Nemo Tensor Elite heavier than expected

[Paul S]

Just an FYI, the spec’d weight is not the actual weight. My regular came in at 272g on my calibrated scale, listed weight is 240g. I may return it. It seems like a big discrepancy. My hope was to use it with 1/8 CCF, for the same weight as a heavier pad but with less slipping around.

[Monte Masterson]

Yea 32 g is pretty far off. UOG lists them at 268 g and they weigh everything before they upload an item on their website. https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/tensor-elite-regular-mummy-sleeping-mat/

Thanks for the clarification. I was thinking about a Tensor Elite but considering they’re paper thin 10D and weigh 9.6 oz I’m not so ready to fork over $230.

The Exped Ultra 3R Mummy has caught my interest with its 12.8 oz weight, 20D material and reasonable price of $140. https://www.backcountry.com/exped-ultra-3r-mummy-sleeping-pad

[Jerry Adams]

I have found thermarest to do the same thing – their pads are about an ounce heavier than they claim

Maybe 4 different models I’ve bought over the years

[jscott]

“The Exped Ultra 3R Mummy has caught my interest with its 12.8 oz weight, 20D material and reasonable price of $140.”

I agree, that’s a robust, nice looking pad. 2.9 is good for my non-winter purposes. I’ve never used a mummy shaped pad but would’t exect any negative issues. Having a Schnozzle included is really nice! Those work great as a loose WP bag to hold soft down items etc. inside of a pack, just for double insurance.

[Robert Spencer]

My regular Tensor Elite pad weighs 8.8 ounces not including stuff sack, repair kit, velcro strap and inflator thing.  I’m okay with a little discrepancy from the specs but sounds like you got one from a heavy batch.

[bradmacmt]

I have found thermarest to do the same thing – their pads are about an ounce heavier than they claim

This statement got me interested since my recollection is that actual Thermarest weights are typically very close to their published weights.  I pulled out the 6 Thermarest’s at our house of varying mfg. dates (from 2009 through 2024). The weight overages from least to greatest are:

1) .04 oz

2) .04 oz

3) .06 oz

4) .13 oz

5) .16 oz

6) .45 oz

So five of them are no more than  0.20 oz over listed weight, with the heaviest still being less than 1/2 oz over listed weight.

 

[Jerry Adams]

It’s funny when people generalize and get challenged : )

Prolites:

2013 16.24 ounces, wayback machine says 16 ounces – close enough.

2017 18.7 ounces, wayback machine said 18 ounces – off by 0.7 ounces, but I remember they said it was 16 ounces, the same as the 2013 version.  Maybe they were slow to update their specs.

2022 20.45 ounces, 18 ounces according to wayback machine – that one was off by 2.45 ounces

The problem with prolite mattresses is delamination.  I think they kept trying to fix this, and as a result, the weight kept getting bigger.  But they never publicly talked about this.  I think they didn’t want to say their product was defective.

Now, there is a prolite apex that’s self inflating and weighs 22 ounces.  The prolite connected the top and bottom fabric with the self inflating foam.  The apex has horizontal baffles like the uberlite.  Maybe they’ve given up on using the self inflating foam as the connection.

Like I said, even if thermarest mis-states their weights, I still like their product.  Maybe my recollection of their weight errors just has to do with them redesigning the prolite and increasing the weight.

My uberlite weighs 9.5 ounces.  Zpacks still sells it and specs it as 8.5 ounces.  That one is off by 1 ounce.

[Jerry Adams]

Regarding delamination, my 2013 prolite delaminated right where I put my hand, with all my weight on it.

For my 2017 and 2022 prolites, I avoid putting my hand with all my weight on it onto the pad when I lay down.  No delamination.

I think thats maybe why prolites delaminate

[Robert Spencer]

Some may scoff at Paul’s original post and his dissatisfaction over a mere 32 grams (1.13 oz), but this does represent a noticeable difference in terms of percentage of overall weight. It would be like ordering a 3-pound tent and realizing it’s more than 6 ounces heavier than advertised. Not uncommon, but still frustrating.

You would think Nemo would realize the importance of accurate weights since this product is literally for the gram counters among us. Maybe they let their desire to beat out the Uberlite get in the way of reliable specs. Ironic since the Uberlite went bye bye.

 

[tkkn c]

It especially annoys me if I am paying more for less weight, and I actually do not get the weight sayings!

[jscott]

“Some may scoff at Paul’s original post and his dissatisfaction over a mere 32 grams (1.13 oz)…”

I don’t scoff. However, when it comes to a sleep pad, I’m willing to pay the price of a few ounces or less for something that meets my criteria.

I scoff at all the heavy and fiddly and distracting electronic and battery recharging paraphernalia that folks carry. And folks scoff right back! fair enough. In some situations it’s warranted.

[Dan]

Some may scoff at Paul’s original post and his dissatisfaction over a mere 32 grams (1.13 oz), but this does represent a noticeable difference in terms of percentage of overall weight.

Agreed. Also, at the lightweight end of the spectrum, you are often paying a very large marginal price for each ounce you save. So it’s an insult to spend that money and find you’re not getting the weight savings after all.

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

I’ve got two Tensor Elite’s here. They are 255 and 267g (vs 240g spec).

[Paul S]

Thanks for all the replies. I personally think accuracy matters. I also tend to think since most of what we carry is so light, that it is a game of a little everywhere.

Interesting the variation in weights. I weighed mine with the velcro thingy, but no stuff sack, patch kit (it was in the stuff sack) or inflator bag.

[john mcalpine]

I found the R-value on the Tensor Elite to not be accurate.

I have nothing to go buy but how cold I felt sleeping on it.   I was in my Western Mountaineering Antelope rated at 5 F degrees.   I could feel the chill coming through the Tensor.

[baja bob]

What was the air temperature?

[Robert Spencer]

John,

I’m not questioning your assessment, but a pad with R-value of 2.4 is clearly suited for summer conditions with low temps in the neighborhood of freezing at the coldest. Even if the marketing material says otherwise, I would think another pad would pair better with a WM 5 degree sleeping bag.

[bradmacmt]

I’m not questioning your assessment, but a pad with R-value of 2.4 is clearly suited for summer conditions with low temps in the neighborhood of freezing at the coldest.

Agreed. As I’ve aged I don’t tolerate an R2.4 pad below about 45*F no matter the sleeping bag.

[Brad W]

My tolerance for UL gear overages is 5%. That pad you have is 13.3%.

 

[jscott]

“My tolerance for UL gear overages is 5%. That pad you have is 13.3%.”

Well, yeah. But that still only amounts to a bit over an ounce.

13.3 % overage on a $1,000 purchase is a lot worse than on a $5.00 purchase. if you like the $5.00 purchase, you might just call it good and move on.

I could take a bite out an energy bar before starting a trip and that would equal the extra ounce of the Nemo pad. It all balances out.

[john mcalpine]

I’m sorry – my bad.   My mind thought the pad being discussed was the Nemo Extreme.

I find the Extreme didn’t meet the R-value rating.

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