Fill: 18.2 oz. NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad Review For years, the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad has been the industry leader foam pad with very little competition, but the NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad brings some long overdue updates to the closed-cell foam pad market. REI return policy Rugged, comfortable, versatile and lightweight—hallmarks of a closed-cell design—the NEMO Switchback sleeping pad even has a heat-reflecting film to keep the chill from creeping through. Just at 14.5 ounces, this isn't too bad for a pad that retails at half of what nearly any inflatable pad would cost. A strong competitor for other heat reflective foam pads. Add Switchback Sleeping Pad … While the overall comfort of the Switchback is extremely similar to other closed-cell foam pads, we did feel the spaced-out dimple pattern was more effective at cushioning than tightly spaced patterns. Sleeping Pad: Nemo Switchback ($50) It’s hard to beat an inflatable sleeping pad in terms of comfort, but if saving money is your priority, a foam pad is the way to go. The more complicated the R-value, the warmer the mat. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of gear, If sleeping on ultra-firm surfaces doesn't keep you up at night this is a solid option that won't pop. ... Switchback Sleeping Pad. $ 149.95 – $ 199.95 Shop Now for Vector™ Ultralight Sleeping Pad + Foot Pump Astro™ Sleeping Pad $ 79.95 – $ 119.95 Shop Now for Astro™ Sleeping Pad Of course, the versatility of a closed-cell foam pad like the Switchback belies its categorization on REI.com. Budget sleeping pads come in a range of sizes from short to long. Find pre-loved gear and clothing from REI. Overall, the Switchback performed quite well. The average width of a sleeping pad is about 20-inches. The Switchback has an interesting give and take with durability. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Switchback™ features hexagonal nodes, which are molded with our … What differentiates the two sleeping pads is the depth of their egg crates. Curbside Pickup Available NOW! The switchback packs down marginally smaller, but is also marginally heavier. At REI we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. The really unfortunate feature, however, is the large packed size. Used Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad. There are very comparable sleeping pads that offer nearly the same attributes for a few bucks cheaper, but the Switchback does offer a touch more comfort and packs down a little smaller than the competition, and the few dollars extra it costs do seem to be right on the mark. The biggest question mark for the switchback is the longevity of the foam, which we won't really know until the end of this year when people have used them as much as the Zlite. The Z Lite SOL pad introduced an egg carton design, along with a reflective coating to reduce radiative heat loss. In addition, you’ll want to consider width. The NEMO is actually thicker than other foam pads at 0.9 inches thick vs. our former winner’s 0.75 inches. REI return policy Up the ante on quilted comfort in the backcountry with the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX sleeping pad. NEMO redefined the classic closed-cell foam sleeping pad to deliver more thickness and plush comfort in an industry-leading packed size. Foam pads and inflatable pads models compared for Klymit, Sea to Summit, NEMO, Exped, Big Agnes, REI, Therma-Rest and Gossamer Gear. We found summer high country camping on chilly nights to be quite comfortable. The NEMO Switchback is an accordion-style closed-cell foam sleeping pad that can be used as an ultralight pad by itself or to augment the warmth of a second sleeping pad when sleeping outdoors in colder weather. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The Switchback proved to be a nice barrier, and while we might have developed some pressure sores on our hips, we didn't freeze. While Therm-a-Rest’s Z Lite Sol has held the top spot in the foam pad market for some time now, we find that NEMO’s Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad offers slightly increased thickness and packs down … Hey y'all, I'm planning on starting a thru-hike in mid-late february and need an effective, affordable sleeping set up that'll keep me warm at night. You’ll want a pad that matches the length of your body. The lightweight NEMO Flyer pad, which helps you recharge after a hard day on … Ridged pads, such as the RidgeRest provide more cushioning and insulation with the same amount of material. The NEMO Switchback foam pad, for example, is only 0.9 inches thick, while the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite inflatable pad is 2.5 inches thick. Cutting it to cover just your hips and shoulders would leave you with a pad weighing in at only about seven ounces and packs down quite small. It’s also designed so that it takes up less space while still providing the thickness you need to get a comfortable night’s sleep. You get a little less than an inch of closed-cell foam, along with a reflective coating designed to capture radiant heat. The only real difference between the two is that the Switchback folds up … Notably, the packability is a touch better than the competition and is arguably more comfortable. A high point is the lifetime warranty offered by Nemo, which could prove valuable if you accidentally rip it in half mid ashtanga on your next backpacking trip. Throwing the Switchback down on a giant flat granite block is probably not where you would want to camp, but it did accentuate the superior design of this pad over other designs and especially over the completely smooth yoga pad looking mats. Generally, sleeping pads with R … REI return policy Up the ante on quilted comfort in the backcountry with the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX sleeping pad. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938.Read our story. GearLab is reader-supported. Until now, Therm-a-Rest’s Z Lite Sol has been difficult to improve upon. … We didn't give the switchback any awards this year but fret not; it's a solid pad and even bests … Weight: 2 lbs. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. The NEMO Switchback is new for 2019 (see our full review here) and has brought some long overdue updates to the closed-cell foam pad market with its superior comfort and packability. Not only does the Switchback set up in about one second, but the fact that it can't be popped makes it excellent for mid-day rests or use as a seat around camp before night night time. To start with a big caveat, closed-cell foam pads are not even on the same planet when it comes to overall comfort and the Switchback is no different. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite ($185) Category: Air pad. All trademarks property of their respective owners The NEMO is actually thicker than other foam pads at … Just like the Z Lite Sol, the Nemo Switchback is a closed-cell foam pad. The Switchback just barely edges out the competition for a touch of extra comfort. I don't have much intel yet on sleeping … As we typically pack light and take small backpacks for overnights these days, the side storage packing method left the Switchback vulnerable to tree branches, which scuffed it up. