Therm-a-Rest and NEMO both build some of the best sleeping pads you can buy, but they chase it differently. Which brand wins comes down to the specific model and the trip, not the badge.
| Therm-a-Rest | NEMO | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. GearScore | 68 | 71✓ |
| Avg. warmth | R4.2 | R4.3✓ |
| Avg. weight | 24.9 oz | 22.8 oz✓ |
| Avg. price | $160✓ | $175 |
Sleeping Pads | Gear Matrix
| Product | GearScore (Default) | R-value | Weight | R-to-wt | $ / R | Packed | Thick | Durab. | Price | Type | Shape | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | 4.5 R | 13.0 oz | 1.22 R/100g | $44.43 | 1.95 L | 3.0 in | 30 /100 | $200 | Inflatable | n/s | ||
| 86 | 7.3 R | 15.5 oz | 1.66 R/100g | $31.50 | 2.34 L | 3.0 in | 57 /100 | $230 | Inflatable | Mummy | ||
| 84 | 6.2 R | 16.0 oz | 1.37 R/100g | $25.80 | 2.46 L | 4.0 in | 43 /100 | $160 | Inflatable | Rectangular | ||
4 | 84 | 5.4 R | 16.0 oz | 1.19 R/100g | $40.73 | 2.08 L | 3.5 in | 34 /100 | $220 | Inflatable | Tapered | |
5 | 82 | 8.5 R | 17.8 oz | 1.68 R/100g | $30.58 | 2.08 L | 3.5 in | 34 /100 | $260 | Inflatable | Tapered | |
6 | 80 | 4.5 R | 19.0 oz | 0.83 R/100g | $48.88 | 3.17 L | 3.0 in | 30 /100 | $220 | Inflatable | Rectangular | |
7 | 80 | 2.8 R | 12.5 oz | 0.79 R/100g | $67.84 | 2.08 L | 3.5 in | 34 /100 | $190 | Inflatable | Tapered | |
8 | 78 | 2.4 R | 8.5 oz | 1.00 R/100g | $83.31 | 0.64 L | 3.0 in | 0 /100 | $200 | Inflatable | Tapered | |
9 | 78 | 7.3 R | 22.9 oz | 1.12 R/100g | $34.24 | 3.72 L | 3.0 in | 57 /100 | $250 | Inflatable | Rectangular | |
10 | 77 | 2.3 R | 8.8 oz | 0.92 R/100g | $99.98 | 0.99 L | 2.5 in | 0 /100 | $230 | Inflatable | Mummy | |
11 | 77 | 2.8 R | 14.0 oz | 0.71 R/100g | $17.84 | 16.44 L | 0.6 in | 100 /100 | $49.95 | Closed-cell foam | Rectangular | |
12 | 76 | 4.7 R | 25.0 oz | 0.66 R/100g | $53.18 | 3.98 L | 4.6 in | 65 /100 | $250 | Inflatable | Rectangular | |
13 | 76 | 2.0 R | 14.5 oz | 0.49 R/100g | $24.98 | 7.85 L | 0.8 in | 100 /100 | $49.95 | Closed-cell foam | n/s | |
14 | 76 | 4.2 R | 21.0 oz | 0.71 R/100g | $33.32 | 5.43 L | 2.0 in | 12 /100 | $140 | Self-inflating | Mummy | Buy |
15 | 75 | 3.8 R | 22.0 oz | 0.61 R/100g | $35.51 | 6.56 L | 2.0 in | 52 /100 | $135 | Self-inflating | Mummy | |
16 | 71 | 2.0 R | 14.0 oz | 0.50 R/100g | $17.48 | 16.44 L | 0.6 in | 100 /100 | $34.95 | Closed-cell foam | Rectangular | |
17 | 71 | 3.2 R | 23.0 oz | 0.49 R/100g | $45.30 | 6.36 L | 1.5 in | 52 /100 | $145 | Self-inflating | n/s | |
18 | 70 | 3.3 R | 25.0 oz | 0.47 R/100g | $48.47 | 2.07 L | 3.5 in | 30 /100 | $160 | Inflatable | Rectangular | |
19 | 69 | 2.6 R | 24.0 oz | 0.38 R/100g | $57.67 | 2.20 L | 3.5 in | 70 /100 | $150 | Inflatable | Rectangular | Buy |
20 | 69 | 3.1 R | 24.0 oz | 0.46 R/100g | $29.02 | 8.59 L | 1.0 in | 70 /100 | $89.95 | Self-inflating | n/s | |
21 | 68 | 4.4 R | 30.0 oz | 0.52 R/100g | $36.35 | 10.99 L | 3.0 in | 65 /100 | $160 | Self-inflating | Rectangular | |
22 | 66 | 3.2 R | 26.0 oz | 0.43 R/100g | $35.92 | 8.59 L | 1.5 in | 52 /100 | $115 | Self-inflating | Mummy | |
23 | 66 | 5.1 R | 29.0 oz | 0.62 R/100g | $31.36 | 8.64 L | 3.0 in | 12 /100 | $160 | Self-inflating | n/s | Buy |
24 | 61 | 1.5 R | 25.0 oz | 0.21 R/100g | $93.30 | 1.50 L | 3.5 in | 70 /100 | $140 | Inflatable | Rectangular | Buy |
25 | 58 | 2.0 R | 14.5 oz | 0.49 R/100g | $29.98 | n/s | 0.9 in | 100 /100 | $59.95 | Closed-cell foam | Rectangular | |
26 | 56 | 3.7 R | 23.0 oz | 0.57 R/100g | $48.64 | n/s | 4.0 in | 52 /100 | $180 | Inflatable | Rectangular | |
27 | 55 | 6.0 R | 2 lb 8.0 oz | 0.53 R/100g | $19.99 | 19.53 L | 2.0 in | 70 /100 | $120 | Self-inflating | Rectangular | |
28 | 53 | 2.4 R | 17.0 oz | 0.50 R/100g | $58.31 | n/s | 1.0 in | 52 /100 | $140 | Self-inflating | Tapered | |
29 | 49 | 7.0 R | 3 lb 16.0 oz | 0.39 R/100g | $37.14 | 13.05 L | 4.0 in | 65 /100 | $260 | Self-inflating | Rectangular | |
