NEMO Tensor Excessive Situations Overview: Reinventing the Heat-to-Weight Podium

Nothing will get a gram-weenie, toothbrush-choppin’, ultralight trail-trotter like me extra jazzed than seeing claims like those above. It’s like studying about movie star drama on the Met Gala — for dirtbags. Hell hath no fury just like the warmth-to-weight debate amongst backpackers.

And it’s maybe most fierce when the subject of sleeping baggage and pads arises. These are, in spite of everything, two of a very powerful and space-consuming members of the “huge 4” household in your backpack.

In early Could 2021, I used to be post-holing in hip-deep snow by means of the frozen San Juans on a determined thru-hike of the CDT. Whereas my Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite stored me cozy in most situations, what I’d have given for a pad with anyplace close to an 8.5 R-value on these frigid snow-blasted nights in Colorado. However each choice was just too heavy for an ultralight loadout. So when the Tensor Excessive Situations ($250) got here out, I used to be past psyched to get my grubby paws on it.

Such excessive insulation isn’t crucial for many shoulder-season backpacking journeys. However when a pad weighs lower than high fashions in the marketplace that may’t even boast half the R-value, it’s price a glance. Plus, spurts of high-altitude mileage by means of freezing temps could also be required in the course of the fall and spring, as I’ve found on every of my thru-hikes. And, for these stone-cold professionals braving arctic temps on searching excursions and winter thru-hikes, this can be the backcountry mattress of your goals.

NEMO’s newly launched Tensor Excessive Situations (EC) Pad is already making ripples within the out of doors neighborhood. It’s fully toasting the competitors and raked in a coveted worldwide ISPO award. However does it deserve the crimson carpet? After placing this slim feat of engineering by means of frigid fall backpacking journeys, in a single day climbing journeys in Appalachia, and even huge wall ascents in Yosemite sleeping on portaledges, I agree — there’s nothing fairly prefer it.

Briefly: Whereas I’ve a couple of qualms that arose throughout testing, the Tensor Excessive Situations undoubtedly units a brand new bar in ultralight sleeping pad innovation. Constructing on the shoulders of NEMO’s established sleeping pad tech, Thermal Mirror Insulation, and new Apex baffles crank up the warmth with out packing on kilos. For uncompromising heat at an ultralight weight on freezing forays within the backcountry, that is fairly actually pretty much as good because it will get.

• Weight
  1 lb., 1 oz. (Common Mummy)
• R-value
  8.5
• Thickness
  3.5″
• Materials
  20D and 40D GRS-certified & Bluesign-approved nylon

• 
  Greatest warmth-to-weight ratio in the marketplace
• 
  Small pack dimension
• 
  Sturdy development regardless of mild weight
• 
  Fast inflation time
• 
  Quiet

• 
  Extraordinarily troublesome to suit into stuff sack
• 
  Slippery materials
• 
  Not our favourite valve development

NEMO Tensor Excessive Situations Overview

Let’s get all the way down to brass tacks: this pad isn’t for everybody. NEMO broke some severe floor in creating the Tensor Excessive Situations. However I wouldn’t advocate it to only any ultralighter hitting the path. That is for the hiker, backpacker, hunter, mountaineer — you identify it — who’s staring down the barrel of technical missions in frigid temps, and must maintain that base weight as little as potential.

In creating such a light-weight monster insulator, Nemo did have to chop some corners — particularly within the consolation and useability departments. Heat and an ultralight profile are prioritized right here.

That’s to not say you’ll be able to’t snag some severe Zs atop this pad, although. Sure, it’s a bit slender and falls on the slippery fringe of the spectrum. Nevertheless it boasts an opulent 3.5-inch top and isn’t close to as “bouncy” as different fashions I’ve examined, vastly bettering sleep.

Regardless of a minimal weight of 1 pound, 1 ounce, the Tensor EC boils with thermal effectivity. It cranks out a formidable R-value of 8.5. That’s the very best worth in the marketplace, with a weight that rivals top-shelf pads price half the heat. Apex baffles are key components within the secret sauce.

Apex Baffle Development: Hefty Insulation in a Tiny Package deal

The Tensor EC borrows some core components from current NEMO pads, like one-way lay-low valves, and suspended Thermal Mirror metalized movie. Nevertheless, it employs a brand new baffle tech known as Apex. 4 layers of its thermal movie are positioned over trapezoidal trusses (versatile, vertical helps throughout the pad), versus the frequent rectangular design.

Every sheet of movie is slotted over these trusses, with different-sized holes in every sheet. That eliminates the necessity to weld them in place. By free-floating every sheet, NEMO not solely cuts weight however vastly reduces the loud crinkly sound that’s so frequent — and insomnia-inducing — with insulating air pads.

Every layer displays again physique warmth and guards towards radiant warmth loss, whereas deflecting chilly from the bottom. Although I wasn’t in a position to take a look at this within the sub-zero temps it’s designed to deal with, I approached the freezing level on a few journeys and may affirm — that is one heck of a toasty pad. By no means as soon as was I uncomfortable or chilly.

