Sleeping Pad Care" below). 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. The rest of the design is fairly similar: the familiar horizontal baffling makes the UberLite just as comfortable as other NeoAir offerings, dimensions are identical to the XLite for all four sizes, and the pad now features a WingLock valve for easy inflation and deflation. For those who can't get past the crinkly but high scoring Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm, the Tensor provides a much quieter night's sleep, and our reviewers found it a bit more comfortable because the edges are less prone to collapse. Purchase Price: $135.96 Caveat No. Sea to Summit also offers the Ether Light XT Extreme ($219, 1 lb. Im not the soundest sleeper. 100% bluesign certified, 20D premium recycled polyester fabric. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Want more deetz on why its so damn perfect? You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. Category: Air padWeight: 1 lb.Thickness: 3 in.R-value: 7.3What we like: High R-value for below-freezing conditions; new, quieter design.What we dont: Pricey and overkill for most backpackers. The original Tensor was somewhere between good and great. Finally, it comes with a lifetime guarantee so you can expect to get a lifetime of use from it. Our testers get a great night sleep when they have a large surface area to roll around one without falling off onto the cold ground. That makes this one of the chunkiest backpacking pads around, but perhaps surprisingly it still feels very stable. make it significantly larger and heavier than a design like the Therm-a-Rest XLite abovein the end, this is the main reason most weight- and space-conscious backpackers opt for an air pad over a self-inflating design. $159.95 - $199.95 (91) 91 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. For example, weve found that the Nemo Tensors Vortex pump sack is incredibly efficient and user-friendly: simply snap the Vortex onto the pads flat inflation valve, blow lightly into the open bag, then roll the collar down and push the trapped air into the mat. Now, youcould spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. 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. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Sleeping Pad Showdown - NEMO Tensor Insulated vs NEMO Cosmo 3D Insulated Gear Question Preface: I am new to the world of backpacking and am looking to get a sleeping pad. The NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad has always been wide, supportive, quiet, and relatively warm. As a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Climate Action Corps, NEMO has set aggressive goals for making more climate-friendly materials choices. are reasonably small and should be workable for storing inside most bags. Compared to the uber-popular and long-standing Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL below, the Switchback wins out in most ways. Got feedback? On this list, youll find everything from the 8.8-ounce Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite to the 1-pound-9-ounce Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated and Big Agnes Q-Core Deluxe. It seems the R value recommended from manufactures for the lower temp limit fluctuates. Find the one that suits YOU. 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. A foam option like Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is 20 inches long (most air pads are about 7 to 10 inches), which means youll need to strap it to the outside of your pack. See the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra. As with any piece of outdoor gear, the less it weighs the more fragile it will be. Lets face it, rocks and dirt dont exactly make for the best mattress! Designs like the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL and Nemo Switchback are staples for long-distance trekkers and thru-hikers due to their versatile and lightweight constructions. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. 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. 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. Stay Warm & Comfortable Camping in 2023! The baffle design still has individual tack points that prevent the pad from feeling like a raft underneath me. She is an avid mountain biker, gravel biker, backcountry skier, overlander, and adventure traveler. But we love this pad for two very important reasons: its cheap at just $55 for the regular version, and it will never pop. Another standout is Nemos Quasar 3D, which boasts a raised baffle at the head end for keeping your head and/or pillow elevated. We also appreciated the Stratosphere's roomy rectangular shape and oversized outer baffles, which kept us centered on the pad (this was especially relieving after sleeping on the Ionosphere 5 the night before, which seemed to want to spit us off with each movement). Continue reading to see why we loved the Tensor and why it might be the right addition to your kit. vs. 1.5 in.) The Tensor beckons to weary backs at the end of a long day. Read more. And when choosing your Therm-a-Rest, keep size in mind: The mummy-shaped XLite NXT is offered in three separate lengths, along with the XLite NXT MAX, a 25-inch-wide, rectangular pad thats available in two lengths.See the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT. Our experts test thousands of products each year. In terms of recommended ranges, summer-only backpackers who stick to warm conditions can get away with an R-value of 3 or less. Both air and self-inflating sleeping pads utilize a valve to inflate/deflate, and there have been a fair number of changes in the designs over the past few years. NEMO Tensor Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad. All told, the NeoAir XLite NXT is Therm-a-Rests most uncompromised offering yet. As for caring for a closed-cell foam pad: Hmmm. 