How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
NEMO Flyer Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
$139.95 – to $159.95
With a radical hybrid design, the updated NEMO Flyer self-inflating sleeping pad combines the thickness of an air pad with the plush durability of a foam pad—and it is now bluesign® approved.
Key Details
Insulated
Yes
Pad Thickness (in.)
2 inches
Weight
Regular: 1 lb. 6 oz.
Regular Wide: 1 lb. 10 oz.
Long Wide: 1 lb. 12 oz.
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- Though its top-performing design hasn't changed, the materials and accessories have been updated to achieve the trusted bluesign® product label
- Rest easy knowing that the pad's production meets the strict social and labor standards required by bluesign and that it was made in a resource-conserving way
- Combining the thickness of an air pad with the plush durability of a foam pad, the Flyer pad checks all the boxes with minimal weight consequences
- Designed with a groundbreaking manufacturing approach that removes 60% of the foam, the pad self-inflates to increase thickness and provide ridged baffling for faster recovery
- Unique manufacturing approach removes 60% of foam yet increases thickness by 290% when inflated
- Each horizontal foam channel is hollowed out to both reduce weight and provide progressive suspension that allows you to comfortably sink in
- Baffles are linked by solid foam to evenly support and prevent any bottoming out
- Fabric used on the pad's top, bottom and stuff sack are now all 100% recycled and bluesign approved
- Plush open-cell foam offers a second level of security on the trail
- New technology allows for the first self-inflated pad to use 3D sculpting
- Horizontal coring retains a higher R-value with less foam so you don't have to sacrifice weight or packed size for warmth
- 100% recycled, ultralight 20-denier soft-touch fabric set is more pliable and comfortable than fabric on other pads
- Laylow™ zero-profile, microadjustable valve allows fine-tuning and fast inflation/deflation
- R-value tested to the new ASTM Standard (ASTM F3340-18) ensuring standardized comparisons for thermal resistance of heat loss
- Includes a repair kit
- Protected by the NEMO Lifetime Warranty
Imported.
View all NEMO Self-inflating Pads| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Self-inflating |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Insulation Type | Open-cell Foam |
| R-Value | 3.3 |
| Repair Kit Included | Yes |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Packed Size | Regular: 6.5 x 10 inches Regular Wide: 6.5 x 12 inches Long Wide: 8 x 12 inches |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 2 inches |
| Dimensions | Regular: 72 x 20 x 2 inches Regular Wide: 72 x 25 x 2 inches Long Wide: 76 x 25 x 2 inches |
| Weight | Regular: 1 lb. 6 oz. Regular Wide: 1 lb. 10 oz. Long Wide: 1 lb. 12 oz. |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | Product meets the bluesign® criteria Contains recycled materials |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Great Sleeping Pad
Matthias2 years ago
I tried out several nemo and thermarest pads and this is by far my favorite. It is very comfortable, easy to inflate, has a great feel to the material, and is a good compromise between weight and comfort. Yes, it weights slightly more than the ultra lite ones, but at the weight equivalent of an extra hiking shirt (or switching to a sleeping quilt or a lighter backpack), a good night's sleep is well worth it. The Nemo Tensor is lighter but does not feel as comfortable, and the thermarest neoair xlite is still as loud as a pack of potato chips, even though they want to convince us otherwise. As a side sleeper, I went with the regular-wide version and wish they made a 3/4 length wide version. It still needs to pass he test of time, but I think the flyer is a excellent pad.
Matthias
VA
28 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Decent cushion but disappointing design
Beth2 years ago
Received free productI received this sleeping pad hoping to use it for a multi-day backpacking hike. When I received it in the mail I was surprised at how big it was. It claims to be made for backpacking, but backpacking in what... a canoe?? It fit in my Osprey 55, but I was a bit bummed at just how much real estate it took up in my pack. I had rolled it out at home and left it to self-inflate as a test. I'm glad I did, because after 2 hours of being left alone this bad boy had NOT inflated itself. I huffed and puffed into it to to get it good and filled, then tested it out. It was absolutely comfortable (certainly more comfortable than the Nemo switchback accordion I usually backpack with), but it didn't fulfill what I would expect from something that claims to be self-inflating and backpacker friendly.
I did end up taking it on my trip, but at the end of the day I found that I wanted my switchback. No need to fill it up with my breath (I don't have one of those inflate-r contraptions), and more room in my pack. I will say that it's very comfortable, but after a long day of hiking I probably could have fallen asleep on a rock. I'll certainly use this for car camping going forward.
