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NEMO Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
One of the big debates in the backpacking world: inflatable vs. non-inflatable (foam) sleeping pads. They both have their pros and cons, and I have spent hundreds of nights sleeping on both. But once I realized how much better I sleep on the inflatable kind, I never looked back.
I recently tested the NEMO Tensor All-Season ultralight insulated mummy sleeping pad on my thru-hikes of the Oregon Coast Trail and the Bigfoot Trail, and after spending over a month sleeping on this little pillow of a bed, I have to say I’m a big fan.
The Tensor All-Season is an ultralight sleeping pad. It can be used for a range of activities, from one-night backpacking trips to thru-hikes to car camping trips. However, the intended purpose is for those who travel light and are looking for an inflatable sleeping pad for multi-day backpacking trips that will keep them warm and comfy across a range of temperatures.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Regular Mummy Specs:
MSRP: $199.95
R-Value: 5.4
Size: 20 x 72 inches
Minimum Weight: 14.1 ounces
Packed Weight: 1 pound, 1 ounce
Thickness: 3.5 inches
Circumstance of Review
I used this sleeping pad for a couple overnight backpacking trips before taking it on my thru-hikes of the Oregon Coast Trail and the Bigfoot Trail in August/September of 2024. I have used it for over a month in total. During that time, I encountered nighttime temperatures ranging from the high 70s to the high 30s.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Pad Features
Spaceframe baffles: NEMO’s proprietary baffle design uses low-stretch, die-cut trusses to provide a stable pad that still has some give so you don’t feel like you’re sleeping on a board.
Thermal Mirror film: Inside each baffle are two suspended layers of ultra-thin, metalized Thermal Mirror film, which reflect body heat and contribute to the pad’s overall 5.4 R-value, providing a 3.5-inch barrier that keeps its user warm during all four seasons.
Floating layer construction: The layers’ floating construction helps to eliminate the crinkly sound that many insulated air pads are disliked for, allowing both the sleeper and nearby neighbors to not wake with each body movement.
Durable Nylon: Constructed with 20D (top) and 40D (bottom) nylon, protects against punctures and tears.
Micro-adjustable Laylow valve: This zero-profile valve allows for easy inflation in less than a minute and even easier deflation within seconds.
Accessories: A Vortex pump sack is included with the pad, saving you breath and inflation time, especially at elevation, and keeping moisture from entering the pad. The pad also comes with a repair kit in case of a puncture or leak, a drawstring stuff sack, and a Velcro strap.
Usage
This is a solid four-season, ultralight, easy-to-use backpacking sleeping pad. At 14.1 ounces for a 5.4 R-value, it’s a great option for the ultralight community in particular. While the high R-value is unnecessary for summer trips or short excursions where you’re confident of great weather, it’s a big added bonus for any kind of extended backpacking trip or thru-hike.
The All-Season Tensor provides enough warmth for a wide variety of temperatures or climates but is light enough that you don’t necessarily have to own multiple sleeping pads for different seasons. And the compact size, along with the ease and speed of inflation and deflation, just sweeten the pot for someone who is setting up or tearing down camp quickly every day, as on a thru-hike.
Gear Details
I chose to go with the mummy-shaped sleeping pad as that is the style that I have used in the past for inflatable pads. I also like the smaller width of the base because, on warm nights, I like to sleep on my stomach with one or both legs off the pad. The mummy shape only comes in one size — regular (72 inches), which is perfect for me, a 5’5″, 120-pound female.
NEMO also offers the same pad in a rectangular option. This option comes in regular, long wide, and regular wide.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Pad Pros
Warm: The high 5.4 R-value kept me warm on nights that were just above freezing, even when I was forced to sleep in a wet quilt and clothing.
Thick: The 3.5-inch thickness kept me off the ground even when rolling around at night or sitting on the pad.
Quiet: I was surprised by how quiet the Tensor All-Season was. I have slept on other inflatable pads that have woken me up with the sound my own movement during the night. Every backpacker has had that night in camp where they end up sleeping next to the noisiest sleeping pad ever that wakes them up with every little twitch of the user. But luckily, this pad eliminates that issue.
