Ultra 1R airpad coming soon to expedusa.com

Is the “1R” supposed to be taken literally, as in an R-value of 1.0?

R value is 1.3…close enough eh

1.3? No thanks.

And don’t be fooled into thinking this is a “summer & fair weather” pad that you can pair with a 50° F rated sleeping bag.

Sleeping bags are temperature rated using an R 4.8 pad with 3.7 times as much resistance to heat loss. Meaning you’ll likely freeze your *** off in that bag on a 50° F night, or even a 55° F night.

— Rex

https://backpackinglight.com/sleeping-pad-r-value-not-that-useful/

Yes, the Exped Ultra 1R has a pathetic R value, but it’s main advantage over the NeoAir X-Lite and Uberlite is its 1/2″ greater thickness (3″ vs 2.5″) which should make it a little more comfortable. If someone always uses a 1/8″ Evazote foam with their inflatable then the R value of the Ultra 1R would bump up to about 2.0. The 2 flat valves (see link video) might actually be less prone to damage and what’s more the 2 valves provide for much quicker deflation. Allows you to break camp easier and move on.

And a 20D ripstop should in theory make the Ultra 1R more durable than the 15D Uberlite. But of course air mats often seem to fail at the welds or valves.

I was excited to see this new pad, hoping it would be an Xlite killer, but looks to be more competition for the Uberlite/ubercold.

What does Thermarest have in their cards that makes them so untouchable in terms of warmth to weight ratios for pads? Patents? It’s like no other pad maker comes even close to them, while still being anywhere close to durable. My Nemo Tensor was closest, but the 20D stretchy fabric gets holes too easily, and the pad isn’t quite as warm as an xlite. My xtherm weighs about the same and is vastly more durable and warmer.

Johan,

In one word: noise. Therm-a-Rest Neoair pads (Uberlite, XLite, XTherm) are notoriously noisy, often compared to sleeping on a potato chip bag. Doesn’t bother many people, keeps the rest of us awake at night, offsetting any weight savings.

That’s why I carry a Nemo Tensor Insulated. Upgrade to Tensor Alpine on my wish list.

— Rex

Have you seen the 2022 updated version of the tensor insulated?  Supposed to be warmer with no weight gain.

The Nemo TI at R 4.2 is a big improvement, with a 12 gram (0.4 ounce) weight increase (new specs vs. my scale) for the Long-Wide. Not quite the Alpine’s R 4.8, and not sure if R 4.2 is “good enough” with 12% less insulation underneath. Adding a thin CCF pad might be enough, but One More Thing, and close to the total weight of the Alpine. Hmmm.

— Rex

Seems like a useless pad except perhaps in the deep, humid, summertime South.