The BEST Backpacking Sleeping Pads In 2022

[@jeffpeters5347]

No mention of the 4-inch thick Sea2Summit Etherlight XT?

[@Strychninex]

Tensor pump sack is actually far better than the others I've used if used correctly. No issues at all, or just get a flextail!

[@neilquinn]

Yup, they are using the pump sack wrong almost for sure. I will say the nozzle is a pain to attach to the pad though - you have to really force it on.

[@That_Tall_Cop]

Yeah I’ve got a tensor and their longbow pad and the pump sack is the best I’ve ever used, you just need to hold it about six inches away when you blow into it, you’ll get way for volume per breath

[@commentsonthetube14]

I couldn't get the flextail to fit well in the Nemo pad

[@ddff5242]

Agreed. I would say it's the best if used correctly.

[@commentsonthetube14]

Yeah, I donno what the issue is with people figuring it out. The instructions are pretty clear. It works just like he sea to summit ones. Way better than the old school type with the large opening.

[@SalmondOutdoors]

I’ve never had any issues with the nemo pump sac, I can fill it with one breath and it only takes about 5-1/2 pump sacs to fill it 🤔

[@TropicTekkers]

I saw one of your older videos and it convinced me to buy the Nemo Tensor Insulated and I love it. The pump sack is awesome you have to hold it about a food away from your mouth and blow into it about 2/3 times and it inflates the whole way. I have the regular wide version and it takes about 3 pump sack presses to fill for me.

[@edgarmadrid6221]

I been using Nemo for years and I really like the pump sack 😅 I also have a sea to summit etherlight xt and I don’t like pump-sack as much🤷‍♂️

[@TakeAHikeMike]

My exped winter ul is amazing. The best pad I've ever had, and more than I could ever imagine. So light, such a small pack size, so comfortable, and an with an R value of over 7. Can't beat it.

[@deborahhill3105]

I think the smaller opening on the Nemo pump sack makes it quicker and easier to roll down and push the air into the pad. You just need to give it two or three puffs of air to open it up. It’s really no big deal. I did have a bit of trouble putting the valves back in place in really cold weather (high 30’s), they were tough to snap together for some reason.

[@tanvach]

Agree! It’s actually a great pump sack compared to thermorest. You have to blow about 1-2 foot away from the opening. The Venturi effect drags air into the sack, similar to how bladeless Dyson fans work.

[@CBne1997]

Love my Tensor. Hate that the valve doesn’t allow micro adjustment. I bought the mini-pump rather than using a pump sack. It’s nearly the same weight, and it has a light.

[@jenniferbarron2317]

Love the extherm....saved me when my 20 degree ugq 850 fill overstuffed quilt failed to keep me warm at 29 degrees!

[@havocdevelopment6142]

You must sleep pretty cold. I sleep hot. Nemo quasar 3.3 r value and the forte 35 bag and i was comfortable to slightly warm at the same temperature range 28° with 17° wind chill.

[@phillipwitt4433]

You guys must not be using the pump sack correctly. The Nemo pump sack is far and away the BEST pump sack I’ve used. 3 - 4 times inflating the pump sack and the pad is ready to go. The key with the Nemo pump sack is to blow 6-12 inches above the pump sack. The smaller opening creates a bit of a vacuum effect and it inflates really easily. The Thermarest pump sack takes forever to inflate their pads.

[@johnschneck5939]

The tensor pump sack works awesome if you use it correctly

[@JohndaCantrell]

Great information, as always. Love you guys. When are you going to get your Dad out there again, he is so fun to watch! Some of your best content. That man loves every second of the time you're out there, his glass is completely full while he's camping with you.

[@ManivanAdventures]

Love my Nemo Tensor insulated pad!

[@lennynichols6809]

Try re-reading the Nemo Tensor pump sack instructions again. You have to blow into it differently from the Therrmarest sacks. I think it works MUCH better than the Thermarest sacks. I do not like the connection, but the vortex system works great.

[@aaronfuentes5919]

the topo is said to be a lot warmer when fully inflated.

[@Shane7492]

Above freezing: Nemo Tensor. Below freezing: Xtherm. My two all-time favorite pads.

[@CastawayHikes]

I use my Exped Schnozzle pump sack for my Tensor, it doesn't fit super tightly but it does work very well. Also that thing is huge so I stuff my quilt in it and use it as a compression sack

[@bposey69]

I've got the Nemo quasar and I love it. Never had an issue with the valve system. But I must be missing something great if the Nemo pump sack is junk cause I like the "bellows sack" that Nemo sends

[@kylerusso]

fyi the thermarest neo-air x-lite has an r value of 4.2, which is the same as the tensor (insulated version). i’ve used my neo-air down into the 20s and been totally warm - its weight savings comes from (i) its mummy-cut design, as opposed to the rectangular cut of the tensor, and (ii) the type of insulation it uses (kinda like a space blanket) as opposed to the tensors synthetic insulation

[@zachcherry8221]

Tensor is my favorite all purpose all around pad

[@neilquinn]

Nemo tensor pump sack: you're probably using it wrong - you have to blow from around 6" away to take advantage of the bernoulli effect to fill it. See here for example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goHTk5x9Ys-Hjas

[@daniel_503]

I was surprised you didn’t mention the S2S ether lite as a 4” option. I also have a rapide sl it’s worked great for me so far but it’s heavier than other options (your 4” option is even heavier!)

[@CharmingGecko]

Two of my favorite pads. Actually I think they may be the 2 best in the market.

