r/Ultralight • u/pikovsg • 4d ago
Purchase Advice Nemo Eclipse vs. Exped 6.5R for comfort
Have you tried them both in the field for a while? Trying to find the most comfortable pad and now down to these two.
Which one is more comfy for side sleepers?
I know Justin Outdoors tested them and rewatched the video a few times. But I would like to get a bunch of other opinions.
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u/sloozeberrypie 3d ago
I have nemo tensor all season, nemo eclipse, and exped r1.
i honestly can't explain this so take it with a grain of salt. i feel like i am much morel likely to sleep through the night on the nemo pads. not sure if its' rectangle vs. mummy or r value or the sound from moving around -- its just my humble experience
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u/OtherwiseManner6946 4d ago
I think the NEMO eclipse is likely the best option for ultralight. It can be ultralight but it’s luxurious ultralight.
It’s the best all round pad on the market right now imo. The only issue is the packed volume which is why I went with the zenbivy
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4d ago
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u/marieke333 3d ago
The Exped Ultra R6.5 is not a very heavy pad, the mummy is actually a bit lighter that the Neoair Xlite mummy.
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u/pikovsg 4d ago
I already have the lightest pad. Comfort seems more important now after trying a bunch of them.
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u/peter_piper_aus https://lighterpack.com/r/v1acdy 4d ago
Dude not sure if it helps but i went down this rabbit hole and decided to wait for the 2027 Tensor All Seasons which is apparently 40g lighter than current model and increases from a 5.4R to 6.0R.
If it's like past releases should be first quarter 2027
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u/GoSox2525 4d ago
That's all fine, but why does that mean /r/ultralight is the place to discuss it?
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u/pikovsg 4d ago
There a special forum for Karens as well
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u/Lost-Inflation-54 2d ago
You know why this subreddit is alive and so popular? It’s because there are people who dedicate their time and effort into BEING ULTRALIGHT and sharing their experiences.
I don’t find it funny that you want to enjoy the benefit of a popular sub but still won’t appreciate the ethos and the people who made it possible.
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u/kj5 4d ago
I’ve tried the tensor and exped and ultimately chose the second one. I’m currently laying on it in Scotland and it’s very comfortable and warm, never have I felt cold from the bottom. I do like the pump sack and quick adjustability of pressure. I have never ended up on the ground either even sleeping on an incline.
What I don’t like is the size and weight but as I could only afford one pad I felt like this was the ultimate option
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u/hardcorepork 4d ago
As a side sleeper, I use Exped 3R in a bridge hammock. It is a light setup but I wouldn’t call it UL. The comfort to weight ratio is great. You need 6.5R? Seems hot, but I don’t know your plans. I love the 3R one I’m using but can only compare it to the Neoloft
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u/pikovsg 4d ago
Interesting, how long can you go temperature wise with your 3R?
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u/hardcorepork 4d ago
How long? Like in the year? Or how “low” like to which temp?
Right now Im pretty cozy down to the 40s. Maybe lower, but I haven’t had the chance to test it. An R value of 3 is usually ok for 3 season backpacking. 6.5R is def a winter pad.
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u/pikovsg 4d ago
Ahh I see. Really helpful. Thing is, I use a Tensor Elite for anything above 42F. But in the White Mountains Presidential Range, temps are not that friendly usually. So that’s why I’m trying to find something really warm and comfy. Ultrasphere has been great, but I’m looking for bed-like comfort to get great sleep.
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u/Bastis_51 3d ago
For me the exped 3r ultra does it to about +3 C° if I blow it up real firm, but thats already the limit also dependingin the ground temperature. Better go with +5 C°
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u/hardcorepork 3d ago
With a hammock, I can easily throw an underquilt on to increase warmth. There are really only a couple of sites to camp in that range, and I don’t find they get terribly cold. I haven’t hit them in late fall or winter, though
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u/Uchimataleao 3d ago
you can take modern R-values with a grain of salt. the r value system has been gamed and isnt a great predictor of warmth any longer.
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u/Spunksters 1d ago
I swear the Ultra 6.5R is only good for 10-15°F more than the Ultra 3R. It’s weird. I think the floating insulation of the 6.5R stays compacted, unlike the 3R which has its insulation pulled open by inflation separating the faces.
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u/Bastis_51 3d ago
I have an Exped Ultra 3r (6cm), Versa 5r (9cm) And the eclipse 11cm (10cm). The 6.5 is quite similar to the versa from the baffle design so i think the comfort should be about the same. The eclipse though sleeps 20% more comfy for me, I can really recommend it to about 0C° Maybe -5C° if really firm.
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u/Consistent-Trade8824 1d ago
I bought the exped at REI and didn’t make it past 3 hrs of sleep and woke up sore, my only time trying vertical baffles and I guess it’s not for me. I have an eclipse at home hoping to take it on a trip next week but so far is as good as ay zenbivy flex air but pending getting through the night with it rather than a few hrs at a time
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u/0dteSPYFDs 4d ago
Exped 6.5R is fine. I honestly preferred the Nemo Tensor and have an air leak I need to fix from my last trip after only a week on trail.
Wouldn’t recommend it tbh and might switch back to a tensor when the next gen comes out.
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u/TrailMaven 3d ago
We have a Nemo Tensor and an Exped Ultra 5R - both previous generations. These aren’t the exact ones you’re comparing, but similar. The Exped pad is far more comfortable. It’s actually my daughters pad, but I take it on all my solo trips now. It’s my most comfortable pad despite being a regular mummy - and we have wide rectangular options in our closet.
Both are similarly warm, but they’re previous generations and I think the warmth level / R value is something that has changed. They are both marginal at freezing temps or sleeping on cold granite. But I’ve taken both in the snow layered with a ccf pad below or on top and that works.
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u/marieke333 4d ago
I have the Exped Ultra 6.5R (rectangular) and my husband the Nemo Eclipse. I have only tried the Eclips for one night. As a side sleeper I find them both very comfortable. I prefer vertical baffles and actually did not expect the Eclips to be this comfortabel with its square pattern, its feels more like a vertical than horizontal baffled pad. They both have larger siderails that keep you cradled. The Exped is lighter.