Thermarest VS Nemo - Which Is Better??

[@jeffpeters5347]

You guys need to try the S2S Ether Light XT. 4” thick, super comfortable.

[@MeOutside]

Been rocking the Tensor (long wide) for about a year now and I’m happy with it. The pump sack is a bit frustrating at first but I’ve gotten used to it.

[@leemiller358]

Nice comparison. I was happy with the Thermarest Xlite, but I traded that in for the thicker and wider Nemo. Granted, it is not as warm. A key point when using the Nemo pump sack. It was designed to take advantage of the Venturi effect. As air passes quickly through an opening the velocity increases as it passes through a narrower and narrower opening. Surrounding air gets pulled in along with the air that is blown in. If one holds the Nemo pump sack several inches away from ones month, more air goes in then just what is getting blown in. If one holds the pump sack close to ones month the benefit of the design/shape is lost. The narrow design also helps hold the air in.

[@GaerHampton]

I love the Nemo pump sack design! It's brilliant! By comparison, I hate my Xtherm's pump sack....

[@derekhand7904]

If you don’t like filling your pad just get the Dan Becker signature pump

[@WilliamKapes]

I love the Nemo Tensor Insulated in Reg/Wide. I have lighter Summer pads but I've pretty much just gone to the Tensor for every trip regardless of the season.

[@JonathanThrift]

I find the Nemo very easy to fill with the pump sack. You just blow one breath into the pump sack from a short distance away and it's filled.

[@Coreycry]

He didn't understand how it's supposed to work... I own both and the Nemo pumpsack is notoriously better, heck even Xlite users are buying it to use it on their pads. The thermarest pumpsack is not sealed, it's leaking by the seams when pressing air into the pad, the wide opening makes it both hard to blow into (using venturi effect like Nemo) and hard to close to effectively seal.

[@nikosgardenreserve3184]

I've been tryin to get my paws on the sts ether light XT in the rectangle large! they are sold out everywhere! I wanna try that 4" thick pad man haha, I'm a side sleeper!

[@jeffinBrooklyn1]

I have the ether light and it’s the most comfortable pad I’ve been on. Nemo Tensor is second

[@Wondering_Fireball]

Have you gotten with Nemo about putting a thicker material on the ground side.

[@topshelfbackpacking7867]

At first I was worried your “I’m not a psycho, I don’t own 6 sleeping pads” comment was aimed at me. I counted and I have 8 so I guess I’m in the clear. 🤔

[@FrozensAdventures]

😂

[@campchairchris]

What's that black pillow you're using in this video?

[@richardnettles7481]

For all those questioning which pad to buy, the answer is clearly the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT insulated pad. Especially if you are a side sleeper

[@FrozensAdventures]

Nemo tensor here too!

[@neilquinn]

One note for the Nemo Tensor pump sack: make sure you fill it up by blowing around 6" or so away from the pump sack. You're not supposed to actually use the force of your breathe to fill it up directly, but rather there is a bernoulli effect that makes it fill quickly. For me it's just one light puff and it's easy. Watch this to understand the principle: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goHTk5x9Ys-Hjas

[@nobison6185]

This👍

[@BigDawgCAM]

Neither. Sea to Summit Ether Light XT is clearly the best

[@trailheart1863]

Sea to summit and Exped for me , Thermarest valves are way behind the times in my opinion.

[@nobison6185]

I love my wide tensor. Everyone that complains about the pump sack prolly aint using it right. Hold the pump so it hangs vertical and blow downward into it. VERY Important to blow into it with your mouth like a foot away from the ope;ning and not like a balloon ( scientifically called Bernoulli effect "). My tensor is full with 3 bags and 6-8 full exhales. You have a grand collection of sleepin pads👍

[@lynx7906]

Great video, Thank you!

[@ktownc936]

I have an x therm, and now a fjol winter light by amok. Both of them were set up on rocks and roots with me being north of 250 lbs, just amazing. I'm now looking for at really only the durability of a pad. I'm not ultralight and canoe trip more so any recommendations for durability for a summer pad would be welcomed!

