NEMO - Tensor™ Elite Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad

This inherently does not answer your question, because it is only R2.4, but I've been using the new Tensor Elite which packs to the size of my fist and weighs 7oz. I've used it on multiple 32F nights on shaded ground. I have used my torso-length 1/8" pad to supplement sometimes, but not all the time, and have not perceived a difference in warmth. I've mostly used it for grip. In summary, I've been impressed by it and would currently not consider anything else for a sub-20L pack system Edit: meant to say Elite, not Extreme

Yeah I'm kind of in the same position. It's about what you'd expect, it's comfortable within the limits of a short, regular width pad. It's very slippery. I've used it for about 10 nights, mostly in Grand Canyon, and it hasn't leaked yet. I'm pretty good at fixing sleeping pads, so I bought it knowing that if a leak is fixable I can handle it in the field, and if it's not fixable they will warranty it for me and I could ask for something different. Like I said I've used it in combo with 1/8 ccf because that's part of my pack but I don't think that's necessary. So, in summary, I'm skeptical of it but I have yet to be given a reason to believe it's a stupid product. It's a huge gain in comfort:weight ratio compared to my Xlite.

I have about 10 nights on one. It's comfortable and hasn't failed yet. It's very easy to use compared to Neoair because of the valves. It is definitely slippery and I sometimes use a 1/8" foam under it to mitigate this. I have yet to be cold on it, even with a few nights around freezing on shaded ground. I have a similar philosophy about its durability. I'm pretty good at fixing pads in the field so if occasional leaks are fixable I'm okay with that. If something stupid fails that's not fixable, I'll be asking for a different one when I warranty it. They are pretty great at customer service and if they are going to launch a product like this I'm not ashamed to hold them accountable

It's the quietest pad I've used, except for occasional little squeaks against the CCF I use under it

The Tensor Elite has thinner material than the Uberlite

Slightly more comfortable and completely silent unless you put it on something squeaky in my 10 nights of experience

I agree but also more slippery, and obviously less durable

10 nights here so I'll help -It is not noisy at all unless you put it on top of something squeaky. -It is quite slippery, moreso than a Neoair. I often struggle to decide between putting my 1/8" foam below (protection and grip) or above (body grip). I think ultimately I will stick to below and put some Seam Grip on top for body/sleeping bag grip -It's the easiest pad to inflate and deflate in existence IMO. This is because the valves are excellent, mine is the short version so it just doesn't take much lung time, the dump valve is wide open, and the material is so supple so you don't have to be careful about folding it nicely. I was actually struck right away by how all of these things contribute to its ease of use

I mostly agree with you. I was already carrying a Thinlight on 98% of trips even with a heavier inflatable. So that's actually why I decided to try the Elite. I personally got it for less than 200 as well.

Tensor Elite Short Mummy is 7.6 oz. With the stuff sack and patch kit it's 8.04 oz. With the included pad inflator that I doubt literally anyone will use, it's 10 oz. Source: I own it.

The released specs are exactly the same. Your assumption that "most" people will use all the extras that come with pads is flawed. At best I would include both minimum and full weights when available.

I've only slept on it for one night with a Thinlight underneath, where it got down to 35F and I felt the cold under the pad for sure but it was fine. A coworker that also bought the pad who is going on the PCT soon slept on it for a month indoors to test it out and had his rip open. He claims he just rolled over and heard it pop. [Here's a video of the damage.](https://imgur.com/a/lGLgBd3) I would *never* use it without a Thinlight.

I only use pads that are too short for me. I currently use an XLite Womens (66") and a Tensor Elite (63"). I like having my feet hang off the edge after a long day of hiking, it feels better. If I'm on a longer pad or in a bed, I will do the same thing.

I’m a side sleeper as well and I stopped using my Nemo tensor so much because of the potato chip bag noise effects heh. This past winter, I’ve used the Sea to Summit comfort plus. It is easily the most comfortable pad I’ve ever used for side sleeping. And inflates and deflates easily. Highly recommend!

Is it noisy? The tensor I bought a couple of years ago is still going strong but man it’s like sleeping on top of a potato chip bag. I’m a guy that moves from side to side so it can be a problem some nights.