The low-stretch trusses throughout the pad cut back springiness and supply a stunning steadiness of assist and provides, regardless of the 4 suspended movie layers beneath you. I had some fears — notably as a aspect sleeper — that the “suspended” nature of the Thermal Mirror sheets would result in an uneven feeling. However I used to be pleasantly shocked at how steady it felt, even whereas tossing and turning.

The three.5-inch stack top makes this a dream for side-sleepers. It’s a half-inch bump from my flagship NeoAir XLite that often accompanies me on backpacking excursions.

Tensor Excessive Situation’s Slim, Ultralight Silhouette

The Tensor EC‘s slim design and skinny supplies cut back weight, however I discovered myself sliding off on a number of events — no due to the comparatively slippery material. Whereas a 20-inch width is in keeping with high light-weight pads (such because the NeoAir XLite NXT and UberLite), it feels slender for a pad with such a excessive stack top and lofty R-value. If I’m going to be tenting in sub-zero temps, I schlep alongside a chunky sub-zero sleeping bag. I’m usually additionally carrying a thick winter coat, hat, gloves, and so forth.

All of this on a 20-inch pad feels a bit hindering. Pads with related excessive R-values, like Exped’s Extremely 7R and Dura 8R enable you a tad extra girth, affording a cozier, much less constraining sleep.

Although it’s designed for ultralight winter missions in arctic situations, I discovered its skinny profile, excessive insulation, and beneficiant cushion excellent for a distinct segment out of doors goal: sleeping on slender ledges throughout chilly huge wall ascents. Whereas a jaunt up El Cap is a considerably unconventional testing floor for a sleeping pad, it supplied distinctive perception that different adventures might not have. It pressured me to deal with particular components greater than others.

NEMO’s Tensor EC Goes Climbing

Close to-freezing temps, whipping wind, teetering hundreds of ft above a darkish void — every fall evening on El Cap is a take a look at of endurance and squeamishness. My mattress of selection for our 5-day foray was not picked flippantly. I wanted a extremely insulated pad with the bottom weight potential. It additionally wanted to be slim sufficient to suit on small pure ledges and on our portaledge. The Tensor EC match the invoice nearly completely.

If I used to be impressed at how properly it stored me heat on stable floor, I used to be blown away by its potential to insulate me from chilly seeping in from the granite face. It was like sleeping on a smushy area heater. Not solely that, however the comparatively slender width allowed me to squeeze onto tiny ledges with out the pad falling off

Moreover, its 40-denier nylon backside resisted ripping towards the sharp stone. Sturdiness is at all times a concern of mine when testing ultralight pads. So this was a nice shock. Whereas sleeping on our portaledge, it deflected violent gusts of wind that endlessly whipped the underside of the ledge, cocooning me in heat.

A small gap on the high of the pad allowed me to clip it to a sling in case the pad slipped from underneath me and flew away within the breeze. This additionally serves as a straightforward approach to dangle the pad as much as dry if it will get moist. That was a easy added bonus that I haven’t seen on different pads.

This can be a distinctive instance, however my climb allowed me to view and admire this pad from completely different angles. It proved the Tensor EC’s sturdiness in harsher situations than a generic tenting journey.

I additionally introduced it on a latest nippy fall backpacking romp alongside the Cumberland Path in Tennessee. The colours had been popping, and the solar was good — however temps plummeted at evening. It was exhausting to consider the mercury due to how heat I used to be. I even needed to shed layers and open my sleeping bag to vent a bit. I rapidly realized I wasn’t doing this pad justice. It yearns for far-flung expeditions on the very fringe of life-threatening situations.

Mini Pack Measurement — With a Caveat

One in every of Tensor Excessive Situations‘ promoting factors is how small it packs down, in correlation with its absurdly low weight. The pad rolls up nice, and does certainly cram down to only over the dimensions of a Nalgene. However boy, do I’ve to virtually blow a gasket to get it there. The included stuff sack is constricting, to say the least. Until you roll it up with manufacturing facility precision, it takes some severe gumption to stuff the pad inside.

That’s very true if you wish to stow the pump sack with it. Contemplating the EC was designed to be used in freezing temps, that is the final battle I think about you’d need to combat with numb, frozen fingers on crisp alpine begins.

I’m a fan of beneficiant stuff sacks. I can at all times shove gear down smaller inside my pack even when the sack has a dishevelled match round it. I discovered the EC’s small pouch notably irritating whereas juggling cams, haul baggage, and tenting gear within the early mornings on El Cap, balancing precariously on our portaledge. On a number of events, I nearly dropped the pad whereas wrestling it into the sack.

I’m being fairly cynical right here. But when packed dimension is famous as a main professional, it might be good if it shrunk to the claimed dimension simply. That stated, for the heat this factor delivers, it’s an impressively small package deal. Different pads on this bracket of insulation are a lot bulkier and heavier and should embrace some type of insulation to realize such a excessive R-value.

So sure, that is objectively a particularly compressible mannequin. I simply want it match higher within the storage pouch it supplies.