[@tomnoyb8301]

Any of those pads have side-rails? Because the single most important factor for this author, is side-rails. Nothing better than settling back into that side-rail for maximum arm area. Just a half-inch side-rail is easily felt and adjusting position without looking and without hands. Then switching-sides is that much easier. Having already settled-in against the side-rail, there's maximum room for rolling over and settling-in against the other rail - all without feeling around or fussing with the pad. Seems like such a small thing, yet find myself trading all sorts of compromises (e.g. weight), just to have those side-rails? If only Uber-light had side-rails?...

[@glenndorsey9068]

After my. Nemo Tensor started leaking at the seams after about 6 months of use, I decided that reliability was my primary decision criteria. 3 nights on a deflated, unrepairable pad convinced me. I went with a Sea to Summit Comfort plus. A bit of a weight penalty but double air chambers increases reliability. And it is as comfortable, and maybe MORE comfortable, than the NEMO. Nemo did replace my pad and I gave it to my daughter and she is using it in place of her Thermorest.

[@vzmichael]

The Nemo pump sack works awesome but is often misunderstood by even the most experienced.

[@jonsanford2515]

I also damaged a Tensor, though it was totally my fault, and no air pad would have survived what I did. Mine had an “L” shaped rip a few inches long in both directions. I got it through the weekend with the patch kit that came with the pad, and I permanently patched it with seam aid and gear aid tape once I got home. It’s held for a dozen nights since. You definitely have to be more conscious of its durability, but it’s not overly delicate. It’s a great all around pad.

[@evanhammond7305]

I hate sleeping on the ground. I just purchased my first hammock last week i just need my insulation to arrive so I can test the sleep. I'm hoping it's more comfortable then my 25" ov pad. Plus I don't like the fact it's air mattress I've popped my pad before it sucks. Hopefully my hammock setup will be more reliable. Have you tried the either light xt?

[@Dr.Pepper_not]

reread Neil Quinn’s comment regarding Tensor pump sack. It’s EASIER than scooping air with the Thermorest. Trick is to get away from bag. Takes 4 puffs to fill for me. I made a similar look alike for 9 grams that works almost as well. A bit more fiddly but 9 grams!

[@nedanother9382]

Shit, I'll be right back, I have to go throw away one of my sleeping pads lest I be considered a psycho

[@JourneyontheTrail]

I love the Tensor but I bought my wife the Topo Luxe and I was shocked how nice it is.

[@johntucker8016]

Started using tiny rechargeable pump for my mattress… Never going back

[@barb61]

Tensor is perfect and if you have issue with the pump sack then you are doing it wrong because that thing is the 💣!

[@thehonesthiker]

Would highly recommend the Pariah Outdoors XL Insulated pad if anyone is looking for a more "budget" one. The material is quiet, it's 4" thick with an R-Value of 4.7, and it's incredibly comfortable. I tried quite a few Amazon special pads (I now have 4 pads) and this one has been by FAR the best. It's decently heavy, but it's worth it.

[@rogermeyer860]

Great review...After 2 nights of poor sleep on a Klymit Static V, I purchased an insulated Nemo Tensor. It's better but i'd like to see how sleeping in a hammock compares although i like the privacy of a tent. Also I'll be purchasing a Flextail portable air pump to replace the pump sack.

[@TimeOuttotheTrail]

Best review yet! We recently invested in the insulated Nemo tensor. We just found out about the Thermarest 4 inch pad and thought we should have held out. After watching this, I feel like we made the right choice. Thank you!