Versatile: One huge advantage of most inflatable pads compared to foam pads is the versatility that they provide for different side sleepers. I tend to change position a lot when I sleep, usually falling asleep on my stomach and then rolling around to sleep on both sides and back throughout the night.
The Tensor was honestly pretty comfy in every position, but I definitely got the best sleep on it when I was laying on my back. But I didn’t experience the dreaded hip rub that some pads will give you when you transfer onto your side to sleep and your hips are suddenly digging into the ground.
Convenient valve: My absolute favorite part of this sleeping pad was the micro-adjustable valve. I can’t tell you how many times on past trips I have sworn, while hyperventilating into my sleeping pad on the verge of passing out, that I am quitting thru-hiking once and for all.
Inflating sleeping pads is, in my opinion, one of the worst parts of backpacking. But the Tensor’s double valve means you can inflate the pad in less than a minute without worrying about air escaping between breaths, and then deflate the pad within seconds with one pull of the plug without having to roll around on it and squeeze all the air out by hand.
Velcro strap: I also loved the Velcro strap that came with the pad which made it easy to keep together in my backpack without having to struggle to shove it into a tiny stuff sack.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Pad Cons
Harder setup than foam: Overall, I was pretty happy with the Tensor as far as inflatable sleeping pads go. With all inflatable sleeping pads, the biggest downfall, in my opinion, is the time they take to set up compared to just throwing out your foam pad and sleeping wherever you want.
More vulnerable than foam: Another con is that you have to be more protective about where you place your pad, usually requiring some kind of ground cloth or a very non-pokey surface if you are planning on cowboy camping compared to the non-inflatable pads that you don’t really have to worry about either of things with.
Shows dirt: I tend to get very dirty when I am thru-hiking (I mean, who doesn’t?) and within a couple weeks of using the Tensor, the whitish grey color of the top of the pad started to look more brown. I personally don’t care about the aesthetics of my gear, and I also have yet to wash the pad, but the looks might be a downside for someone who isn’t as hiker-trashy as me.
Stuff sack durability: I tend to be quite rough on my gear, and I ended up tearing the stuff sack that the pad goes in within the first week of using it. But once I switched to the Velcro strap, I found that easier to use anyway and ended up tossing the stuff sack.
Comfort: I can’t say that sleeping on the Tensor All-Season was as comfortable as sleeping on a memory foam mattress back home, but then again, I don’t know if any ultralight pad is.
Price tag: Coming in at about $200, this definitely isn’t a cheap sleeping pad, so if you are looking for a budget item, this definitely isn’t it.
Overall Value
Overall, I think the NEMO Tensor All Season Ultralight Insulated sleeping pad is worth the money. Nothing is worse than being cold at night and not getting a good night’s sleep when you are backpacking. So, while the price point is a bit high, I feel like spending a little extra money to have such a great R-value in a lightweight, comfy, and easy-to-inflate pad that can be used year-round is worthwhile.
If you are looking to upgrade from a cheap sleeping pad or are looking for a pad for an upcoming thru-hike, this is a great option. If you’re on a tight budget or are one of those unfussy people who can sleep anywhere, I would say this pad is unnecessary for you.
Shop the NEMO Tensor All-Season Insulated Sleeping Pad
Comparable Sleeping Pads
MSRP: $209.95
R-value: 4.5
Weight: 13 ounces
Sea To Summit Ultralight Air Insulated
MSRP: $169.00
R-value: 3.1
Weight: 16.9 ounces
MSRP: $169.95
R-value: 3.2
Weight: 16 ounces
Klymit Insulated Static V Lite
MSRP: $109.99
R-value: 4.4
Weight: 20 ounces
The NEMO Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated SleepingPad was donated for purpose of review
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Comments 2
In your NEMO Tensor review, you mentioned you hiked the Bigfoot Trail recently. I am doing hiker outreach for the trail and wondered if I could interview you about your experience?
Great review. This looks like a real option to replace my Klymit V2 when she finally kicks the bucket. I used an XTherm for the majority of my AT hike and man, that pad was LOUD and uncomfortable. Sending that home was a great day lol. Thanks for sharing!