Ultralight Sleeping Pad Comparability
Therm-A-Relaxation, Nemo, Flextail Gear and Rab
Article by Markus Zinkl
Introduction
In terms of ultralight sleeping pads, the steadiness between weight, heat, consolation, and packability is important. Here is an in depth comparability of 5 fashionable fashions: the Therm-A-Relaxation NeoAir XTherm NXT, Therm-A-Relaxation NeoAir XLite NXT, Nemo Tensor Insulated, Flextail Gear Zero Mattress R05, and Rab Ultrasphere 1.5.
Therm-A-Relaxation NeoAir XTherm NXT ($239,95)
Specs:
R-Worth: 7.3
Weight: 15.5 oz / 440 g
Measured Weight (pad solely): 16.1 oz / 457g
Dimensions (LxWxH): 72 in / 183 cm x 20 in / 51 cm x 3 in / 7.6 cm
Packed Measurement: 9 in x 4.5 in / 23 cm x 11 cm
Material: 30D rip HT Nylon (high), 70D Nylon (backside)
Included: Pump Sack, stuff sack, restore equipment
Consolation: The XTherm NXT’s horizontal baffles will not be as snug as different pads. I like to recommend to not absolutely inflate it for higher consolation. The brand new WingLock valve improves over earlier fashions however remains to be suboptimal for deflation, requiring guide urgent to expel air absolutely.
Weight: This pad gives the very best warmth-to-weight ratio among the many in contrast pads, being extraordinarily gentle for a 4-season pad.
Heat: With a formidable R-Worth of seven.3, the XTherm NXT offers wonderful insulation by its reflective movie, guaranteeing no chilly spots.
Packed Measurement: Although the second largest when packed, its compactness is commendable contemplating its heat, particularly when in comparison with down or foam insulated pads.
Therm-A-Relaxation NeoAir XLite NXT ($209,95)
Specs:
R-Worth: 4.5
Weight: 11.5 oz / 330 g
Measured Weight (pad solely): 13.4 oz / 380 g
Dimensions (LxWxH): 72 in / 183 cm x 20 in / 51 cm x 3 in / 7.6 cm
Packed Measurement: 9 in x 4.1 in / 23 cm x 10 cm
Material: 30D rip HT Nylon (high and backside)
Included: Pump Sack, stuff sack, restore equipment
Consolation: Related in building to the XTherm NXT, it shares the identical consolation drawbacks however has a quieter insulation movie. It additionally makes use of the WingLock valve.
Weight: The XLite NXT boasts an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio however is barely heavier than marketed.
Heat: Appropriate for 3-4 seasons, it’s beneficial for temperatures down to fifteen °F / -10 °C. It’s in all probability the very best all-rounder if one pad is required for all seasons.
Packed Measurement: Akin to the Nemo Tensor, it’s compact sufficient for many adventures. Solely the Rab pad packs smaller, however it does not match the XLite’s heat.
Nemo Tensor Insulated ($229,95)
Specs:
R-Worth: 4.2
Weight: 18.4 oz / 522 g
Measured Weight (pad solely): 14.3 oz / 405 g
Dimensions (LxWxH): 72 in / 183 cm x 20 in / 51 cm x 3.1 in / 8 cm
Packed Measurement: 10 in x 3.9 in / 25.5 cm x 10 cm
Material: 20D Polyester (high and backside)
Included: Pump Sack, stuff sack, restore equipment
Consolation: Probably the most snug pad on this comparability, due to its softer polyester material and steady “Spaceframe” baffles. The “Laylow” valve permits simple deflation.
Weight: The added consolation comes with a slight weight penalty in comparison with the XLite NXT.
Heat: Whereas not as heat because the XLite, it offers an amazing steadiness of heat, weight, and luxury attributable to its reflective insulation.
Packed Measurement: It packs equally to the XLite NXT, making it appropriate for numerous adventures.
Flextail Gear Zero Mattress R05 ($119,95)
Specs:
R-Worth: 5.6
Weight: 18.3 oz / 518 g
Measured Weight (pad solely): 17.9 oz / 508 g
Dimensions (LxWxH): 72 in / 183 cm x 20 in / 51 cm x 3.9 in / 10 cm (sides), 2.8 in / 7 cm (center)
Packed Measurement: 9 in x 5 in / 23 cm x 12.5 cm
Material: 30D rip HT Nylon (high), 70D Nylon (backside)
Included: Pump Sack, stuff sack, restore equipment
Consolation: Very snug attributable to its raised aspect baffles. The valve design permits for environment friendly inflation and deflation.
Weight: Heavier attributable to thicker material and artificial insulation. The actual-world R-Worth is round 3, decreasing its efficient warmth-to-weight ratio.
Heat: The artificial insulation leaves gaps that may kind chilly spots, making its real-world R-Worth decrease than marketed.
Packed Measurement: It’s the largest when packed, attributable to its artificial insulation bulk.
Rab Ultrasphere 1.5 ($230,00)
Specs:
R-Worth: 1.3
Weight: 15.5 oz / 340g
Measured Weight (pad solely): 11.7 oz / 332 g
Dimensions (LxWxH): 72 in / 183 cm x 25 in / 64 cm x 3.1 in / 8 cm
Packed Measurement: 5.9 in x 3.5 in / 15 cm x 9 cm
Material: 20D recycled Polyester (high and backside)
Included: Pump Sack, stuff sack, restore equipment
Consolation: Mid-range consolation, not as tender as Nemo however extra snug than Therm-A-Relaxation. The valve permits simple inflation and deflation, however is small for electrical pumps. Didn’t match my Flextail Zero pump.
Weight: The lightest and most compact pad, but in addition the least heat, making it splendid just for summer time use.
Heat: No insulation, beneficial just for summer time adventures.
Packed Measurement: Packs right down to an extremely small dimension, excellent for minimalists and quick packers.
Conclusion
Every sleeping pad has its strengths and weaknesses:
Therm-A-Relaxation NeoAir XTherm NXT: Finest for excessive situations, with a superb warmth-to-weight ratio.
Therm-A-Relaxation NeoAir XLite NXT: Finest all-rounder, appropriate for nearly all seasons with good steadiness.
Nemo Tensor Insulated: Most snug with a balanced warmth-to-weight ratio.
Flextail Gear Zero Mattress R05: Comfy, reasonably priced pad, with good options however heavier and colder in real-world situations.
Rab Ultrasphere 1.5: Extremely-light and compact, finest for summer time use.
Select the pad that most closely fits your particular wants, contemplating the trade-offs between weight, consolation, heat, and packability.
Markus Zinkl: I’m 34 years outdated and stay in a small village in Bavaria, Germany. I began climbing and backpacking 5-6 years in the past. Coming from path working and with gentle and quick in thoughts, I began climbing and quick packing with ultralight gear. Over time I attempted and examined quite a lot of gear, all the time seeking weight financial savings. Though nonetheless making an attempt to remain out of the ultralight rabbit gap. I spend most of my days off from work on the path, with a minimum of one 2-3 week thru-hike. Among the many extra well-known trails I’ve hiked over the previous couple of years are the GR221, WHR (Walker’s Haute Route), TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc), TC (Tour du Cervin-Matterhorn) and By way of Alpina Switzerland. As you in all probability discover by now, I’m at house within the mountains. So if I’m not working or thru-hiking an extended path, I’m in all probability someplace within the Alps trying out some shorter trails.
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Samples have been supplied at no cost for evaluate functions. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and should earn fee on merchandise bought through buying hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are solely the authors’.
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