NEMO Switchback vs Thermarest Z Lite - Sleeping Pad Comparison

[@theoriginalrabbithole]

I just knew someone would do this. I won't spoil the result but I went down this same rabbit hole when I bought my Thermarest NeoAir XTherm and wanted a closed-cell pad for the extra 2 R-Value to add to the 7.3 from the NeoAir to get a cold weather 'pad sytem R-Value' of 9.3. I also found out very surprisingly that putting the closed-cell foam pad on TOP of the air matress works best! I learned this from someone else and it's true because the bumps allow the sleeping bag to create pockets, instead of being compressed flatter on the air matress. Try it both ways on two consecutive nights of the same outside temp and it's easy to feel the extra warmth with the pad on top.

[@vereddar6420]

4:38 "closed cell foam lasts forever". Not really. I came here because my Thermarest, which has a couple of thousands of miles on it, is so compressed, it's practically dead. I'm not at all complaining - it's great value! Just saying.

[@annelyartandillustration1561]

FYI…the z-lite does have different sizes and ones with the silver side as well.

[@mak2969]

Good review. It would have been more apples to apples if you reviewed the Z Lite Sol which has the metallic side. Never-the-less, very good review. Please consider reviewing the Exped FlexMat Plus. One size is wider (25") and thicker (1.5") so it might accommodate a larger guy better. It also has a tad larger "R" value. Thank you.

[@TheAdventureJunkies]

Great suggestion. We'll look into the Exped Flexmat Plus for a future video. Thanks!

[@xxgg]

what i want to know is... how do these compare to cheap copies from amazon?

[@ickes2255]

Don’t support those those companies that sell low quality product that they ripped off from American or European companies

[@theratoh2306]

Decathlon has one that Costs around 20€. Exacly the Same as Nemo or Thermarest

[@bobdole234bd]

Great video. Really appreciate the comparison and the commentary.

[@user-hn9fr7mn3x]

Need wide option for us side sleepers!

[@charlieluchangco2843]

Thanks, great video. One question please - if I added the either pad underneath my existing inflatable sleeping pad (currently Nemo Tensor Non Insulated), noted that the R value will generally increase of the combined set up, but will it be any more comfortable or not really?

I have the same Tensor and Z Lite. Answer is not really. Feels kind of more secure though.

[@jessereed8148]

Thoughts/recommend Switchback or Exped mat plus. I’m47yrs old 73” 250lbs. I can no longer sleep on the ground when camping. Considered cot but concerned about carry weight (some 25lb plus)Then I would also need 2-3 cots (family) so starts to get heavy & I no longer want that. so I’m switching to a closed cell foam pad/exped mega mat10. Combo. Good idea? Thinking exped on top of either a switchback or exped flex Mat plus . I was VERY interested in the switchback but concerned by size? Maybe issues? bec it’s only 20”x70 & under a exped MegaMat which is wider and longer. Would that be an issue? Mainly I want the under pad for extra comfort & some protection of rocks, sticks, water ect. but mainly For comfort. Just go With switchback bec easy hauling/storing or pony up For the extra size and thickness of the flex mat?

[@1DrBar]

My feet hang off of these 72” pads, and I’m only six feet tall. No problem on warm nights, where I fold them, but it would still be a part of a more worthwhile review. On my back my shoulders hang off. Much better for petite people and in winter my dog likes his doubled up, while i’m in my hammock with a good down under-quilt.

[@davef5916]

I just cant deal with that orange especially when its stuck on the outside of the pack.

[@Thereno1is]

Do they make Uber lights with diamond proof bottoms for paddling out on too. Fishing poles

[@gooberdooberwunderb]

What is the highest r rating foam sleeping pad that is out there?

[@rexnemorensis8154]

Are they ok for side sleeping? How about if you fold them in half and sleep on them?

[@TheAdventureJunkies]

They are not bad, but not nearly as comfy as self-inflating pads for side sleepers. You could fold them horizontally, but they would be very short. Folding them on the longitudinal axis (i.e. making them half as wide) would make them uncomfortable as it wouldn't sit properly.

