Nemo Astro Insulated Lite 20r Full Review

Full Review Of Nemo Astro Insulated Lite 20r

The fabric used in Nemo Astro Insulated Lite 20r is polyester, which is has offered great breathability and moisture-wicking. The pad and the elevated pillow are both firm and squashy. Side sleepers are often interrupted when a pad cave in around their bodies. The Nemo Astro eliminates this inconvenience by its lateral baffles.

Pros Of Nemo Astro Insulated Lite 20r

• Firm lateral baffles
• Packability
• Elevated near the head to provide a pillow

Cons Of Nemo Astro Insulated Lite 20r

• Hefty
• No lateral support

Weight Of Nemo Astro Insulated Lite 20r

Despite being the heaviest bag in the lightweight category at 19.3oz, The Astro still compresses down to a size similar to other pads tested.

Warmth Of Nemo Astro Insulated Lite 20r

Nemo has specified a temperature rating (15 to 25F) instead of an R-value. The good thing is you don’t feel the ground because of the height of the mat. The Astro uses Primaloft synthetic insulation.

Durability Of Nemo Astro Insulated Lite 20r

The 20D Polyester ripstop demonstrates great durability on almost all surfaces, and the polyester also takes the comfort up a notch. Note: The D, standing for Denier, is a measure of insulation (against the weight of the material). Polyester has the great fire-resistant capability.

Ease of Use Of Nemo Astro Insulated Lite 20r

The Nemo Astro has an easy-to-use twisting valve for inflating. The pad filled quickly despite its good height. The stuff sack is a perfect size, and the pad fits well inside it.

The Nemo has provided the best sleep I’ve had with a pad. A full-length pad, weighing just under 1.2 lbs, which doesn’t make noise is a great option. It remains insulated even near 20, below which any inflatable pad requires a supplement.

Pros

• Comfort
• Sturdy construction
• Simple and easy valve
• No noise
• Packability
• Great insulation

Cons

• Though I like the pillow, others may not
• Heftier than others in the category

Previously, I had used the Rei Lumen. The NEMO Astro was the fourth one I tried this year. After experimenting with each of them for several nights, I decided (pun intended) on the NEMO for various reasons.

The weight is moderate, but the noise level is almost non-existent, and the comfort is great. A good night’s sleep on this 3-inch high surface compensates for the pad weighing a little extra. The Primaloft insulation explains it being around 6 ounces.

The pad is easy to maneuver. The valve has a twisting lock. It is pushed in to pulled out to open or close respectively. Although I am used to the classic Thermarest valve, I got the hang of this one early on. I like the fact that it securely closes before being locked by twisting. Whenever I adjusted the pad after inflating, I didn’t lose excess air. The valve angle coming out of the pad’s corner worried me at first, but the craftsmanship and meticulous packaging in the stuff bag allayed my fears.

Not that I intended to set a record. It took 22 breaths to fill this pad up on my first try. This is almost the same as other pads of this size that I’ve tried.

There are several amazing reviews on Trailspace if you don’t know about this product. It justifies its price of $4. The Instaflator did not correctly fit the NEMO valve, but a $3 piece of 1/2 inch tubing from the local hardware shop solved that. A short component slips over the Instaflator’s regular tube. It fits both it and the NEMO perfectly—a 1/8 ounce fix that I moved effortlessly on and off the Instaflator while filling both the NEMO and my wife’s NeoAir Xlite.

PS the tube is attached to the valve on the right. The left one is kept for future use.

Another great thing about this pad is that the baffles were kept lateral. This provides excellent comfort and is great for side sleepers. I found the NEMO to be extremely comfortable when sleeping on my back and side. This arrangement also kept me from slipping down a small slope one night when I had to choose a camp late at night. There will be no more waking up every few hours to caterpillar crawl up the tent!

There are some reviews on this pad online where people complain about sliding down, but I guess they might be inflating it to the full extent. My advice would be to inflate it a little less than full, which is what I do.

The NEMO

is 72 inches long and 20 inches wide. This was adequate for my height, even though I have used a thinner design for the past 10 years. Hence, it really comes down to what you prefer or is used to. Even when I sleep on my side, the pad being 3 inches thick keeps me off the ground. I could also move around a lot more freely, owing to its rectangular shape.

One of the greatest features is the pillow. Although I really like it since it’s great for a guy my size (around 6 ft), I mentioned it in the cons because others may not like it. However, short people can avoid it, too, since it covers the top 4 inches of the pad. The pillow portion is also 1.5 to 2 inches higher than the rest of the mattress, which works for me but may be too low for others.

Despite being a soft polyester, the fabric is not easily punctured. Even when I’m not lying directly on it, I like the feel of the pad. Without hesitation, I utilized it for many lengthy meals and breaks on rocks and leaf-covered woodland regions. I always use a cloth under it to save it from wear and tear. Along with a robust valve, The NEMO looks pretty reliable with its 20 D polyester. The construction is apparently flawless, with seams robustly sewn.

A stuff sack with a repair kit inside it comes with the pad. The stuff pack is a perfect size since it compresses the pad tightly inside and does not create problems while stuffing the pad inside. While packed, the pad is 9 by 4 inches in size.

My faith in NEMO’s integrity

It was restored when I weighed it. It showed 1 lb 3 5/8 ounces against the claimed 1 lb 3 oz (including the stuff sack and the repair kit).

The quality that makes this pad stand out is the lack of noise it makes. Even lighter pads like NeoAir make more noise, which is annoying. I tested the NEMO for 12 nights, and it made no noise.

The noise level in the tent is noticeably lower when I share it with my wife’s NeoAir XLite. Overall, I consider the NeoAir XLite a better pad if you discount the noise issue since it offers lighter weight, better insulation, and identical comfort.

This is a picture of both the pads next to each other. (mine is slightly larger):

I have used the NEMO Astro Insulated Lite Pad for 2 years almost and 2 winters. Approximately, I have used it over 35 nights at temperatures from 10 to 70 degrees F. I take good care of it, and it has maintained its shape and functionality pretty well. Once I accidentally dropped hot molten wax on the pad, and surprisingly enough, it withstood the wax and apparently was not damaged. The Primaloft insulation kept me quite warm in lower temperatures. The temperature even dropped below 20 on some trips that I slept on. It’s a great pad when it comes to providing a comforting sleep.

The low temp insulation is not a straightforward matter since it varies from person to person. I tend to sleep warm and take all my bags/pads below their recommended temperature with comfort. I once added an old foam pad on a trip when the temperature dropped below 10.

All in all, the Nemo Astro Insulated Lite has served me pretty well and has lived up to my expectations. Out of all the pads that I’ve tried, this provided the best sleep.

Source: I bought it new.

Price Paid: $130

THE VERDICT

The Nemo Astro Insulated 20R is the heftiest of all pads in the ultralight category. However, it’s a very durable sleeping pad that provides great comfort and is suitable for side sleepers. With its firm surface, it provides an uninterrupted sleep.