NEMO  Vector Insulated Air Pad with Pump

I do a bake-off every few years to replace my pad with the latest & greatest. I pit this pad against the following three below. Considerations were R-factor, comfort, weight, ease-of-use, and packed form-factor. All of the pads tested were approximately the same L/W of 72 x 20. -Thermarest Evolite -Klymit Static-V lite -Exped Synmat UL 7M In the end the Vector20R won out as a better all-around pad for me. Some factors: PROS -Integrated pump makes inflation a breeze while significantly reducing moisture build-up -Alternate 3/4in inflation/adjustment valve and wide 1.5in deflation valve -Quiet (especially compared to NeoAir) foil thermal reflective barrier adds an est. 5-10F -Unique baffle construction feels very stable, and also allows for a certain amount of side-side articulation -Weight: very light for a pump-integrated pad with these features -Insulating value: whilst Nemo stubbornly refuse to adopt the standard R-value rating, they claim insulation down to 25F. I was warm at 33F, but have not tried this yet in sub-freezing temps CONS -Not the lightest pad in the mix; that goes to the Exped -While better than a NeoAir, this pad still lacks raised side rails to prevent roll-offs -The 20D construction *might* be a concern for those who sleep rough. If you take care of your gear adn sleep in a tent 20D should be ok *What about the other pads? The Exped was the closest call because of comfort, weight and side rails. The reasons it came in 2nd were: -Proprietary inflation valve requires a proprietary inflator - one of Exped's accessory foot pumps or $hnozzel bags -Baffle delimitation risk: I had a previous Exped UL mat lose a baffle seam after only two uses. The result was a giant longitudinal baffle running down the center of the pad. This was akin to sleeping with a telephone pole The Klymit Static V-lite was 3rd place, and may have lost the battle only because as a side sleeper I felt my hip bone was at far more risk of contact than any of the other pads, even at what I considered max inflation. Otherwise this was an excellent pad, and the only one of this weight class with extra width (23in vs 20)

I bought one and had to return it due to development of an unexpected bulge in the foot pump. This happened only after inflating the pad and letting it sit overnight as to check to make sure the pad did not have any leaks prior to going out on a trip. I returned the pad, exchanged it for a new pad in the same model. The pad worked great for about 10 nights until it developed a pin-sized leak near one of the inner seams on top of the pad. I am very careful when it comes to my camping gear and this is the first time I have ever had a leak in a sleeping pad. Thankfully, REI accepted the return even with the patch that I had to apply to the leak. On a positive note, the pad was very comfortable while it lasted. Overall, I can't recommend this product to anyone.