tldr; Quiet insulated pad. No crinkle, great warmth-to-weight. Premium choice.
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Best praise vs top criticism for Nemo Tensor Insulated
“I’m 6ft, 180lbs, and mainly sleep on my back. I think I’m going to keep the Nemo Tensor. The Rapide SL was the least comfortable. While I liked the enlarged side baffles that keep you centered, the main baffles felt bumpy. I was quick to remove this pad from the comparison. The XLite NXT felt the most supportive and is definitely the quietest. The materials felt durable and it also had the best pump sack out of the three. The Tensor AS was just a *tad* more comfortable than the NXT, but it’s also louder and more delicate. The main reasons why I put the Tensor over the NXT was its higher R-Value, being able to pack down smaller, and deflate quicker.”
“Eh. I have the Nemo Tensor and it doesn’t matter. Inflated by breath directly or by pump sack, I always have condensed moisture in the pad. When I’m home I inflate it just a bit, leave the valve open, and put it in a sunny, dry area to completely dry out. I first bought into the mouth breather/pump sack school of thought but there has been no discernible difference between the two methods by my 3 years of empirical data (I.e. actual trail experience). I used the pump sack now because it’s faster and I don’t worry about passing out blowing up the pad. This doesn’t hurt the pad either way. It’s the improper drying, gear care, and storage that causes mold damage.”
221 Reddit opinions analyzed • Last updated 2/24/2026