How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
NEMOÂ Tensor Trail Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad
$179.95 – to $199.95
Improving on the original Tensor line of sleeping pads, the NEMO Tensor Trail Ultralight Insulated sleeping pad offers versatile warmth for 3-season adventures where weight is the top priority.
Key Details
Insulated
Yes
Pad Thickness (in.)
3.5 inches
Weight
Regular Mummy: 13 oz.
Regular: 13.9 oz.
Regular Wide: 1 lb. 1 oz.
Long Wide: 1 lb. 2 oz.
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- Designed to take you from spring to fall, it keeps nights restful and packs up light
- Interior features the NEMO proprietary Spaceframe™ baffle design, which utilizes low-stretch fabric trusses to create stable support and offer just the right amount of give
- Inside each baffle is a suspended layer of ultra-thin, metallized Thermal Mirror™ film, which efficiently reflects body heat and contributes to the pad's overall 2.8 R-value
- The layer's floating construction eliminates the crinkling sound that many insulated air pads are known for, earning Tensor a reputation for peace and quiet under the stars
- Armed with premium, durable 20-denier nylon on top and 40-denier nylon on the bottom, the pad is better protected against punctures and tears
- Included Vortex™ pump sack provides easy and fast inflation, saves breath at elevation and minimizes moisture entering the pad
- Improved zero-profile, multifunctional, microadjustable Laylow™ valve offers customized inflation control, even in cold temperatures
- 3.5 in. of stable, cushioned loft for incredibly comfortable nights
- bluesign®–approved premium nylon fabrics shave grams while offering superior puncture- and tear-resistance
- Available in a wide range of sizes to easily pair with the rest of your sleep system
- Protected by the NEMO Lifetime Warranty
Imported.
View the NEMO Tensor Product LineView all NEMO Air Pads| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Air |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Regular Mummy: Mummy Regular: Rectangular Regular Wide: Rectangular Long Wide: Rectangular |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Insulation Type | Synthetic |
| R-Value | 2.8 |
| Repair Kit Included | Yes |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Packed Size | Regular Mummy: 4 x 10 inches Regular: 4 x 10 inches Regular Wide: 4 x 10.5 inches Long Wide: 4.5 x 10.5 inches |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 3.5 inches |
| Dimensions | Regular Mummy: 72 x 20 x 3.5 inches Regular: 72 x 20 x 3.5 inches Regular Wide: 72 x 25 x 3.5 inches Long Wide: 76 x 25 x 3.5 inches |
| Weight | Regular Mummy: 13 oz. Regular: 13.9 oz. Regular Wide: 1 lb. 1 oz. Long Wide: 1 lb. 2 oz. |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria Contains recycled materials |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Great and comfortable pad if you get the wide
Ray1 year ago
I re-acquired a regular (yellow), after having a wide Extreme (black) and then I remembered why I traded my newly bought regular silver (5.4 R-value) for the wide Black: the regular made me feel like I was balancing on a log.
It's funny because the Black, I tend to run partially deflated for back comfort but the used regular I ran almost fully inflated because it was still comfortable at the higher pressure/taller pad height... but I found myself either balancing to stay on, or I was half -off the pad.
This is the only reason I took off one star.
I used to own a yellow regular but I tended to fold it in half and just position the pad so it supported my back and lower hips so I guess I just accepted the doubled height.
I'm short and wide (5'2" 205#) so YMMV.
The inflation sack works great (4 or 5 bags to fully inflated) but if I remember to bring the tiny electric pump, I use a little duct tape to make the widest cone adapter work and I can just do other things until the pad is 90% full
Ray
Orange County, California
5 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Don’t waste your money.
Chris Huston1 year ago
This is my second Tensor air mattress (warranty replacement). It lasted 2 nights on trail, before it completely deflated. I had a lot of faith in Nemo products, up until this point. Initially, Nemo was very helpful getting the item replaced and I called them directly. Now, it’s an online fiasco for a replacement item I barely used. Hopefully, I can get this remedied quickly. In short, I would not advise buying this particular product as the same defect has happened to me a second time.
Chris Huston
Wilmington, NC
19 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
dm0289
Brooklyn, NY
very delicate, unrepairable leak after normal use
11 months ago
Have had this pad for a few years, maybe 15-20 trips or so, but it has already developed a leak/hole just through normal use. Repaired the hole or so I thought but it still has a leak somewhere that leaves it flat by morning. Reading the other reviews I see now that this is a common problem and seems it's more of a manufacturing defect or flimsy materials issue. Really disappointed since this pad was incredibly expensive, more so than similar pads. Also because my previous pad was one of the early Thermarest NEO Airs that has lasted over 12 years and hundred+ trips. In fact I had to go back to it, it still works better than the NEMO.