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. We won't accept manufacturer's freebies. It also features a thoughtful shape that maximizes the 20-inch width throughout, narrow just above the foot to slot nicely into tapered tents. This pad also has an R-value of 4.8 measured using the new sleeping pad R-value industry standard, so you . 1.3 oz.Thickness: 4 in.R-value: 3.2What we like: Excellent comfort and isolation from the ground with a super-thick build.What we dont: Expensive and only moderately insulated. Category: Self-inflating/air padWeight: 1 lb. Now, I know some truly hardened camping purists who sneer at the very idea of sleeping pads and laugh in the face of jagged, rocky earth beds but those guys are a little insane, to be frank. And theyre the perfect secondary pads to bring along for winter camping. My primary use for these pads will be for climbing trips but I also have plans to backpack in the future. GearLab is commited to honest, objective, reviews. We think that the best backpacking pad options are in the 12- to 18-ounce range, offering cutting-edge materials along with respectable levels of comfort and warmth. The Tensor also comes with a convenient pump sack, which makes inflation fast . The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is undeniably expensive, but youd be hard pressed to find another pad that offers the same amount of warmth and comfort at such a low weight. Baffle Design We buy all the products ourselves. Category: Air padWeight: 1 lb. Some pads we like more are less expensive like the REI Flash Insulated, but others are more expensive like the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm. But a few materials updates this time around make this already great sleeping pad even greater. Soft contours hug your body and keep you centered on the pad, and you get 3.5 inches of cushioning (great for side sleepers) and an elevated baffle at one end to prop up your head or keep your pillow in place. Despite the very thin and simplistic nature of foam, well take the Switchback over a $150+ air pad with a hole any day. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. With an R-value of 2.3, the pad was just warm enough for us when temperatures dipped into the mid 40s Fahrenheit, but it likely will be too cold for the shoulder seasons or even summer trips high into the alpine. Sea to Summits Ether Light XT Insulated above is our favorite pick for side sleepers, but for a solid all-rounder its worth checking out their Comfort Light Insulated here. Coming at just 15 ounces, the Tensor turned heads and didn't weigh us down. All rights reserved. NEMO also offers a lifetime warranty on this pad. The self-inflating mattress was a revolutionary idea when the Therm-a-Rest was invented in 1972. Shop for NEMO Air Pads at REI - FREE SHIPPING With $50 minimum purchase. 5.9 oz.Thickness: 2.5 in.R-value: 3.7What we like: Warmer and plusher than the Ether Light XT above. 3D Insulated Air Sleeping Pad. So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card! The rest of us sane people however tend to take a more measured approach and know that there is a time and a place to use a sleeping pad. Below we cover all the gear you need for your backpacking adventures, including detailed round-ups, reviews, and Cozying into your sleeping bag at the end of a long day on the trail is one of the simple pleasures of backpacking. You may notice a lot of chatter in product comments about being a back sleeper or a side sleeper. 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. If its stored compressed, the pad will lose its self-inflating nature because the foam will become overly compacted. 3 oz. Under a bed or behind a couch are popular options. The non-insulated version is $190. Sleeping pads for backpacking are light, pack down small, and are reasonably comfortable. . Most of all though you shall know whether it is worth the $100 price tag(hint yes it is). The pad comes with the NEMO Vortex Pump Sack, which inflated all sizes of the pad quickly and efficiently without filling the pad with moisture from my breath. I'm looking for a r-value of 3.5+, 25" width, 2.5" minimum thickness, lifetime warranty and weight under 2lbs. Again, thank you! See the REI Co-op Helix Insulated. Also, if you are camping in icy conditions then hard frozen ground can ruin your nights rest and your vertebrae at the same time! 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. Weve put together a comprehensive guide to the best sleeping pads for backpacking for you to check out. In the market for my first sleeping pad and I've narrowed it down between the Tensor and Cosmo 3D. But we were very disappointed with the Stratosphere's valve, which easily popped out of the pad when we removed the pump sack, and the warmth-to-weight ratio is nothing to write home about. Beckons to weary backs at the end of a LONG day an average rating of out! The lower temp limit fluctuates and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners beckons to backs. To your kit R-value industry standard, so you can email the site owner to let know... Know you were blocked stick to warm conditions can get away with an average rating of 4.5 of. 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