4.76 of 5 stars
Nemo - Switchback - Sleeping mat tested
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Reviews overview
Advantages
Disadvantages
Recommended use
Praise vs. Criticism
Jorge
30.01.2025Great
Great
- Advantages
- Robust
- Lightweight
- Disadvantages
- Packed dimensions
- Recommended use
- Trekking
- Ultra-light
- Beginner
- All around
Valts
15.05.2026Why I'm Returning the Nemo Switchback
Placing both pads side by side and testing them, I conclude that I would rather choose the Thermarest Z Lite Sol option.
There are several reasons for this.
The most significant one - the Nemo Switchback design is pretty but impractical from a comfort standpoint; the pressure points are sparse and located in small groups. On the Thermarest, they are evenly distributed across the entire mat. Consequently, Nemo's pressure points dig into the body significantly more. I sleep on my stomach and have a minimal body fat percentage, so I can feel these comfort differences very precisely and objectively. The analogy - sitting on one nail or ten. The more there are, covering a larger area, the less pressure you feel on each of them. For this reason, the Nemo version is less comfortable.
Also, the material of the Nemo mat is slightly firmer; accordingly, the protrusions are harder and less comfortable.
The second reason - as strange as it may be, the Nemo mat is relatively loud. When tossing and turning, its composition creates sounds for some reason, whereas the Thermarest is almost completely silent.
The third reason - the Nemo version is 30 grams heavier.
The fourth reason - Nemo has manufactured its mat with the idea that the foil layer faces the ground, not the sleeper. Thermarest has designed it the other way around. As a result, at least at the level of sensation, the Thermarest feels slightly warmer because it immediately reflects body heat back to the sleeper.
I wanted to replace my old Thermarest with the new, visually more attractive Nemo, but instead, I will continue using my old mat and send the Nemo back to the seller. It’s a pity, because the product really does look good visually, but it is less practical.
- Advantages
- Compact
- Easy to pack up
- Looks Good
- Disadvantages
- Heavy
- Not comfortable
- Noisy
What do you think about that?
This is what other customers say:
Placing both pads side by side and testing them, I conclude that I would rather choose the Thermarest Z Lite Sol option.
There are several reasons for this.
The most significant one - the Nemo Switchback design is pretty but impractical from a comfort standpoint; the pressure points are sparse and located in small groups. On the Thermarest, they are evenly distributed across the entire mat. Consequently, Nemo's pressure points dig into the body significantly more. I sleep on my stomach and have a minimal body fat percentage, so I can feel these comfort differences very precisely and objectively. The analogy - sitting on one nail or ten. The more there are, covering a larger area, the less pressure you feel on each of them. For this reason, the Nemo version is less comfortable.
Also, the material of the Nemo mat is slightly firmer; accordingly, the protrusions are harder and less comfortable.
The second reason - as strange as it may be, the Nemo mat is relatively loud. When tossing and turning, its composition creates sounds for some reason, whereas the Thermarest is almost completely silent.
The third reason - the Nemo version is 30 grams heavier.
The fourth reason - Nemo has manufactured its mat with the idea that the foil layer faces the ground, not the sleeper. Thermarest has designed it the other way around. As a result, at least at the level of sensation, the Thermarest feels slightly warmer because it immediately reflects body heat back to the sleeper.
I wanted to replace my old Thermarest with the new, visually more attractive Nemo, but instead, I will continue using my old mat and send the Nemo back to the seller. It’s a pity, because the product really does look good visually, but it is less practical.
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Advantages
Compact Easy to pack up Looks Good -
Disadvantages
Heavy Not comfortable Noisy
Great
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Advantages
Robust Lightweight -
Disadvantages
Packed dimensions -
Recommended use
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
Packed dimensions -
Recommended use
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Advantages
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Recommended use
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Advantages
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Advantages
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Recommended use
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
Packed dimensions -
Recommended use
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
Packed dimensions -
Recommended use
Trekking All around Ultra-light Travel Expedition
-
Advantages
Insulates well Compact Lightweight -
Recommended use
All around