Nemo beats Xtherm BIG TIME! 😮
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ส.ค. 2024
- You are worth great comfort and a good night sleep on your hikes! Today i talk about WHY i changed from the Thermarest Neoair Xtherm to the NEMO TENSOR ALPINE for this season and compare the two regarding comfort and warmth and above all... NOISE! The XTHERM IS GOOD... but is the ALPINE a BETTER choice? Let’s find out!
Xtherm is a great pad, both super warm and lightweight... but when it comes to the comfort the APLINE is the better choice in my opinion. Now, I have only used it for a couple of nights but it’s a HUGE difference, honestly!
I bought it for my own money so this is 100% my honest opinion! you should try out this pad, no question about it!
For more information about the pads in this video, follow the links below:
NEMO TENSOR ALPINE
www.nemoequipment.com/collect...
Thermarest Neoair Xtherm (NXT version)
www.thermarest.com/ie/sleepin...
Sea To Summit Eather Light XT Insulated
seatosummit.eu/products/ether...
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Great video and I completely agree with your assessment. I have both pads. On the very cold nights I use my Alpine with a closed cell phone pad and that definitely helps bring up the R-value.
Amazing video. Just what I was looking for. Thank you!
You’re welcome 👍🏻 glad I could help
Can't wait for the review of your new tent :)
Hi Diego ✋🏻 need to get some more experience with it, planning a short trip next week to familiarise myself with it… maybe will be an episode like “first night with new tent” 🙂 like a preview before a review. We’ll see 😄
I’ve used my Xtherm a few times and like you said you can feel the heat reflecting back onto you. But it’s not as comfortable as my Tensor, so when I don’t need the insulation I use that. I also have an Exped DownMat 9, which should be warmer with its 7.9 R-value but left me chilly in a 0F bag at around 15F. The kicker is I was inside a cabin near the summit of a a mountain. An explanation I’ve seen that made sense to me is that the down isn’t evenly distributed and has cold spots. That was about 5.5 years ago and I haven’t used it since.
I enjoy your vids Robert very much. Last summer I got and used Nemo tensor for the same reason: comfort. And I must confess it was comfortable :) not that I was so uncomfortable on my neoair xlite, or the noise bothered me, not at all, but somehow it was a better sleep, though in the back of my mind I suffered for additional grams, haha. I own xtherm as well, but even xlite gives back the heat immediately, in that, therm-a-rest pads are unique and unbeatable, but to paraphrase Shakespeare here "to tensor or to xlite this season, that is the question"
Yeah 😄that’s the big drawback for sure! But for me, totally worth it!
have you ever used the xtherm when it was hot outside? did it feel too warm when you slept on it?
@@frogturtle no, I haven't, from May to September only xlite, but I don't think it would make any difference, it just reflects your body heat, I use xtherm in cold condition and it works as nice as xlite, I used my xlite once with -17C (1.5F) with the closed cell pad under and it was Ok. last year bought and tested for a week tensor, seriously comfortable but I also got another xlite, wide version this time, about the same weight as regular tensor, so I'm in a fix, which one to use this summer?
I got a NEMO Tensor EC last week. The EC is WAY more comfortable than the other Tensor lines, and is *almost* as comfortable as my EXPED 7R. The EXPED absolutely owns the comfort world, but for weight and R-value, the Tensor EC dominates. It is exceptional. It is quiet, very quiet, nearly as quiet as the EXPED which is effectively silent. The R-value is 8.5 on the EC and it is 618g on my scale (just the pad).
Like you, I'm a cold sleeper. I reluctantly admit I'm a bit of a pansy about a cold night of sleep. On the EC's maiden voyage, I also took the EXPED 7R. I used an Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20F (-6.7C) and paired it with the EC. I used a Zenbivy 10 Quilt and Sheet system on the EXPED. The temperature dropped to 20F. I was dressed in light synthetic pants (Wrangler tech cargo things) and a long sleeve athletic synthetic shirt with a sun hoodie over the top and a lined watch cap (knit cap). I also used a Trekology Ultralight pillow with both. The site was exposed and the ground was very hard; I had to use a tool to pound my stakes into the compressed decomposed granite of the mountain site, so there was zero natural insulating properties at all.
At 20F I was cool but quite comfortable on the EC and under the EE Revelation, which is presumably its comfort limit rating. This flatly amazed me. The pad was absolutely immune to the cold under me, though it really only radiates heat where you're laying on it due to the nature of the insulation type, so it may well work better with a quilt than a sleeping bag; something to consider.
At the coldest part of the night I moved over to the Zenbivy. The ZB performed better, but that's expected as its comfort rating is 10F (-12.2C). The EXPED was *just* starting to let a little cool creep in, but as before was still very, very comfortable even for my delicate self... I really do hate that about me).
