A close look at two sleeping pads buyers cross-shop. The Tensor Elite takes a modest overall edge, led by warmth, but the NeoAir UberLite has its own case.
| NEMO Tensor Elite | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 78✓ | 77 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 2.4 R✓ | 2.3 R |
| Weight | 8.5 oz✓ | 8.8 oz |
| Warmth-to-weight | 1.00 R/100g✓ | 0.92 R/100g |
| Packed size | 0.64 L✓ | 0.99 L |
| Thickness | 3.0 in✓ | 2.5 in |
| Durability | 0 /100 | 0 /100 |
| Price | $200✓ | $230 |
| Features | 4Quiet fabric, Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included✓ | 3Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Tapered | Mummy |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Tensor Elite in blue, NeoAir UberLite 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 Elite next to the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite and the trade-offs are clear. The Tensor Elite wins on warmth and low weight, and the NeoAir UberLite pushes back on value.
The Tensor Elite is warmer (R 2.4 vs R 2.3), 1 oz lighter, and stronger on warmth-to-weight. Their GearScores land within a couple of points (78 vs 77), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the Tensor Elite if you care most about warmth and low weight, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the NeoAir UberLite if you would rather save the difference.
The NEMO Tensor Elite. It is warmer (R 2.4 vs R 2.3) than the NeoAir UberLite.
The NEMO Tensor Elite. It is 1 oz lighter than the NeoAir UberLite.
They are nearly tied at 78 and 77 on the default algorithm, so re-weight the score to your own priorities to break the tie.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Tensor Elite for warmth, or the NeoAir UberLite for the price. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.