Facebook Twitter Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Mountain Biking
      • Road Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    Gear Reviews

    NEMO Equipment Cosmo Air Lite 25L Sleeping Pad Review

    Donald BuraglioBy Donald BuraglioMay 13, 2015No Comments5 Mins Read

    Sometimes the last thing you want to do at the end of a long trail day is breathe into a plastic valve for 10 minutes.  Enter NEMO’s Cosmo Air Lite pads, which make it easy to inflate a firm pad without getting lightheaded.

    NEMO Cosmo Air Lite Features:

    • Weight 1 lb 7 oz (640 g)
    • Temperature range: 35 to 45 F
    • Fabric: 20D PU Polyester Ripstop
    • Shape: rectangular
    • Raised pillow baffle
    • Length: 76”
    • Width: 25”
    • Thickness: 4 in
    • Air insulation
    • Packed size: 9.5” long x 4” diameter
    • Price $160
    NEMO Cosmo Air Lite Sleeping Pad Review
    “Mi cama”; my bed for a week south of the border

    Cosmo Air Lite Makes Inflation a Breeze

    A good sleeping pad is one of those things I appreciate more and more as I get older, especially in regards to the variable equation of comfort, functionality, and convenience.  It’s always encouraging to find pads that balance those three variables nicely, and NEMO Equipment has done an admirable job of it with their Cosmo Air Lite sleeping pads.

    I’ve been using the 25L model, which is best suited for my 6’2” frame, but the Cosmo Air Lite also comes in a shorter, thinner, and lighter 20R version (1lb 1 oz, 72” long, 20” wide, $140).  Our testing included tent camping and car camping, but perhaps the most revealing trial came during a week-long missions trip in Mexico, where the Cosmo Air Lite was the only thing between me and a concrete floor.  In all of those settings, the pad has been easy to use, and provides a level of comfort that makes it easy to sleep after a long day.

    nemo cosmo air lite pad packed
    Packed Air Lite pad (yellow), with Nocturne sleeping bag to be reviewed separately.

    The Cosmo Air Lite is easy to take along on any trip, thanks to its light weight and small pack size.  It can be folded at various widths to accommodate available space in your pack; I typically stuck with folding it in thirds, which is the way it comes packaged and fits best into its stuff sack.  Folding in thirds also seemed to work best for evacuating the air, and made it easy to squeeze every last pocket of air out while rolling it up.  The size can be further compressed with a cinch strap that is included with the stuff sack.

    nemo cosmo air lite valves
    Dual 1-way valves in deflated position; you step on the area between them to inflate.

    However, the true innovation of this pad isn’t in the breaking down, but in setting up.  Cosmo Air Lite pads have an integrated foot pump that uses dual 1-way valves to draw in air while you are pumping, similar to the way you inflate a bicycle tire with a hand pump.  You put the valves in the open position, and they pull in the air that is then pushed into the pad when you press your foot down.  The recoil on the valves is fairly slow, so you have to be patient when pumping, but there’s no air escaping back through the valves, making the process quite efficient; most times, we can go from completely flat to fully inflated within 2-3 minutes.

    cosmo air lite pad inflated valves
    Valves closed after max inflation

    One consideration with the foot pump is that if you don’t have room to stand – such as inside a tent, or in a car camping situation when you don’t want to go out in the cold – you have to use a CPR-like motion to inflate the pad.  Although this is a bit awkward to practice at first, it’s still way easier and less exhausting than blowing up a pad with your mouth.  The foot pump system is also an improvement over self-inflating pads, because you can force more air in to create a firmer sleep surface than you can with any self-inflater.

    nemo cosmo air lite pad pillow baffle
    Raised pillow baffle; air release valve on top right

    Once inflated, the Cosmo Air Lite provides nice comfort and insulation within the specified temperature range of 35-45 degrees F – and if you’re in colder conditions, there’s a more insulated version that goes down to 10 degrees.  Having a full 4 inches of height ensures that you won’t contact the ground at pressure points, and horizontal I-beam baffles help support body contours without curling up around you.  A large pillow baffle at the head gives you a couple inches of height if you don’t have a pillow, or helps keep the pillow from sliding off the end if you do have one.

    Repair kit included with stuff sack
    Repair kit included with stuff sack

    The Good

    • Nice combination of lightweight, comfortable, and functional
    • Foot pump is more convenient than blowing, and more effective than self-inflating
    • Easy to compress and pack

    The Bad

    • Awkward to learn the CPR-style in enclosed areas
    • Slow recoil on 1-way valves
    • Not available in mummy-bag shape if that’s your preference

    Bottom Line: NEMO Cosmo Air 25L Sleeping Pad

    From a practical standpoint, the Cosmo Air Lite 25L is easy to appreciate, and pretty much nails the sweet spot between convenience and comfort.

    Buy Now: Available at Backcountry.com

    59
    SHARES
    ShareTweet
    NEMO Equipment Sleeping Pads
    Previous ArticleLouis Garneau Course Air Lite Shoes Review
    Next Article 2016 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Ups the Ante
    Donald Buraglio
    • Website

    Donald is a physical therapist, ultrarunner, barefoot aficionado, and father of three with more than 20 years of experience in endurance sports. When he's not training for ultramarathons, he enjoys hiking or slacklining with his family in Monterey County, CA.

    You Might Also Like

    Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell Review

    March 29, 2023

    Pearl Izumi PRO Barrier Jacket Review

    March 27, 2023

    Velocio Concept Merino Long Sleeve Jersey Review

    March 22, 2023

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular

    Wahoo ELEMNT Rival Multisport GPS Watch Review

    March 9, 2022
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021
    9.2

    SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS Groupset Review

    August 12, 2022

    Montec Fawk Ski Jacket and Bib Review

    February 28, 2022
    8.5

    Canyon Lux Trail CF 7 Review

    November 28, 2022

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020
    9.4

    Roval CL 50 Disc Wheelset Review

    September 13, 2019
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021

    After Spinal Injury, Tara Llanes Has Long Road to Recovery

    February 21, 2008
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell Review
    • Pearl Izumi PRO Barrier Jacket Review
    • Fresh Goods: Redshift Arclight PRO Clipless and Flat Pedals
    • Velocio Concept Merino Long Sleeve Jersey Review
    • Arc’teryx Rush SK 16 Backpack Review
    • Giro Montaro MIPS II Helmet Review
    • Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket Review
    • Santini Gravel Bib Tights Review
    • Sportneer K1 Massage Gun Review
    • Review: Giro Latch Mountain Bike Shoes
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2023. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.