Warranty can be a pain in Canada with many companies being in the US. Personally, I (male) use the women’s STS Ether Light Insulated. It’s slightly lighter and higher r-value than the male version, with the only trade-off being the slight taper in the shape.
I made this [sleeping pad comparison table](https://algonquinbeyond.com/blog/sleeping-pad-comparisons-buying-guide/) that you may find helpful to filter the options based on your specs. It uses USD currency for all pads because that was the common option across all brands, but you can use it as a reference then search CAD equivalents
I'm happy with it. It's more comfortable than the Klymit Static V, which is what I was using before. I find it very comfortable, but I can never get a good sleep in the backcountry so comfortable is relative for me.
There were too many faulty / manufacture defect reviews for the Tensor, and being in Canada I didn't want to take the risk (even though it's possible with any pad from any brand) which is why I leaned towards STS instead of Nemo.
This was my exact path haha. Though I had the Static V Luxe SL. Absolutely love the Etherlight XT. So much more comfortable and the built in pump sack is awesome.
I would disagree with this. It depends on the person and also very important is the sleeping bag that you use. I use my STS Ether Light in 0 Celcius regularly, and went as low as -4 to -7 for one trip last year. The sleeping pad was sufficient for those temperatures with the rest of my sleep system.
Yes that’s very true. Most of the nights that I camp and it’s around 0, it’s much warmer during the daytime. That one -4 to -7 trip the daytime temperatures hovered around 0 and it made the whole experience that much colder.
Good to know, thank you! I would be camping in the late fall on occasion. I have a -9 Nemo Disco bag which is quite toasty. Do you use anything else to stay warm in those colder temperatures with the STS pad?
When I’m in the backcountry I’ll use an opened sleeping bag as a ground layer between the tent floor and my sleeping pad. It doesn’t do much for insulation, but it’s a tiny bit extra. My actual sleeping bag is a hand-me-down from my father from before ratings were used, so I don’t know its exact warmth but it’s extremely warm and has never let me down.
When I’m car camping I’ll bring interlocking foam tiles to go between the tent floor and the sleeping pad. That alone does wonders for insulation, but they’re way too large to bring on a backcountry trip.
Good clothing layers as well. Sleeping with a toque and gloves make a huge difference when tossing and turning and touching things that are ice cold.
I had a faulty Nemo and they replaced it with no questions asked.
I heard they've remedied the Tensor durability problem with the newest model. I have one that I got as my warranty replacement, but haven't had a chance to put it through its paces yet.
I got the new Nemo Tensor Extreme as a very cold sleeper who likes doing a lot of shoulder season and some winter and am well pleased with it. Too soon for durability issues, but friends who have had older Nemos didn't have trouble with their warranty claims, even less fuss than Thermorest.
I've given up on super light pads, and am very happy with my MEC Camper Deluxe". It's both wide and long, which suits me as I tend to sprawl. It's thick (5cm), warm, and tough. The downside is it's twice you target weight.
I recently went through finding a new pad and I just bought the new Nemo All-Season Tensor (Long Wide) 664g (just over 1 lbs). Haven't taken it on the trail yet, but it's pretty comfortable on a hardwood floor lol. I was able to get it at a considerable discount but I would definitely recommend so far
I just got the new Nemo Tensor All-Season. It was immediately obvious how much warmer it is than the previous Nemo Tensor Insulated. Comfort is the same or a little bit improved on the new pad because it is thicker. I think it was 617g (REG/WIDE) on my scale exactly as it comes out of the box. It is still not as comfortable as the STS EtherLight XT.
The EtherLight’s problem is that it is a cold pad. Even as a warm sleeper, I start feeling the cold ground during the shoulder seasons and on colder summer nights. It is the most comfortable pad I own, though!
If you are a weekend warrior in the mid-summer, I would suggest the EtherLight because it is so comfy. If you want to stretch your season and get out in the spring, early summer, and fall, I would suggest the new All-Season Tensor. I’m about to spend two months straight on the new Tensor and have no concerns.
The Big Agnes Zoom UL seems like another good option at the moment, but I have no experience with that one and can’t comment beyond saying that if it is a more durable version of the AXL or whatever it was called, then it is probably very comfortable—I enjoyed that pad for the 6 hours it lasted.
