A close look at two sleeping pads buyers cross-shop. The Tensor All-Season takes a modest overall edge, led by warmth, but the Helix Insulated has its own case.
| NEMO Tensor All-Season | REI Co-op Helix Insulated | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 84✓ | 79 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 5.4 R✓ | 4.9 R |
| Weight | 16.0 oz✓ | 21.0 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 1.19 R/100g✓ | 0.82 R/100g |
| Packed size | 2.08 L✓ | 3.05 L |
| Thickness | 3.5 in✓ | 3.0 in |
| Durability | 34 /100✓ | 30 /100 |
| Price | $220 | $169✓ |
| Features | 1Repair kit included✓ | 0 |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Tapered | Mummy |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Tensor All-Season in blue, Helix Insulated in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. GearScore is the rating for the Overall use-case (0 to 100). Pick another above to re-score. Prices are current MSRP.
Put the NEMO Tensor All-Season next to the REI Co-op Helix Insulated and the trade-offs are clear. The Tensor All-Season wins on warmth and low weight, and the Helix Insulated pushes back on price.
The Tensor All-Season is warmer (R 5.4 vs R 4.9), 5 oz lighter, and stronger on warmth-to-weight. The Helix Insulated is $51 cheaper. On the default GearScore the Tensor All-Season leads 84 to 79.
Pick the Tensor All-Season if you care most about warmth and low weight, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the Helix Insulated if price matter more to you, or you are focused on getting the most for your money.
The NEMO Tensor All-Season. It is warmer (R 5.4 vs R 4.9) than the Helix Insulated.
The NEMO Tensor All-Season. It is 5 oz lighter than the Helix Insulated.
The NEMO Tensor All-Season, 84 to 79 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Tensor All-Season for warmth, or the Helix Insulated for price. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.