Tensors for Nemo devices The sleeping pad was my introduction to ultralight sleeping pads. I’ll admit, when I opened the Tensor (I opted for the insulated version) and inflated it for the first time five years ago, I immediately thought of a hiker joke I saw on Reddit: Inflatable sleeping pads for those I want to sleep on the floor, but not yet.
How could this incredibly thin, incredibly light, flimsy-looking pad not keep me on the ground after a few nights of hiking? Fast forward five years and I have slept on the same sleeping pad for over 40 nights, and it still keeps me comfortable and well-rested. That’s not to say it won’t fail—many pads have knocked me off my feet over the decades, but the Nemo Tensor is still going strong.
Last fall, the company sent me samples of its new Tensor series, which has been revamped for 2024 and consists of three pads, each with varying degrees of thickness and R-value (the amount of insulation a pad provides) , which I explain in my article) Guide to the Best Sleeping Mats, is tailored to specific backcountry needs.
three small pads
The three pads include the Tensor Trail, which is the lightest but has the lowest R-value; the Tensor All-Season, which has an R-value of 5.4; and the Tensor Extreme Conditions, which has an R-value of 8.5 and has the highest warmth-to-weight ratio on the market.
All three sizes come in four sizes: regular, regular mummy, regular wide, and long and wide. Put it all together, and there are 12 pads to choose from – a single product range from one manufacturer. That’s why we have a complete guide dedicated to sleeping pads to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.
Photography: Scott Gilbertson
Two of the pads, Tensor Trail and Tensor All-Season, have been updated. They saw a slight increase in temperature, but the structure remained the same as previous iterations. Nemo still uses a quilt-like design that helps the baffles stay inflated and eliminates the stretchy feel that comes with vertical baffles. The insulation consists of multiple layers of bonded polyester film.
The difference in R-value between Trail and All-Season depends on how many layers of insulating metal film each pad has. Trail uses one layer, All-Season uses two layers, and Extreme uses four layers of what Nemo calls thermal mirror insulation (metallized film). It also uses different baffle types (more on that below). Another new feature this year is the sturdier fabric on the bottom of these mats. Nemo now uses 40 denier nylon on the bottom instead of 30D nylon, which makes it more durable. Take that, Reddit funny guys.
Nemo’s new pad is made from Bluesign-approved nylon (Bluesign certification looks at environmental impact and worker safety) and comes with the company’s Vortex pump bag, which does a great job of inflating your bag with a zero-profile valve. I wish there was a standard for these valves so I could use the Nemo pump bag with other pads, but there isn’t. There’s also a storage bag for the pads, and there’s a handy repair kit on the closing lid. It’s nice that the Nemo’s lifetime warranty covers any manufacturing defects, but to more directly address the worrisome puncture issue, remember that the repair kit comes in the stuff sack.
Suitable for all seasons
If you want an all-around sleeping pad that will keep you comfortable not just in the summer but also in the shoulder seasons, look no further than the All-Season. All-Season’s second layer of mylar increases the R-value to 5.4 and adds only 2 ounces to the weight. Packaging dimensions are almost the same. For just $30 you can get a slightly heavier sleeping pad with almost double the R-value, which I think is the best sleeping pad for most people in Nemo’s current Tensor line.
Photography: Scott Gilbertson