I’m exploring the durability aspects of inflatable sleeping pads. Nemo products often top the category, but I stumbled upon a video showing a Nemo Tensor with about 30 patches, and it seems many others have faced similar issues. I’ve had comparable experiences with Thermarest. It appears challenging to create durable materials for pads weighing around 500 grams. As a lifelong athlete, I’d consider carrying an extra 500 grams for something like the Exped Dura 5R. Does anyone here use it? How satisfied are you with its durability?
How important is durability to you in your gear? Have you ever regretted opting for lighter equipment when it failed? Or, conversely, were you thankful for the extra weight when your gear withstood the test?
Lastly, if anyone has a photo of a packed Exped Dura 5R MW (medium wide) next to a Nalgene bottle or similar for scale, could you share it?
Sleep is crucial, and waking up on the ground is the worst. At this point, I wouldn’t consider brands other than Exped and Thermarest, although there are some reliability issues with some of their valves.
@Drew
The materials of ultralight gear seem prone to failure under certain conditions… Maybe they’re resistant to specific types of stress but that’s not always enough.
I’ve owned a Nemo Tensor since 2021 and only needed one patch near the valve. I sleep in a floorless tent. If someone has that many holes, poor site selection might be to blame.
Ash said:
I’ve owned a Nemo Tensor since 2021 and only needed one patch near the valve. I sleep in a floorless tent. If someone has that many holes, poor site selection might be to blame.
It was definitely a production quality issue. The failures consistently occurred in the same type of spot, and others reported the same.
Ash said:
I’ve owned a Nemo Tensor since 2021 and only needed one patch near the valve. I sleep in a floorless tent. If someone has that many holes, poor site selection might be to blame.
I’ve used a Nemo Tensor for over 50 nights in alpine and high sierras, always choosing flat, preexisting campsites. No holes yet, but I do take extra precautions like layering protection under the pad.
There seem to be two types of people: those who never puncture their pads and those who always do. Thermarest has been trying to create the lightest pad possible, now using extremely lightweight materials that are just strong enough to hold air. Does anyone remember the Toughskin pad by Thermarest? It was marketed as puncture-proof.
I exclusively use ThermaRest pads. Despite trying other brands, none have matched the durability and reliability of ThermaRest for me. I even have old ThermaRest pads from the early '90s that are still in great condition.
Lin said:
I just got a Dura 5 LW and it’s very comfortable. I prioritize durability and I think it’s worth the extra weight for peace of mind and comfort.
Peace of mind from carrying more durable gear definitely boosts my hiking performance. Looking forward to using it more.
I’ve never punctured a pad, possibly because I’m cautious with it. I always use additional padding to protect and even out the surface under my sleeping pad.
I’ve had good experiences with Nemo pads, though every inflatable has a risk of failure. My Exped downmat for cold weather was bulkier but very comfortable. Overall, Exped makes great pads and if you don’t mind the extra weight, there’s no reason not to go for one.