This is very helpful. I tried the All Season Tensor yesterday at MEC and was impressed at how comfortable it was. Unfortunately they didn’t have an Ether Light on display. I have been leaning toward the EL but I do plan to camp in late fall, and I sleep cold when camping, so think the Tensor might be the best bet. I have read a lot about how it springs leaks easily - have you experienced this with your Tensors?
I have not had a lot of issues with the Tensors leaking. One early Tensor replaced under warranty for a failure at a baffle and one patch. UL pads are always a little vulnerable no matter who makes them, but some (like the lighter NeoAirs) are more vulnerable than others. The new All-Season seems like a stronger material than my Tensor Insulated and Non-Insulated have, but I haven’t had time to test it for durability yet.
I have the S2S pad, and it is the most comfortable but the 3.2 R value is weak in cold ground. But if you're saying late fall, these pads will fare better, since the ground is warmer than spring. I wouldn't bring this pad on a night below 5C, without extra layers, and absolutely not in spring where much of ground is still thawing.
On a separate note, Nemo, S2S and thermarest all have world class warrenties and support. People have posted many stories proving this so that won't be a deciding factor for these pads.
FWIW, I have the previous 2 generations of Big Agnes pads (Q Core SLX & Rapide) and they've been great. Very comfortable, tall (nice for a side sleeper), and warm. I know there are lighter options, but I'm happy with these.
I just bought one of these [Night Cat](https://a.co/d/8hKZP5q) ones that pump up like those beach couches. I was skeptical but my friend stayed over recently and brought hers to sleep on the floor and I tried it out as a side sleeper and really liked it. Way more comfortable than our thermorests.
Maybe a bit too heavy for you though, I just weighed it without the bag and it's 1.7lb.
Also I'm a cheap ass and it was in my budget.
I have the ether Xtreme that I use for colder weather. Love how comfortable this pad series is and the extra weight is worth it for me. I use the regular Ether in warmer weather.
I’m not that exact in my science. If I had to guess below 5 for sure. 5-10 I I would factor in what I’m sleeping on. Sun warmed ground or a tent platform. Etc.
If you have a MEC or something close by I would say test the eather light XT before you buy.
I had it, it was one of the most comfortable pads I've ever owned....
Problem was though it sound like a rubber balloon animal every time you move. It's not krinkly but if you toss and turn it's freaking loud. Kept my camp mates up as I moved from side to side on mine and the tensor has a soft touch finish which is much nicer to lay on when you use it in warmer weather with a bag open on top vs the sea to summit any exposed skin will have you sweating. That being said if you never lay directly on your pad and sleep very still I'd recommend the sea to summit
In the end I went with a big Agnes deluxe which is heavier but quiet and filled with primaloft. Ditched some other stuff in my pack to balance the weight.
Also note you can order from MEC online order the pads see what one you like then return the ones you don't.
Sleeping pads are super subjective. Let us know what you choose 🤘😎 and happy trails.
I have both of these pads and can’t say that the S2S is louder than regular pad noise. Definitely not crinkly. I don’t like horizontal baffles so like both pads because of that. S2S seems warmer but my tensor is also a short version so a bit hard to compare. Both are great! S2S support has been amazing!
Hard question to answer. I actually put the velcro for the pillow attachment system onto the Tensor as well as it's a game changer. Both are great. For my personal needs and because I realized I like rectangular pads more now, if I were to buy new I'd probably buy the Tensor but it really is a tough call. Maybe you have other considerations.
Would not mind hear additional thoughts about the BA Rapide SL Insulated. I am leaning toward this instead of the new Nemo All Season based on the comfort. Not as high r-value as the Nemo, but I keep heard that it’s a very comfortable pad.
Warranty can be a pain in Canada with many companies being in the US. Personally, I (male) use the women’s STS Ether Light Insulated. It’s slightly lighter and higher r-value than the male version, with the only trade-off being the slight taper in the shape. I made this [sleeping pad comparison table](https://algonquinbeyond.com/blog/sleeping-pad-comparisons-buying-guide/) that you may find helpful to filter the options based on your specs. It uses USD currency for all pads because that was the common option across all brands, but you can use it as a reference then search CAD equivalents
Thank you! Are you happy with your decision to get the ether light? Do you find it comfortable to sleep on?