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Inexpensive, lightweight, great insulation adjunct. Ridged pads, such as the RidgeRest provide more cushioning and insulation with the same amount of material. Multiple Uses Hikers love to throw their foam pads onto a rock … It’s a great pad and all, but considering what you don’t like about your current pad … The NEMO Switchback… Providing 3-season comfort, it's light, tough, toasty, packable and easy to inflate/deflate. NEMO Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad Details The Switchback pad is an accordion-style, closed-cell foam pad for backpacking. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. NEMO Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad Details The Switchback pad is an accordion-style, closed-cell foam pad for backpacking. … 6.6 oz. NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad Review For years, the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad has been the industry leader foam pad with very little competition, but the NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad brings some long overdue updates to the closed-cell foam pad … 14.5 ounces,10.5 ounces,14.5 / 10.5 ounces, 72 x 20 x 0.9 inches,51 x 20 x 0.9 inches,72 x 20 x 0.9 / 51 x 20 x 0.9 inches, 20 x 5.5 x 5 inches,20 x 5 x 4 inches,20 x 5.5 x 5 inches, Space-efficient design allows for 20% more thickness in a folded package that's smaller than the industry standard, Highly efficient hexagonal nesting pattern allows for taller, wider nodes, providing great plushness without increasing packed size, Taller nodes create 20% more space for uncompressed sleeping bag insulation, trapping more warmth around your body, Premium dual-density, abrasion-resistant Axiotomic™ foam offers a supple top layer for comfort and a resilient lower layer for premium support and years of adventures, Metalized thermal reflective film reflects heat back to your body and is durable, use after use, Use as a standalone pad for ultralight durability and comfort, or pair with another pad for extra insulation in extreme cold conditions, Packaging is made from recycled materials; please recycle it. The Switchback Sleeping Pad from Nemo is a lightweight and rugged yet comfortable sleeping pad that works wonders to make you forget you were ever sleeping on the ground in the first place. The biggest question mark for the switchback is the longevity of the foam, which we won't really know until the end of this year when people have used them as much as the Zlite. Top quality, great selection and expert advice. R-value: 4.2. The R-value of a sleeping pad measures how well it can insulate your body from the cold earth. Thickness: 2.5 in. $ 149.95 – $ 199.95 Shop Now for Vector™ Ultralight Sleeping Pad + Foot Pump Astro™ Sleeping Pad $ 79.95 – $ 119.95 Shop Now for Astro™ Sleeping Pad If you've ever spent a night out on an inflatable pad only to have it deflate at about 2 am or simply need to add some ground insulation to your winter sleeping kit, you might be considering a closed-cell foam pad. Considerations include ease of inflation, weight, compactness, insulation and R-Values, length and shape of your pad. But hey, if you do rip it in half, it will still work quite well. How can we improve GearLab? Joking aside, a massive benefit to the Switchback is that you can just chuck it down without any Wim Hof Everest prep breath work. $37.39 from REI The. Obviously you would avoid camping on this surface but it was helpful in getting to know the pads strengths and weaknesses. Some inflatable pads that don't have included pump sacks can take several minutes of often uncomfortable huffing and puffing, and every once in a while, they even require some middle of the night puffs to keep it fully inflated. If you need to transport your pad inside your pack, the Switchback may be a no go. Nemo Tensor is more stable than other pads ime. No inflation or deflation required, just throw down and pass out. Our thin 30 degree down sleeping bag is prone to dumping our heat into the ground without insulation. If you're prone to restlessness because of pressure points, you'll either have to find some uber soft pine boughs to supplement the padding or check out some of the inflatable pads in our review. Out of the box though, the switchback is very comfortable. It's pretty easy to inflate because you don't have to inflate it! We didn't give the switchback any awards this year but fret not; it's a solid pad and even bests other similarly sized options in the packability department — without sacrificing any comfort, which was a pleasant surprise. We did some serious side by side testing with the Switchback to see how it stacked up on solid rock slabs. The NEMO Switchback is an accordion-style closed-cell foam sleeping pad that can be used as an ultralight pad by itself or to augment the warmth of a second sleeping pad when sleeping … 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Kelty Cosmic 20 ($180) Temperature rating: 19°F Lower Limit. Providing 3-season comfort, it's light, tough, toasty, packable and easy to inflate/deflate. The eye-popping color isn’t the real selling point in NEMO’s new foldable closed-cell sleeping pad, though; it’s the ratio between its thickness and packed size. $39.95 (122) 122 reviews with an average rating of 4.25 out of 5 stars. While it can't pop and doesn't require any patches or pump sacks, it is vulnerable to rips and tears. Other closed-cell pads with a similar foam/heat reflective film combo were nearly imperceptible in the differences felt with insulation. Shop REI REI Outlet Used Gear REI … Until now, Therm-a-Rest’s Z Lite Solhas been difficult to improve upon. Yes, there are definitely closed-cell pads that take up more space, but this is a significant consideration. No matter what your budget or backpacking style is, we'll... We help you find the perfect pad for your next backcountry... the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Superior warmth, small packed size, light, Lightweight, warm for the weight, packs small, comfortable, versatile, Comfortable, dual air chambers are redundant, quiet, warm, stable, and supportive, Lightweight, good for three season use, packs small, comfortable, Expensive, edges not as stable as other pad designs, A lightweight sleeping pad that won't break the bank and makes a great addition to winter sleep systems, With a warmth to weight ratio that is off the charts, this is one of our favorite pads of all time, A comfortable, lightweight, and versatile sleeping pad that has withstood the test of time, Ideal for folks who think sleeping pads cannot provide mega comfort; prove them wrong, Ready for all adventures, this versatile model doesn't disappoint. 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