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The Nemo Eclipse All-Season Regular Wide is the comfiest sleeping mat I have used, which is why it has become my go-to choice for most of my recent trips. I was lucky enough to get hold of it in March before its release, so thanks to Nemo for the early sample. It has seen some proper use since then. I used it at the Outdoor And Social event, then took it on a 50-mile section of the Pennine Way. Since then, it has been to the Isle of Skye, done Edale Skyline and several overnight wild camps.

For context, I have been using the Regular Wide version (562g). I am 6 ft 1 in, and I like having room to move, especially when using a quilt. The wider 64 cm sleep surface makes a real difference, especially for a side sleeper who tosses and turns. I can sprawl, shift from side to back, and not feel as if my elbows or legs are constantly falling off the edge. It is not the mat I would pick if I were trying to shave every gram from a summer trip (I'd look at the Nemo Tensor Elite in that case), but when sleep matters more than the smallest possible pack weight, this is the mat I reach for.

The main reason is comfort. At around 10 cm thick, the Eclipse provides an incredibly comfortable sleep surface. I sleep on my side, and this is where the depth really earns its place. My hips and shoulders stay supported, without “bottoming out” even when the mat is slightly softened. On uneven ground, that extra depth also gives a better buffer from small lumps and hollows beneath the tent floor.

The baffle design helps, too. The lengthwise construction cradles you, thanks to the oversized outer baffles that help keep you centred without making the sleeping surface feel narrow. Stability is one of the standout design details for me; it doesn't jostle or bounce as you move into a more comfortable sleep position.

Warmth is another big part of the appeal. With an R-value of 6.2, the Eclipse sits well into all-season territory, and for all but the most extreme UK conditions, I would be happy treating it as a year-round mat. The warmth-to-weight ratio is hard to argue with, and, in addition to the mat's standout comfort, is the biggest selling point.

Inflation is straightforward. The included Vortex pump sack is one of the better pump sacks I have used. I'm not a fan of electric pumps, preferring the simplicity of a pumpsack. The Laylow valve is simple to use, and the micro-adjustment makes it easy to fine-tune the firmness until the mat feels right. You do need to be a little careful when opening it, as you could catch the dump port at the same time. From first-hand experience, it is better treated as a two-handed adjustment rather than something to fiddle with half-asleep in the middle of the night.

Deflation and packing are also simple, and the packed size is reasonable for the comfort and warmth on offer. I opt for a small elastic band to keep it neat in my pack rather than the provided stuff sack. It is not the smallest in terms of pack size, and the wide adds some girth when compared to the lightest summer pads, but I think that trade-off is easy to justify. For fast-and-light summer trips, there is an argument for going narrower and lighter, but for most of my backpacking, I would still opt to carry the wide version. 

Noise is low compared with older reflective mats. It does not have that harsh crinkly sound that can make a tent feel restless at night, though I feel that is now a thing of the past. I have noticed a slight squeak against some tent floors, depending on the fabric and how much I move around, but it has not been enough to put me (or my fellow campmates) off. 

The fabric has a softer feel than many lightweight mats, and so far it has given me no reason to worry about durability. It still needs to be treated like an inflatable mat, so I would avoid dragging it around camp or using it directly on rough ground, but it does not feel flimsy. Of course, it is always advisable to carry the repair kit, but I don't treat it as gently as I do with other lightweight pads. 

There are a few limitations. It is only available in a rectangular shape, so gram counters do not get a tapered version to save weight. The thickness can also reduce headroom slightly in low shelters or bivies. And while the high R-value is a major strength, very cold sleepers heading into sustained winter conditions may still want to add a closed-cell foam pad to their sleep system rather than relying on just an inflatable pad.

For me, though, the Eclipse gets the balance right. It is warm, stable, quiet enough, easy to tune and exceptionally comfortable for backpacking use. For my money, when you weigh comfort, R-value, pack size and cost together, this is the best sleeping mat on the market. 

Andy Neil
Andy has been a keen long-distance hiker and wild camping enthusiast since he completed the Cleveland Way in 2015. Since then, he has walked thousands of trail miles all over the UK and is an active member of the Wild Camping UK community, being an admin of the largest wild camping community on Facebook. He strongly advocates for responsible wild camping and believes it is important to leave no trace when camping in the wilderness. He joined the UOG team in 2021 and works as a website developer and content creator. Read more from Andy Neil