Same. Love the 3R (not slippery, not noisy, vertical baffles and “rails”) but really jealous of the Tensor Elite weight. Now, if Tensor made the Elite in a 25”, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

I just spent my first night sleeping on a tensor elite. Loved it! 40F was the nighttime low temp and I was fine. It is comfortable but slippery. More comfortable than either an xlite or an uberlite for sure. I got the short version which weighed 7.5 oz on my scale. I added pillow attachment loops at a point that my Big Sky Dream Nation pillow slightly cantilevered off the head end and that worked great. The net effect is that it worked like a full length and I am 5’-10” — I wasn’t expecting that. A pleasant surprise all around.

Assuming you are attempting to go ultralight — else why post here? — you should be looking for the lightest pad that is appropriate for the target conditions. Since your intended use is summer, you don’t need a high r-value pad. Getting one would only add unnecessary weight. It will also cost more than a closed cell foam pad, and you mentioned cost as a consideration. So I’d suggest you get something like a Nemo Switchback, cut it down to six panels (about 170g / 6 oz), and *learn* to get comfortable sleeping on that. Comfort is not a fixed point, but can be achieved with a proper mindset and a willingness to practice. You are going to get a lot of non-UL advice on this subreddit, despite the stated focus. (A tell is that they don’t mention weight when making a recommendation.) Don’t spend money on a heavy pad that will move you away from your assumed goal of going ultralight. If you really want an inflatable, look at the Nemo Tensor Elite (240g / 8.5 oz). That’s the lightest inflatable option currently available and is quite comfortable.

Plenty of brands use 20D, the few times they've ventured lower has massively impacted durability; see the thermarest uberlite and the current Nemo tensor elite, which Nemo even admitted developed pin holes during testing. You will be fine with 20D with or without CCF underneath. I use an X-lite which is 30D I believe but previous mats I've used were 20D all fine and I'm don't exactly baby my gear lol.

Less r value but the Nemo tensor elite is at 8.5oz for the short length and you don't need to cut anything. Mine worked amazing without a problem on the PCT. I guess you could cut this down as well to save another 3oz ish.

The Nemo Elite pads have been discussed on this sub as a potential (even lighter) successor to the Uberlite. All the weights referenced are pad-only. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1hwnj25/nemo\_tensor\_elite\_lightest\_pad\_ever/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1hwnj25/nemo_tensor_elite_lightest_pad_ever/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1dv0yrp/nemo\_tensor\_elite\_2025\_a\_potential\_uberlite/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1dv0yrp/nemo_tensor_elite_2025_a_potential_uberlite/) Your tables, your rules. Just thought I'd let you know.

Yes it's a concern. It's filling a niche formerly occupied by the thermarest uberlite, which was recently discontinued presumably because of the prevalence of durability issues. It feels a bit more substantial than the uberlite. But if I were going to rely on it, I would make sure I had a patch kit and knew how to use it, and be more careful with site selection than normal.

I spent one night on mine in a shakeout last weekend. I used a 10° ZPacks regular bag. I wore Marino base layers AND down pants. AND a ghost whisperer down puffy. I’m female. I sleep cold. It went down to 25° F. I got the 5’3” version of the Elite. My impressions: * Not more or less comfortable than my thermarest xlite. * Slippery AF. Like an eel slippery. I was already prepared for this from the reviews and had put a bit of seam sealer on the bottom side. It definitely helped. I was on a cushy flat spot so unsure how this will handle real world slanted tent spots. I’ve added a bit more to the underside of my pillow. (It slid right off despite having a strap.) * I was FREEZING. It went down to 25° F. I brought a thermarest CCF pad and a second puffy as a “just in case”. A few hours in, I added pad under the elite and put on the puffy, I was still cold. I kinda don’t blame this pad. It was just a super cold night and there had been snow on the ground only 48 hours before. * the flat valve is a pain. I use the zero pump and getting everything connected properly took longer than blowing up the pad. I assume I’ll get better at this but I definitely prefer thermarest’s valve which is a no brainer. * the size is PERFECT!!!! I’m 5’5”. I like my feet to hang off the end slightly. I wish all the other companies would make this size. Why is it only a choice between 6 feet or something that doesn’t even support the knees??!? * I’d previously been using the regular xlite (pre NFT but with the fancy valve the introduced in 2020) which I’d manually shortened to 60 inches. **The Elite saved me 3 oz** over that. To me, that makes the Elite worth taking a risk on. * I’m obviously worried about its durability. However, I used the torso length uberlite for about a month on the PCT. It held up just fine. I only ditched it because it was just too short for comfort. So, I’m pretty nice to my pads. I’m going to give the Elite a go on the CDT. Fingers crossed. 🤞