30 | 43 | 6.0 R | 3 lb 4.0 oz | 0.41 R/100g | $31.66 | 24.31 L | 3.0 in | 65 /100 | $190 | Self-inflating | Rectangular | |
31 | 37 | 7.0 R | 4 lb 6.0 oz | 0.35 R/100g | $37.14 | 35.58 L | 4.3 in | 65 /100 | $260 | Self-inflating | Rectangular |
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Scatter plot
Plot any spec against any other to see the tradeoffs. Point color is the GearScore; size and shape are yours to assign. Hover any point for the details.
The full picture
Therm-a-Rest fields the broader catalog: a broad lineup spanning inflatable, self-inflating, and closed-cell foam, anchored by the benchmark warmth-to-weight pads most backpackers measure against. NEMO runs leaner, with a tighter lineup built largely around its Tensor air line, and leans into extremes and features rather than covering every base. One brand wants to outfit every kind of trip. The other wants to win specific ones.
The flagships tell the story. Therm-a-Rest's NeoAir XTherm NXT is a heavy-hitting four-season pad, and the NeoAir XLite NXT is an ultralight warmth-to-weight benchmark. NEMO answers at the edges: the Tensor Extreme Conditions is the warmest single pad here, and the Tensor Elite is the lightest air pad here. Averages track close too, with NEMO running slightly pricier per pad.
So choose by the job, not the logo. Want one brand to cover everything from a minimalist foam pad to a plush self-inflating car-camping mat? Therm-a-Rest's range makes that easy. Chasing the warmest or the lightest possible pad for a particular trip? NEMO's specialists are hard to beat. And if your priorities differ, say weight matters more to you than warmth, re-weight the specs with our GearScore Algorithm to see how each model reshuffles for the way you actually camp.
Common questions
Is Therm-a-Rest or NEMO warmer?
NEMO holds the warmth ceiling: the Tensor Extreme Conditions is the warmest single pad in this catalog, edging Therm-a-Rest's NeoAir XTherm NXT. Across the full lineups the gap narrows, with NEMO running slightly warmer on average. Both brands make true four-season pads, so match the R-value to your coldest expected night rather than the badge.
Which brand makes the lighter pads?
It's close at the extreme. NEMO's Tensor Elite is the lightest air pad here, just ahead of Therm-a-Rest's NeoAir UberLite. But the Tensor Elite trades away warmth for that weight, while Therm-a-Rest's XLite NXT keeps solid warmth at a slightly higher weight, which makes it the more common ultralight benchmark. Which one is lighter really depends on how much warmth you're willing to give up.
Which is better for backpacking?
Both are strong, and it depends on the trip. Therm-a-Rest's XLite NXT and XTherm NXT are longtime warmth-to-weight benchmarks for three- and four-season use. NEMO counters with the featherweight Tensor Elite and Tensor Trail for fast-and-light summer trips and the Tensor Extreme Conditions for deep cold. Pick the model that matches your season and pack-weight target.
Are NEMO pads quieter than Therm-a-Rest pads?
NEMO tends to emphasize quieter, less crinkly fabrics as a design priority, and it's a point buyers often raise. Still, fabric noise varies from model to model and is subjective, and our data doesn't include a measured decibel spec, so we won't put a number on it. If a silent pad matters to you, test one in person before deciding.
Bang for Your Buck
Dollars per point of GearScore. The lower the number, the more quality you get for your money. Each bar carries both metrics at once: a solid bar for the highlighted one over a faded ghost of the other. Sorted to the best value first, and always scored by the algorithm you've set above.
GearScore Algorithm
A GearScore ranks products on objective, published specs only, never opinions. It starts on a pre-tuned default; make it yours below, or pick a "Best for" preset up top.
Customize your algorithm
Answer a few quick questions, or grab the sliders yourself. Nothing changes the ranking until you apply it. Then everything re-sorts.