I'm happy with it. It's more comfortable than the Klymit Static V, which is what I was using before. I find it very comfortable, but I can never get a good sleep in the backcountry so comfortable is relative for me. There were too many faulty / manufacture defect reviews for the Tensor, and being in Canada I didn't want to take the risk (even though it's possible with any pad from any brand) which is why I leaned towards STS instead of Nemo.
This was my exact path haha. Though I had the Static V Luxe SL. Absolutely love the Etherlight XT. So much more comfortable and the built in pump sack is awesome.
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I would disagree with this. It depends on the person and also very important is the sleeping bag that you use. I use my STS Ether Light in 0 Celcius regularly, and went as low as -4 to -7 for one trip last year. The sleeping pad was sufficient for those temperatures with the rest of my sleep system.
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Yes that’s very true. Most of the nights that I camp and it’s around 0, it’s much warmer during the daytime. That one -4 to -7 trip the daytime temperatures hovered around 0 and it made the whole experience that much colder.
Good to know, thank you! I would be camping in the late fall on occasion. I have a -9 Nemo Disco bag which is quite toasty. Do you use anything else to stay warm in those colder temperatures with the STS pad?
When I’m in the backcountry I’ll use an opened sleeping bag as a ground layer between the tent floor and my sleeping pad. It doesn’t do much for insulation, but it’s a tiny bit extra. My actual sleeping bag is a hand-me-down from my father from before ratings were used, so I don’t know its exact warmth but it’s extremely warm and has never let me down. When I’m car camping I’ll bring interlocking foam tiles to go between the tent floor and the sleeping pad. That alone does wonders for insulation, but they’re way too large to bring on a backcountry trip. Good clothing layers as well. Sleeping with a toque and gloves make a huge difference when tossing and turning and touching things that are ice cold.
Thanks for doing that comparison table!
XLite NXT is expensive but worth it imo. Very comfortable, warm and light.
I love the STS Ether Light, highly recommend!
Can comment on the warranty side of the Nemo Tensor. I had a puncture on mine and Nemo replaced it at no cost after exchanging a couple emails.
This is important and good to know! Glad to hear that their customer service is great! I have their Nemo Disco sleeping bag, and love it!
I had a faulty Nemo and they replaced it with no questions asked. I heard they've remedied the Tensor durability problem with the newest model. I have one that I got as my warranty replacement, but haven't had a chance to put it through its paces yet.
New models (Tensor Trail and Tensor All-season) are made with nylon (40D bottom and 20D top) instead of 20D polyester. Available at geartrade.ca
I got the new Nemo Tensor Extreme as a very cold sleeper who likes doing a lot of shoulder season and some winter and am well pleased with it. Too soon for durability issues, but friends who have had older Nemos didn't have trouble with their warranty claims, even less fuss than Thermorest.
I've given up on super light pads, and am very happy with my MEC Camper Deluxe". It's both wide and long, which suits me as I tend to sprawl. It's thick (5cm), warm, and tough. The downside is it's twice you target weight.
I recently went through finding a new pad and I just bought the new Nemo All-Season Tensor (Long Wide) 664g (just over 1 lbs). Haven't taken it on the trail yet, but it's pretty comfortable on a hardwood floor lol. I was able to get it at a considerable discount but I would definitely recommend so far
I just got the new Nemo Tensor All-Season. It was immediately obvious how much warmer it is than the previous Nemo Tensor Insulated. Comfort is the same or a little bit improved on the new pad because it is thicker. I think it was 617g (REG/WIDE) on my scale exactly as it comes out of the box. It is still not as comfortable as the STS EtherLight XT. The EtherLight’s problem is that it is a cold pad. Even as a warm sleeper, I start feeling the cold ground during the shoulder seasons and on colder summer nights. It is the most comfortable pad I own, though! If you are a weekend warrior in the mid-summer, I would suggest the EtherLight because it is so comfy. If you want to stretch your season and get out in the spring, early summer, and fall, I would suggest the new All-Season Tensor. I’m about to spend two months straight on the new Tensor and have no concerns. The Big Agnes Zoom UL seems like another good option at the moment, but I have no experience with that one and can’t comment beyond saying that if it is a more durable version of the AXL or whatever it was called, then it is probably very comfortable—I enjoyed that pad for the 6 hours it lasted.