Lay-Low Valve, Excessive-Worth Adjustment

Sleeping pad valves are available all styles and sizes. Whereas some are higher than others, basically each model and mannequin now options one-way valves with the choice to rapidly dump the air when it’s time to roll it up. NEMO’s Lay-Low valve follows go well with. It makes inflation a breeze, and micro-adjustments even simpler. Both use its included Vortex pump sack, or blow it up along with your mouth to avoid wasting weight. This factor inflates quick.

Take away the highest cap to entry the one-way valve, and pull the cap beneath out to swiftly deflate it. I’m usually not a fan of valves that sit on high of my pad, as they’ll rub towards my head at evening. However this one is about as flush with the material because it will get.

For a extra cushioned really feel, the valve makes it simple to launch air even when the pad is weighted. Open the highest cap and easily push the interior valve down barely. Micro changes are simpler to make than most pads I’ve performed with.

Watch out, although. On a few events, I by accident pulled your entire valve out of the pad whereas making an attempt to make changes, deflating the factor completely. It was my very own fault, however be sure you rub the sleep out of your eyes and seize the proper tab in the event you wake in a daze at midnight.

Vortex Pump Sack — One of many Greatest Out There

I was a pump sack denier in an effort to cull as many ounces as potential. However after seeing how a lot moisture they maintain out of your pad, and the way a lot time you save throughout inflation, I’ve been toting them alongside most of the time.

The EC’s Vortex locks onto the pad securely. And it inflates the pad in as little as two and a half pumps. Mild-headed inflation periods be gone!

That is by far one of many easiest-to-use pump sacks I’ve examined. It has a slender opening to blow air into and inflates to max capability with just some puffs. Rolling it down is a cinch, and the sack stays firmly connected to the valve.

You may forego the pump sack to avoid wasting area and weight. Simply know: the “lay-lowness” side of the valve makes it considerably troublesome to inflate your entire factor by mouth. It’s positively potential, however not almost as simple as utilizing the big aspect valves on pads like Therm-A-Relaxation’s NeoAirs.

Drawbacks of the Tensor Excessive Situations

NEMO’s Tensor Excessive Situations serves as a reminder that high quality innovation remains to be potential this late within the out of doors sport. It represents a brand new chapter in thermal effectivity. It’s surely probably the greatest pads in the marketplace for ultralight missions in frigid situations. And, in my view, $250 for this degree of efficiency is aggressive and downright reasonably priced.

In mild of that, it’s admittedly troublesome to ding. This pad genuinely blew me away by how snug, quiet, light-weight, and packable this factor is.

Our nitpicks with this pad are trivial contemplating what NEMO has completed, however it’s our job to notice them. Briefly, its incapability to simply roll up into its stuff sack is our largest quibble. In case you have a pleasant open floor it’s simpler, however in a crowded backpacking tent — and notably on a wobbly portaledge — it’s troublesome to get all of the air out and roll it as tight because it must be. Including the pump sack to the combination makes this even tougher.

Moreover, the face material is on the slippery aspect. I discovered myself sliding off plenty of occasions in the course of the evening. Different pads of comparable insulation and stack top function grippier surfaces. Lastly, I want the Lay-Low valve was a tad simpler to inflate by mouth.

What’s the Competitors — If Any?

There aren’t many backpacking pads that stand as much as the Tensor EC. People who do tip the scales with heftier weights and pack sizes. Exped’s Extremely 7R (7 R-value; 1 pound, 6 ounces) and Dura 8R (8 R-value; 2 kilos, 1 ounce), Therm-a-Relaxation’s NeoAir XTherm NXT (7.3 R-value, 1 pound), and Sea to Summit’s Ether Mild XT Excessive (6.2 R-value; 1 pound, 9.6 ounces) are maybe the closest competitors for light-weight backpacking.

None of those contact the warmth-to-weight ratio of the EC. Some use down or artificial insulation to crank up the warmth, packing on ounces and bulk. For next-level heat at a mind-boggling weight, the EC is subsequent to none.

NEMO Tensor Excessive Situations Overview: Who Is It For?

Do you want an 8.5 R-value pad for many of your backpacking adventures? Until fixed high-altitude alpine missions are your modus operandi, the reply might be no. Is it good to have such insulation for just-in-case freezes or stretches of chilly trails on longer journeys? Sometimes, sure — notably when it weighs a scant 17 ounces.

Had been I to do the CDT or PCT once more, that is most likely the pad I’d not less than ship forward of me for the snow-laden Sierra Nevada, Cascade, and San Juan ranges. It could have turned many a shiver bivy right into a heat, full evening of sleep.

The Tensor Excessive Situations pad is for die-hard adventurers going through unmentionably chilly situations on ultralight targets. At the price of some usability and luxury, it retains pack weight to a naked minimal whereas delivering one of the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any pad at present in the marketplace. After numerous cozy nights nestled above the Nemo Tensor EC, the opposite pads in my closet must be fearful. This may increasingly have simply turn into my favourite backcountry mattress when the mercury drops.