[@redwhiteblue7831]

Great points... I use a Nemo ASTRO for summer, and a Thermarest NeoAir XTHERM for winter. I have the Thermarest pump for it, but I make up for it when I take my 2 nieces and 2 daughters, and have to air up 5 air pads... 😳😡

[@cheri7828]

I have the ExPed Hyperlight, S2S Etherlight, and the Thermarest Neoair Xlite. For me, I find the S2S to be colder than the ExPed, even though the ExPed has a lower R value. When I asked S2S about it, they mentioned the R value testing is done with a dummy that doesn't move around. But when a human moves, they stir the air around inside the pad. Because the pad is so thick the outside air easily cools down the pad, and the inside air needs to be rewarmed by the person. I guess this makes sense. I do find the S2S comfortable. I just used the Neoair on a multi day hike and was surprised at how warm it is and while not as comfortable as the S2S, it was comfortable enough. I actually slept better with the Neoair because I was warmer. I decided I will use the Neoair in cooler weather and the S2S for summer. The ExPed will be a pad to loan to friends. As a side note, the regular wide Neoair weighs 16 ounces on my scale , the S2S MW is 21 ounces, the ExPed MW is 14.8 ounces. It sounds like the Nemo Tensor would be the best of all worlds though I have never tried one.

[@cheri7828]

Correction to above, the S2S is the womens long.

[@ItsGoodintheWoods]

Just had to repair my nemo. Developed a slow leak on my last canoe trip

[@nedanother9382]

Im also a Nemo user now for years. Everything you say about it is accurate. Its is very comfortable and Ive never had an issue with warmth. Its my understanding however that the nemo insulated is very similar in R value to the Neoair. So I keep looking at the 4 oz difference. The bigger issue is the durability. I had a blow out that I could never figure out but figured it was somehow my fault. Then there were pin holes I assumed were from pine needles (pretty sure it was) but now Im getting pin holes in the welded areas. As if they over heated the thin material by just a bit when sealing it. Teeny tiny holes develop and would be pretty tough to find outside a calm bath tub. To be fair this is maybe season 6 on it but these are defects directly attributed to the 20D. I ended up with patches on patches so now its a badass shorty pad. I am looking to try the neoair.

[@timchaboude499]

I swear by my Thermarest.

[@lisajones8730]

Man, I wish I could find a sleep pad that I like. I have a 4" sea to summit with an R rating of 6.5. It's heavy as heck but still hurts my back. I can't make it longer than two nights without my back spasming. Actually 1 1/2. The second night my back wakes me up around 2am. I'd love to actually be able to do a multi day trip.

[@Vences5]

I think a hammock setup is ideal for you

[@shawn409]

Pillow pop up part of the pad, pillow pop up part of the pad, pillow pop up part of the pad.

[@musingwithreba9667]

I was recently out for a 2 week trip and had 2, yep 2! Thermarest Xlites fail on me. The wing valves are crap and I will never buy another Thermarest product. Ever. I've been looking at reviews of all the other pads and still can't make up my mind what to get to replace the crap Thermarest. Nemo tho is toward the top of the list.

[@scottbutler1561]

Good comparison of both, thanks.

[@coaroas9243]

No argument, Thermarest. Nuff said! Only one pad needed! Well, maybe 2, the summer weight and winter weight. So, only 2 are needed!

[@peaksandvalleys1187]

I have to say I agree about the pump sacks. Nemos SUUUCCCCKKKS. I upgraded mine to an exped Schnoozl UL. It’s water resistant and huge so it doubles as my quilt stuff sack.

[@SigfridSWE]

The Nemo pad are easy to inflate. You just push in the middle of the valv and air comes out. So its easyer then the Tensor.

[@johannasolesbee5647]

Just in time i got boths lol i can't still decide lol

[@gretchenlopez787]

Nemo tensor FTW.

[@arcana1973]

Any pad that isn't a big agnes is going to be a winner.

[@GoneFeralWithSquidly]

I was split between buying a Thermarest and a Nemo. I went with the Thermarest but I don’t remember what the deciding factor(s) was/were. Where was this when I was deciding? 🤣😂 🦑

[@DerekLand]

No Exped no care 🤷‍♂️

[@Hikesoup]

Am I the only person who doesn't mind blowing pads? 😀

[@markcummings6856]

You’re full of hot air. The Tensor is nowhere in the same league as the Neo Air X- Lite.

[@Coreycry]

he specifically avoided talking r-value, all the weight and warmth comparison are void.

[@markcummings6856]

@@Coreycry Exactly.