Two sleeping pads worth lining up side by side. The Tensor Trail leans on warmth while the Tensor Elite answers with low weight, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| NEMO Tensor Trail | NEMO Tensor Elite | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 80✓ | 78 |
| Warmth (R-value) | 2.8 R✓ | 2.4 R |
| Weight | 12.5 oz | 8.5 oz✓ |
| Warmth-to-weight | 0.79 R/100g | 1.00 R/100g✓ |
| Packed size | 2.08 L | 0.64 L✓ |
| Thickness | 3.5 in✓ | 3.0 in |
| Durability | 34 /100✓ | 0 /100 |
| Price | $190✓ | $200 |
| Features | 4Quiet fabric, Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included | 4Quiet fabric, Pump sack included, Two-way valve, Repair kit included |
| Type | Inflatable | Inflatable |
| Shape | Tapered | Tapered |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Tensor Trail in blue, Tensor Elite 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.
The NEMO Tensor Trail and NEMO Tensor Elite take different routes to the same job. The Tensor Trail wins on warmth and cushion, and the Tensor Elite pushes back on low weight and warmth-to-weight.
The Tensor Trail is warmer (R 2.8 vs R 2.4), thicker for more cushion, and more durable. The Tensor Elite is 4 oz lighter, stronger on warmth-to-weight, and more packable (0.6 L vs 2.1 L). On the default GearScore the Tensor Trail leads 80 to 78.
Pick the Tensor Trail if you care most about warmth and cushion, which makes it the better call for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. Pick the Tensor Elite if low weight and warmth-to-weight matter more to you, or you are focused on counting grams on long miles.
The NEMO Tensor Trail. It is warmer (R 2.8 vs R 2.4) than the Tensor Elite.
The NEMO Tensor Elite. It is 4 oz lighter than the Tensor Trail.
The NEMO Tensor Trail, 80 to 78 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Tensor Trail for warmth, or the Tensor Elite for low weight. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.