[@parkhurstcollin]

Agreed on the S2S Ether Light XT. The women's large is a great option. It's a touch warmer, and a mummy shaped regular/wide.

[@FrontlineLLC]

Yes, the best on the market. How did this not make this video?

[@Wondering_Fireball]

I’ll stick with the NEMO Tensors, wide regular. I’m a side sleeper. At 6’ I use the air pump with the light and have no problem with blowing it up. I also use the 1/8” pad under it to protect the pad.

[@GoneFeralWithSquidly]

Regardless of thickness, I have fully inflate then deflate a little to get a comfortable firmness.

[@shawnr6117]

I wonder why they don't make a topo xtherm , seems like a good idea to me

[@hope2someday691]

Love those Therm-a-rests. Been buying them for about fourty (40) years. My current favorites are the Uber Light and Neoair Xlite. I do like the idea of a four inch pad in rocky situations. I’m going to have to take a Topo Lux for a test drive.

[@toddbales8298]

The tensor doesn’t sound like a bag of chips. Check it out

[@WilliamKapes]

NEMO TENSOR 4 LIFE!!! Reg/Wide Insulated is the only choice...

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

..Nemo Tensor Alpine .. BEST I've bought in 50+ years of backpacking/camping ...

[@the_real_adam_real]

I use to have the Nemo Tensor and I thought the pump sack was great on it. I didn't put my face up to it to inflate the sack. Hold it open and lightly blow into it about 3 inches away from the opening. Air physics will inflate the bag with little effort. I believe it's called the Bernoulli principal or something like that.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Hold your face away from the vortex sack and let the bernoulli effect fill the bag! Best pump sack out there! 😜

[@sueb860]

Got the Topo Luxe after seeing your review of it. Found an "irregular" one on Moosejaw (regular wide) for $104. Still don't know why it was irregular, no noticeable flaws. Have an uninsulated Nemo and and Alpine Tensors and both developed leaks (Alpine was my fault, Uninsulated was known failure). Nemo replaced one and I repaired the other, but I'm thankful I had the Topoluxe because it took forever to get Tensor back and wanted to keep backpacking. It is a solid pad that I use for comfort camping. Not sure why you are saying Thermarest pump sacks are better than Nemo...hate the Thermarest sacks, they take forever to inflate!

[@TheNypenfan]

Still don’t get your issue with the pump sack on the tensor. I just picked one up and it’s way better than some of my old pads.

[@backkat9475]

Not Big Agnes fans, or just haven't considered them? I'm still trying to find the perfect pad. I do like S2S pads so far. Tensor is my winner out of what you have.

[@chromedome1975]

Great review. Pretty sure your using the Nemo pump sack wrong though. It literally takes a breath of air to fill it, and about 3 fills to inflate the pad all the way. Thanks for the video.

[@joeshepherd4990]

Thermarest are bringing out updated models next year xtherm bringing one of them there going to be lighter warmer all round better

[@TOMinPDX]

I'm a side sleeper and soon going to buy the Tensor. There's no way i want a really noisy pad regardless of how good it is and I won't be camping in anything lower than 20f anyway. One pad I do have that is super comfortable is the Thermarest Trail Pro. To bulky for backpacking but awesome for car camping, and self-inflating too.

[@CharmingGecko]

You’ve once again not bought the Etherlite XT. The best pad on the market.

[@roselee_explores]

XLite was terrible in my personal experience especially for side sleeping! Most comfy is the Tensor ... wish it had a higher R value. Have the XTherm Max ... great warmth but still not as comfy as the Tensor. Save your breath and use the FlexTail TinyX pump ... comes with attachments to fit most pads (had no issues using it on all of mine) and get the one with a light (not that much weight difference and it's nice to have a light for around camp or in your tent/hammock.

[@jamesbrooks3664]

I just sleep in my car!

[@philliptaylor2870]

I love my xtherm. I bought an electric pump for it. One of those tiny pumps that recharge. Im not even ashamed to say it.

[@roselee_explores]

Totally ... don't leave home without it! I tried the Thermarest pump but the FlexTail TinyX one works so much better (and it has a light too!) :)

[@philliptaylor2870]

@@roselee_explores yeah I think thats the one I got. It really isn't all that noisy either. I don't think the bears mind :)

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

... Best pad of many owned NEMO TENSOR ALPINE ... Cant't identify problem with pump sack ,,mine has always worked fine 3-4 fills ,,done .. small tailflex type pumps also work well .. or modified bicyle frame pump ......Winter camping is more like 0*-neg 20* F not 20* F .. only winter camp now with a hot tent ... nothing to prove by freezing ..

[@commentsonthetube14]

Watch this video about 5 mins in. Y'all aren't using the Nemo pump sack right. It's actually easier to use than the thermarest one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYOph62nhKiBnaM Just got the nemo pad and I feel like the pump sack is fine. Maybe they improved it? It took me 6 or 7 total breaths and 3.5 pump sack fills to completely fill it (the long wide version)

[@markcummings6856]

Nice stain in the middle of your Tensor.

[@vickaiser]

I’ve seen you guys use the Nemo pump sack. You’re not doing it right. It’s actually the best by far pump sack. Kind of embarrassing hearing you guys bad mouth the Nemo pump.

[@jgeisler]

I just got the Xtherm. Normally, you would sleep with the silver side up to get the max r-value. I just wonder what the r-value is if the pad is flipped over. I am guessing less than the 6.9. It could make it more comfortable to use in warmer weather and not feel so hot.