So, my conclusion is that the EC outperforms the EXPED at 20F for thermal insulation. It is *nearly* as quiet as the EXPED (effectively the same, which surprises me as it does crinkle when you handle it, but it doesn't when you're laying on it). It is not as comfortable as my EXPED but more comfortable than any other pad I've ever used; it is a solid rival for comfort when compared to the EXPED.
I completely missed the EX being so light weight, I might have chosen that one instead! I don’t do winter hikes but early spring when the nights are around-2to -5 and the ground still frozen… then it’s good to have a solid pad to keep the warmth!
Thanks for sharing your experience 🙏🏻
It's on my list to purchase. I have an older Exped wide, long insulated mummy mat (-20degrees) but would prefer the rectangular wide.
It’s a very nice and comfortable pad no doubt! Used it for a year no and it’s just perfect!
First i got the exped synmat 7 and it was good but not so comfortable as i am i sidesleeper and i could feel my hips through the madress. I then upgraded to the sea to summit xtherm and this really was a gamechanger in comfort due to its 10 cm thickness. Its about warm down to 0 decrees celcius i would say , below that i can feel the cold from the ground during the early morning hours. Great video as always robert..
Thanks 🙏🏻
I'm primarily a side-sleeper and my EXPED 7R is absolutely, hands-down, the most comfortable pad ever.
Great review, looks like a comfortable air pad. But I'm not buying (🤞) anymore gear this year, sorta. I got the Flextail 2x pump you recommended. Excellent piece of kit. I also got the extherm after it was highly recommended by you and others. It's last year's model and probably the last one on sale here in Canada. The new 7.4 versions are about $100 more with tax. I found something interesting called the German Army elephant skin tarp to go underneath.
Elephant skin tarp… sounds interesting 😮😄, gotta look that one up!! And love the 2x… nice to have the lantern!!
I also have exact same issues with the exact same pad - not sleeping nicely due to lack of comfort.
Surely with this Nemo it’s worthy to add the 3mm of foam mat and to then also add a foil mattress which weighs just a handful of grams.
Haven’t needed to add anything than the 3 mm EVA I mainly use for protection. It’s warm enough as it is for three seasons… for winter might be a good idea though with the added foil 👍🏻
Great video! But, my STS ETher Light XT, rectangular wide, weighs 23oz, or 0.65kg, not 1 kg. It's extremely comfortable, though not as warm as the Xtherm.
Thanks 🙏🏻 and yes i meant the winter versions of the STS pads, the black one (extreme) comparable to Alpine and Xtherm (4 season pads)
About that foam underpad for protection.
It is possible to get a spruce needle stuck in the foam. Especially when also used as a sit pad. Double edge sword type thing.
Good to inspect it sometimes for poky things.
I totally agree yes… I always try to fold it so the same side always faces the pad but not the ground when sitting on it.
We’ll see how it plays out but an inspection now and then I believe to be a must… like you say.
Robert, you seem the one to ask: I by chance have time to hike a bit of the bohusleden soon. Should I take tent or hammock? (tent is lighter and more compact. Hammock is comfortable and maybe more options to find a good campspot?)
Good question, I’m a tent guy myself the the answer is always a tent 😄 but jokes aside, bohusleden as well as Sörmlandsleden is sometimes hard to find a good and big enough spot for a tent but a lot of trees right 😄🤷🏼♂️ but I would go for the one you like the most… that would often be the right choice 🙂 looking forward seeing some pictures!!
@@roberthammenrudh Thanks. I'm still undecided. Hammock or Lunar Solo... Will let you know. ;-)
Now regarding comfort both Nemo and STS Etherlight are more comfortable tham Xterm but which one is most comfortable out of first two?
Good question, since STS is thicker I believe that one to have the slight advantage but honestly, they are both really good. If the Extreme pads from STS weren’t so heavy I would probably have choose them instead, based on my experience using the Eather light XT Insulated.
I really liked the Nemo Tensor Insulated but iam already on my 3rd pad now because they always failed quite fast. I get always leaks from the baffle weld and one time i had this even on a brand new pad.. Not acceptable for me and if its holding air its more comfy than a therm a rest but i prefer a pad which holds the air.
Totally understand, no fun with a leaking pad off course! Haven’t had any problems yet but we’ll see, added the foam pad just for this reason and will be a bit more careful then with my Xtherm in 70D fabric.
I had the same problem with Neoairs too, hips would really ache no matter how much I deflated it. Considering this one or the Sea to Summit Ether XT Insulated atm to replace it.
One i will never buy again is an Exped mat. They only have a 5 year defect warranty on burst baffles and they stand rigid to it. Everyone else has a lifetime warranty. Time passes really quick and 5 years just isnt that long in reality, expensive to keep replacing.