[@1DrBar]

I find them both about as comfortable as a bed of nails, but oddly enough I can get about three hours of sleep on my side before numbness sets in, and I basically find them unusable on my back. A twin layers of pine needles or leaves makes for a much better night as does folding in double for warm nights.

[@sherabpereira382]

The silver part goes up.... like the emergency blankets.

[@willlark6875]

But unlike emergency blankets, the foam pad is also used to retain heat. The silver part you see is the dull side, the shiny silver side IS up when the orange foam is on top.

[@GypsyGirl317]

Exactly, that's what the manufacturers specify as well. 👍🏽 It reflects our body heat back to us.

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@willlark6875 the Nemo is designed for aluminum side down, and the Thermarest is designed for the silver side up.

[@pootlingalong8928]

Z Lite Sol for me. Can’t live with the colour orange! 😬

[@MoreLJoneS]

I have had many of these pads except the thermarest. The silver comes off after light use. It was all over my tent, pack,and sleeping bag. They need a clear coat over the silver coating. I find these are throw away after 1-2 months of use. They all flatten and get that funky closed cell smell. Hiker/homeless dumpster type scent not sure very distinctive to foam pads in my opinion. I throw away many items(stuff sacks, and certain clothes)that the hiker smell will not leave. You really figure that out with new pad compared to old one the smell really stands out then. If you get a ton of use out of it then it did it’s part. I can’t believe no one else has mentioned that with inflatable ones. I bet they get real interesting smells going on. 😂🤢🤥🤮

[@mak2969]

BTW...I'll be using my pad for bike touring so size is less relevant.

[@TheAdventureJunkies]

That makes sense

[@shawnr6117]

Got one from a different brand, it's wider, warmer and cheaper 🤣🤣🤣 About the same weight as the Nemo & t-rest

[@sandrawarner2551]

What one did you get?

[@shawnr6117]

@@sandrawarner2551 Woods , bought it at Canadian Tire on sale

[@NoMoreCandies]

Hi, my advice : do not compare items with less than 2% thechnical differences. And at the price of 45 dollars or 55 dollars? well decathlon sells the same thing for 15 bucks. really.

[@1DrBar]

I completely agree. The decathelon is now my favorite closed cell pad. It is a small bit more comfortable, mostly because the bumps don’t seem to collapse, and makes for a better seat because of the choice of number of panels. My other carry now is my exped because I can get it in a 25” width so my shoulders don’t touch the ground on my back.

[@bobdole234bd]

Man. I miss when these pads were sub $30

[@MultiMeschi]

The Decathlon Forclaz MT500 is

[@travisgrimm]

I flatten a zlite in probably a month.

[@kernj6454]

Y u put that short woman to lie on it

[@derekhand7904]

You didn’t talk about the R value

[@ckhaira]

3:00

[@Wfhii]

Yes he did

[@simon4133]

Isn't it great how someone who's never even used them thinks they're in a position to review them.

[@AR9ify]

Don't like the flashy colors of the Nemo products. Not great for stealth camping or hunting. If Nemo changed this, I would probably have several of their products.

[@m.hernandez1404]

Wut

[@Helleuphoria]

​@@m.hernandez1404What are you struggling to understand with his comment? Its pretty black and white

[@ZiRo815]

I also had no success luring deer into my tent with the garish Nemo colors.

[@Lelandwilt]

@@ZiRo815can you kill deer with orange clothes? The answer is yes. Don’t hunt in your tent.

[@Lelandwilt]

Maybe get permission from the land owner so you don’t have to stealth hunt… sounds weird. It’s not advertised/marketed to homeless people. Not for going grey man…

[@sdw261]

They're both insanely expensive for what they are. They've lost thier damn minds.

[@beetooex]

And that's why there's cheaper copies out there if you look hard enough. Apparently capitalism works sometimes.