BethReceived free product
Ithaca, NY
17 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Amanda P
Received free product
Seattle, WA
Great pad for side-sleepers with some flaws
2 years ago
The Good -I like that this pad is bluesign® approved. For me it's an added bonus when I'm choosing between different products. -The material feels higher quality compared to other sleeping pads I've used. -Doesn't take a lot of effort or time to inflate or deflate and re-roll. -I was concerned about my sleeping bad sliding off the pad, but I stayed put all night. The Great -It may be the miles talking, but I had the BEST sleep in the backcountry on this pad. I'm a side sleeper, and have struggled getting enough support on other pads. I'm 125lbs, so this is my experience with a smaller femme body with lower back issues. I felt supported and comfortable all night. On one night I used this, I fell asleep reading and slept for 9 hours straight. This is not typical for me! -There are a few built in features that are a nice touch, including a built-in patch kit in the storage sack and a coat hanger hole for airing out. Very convenient. The So-So -I struggled a bit pulling and pushing the inflate/deflate tabs. I'm recovering from hand surgery and have some limited mobility, but a friend also struggled with pushing the tabs in fully. The material around the edge of the tab area also feels thin and I felt it might rip or wear if using too much force. -While I didn't experience any sliding of myself or my sleeping bag off the top of the pad, the pad itself did slide down the floor of my tent. Unless your tent is completely level, you might slide a bit. -Personally, I'm fine with sacrificing space and adding weight for the sake of comfort. While this isn't a particularly bulky or heavy pad, it's also not the lightest. If you're interested in a super ultralight setup, this pad may not be for you. -The R-value 3.3, which is fine for summer camping, but if you're looking for something for year-round camping or mountaineering, you may want something more specialized. The Bottom Line While it has its flaws, this is a great all-around sleeping pad especially if you're a side sleeper. If you're looking to get into backpacking or if you're looking for a cushy sleeping experience, this is a great pad.
Age:25–34
Weight:100–125 lbs.
Height:5'2"
Yes , I recommend this product
Hannah
Received free product
Comfortable, well rounded sleeping pad
2 years ago
This Nemo flyer pad is a great option for car camping and can be a good option for backpacking too. It is easy to inflate (just a few breaths to inflate), very comfortable (even for a side sleeper) despite not being super thick, and doesn’t make the annoying squeaking sound that my big Agnes Q core sleeping pad does when I move around! It’s a bit heavier than my big Agnes Q core and also doesn’t pack down nearly as small/ so not quite as ideal for backpacking for those reasons. But the lack of squeaking could potentially weigh those out! The only real downside in my opinion is that this sleeping pad is very hard to roll back up to fit into its bag.
Yes , I recommend this product
RockMan30
Received free product
Colorado
Perfect for Car Camping & Backpacking
2 years ago
This is a great product for car camping and backpacking alike! It packs down into a fairly small size that is easy to pack into a backpack or your car top carrier. It is easy to fold back up once you have opened it too! One of my favorite features of this product would have to be the ridges. These ridges prevented me from slipping throughout the entire night, even though we were sleeping at a slight downhill. This pad also inflates quickly and stays inflated (even in 30 degree temperatures). I am 6'2", so the long size was a perfect fit for me. I highly recommend this product if you are looking for something that is easy to carry and will keep you comfortable and warm throughout the night.
Age:25–34
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'2"
Yes , I recommend this product
Alex
Received free product
Portland, Oregon
Solid upgrade for backpacking/car camping
2 years ago
I started using this pad after having finally tired (after 10 years) of my trusty flat sleeping pad, and immediately had no regrets about the switch. It's lighter, more compact, and quite comfy! The R value isn't quite as high as my old pad, but I don't do winter camping and typically lay down a picnic blanket on the floor of my rent anyway, so this hasn't proved to be an issue. I got the wide version, which wound up being the perfect size for me (5'11, 200lb cismale) and my corgi on a recent camping trip, while still leaving enough room for my partner to comfortably set up her pad and bag next to us in our two person half dome tent. The valve on my pad is bit stubborn when I try to close it and I did find that the self-inflating feature is a bit slower than I'm used to and needed a bit of manual inflation to get the most comfortable air pressure, but neither of these things take much away from my otherwise overwhelmingly positive experience with it so far. I particularly appreciate the way in which the ribbed design of this pad allows for much better distribution of air pressure than my old one (a flat design) as I shifted my weight around. I've gotten some of the best (camping) sleep of my life on this one, and definitely recommend it for anyone who's been dabbling in camping and especially backpacking and are looking to take it to the next level!