I have the STS Eather Light XT Insulated women’s and now the Nemo Alpine and both are super comfortable so what ever you choose you will most likely love them 🙂👍🏻
Most important sleeping-pad factors are: 1) *Pad-weight,* 2) *Weight-limit,* 3) *Side-rails.* R-value is rarely, if ever, worth its weight. Considering a windshield-pad weighs only 99g (3.5oz), adding enough R-value to an uninsulated air-pad go below 10°F, plus extra padding and protection for the air-pad, it may not seem to make sense to add those ounces inside the air-pad itself? Weight-limit: it would seem many/most/all of these pads develop pinhole leaks after a week or two above 250-300lbs. It's a fundamental limit of the thermo-weld layer inside all pads. Side-rails: are key to effortlessly and unconsciously remaining on the air-pad.
I have never understood why Nemo doesn’t offer this pad in a Regular wide mummy version? Seems a no brainer to me to be competitive with other companies offerings.
Totally agree, would save over 100 grams with same comfort and still plenty of space spreading out.
Do you think that there is a Big difference in comfort between the normal Nemo tensor and Nemo tensor alpine?
Would be the same since it’s the same design and thickness. Can’t find a reason for it not to be, and 4.2 in R is sufficient for most people so a bit of weigh to be saved compared to the Alpine 👍🏻
@@roberthammenrudh i think that i’m going to pick up the normal, because the Nemo tensor material is so thin that i want to protect it with a foam mat anyway. Then the R value will be around 6.7. But the question that i have is that I live in Norway so it is quite cold here sometimes and people here say that an R value of 4 is perfect. there is an offer for a tensor that is not insulated for about $150. but I think that when I become comfortable with using tensor that I will then leave the foam sleeping pad at home. but then I only have an R value of 1.6. maybe a little hard to understand. what I'm wondering is whether I should spend $230 on the one that is insulated or about $150 on the other. I have heard that many people have said that their tensor has started to leak because the fabric is so thin.
@@roberthammenrudh thank you so much for helping me, I will subscribe to your channel right away😁
Do you know what is different vs the Tensor Insulated? Seems to be similar materials, and r-value is quite close. But almost 100g difference in weight.
What I understand it’s mainly a higher R-Value that’s different… so probably an extra layer or reflective material, would explain the added weight.
Have you had time to try it out some more? Im hesitating pulling the trigger on one of these since it seems a bit too many had leaking issues, and also it seems like most stores are no longer keeping them in stock (makes the paranoid me think they are tired of the warranty issues 😅)
@@joakimolsson1024 only have a few nights in it still… going on a hike tomorrow for a couple of nights also so maybe then I know more! So far so good… but will still keep my 3mm EVA underneath for protection! A bit paranoid myself 😄 but also other pads has issues… like the wing lock valve on the Thermarest and leakages on BA so … I don’t know, the perfect and ever lasting pad might not exist! Treat it with care and most of them will last for a long time, if not unlucky that is!!
@@roberthammenrudh thanks! Yeah i guess its no use overthinking it 😅
have you ever used the xtherm in hot weather? like above 60-70 F? i got the xlite only because i thought the xtherm would make me hot if it was warmer outside.
thanks for the video!
Glad you liked it and yea, have used it as my one and only pad for 3 years and also during summer and +25 degree C so about 77 F and no problem! Only reflects your own heat so 🤷🏼♂️ sure… warmer than one with lower R but for me at least no problem. (Use a quilt)
@@roberthammenrudh thanks!
1 kg för sts? Då pratar du extreme? För tre säsonger duger sts etherlight xt insulated. 465 g på min våg. Ett magiskt underlag!
Har ett men inte tillräckligt för egen del för 3 säsonger tyvärr, magiskt annars gällande komfort. Och ja, för att jämföra vikt med likvärdigt R som Alpine eller Xtherm så menar jag Extreme underlagen.
Thermarest has to be wide or large to be really comfortable
Totally agree, I use only wide pads… still the fabric is not stretchy on the Xtherm so the Nemo Alpine is a lot more comfortable, in my opinion. I noticed a big difference anyways 🙂
I have the new Neoair Xlite that’s supposed to have solve the noise issue, never had the old version to compare…. But I had no noise issue and I do roll from back to side quite a bit…
As for getting the air out…. My trick is to use my body/roll it until almost the end…. And to get the little bit of air that’s always pushed once you start folding…. I use the flextail air pump you recommended!
Glad to hear the new xlite and maybe also Xtherm are a bit quieter even if I personally never had any problems with noise! Some people have really hated those pad for it!! 😄
The flextail pump are great 👍🏻 and yea… need a bit of practice to get the air out of my Alpine, was much easier with the Xtherm or STS pad… maybe I try your way 🙂👍🏻or use the Flextail to empty it as well.
@@roberthammenrudh For me, the flextail is an overall weight reduction as I also use it as a lightsource, I know you use just your headlamp, but I like both - a headlamp on myself and tent light to find my way back to my tent :D and it takes the same amount of time to blow my pad as it takes me to blow my pillow.
@@lavanyalea yes , me too love a lantern to get some mood lighting 😎 bring my small CL09 pretty often! Can skip that if I bring the Tiny.