Age:45–54
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'1"
No, I do not recommend this product
HeyBob
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Slow leak likely
1 year ago
This is a great sleeping pad: warm, quiet, lightweight, easy to inflate! - Great when it's inflated..... I have had two of these, an older version and the newer version. The first one worked great for about 20 nights of camping over a summer, then it developed a slow leak that I could not find. I contacted Nemo and the quickly sent me a new one - and the newer version! Now after about 20 nights of backpacking over the last summer or so, it also has a slow leak that I can't find. Flat in about 2 hours. I will contact Nemo again and I bet they will replace but I'd rather have a reliable product than quick replacement.
Age:45–54
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'11"
Yes , I recommend this product
Zraygo
Mission Viejo
Light and Comfortable
10 months ago
This is an amazing pad for anyone looking to optimize comfort without sacrificing weight on the trail. It is extremely comfortable and supportive. It compresses down to a small, manageable size, making it ideal for lightweight backpacking, yet still delivers the comfort of a much heavier pad. It’s also incredibly quiet, unlike other pads that crinkle or shift when you move at night, making for an undisturbed night’s sleep. The thickness provides excellent support for both back and side sleepers. The Nemo Tensor Trail is worth every ounce. It strikes the perfect balance between weight, comfort, and warmth.
Age:55–64
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:6'5"
Yes , I recommend this product
NickTort
The Best Sleeping Pad Out There
1 year ago
I have been using Nemo pads for years now, and once I got my hands on the Tensor, I have never looked bag. Incredibly ultralight, small footprint when packed down, super durable material and I love the ingenious design of the inflator.
Yes , I recommend this product
Originally posted on nemoequipment.com
C4chops
Awesome pad!
1 year ago
These are super nice pads. Quite, warm and light, you can't beat these. The pump sack is amazing. They pack great in the bag and don't take up too much space.
Yes , I recommend this product
Originally posted on nemoequipment.com
Chris Huston
Wilmington, NC
Don’t waste your money.
1 year ago
This is my second Tensor air mattress (warranty replacement). It lasted 2 nights on trail, before it completely deflated. I had a lot of faith in Nemo products, up until this point. Initially, Nemo was very helpful getting the item replaced and I called them directly. Now, it’s an online fiasco for a replacement item I barely used. Hopefully, I can get this remedied quickly. In short, I would not advise buying this particular product as the same defect has happened to me a second time.
Age:55–64
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'11"
No, I do not recommend this product
Ray
Orange County, California
Great and comfortable pad if you get the wide
1 year ago
I re-acquired a regular (yellow), after having a wide Extreme (black) and then I remembered why I traded my newly bought regular silver (5.4 R-value) for the wide Black: the regular made me feel like I was balancing on a log. It's funny because the Black, I tend to run partially deflated for back comfort but the used regular I ran almost fully inflated because it was still comfortable at the higher pressure/taller pad height... but I found myself either balancing to stay on, or I was half -off the pad. This is the only reason I took off one star. I used to own a yellow regular but I tended to fold it in half and just position the pad so it supported my back and lower hips so I guess I just accepted the doubled height. I'm short and wide (5'2" 205#) so YMMV. The inflation sack works great (4 or 5 bags to fully inflated) but if I remember to bring the tiny electric pump, I use a little duct tape to make the widest cone adapter work and I can just do other things until the pad is 90% full
Age:55–64
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:5'2"
Yes , I recommend this product
Anonymous
Glenwood Springs, CO
Comfortable, light, quiet, durable
4 months ago
I’ve had this for two years now and I absolutely love it. So far I would say it is durable. I am pretty delicate with it since it is so light, for example I don’t sleep on bare rock or sand, and I never set it up outside. It has held up very well so far on many backpacking, car camping, and pack rafting adventures, no issues. I love how light and packable it is. I find the air sack easy to use, and it’s nice that if I forget the sack I could inflate it by mouth. I like that I can make micro adjustments. It took me a little while to get used to the two valve system (I kept accidentally lifting the flap to fully deflate), but once you learn the system it’s easy to use. It is very comfortable, best backpacking sleep I’ve had yet. Good for back or side sleep (I do both).
Age:35–44
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'6"
Yes , I recommend this product
Seaweed
Western Washington
Fails the durability test
1 year ago
Very comfortable, light and compact. However after less than 10 outings it developed a leak that I cannot detect, even after submerging it in water. I also have the NEMO Quasar pad and it's been great, but it's heavy for backpacking. I use it for kayak camping. Just bought the Tensor All-Season and will take it on a 5-day river trip. Hope it holds up!
Age:65–74
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'7"
No, I do not recommend this product
thedianad
Greenville, SC
lasted me years now
8 months ago
I got mine in the smokies section of the Appalachian trail and finished my hike with it (4 months of daily use). I still have it 2.5 years later and it’s still as good as the day I got it. I handle it very delicately and always make sure to clear the ground under my tent/shelter before use. I think the only thing I struggled with is sometimes getting the air sack attached/detached. But overall not too bad.
Age:25–34
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'6"
Yes , I recommend this product
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