Age:25–34
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'11"
Yes , I recommend this product
Matthias
Virginia
Great Sleeping Pad
2 years ago
I tried out several nemo and thermarest pads and this is by far my favorite. It is very comfortable, easy to inflate, has a great feel to the material, and is a good compromise between weight and comfort. Yes, it weights slightly more than the ultra lite ones, but at the weight equivalent of an extra hiking shirt (or switching to a sleeping quilt or a lighter backpack), a good night's sleep is well worth it. The Nemo Tensor is lighter but does not feel as comfortable, and the thermarest neoair xlite is still as loud as a pack of potato chips, even though they want to convince us otherwise. As a side sleeper, I went with the regular-wide version and wish they made a 3/4 length wide version. It still needs to pass he test of time, but I think the flyer is a excellent pad.
Age:55–64
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'7"
Yes , I recommend this product
Matt
Utah
Highly recommended
2 years ago
Very comfortable, especially considering the weight and thickness. My wife and I are about 60 years old and will not suffer an uncomfortable pad at this stage! Not truly self-inflating but only needs 3-4 breaths for full inflation. This is generally true for most every “self-inflating” pad I’ve used. The only true SI pad I’ve used was a car camping model from Alps Mountaineering. Light and compact, well-made. One nit-pick: I wish the pull tabs for the inflate/deflate plugs were offset 90 degrees to make it easier to pull the desired one.
Age:55–64
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Yes , I recommend this product
Hikingchic
Pad does not stay inflated.
1 year ago
I was excited when this sleeping pad arrived. When I initially inflated it, I thought WOW! Nice and thick. Not loud like the bag of chips my last pad sounded like. However, the pad slowly deflated over the next couple hours. Tried inflating it again a few times with the same results. I asked for help in the Q&A. Got the usual response. Hold it under water in the tub to look for the leak. No luck. Pad would not submerge. You need a really big tub to get the whole pad in it too. I suspect the leak may be coming from the strange valve design they have for inflating and deflating. Fortunately, I tried the pad out before taking it backpacking! Will try a replacement, but cannot recommend at this time.
Beth
Received free product
Ithaca, NY
Decent cushion but disappointing design
2 years ago
I received this sleeping pad hoping to use it for a multi-day backpacking hike. When I received it in the mail I was surprised at how big it was. It claims to be made for backpacking, but backpacking in what... a canoe?? It fit in my Osprey 55, but I was a bit bummed at just how much real estate it took up in my pack. I had rolled it out at home and left it to self-inflate as a test. I'm glad I did, because after 2 hours of being left alone this bad boy had NOT inflated itself. I huffed and puffed into it to to get it good and filled, then tested it out. It was absolutely comfortable (certainly more comfortable than the Nemo switchback accordion I usually backpack with), but it didn't fulfill what I would expect from something that claims to be self-inflating and backpacker friendly. I did end up taking it on my trip, but at the end of the day I found that I wanted my switchback. No need to fill it up with my breath (I don't have one of those inflate-r contraptions), and more room in my pack. I will say that it's very comfortable, but after a long day of hiking I probably could have fallen asleep on a rock. I'll certainly use this for car camping going forward.
Age:25–34
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'5"
Yes , I recommend this product
Ben
Comfortable sleeping pad
2 years ago
Comfortable sleeping pad that works well even for extended use. It does not fully self inflate and does not include inflating bag but only needs a couple breaths to top off.
Age:25–34
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Yes , I recommend this product
daramsey
Jacksonville FL
does not inflate and no help from customer service
1 month ago
Would not inflate. I tried to search for videos to trouble shoot and couldn’t find anything. I tried to inflate it by mouth thinking maybe it just needs manually inflated first. Cannot fully inflate by mouth. Air just rushes out. I contacted customer service chat. They told me I needed the pump sack. Nothing in the description of the product says it requires a pump sack and nothing in the instructions mentions a pump sack. Customer service just said “ if you’re unhappy just rerun it.” Then they said they’d send me a pump sack ( a week later I still haven’t received it). I mentioned the product was very misleading if it indeed needs a pump sack. They seemed to not care, which is strange because I’ve heard good things about their service.
Weight:Less than 100 lbs.
No, I do not recommend this product
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