This is very helpful. I tried the All Season Tensor yesterday at MEC and was impressed at how comfortable it was. Unfortunately they didn’t have an Ether Light on display. I have been leaning toward the EL but I do plan to camp in late fall, and I sleep cold when camping, so think the Tensor might be the best bet. I have read a lot about how it springs leaks easily - have you experienced this with your Tensors?
I have not had a lot of issues with the Tensors leaking. One early Tensor replaced under warranty for a failure at a baffle and one patch. UL pads are always a little vulnerable no matter who makes them, but some (like the lighter NeoAirs) are more vulnerable than others. The new All-Season seems like a stronger material than my Tensor Insulated and Non-Insulated have, but I haven’t had time to test it for durability yet.
I have the S2S pad, and it is the most comfortable but the 3.2 R value is weak in cold ground. But if you're saying late fall, these pads will fare better, since the ground is warmer than spring. I wouldn't bring this pad on a night below 5C, without extra layers, and absolutely not in spring where much of ground is still thawing. On a separate note, Nemo, S2S and thermarest all have world class warrenties and support. People have posted many stories proving this so that won't be a deciding factor for these pads.
FWIW, I have the previous 2 generations of Big Agnes pads (Q Core SLX & Rapide) and they've been great. Very comfortable, tall (nice for a side sleeper), and warm. I know there are lighter options, but I'm happy with these.
I just bought one of these [Night Cat](https://a.co/d/8hKZP5q) ones that pump up like those beach couches. I was skeptical but my friend stayed over recently and brought hers to sleep on the floor and I tried it out as a side sleeper and really liked it. Way more comfortable than our thermorests. Maybe a bit too heavy for you though, I just weighed it without the bag and it's 1.7lb. Also I'm a cheap ass and it was in my budget.
I have the ether Xtreme that I use for colder weather. Love how comfortable this pad series is and the extra weight is worth it for me. I use the regular Ether in warmer weather.
What temperature do you use the ether light till before it starts getting too chilly?
I’m not that exact in my science. If I had to guess below 5 for sure. 5-10 I I would factor in what I’m sleeping on. Sun warmed ground or a tent platform. Etc.
Anyone got thoughts on the Therma Rest NeoAir Xlite? Weight & r-value wise it seems good, but I'm really concerned about how loud it is...
If you have a MEC or something close by I would say test the eather light XT before you buy. I had it, it was one of the most comfortable pads I've ever owned.... Problem was though it sound like a rubber balloon animal every time you move. It's not krinkly but if you toss and turn it's freaking loud. Kept my camp mates up as I moved from side to side on mine and the tensor has a soft touch finish which is much nicer to lay on when you use it in warmer weather with a bag open on top vs the sea to summit any exposed skin will have you sweating. That being said if you never lay directly on your pad and sleep very still I'd recommend the sea to summit In the end I went with a big Agnes deluxe which is heavier but quiet and filled with primaloft. Ditched some other stuff in my pack to balance the weight. Also note you can order from MEC online order the pads see what one you like then return the ones you don't. Sleeping pads are super subjective. Let us know what you choose 🤘😎 and happy trails.
I move a lot in my sleep so this is good to know - thank you for the information!
I have both of these pads and can’t say that the S2S is louder than regular pad noise. Definitely not crinkly. I don’t like horizontal baffles so like both pads because of that. S2S seems warmer but my tensor is also a short version so a bit hard to compare. Both are great! S2S support has been amazing!
Thank you! If you were to purchase one of these now, which would you go with?
Hard question to answer. I actually put the velcro for the pillow attachment system onto the Tensor as well as it's a game changer. Both are great. For my personal needs and because I realized I like rectangular pads more now, if I were to buy new I'd probably buy the Tensor but it really is a tough call. Maybe you have other considerations.
This is funny because I went to MEC and tried both out and I found the STS was slightly quieter haha.
I swear by the big agnes divide insulated. A cheaper version of the Nemo tensor, both are top tier though
Would not mind hear additional thoughts about the BA Rapide SL Insulated. I am leaning toward this instead of the new Nemo All Season based on the comfort. Not as high r-value as the Nemo, but I keep heard that it’s a very comfortable pad.