I noticed this morning that Nemo have a ‘new’ Tensor Elite Ultralight Insulated pad which weighs as little as 215 grams (though only R2.4) at US229.95 (April 2026) . That is certainly a game-changer for summer or maybe 3-season camping. Weight-wise this compares favorably with my personal favourite the Thermarest NeoAir X-Lite Regular Small (formerly womens’) at 340 grams (my scale) and R4.5 at A$282.54. That’s 125 grams lighter – almost the weight of a muesli bar! Its nearest competitor would have been the Big Agnes Air Pad at 270 grams – the same weight as the X-Lite short (4′) – no longer available either – but which I found inadequately warm (BA that is). You might also consider the new Exped Ultra 6.5R at 370 grams and R6.5 and at just US$200! The Exped is clearly the best value and R- rating – what’s 30 grams? Available at Ultralight Gear Australia for A$288 (April 2026).
I would Pair one of these with the new Waratah Ultralight Quilt at 435 grams at A$329 (April 2026) and allegedly +4C but really warmer than that – see fill weight = 285 grams, (for comparison Zpacks -1C quilt has a fill weight of 268 grams – and US$439!) What a great buy the Warath is! The very best value for money on the market. I am very happy with Waratah’s heavier (-8C) quilt which I have managed to trim the weight off slightly as I imagine I would with their lighter iteration too – anyway to under 400 grams, making a sleeping system of between 615 and 740 grams – though the last two will be good down to around -5C whereas the first risks you having a cold back if the night drops below say +5C. Myself, I would probably rather be warm than ‘ultralight’. The extra 30 grams for the R6.5 in the Exped would be weight well spent, so 770 grams.
You should combine this sleep system with an ultralight shelter such as my DIY Poncho Multi Tarp at approx 200 grams (also doubles as a poncho and hammock tarp) plus add something less than 100 grams for a durable ground sheet. I would carry it in a 50 litre pack which weighs no more than 300 grams such as my favourite Ultralight $20 Pack. This gives me the ‘Big Four’ (well Five as it includes a raincoat) for a total of at most 1370 grams. Beat that!
Admittedly I would throw in an ultralight hammock (probably DIY) at around 200 grams including the suspension system like the (now defunct) Hummingbird which I own a number of, as a hammock and tarp are essential survival equipment if you meet conditions which make a tent hazardous/impossible – a none too rare occurrence – so around 1600 grams for your entire set-up (minus a 200 gram cookset perhaps).
Sweet dreams!
