Short answer:
- R 2 to 3 covers spring, summer and autumn on most Australian tracks.
- R 4 to 5.5 is the one-pad-all-year choice, and what we'd take to Tasmania or the high country outside winter.
- R 6 and up is for snow and alpine winter.
- Under R 2 is warm nights only.
If you're cold at night, a warmer pad usually helps more than a warmer sleeping bag.
What R-value means
R-value measures how well a pad stops the cold ground drawing heat out of you. Higher is warmer. Your sleeping bag can't do this job: the insulation under you is crushed flat by your body weight, so the pad is your insulation from the ground. Nemo's pads are rated to the ASTM F3340 standard, so their numbers can be compared directly with other brands rated the same way. R-values also add up: a foam pad under an air pad gives you roughly the two numbers combined.
R-value by Australian season and track
| R-value | Conditions | Australian examples |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | Warm nights, no frost | Queensland and the Top End most of the year, summer coastal camping, car camping in summer |
| 2 to 4 | Three-season, nights down to around freezing | Blue Mountains, Grampians, Great Ocean Walk, Bibbulmun Track spring to autumn; Larapinta in the shoulder months |
| 4 to 6 | Frost, cold ground, one pad for the whole year | Overland Track and Three Capes (Tasmanian weather can turn cold in any month), the Victorian High Country and Kosciuszko in autumn and spring, Larapinta's coldest winter nights |
| 6 and up | Snow and alpine winter | Snow camping in the Main Range, Bogong High Plains and Tasmania's Central Plateau in winter |
If you sleep cold, or you're a side sleeper whose hip presses into the pad, move up one band.
Nemo pads by R-value
For hiking (weight matters):
| Pad | R-value | Weight (Regular) | Thickness | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switchback (foam) | 2.0 | 415 g | 2.3 cm | Fast and light, or under an air pad for extra warmth |
| Tensor Elite | 2.4 | 295 g (Regular Wide Mummy) | 7.6 cm | The lightest insulated pad, warm-season ultralight |
| Tensor Trail | 2.8 | 395 g | 8.9 cm | Three-season hiking on most Australian tracks |
| Tensor All-Season | 5.4 | 440 g | 8.9 cm | One pad for the whole year, Tasmania, high country |
| Eclipse All-Season | 6.2 | 460 g | 10.2 cm | Warmth and comfort first, at a little more weight |
| Tensor Extreme Conditions | 8.5 | 505 g | 8.9 cm | Snow camping and alpine winter |
For camping (comfort matters more than weight):
| Pad | R-value | Weight | Thickness | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astro / Astro Insulated | 1.5 / 2.6 | 540 g / 690 g (Regular) | 8.9 cm | Budget air pad, warm-weather camping |
| Quasar 3D / Quasar 3D Insulated | 1.8 / 3.3 | 570 g / 710 g (Regular) | 8.9 cm | Raised edges keep you on the pad; Insulated for three-season |
| Flyer (self-inflating) | 4.2 | 600 g (Regular Mummy) | 5.1 cm | Foam-and-air warmth, hard to puncture |
| Flyer Cloud (self-inflating) | 5.1 | 1.1 kg (Regular Wide) | 7.6 cm | A soft knit top, very comfortable, cold-weather camping |
| Roamer (self-inflating) | 7 | 1.8 kg (Single) | 10.2 cm | Car camping, sleeps like a home mattress, Single to Double Wide |
Specs are Nemo's published figures (nemoequipment.com, Oct 2026). Weights are the pad alone, without its stuff sack or pump sack.
Three ways to sleep warmer without a new pad
- Add a foam pad underneath. A Switchback under a Tensor Trail takes you from about R 2.8 to about R 4.8, for 415 g.
- Get off bare dirt. Leaf litter or grass insulates better than rock or clay, and a groundsheet stops dew soaking through.
- Inflate it properly. A soft air pad lets your hips sink until they're close to the ground.
FAQs
What R-value do I need for the Overland Track?
We'd take R 4 or more. Tasmanian highland weather can bring cold nights and snow at any time of year, and the hut platforms and tent decks are cold underneath. The Tensor All-Season (R 5.4) is the pad we'd choose.
Is R 2.8 warm enough for winter in Australia?
For most coastal and lowland camping, yes. For the Alps, Tasmania or a clear desert night in winter, no: go for R 4 or more, or add a foam pad underneath.
Does a higher R-value make a pad too hot in summer?
No. R-value slows heat loss into the ground; it doesn't heat you. A warm pad on a hot night just feels like a pad.
Air pad or self-inflating?
Air pads (Tensor, Eclipse, Astro, Quasar) are lighter and pack smaller, so they're best for hiking. Self-inflating pads (Flyer, Flyer Cloud, Roamer) have foam inside, so they're warmer for their thickness and still insulate if punctured, at the cost of weight and pack size.
Can I stack two sleeping pads?
Yes, and the R-values add up. A closed-cell foam pad under an air pad is the classic winter combination, and it protects the air pad from punctures too.