How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking

A backpacking pad that puts comfort first, this NEMO pad provides 4 in. of plush, air-supported cushioning. Insulation offers enough warmth for use in any season. And the pad compresses down small.




Imported.
View all NEMO Air Pads| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Air |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Insulation Type | Synthetic |
| R-Value | 6.2 |
| Repair Kit Included | Yes |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Packed Size | Regular: 4.5 x 9.5 inches |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 4 inches |
| Dimensions | Regular: 72 x 20 x 4 inches |
| Weight | Regular: 1 lb. 1 oz. |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
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So I bought this thinking better R Value and cheaper than my Tensor - great. It's comfy yes - the 'verticle' baffles seem better suited for me - side sleeper - than the Tensor 'horizontal' ones. But I learned a new trick that if you shine a bright LED from the opposite side of a pad, you can see where the foil is located and where it is not. With the Eclipse, there does not appear to be ANY foil in either of the outer two rails! That kindof sucks for a real world situation but likely would not affect the ASTM R Value. By comparison, the Tensor has foil that goes almost to the edges of the horizontal baffles. I will probably send it back as I am a cold sleeper.
I purchased this during the pre-order period after seeing it previewed on a backpacking gear video at the end of 2025. I just took it out for the first time this past weekend (Feb 2026) where temps got down to the upper 20s. This pad is extremely comfortable and kept me so warm. I am a side sleeper and didn't bottom out at all, I felt so cushioned and didn't have any pain in my hips like I have in other pads. Bonus, it saves me about 5 oz over my other pad and packs down small. I cannot wait to take this out on the JMT this summer! Highly recommend!
The Eclipse is my favorite pad so far of the many I've tried. I've been on the hunt for a pad with the perfect balance of comfort, weight, durability and warmth for the last 14 years. Most recently, I've used the Tensor All-season, the Xlite NXT, and the Neoloft. Those pads all had their strengths. The Tensor and Xlite are relatively light for their size as well as being durable and warm. I just never felt really supported or comfortable on them. The Neoloft was warm and comfortable, but on the heavy side and bouncy. The Eclipse really hits the mark on all fronts. The higher edges and longitudinal baffles do a great job of keeping you in the middle of the pad and supported. The fabric should be pretty durable and they did it all at a pretty decent weight and price point compared to the rest of the field. Great job NEMO!
I got this sleeping pad to replace the Thermarest that wasn't warm enough for the winter backpacking trips I do around the Olympic Mountains. An R value of 6.2 is really nifty for winter trips! My first trip was this weekend out at the coast where it was rainy and windy the entire time. The sleeping pad is great but the pump sack takes forever to inflate the pad because of the bottleneck-sack design. I'd recommend getting the little travel sized electric air pump instead, especially if you are in a rush like I was (very damp and cold lol). The pad was comfortable, quiet, warm and durable. I'm a side sleeper so I went diva and got the regular wide size. I like the larger pad so that I can sprawl a little bit. I'm 5'7 and 180lbs so I can't imagine going smaller to save a couple ounces. Get this pad (and the electric pump lol)
Had the Tensor extreme and switched to Eclipse although it is more comfortable the R-Value does not hold true. I ran cold at 30F! I think I will go to the Xped 6.5
I bought the regular size for my trip to Patagonia Arizona and it was 4 days 3 nights temperatures were between 35-39 degrees at night this sleeping pad was the most comfortable, quiet, cradling plus, and warm pad I’ve ever slept on. Great score for sure NEMO you knocked this one out of the park! Highly recommended.
A Nice Middle Ground This pad seems to be a nice combination of the Tensor and Quasar 3D (weight and comfort) both of which are pads I have used extensively portaging in Ontario's wilderness. I have taken the eclipse on one winter trip in -17c and found it to be comfortably warm. Top fabric is smooth, but I still prefer the Quasar's fabric because it is better at gripping my pillow (less sliding). Excited for more trips to come this year... I'm concerned it will be too warm for summer camping... but there's only one way to find out! Get after it. /Will
I haven’t used it in the field but at first setup in the living room I was hoping for a more quilted top like the extreme. This pad has more distinct vertical lines. Not as comfy as my BA Rapide which is disappointing because I was hoping to get a warmer pad.
Just Great! I bought this pad fairly quickly off the launch and was excited to test it out. Local temps are getting into the low 30's so I decided to test it out in the back yard first! I bought the biggest Long Wide size. I'm 6'1 and 220 and the pad was a dream easy to inflate with both the provided pump and my standard flextail. The boslters on the side help keep me centered and I never felt like I would roll off. As a side sleeper I never bottomed out on the pad. As far as warmth I wanted to test the new R value and was not dissapointed, The pad is very warm I did not have any thing other than the tents Nylon below me and I was warm! Weight, Warmth, comfort all put this at that price as one of the best pads Ive used! Are there lighter options yes but for a few ounces and real world comfort I would put this at the top for my upcoming season of hiking.
Felt premium. It should for 200 dollars. This would be great for light weight backpacking and want a thicker pad. It's 4 inches and it was very decent. But given how small it packs you can't expect it to have padding. It was a bit loud to sleep on l.