Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad

Comments about Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad:

I just upgraded from a Pacific Outdoor Equipment Ether Thermo 6 to the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm. Both are 2.5-inch thick, 2/3-length, inflatable pads. I increased my R-value from 3.5 to 5.7, reduced my weight from 15 to 11 ounces, changed cell orientation from vertical to horizontal, changed mummy shape from trapazodial to rounded, and eliminated insulation.

I am a side-sleeper with spine issues, so my sleeping pad is THE most critical piece of gear in my backpack. I thought I had the best pad available for me, but the NeoAir just added a decade to my backpacking career! Because of the 100's of micro-air-chambers, this pad conforms tightly to my body curves - I deflate until my hip bottoms-out, then just add one puff (two if it's cold - warm air shrinks) for absolutely no pressure points. I turn from side to side so my pads tends to migrate, but this one has grip and stays put.

This pad uses radiation and reflection, rather than insulation, to bounce body heat back at you, making it feel a bit like a heating pad. I use a 20-degree, Go-Lite sleeping-quilt, which has no bottom (back), and this pad's rounded, mummy-shape fits it like a glove. I use lung-air to inflate my pad because the included "inflation-bag" is absolutely useless. I have heard that ice crystals might form from condensed lung-air moisture when the pad is stored (away from body heat) in extreme sub-zero temperatures, so if you are going to an extreme climate, you might consider non-lung inflation.

As for the "crinkle" noise, I find that it is not nearly as loud as snoring or "other bodily sounds". This noise is not really an issue for me or any of my campmates, but if one is an extremely light sleeper, a down-insulated pad might be the way to go.

The ultra-thin material seems to be quite sturdy. I am careful with my ultra-lite gear and have never had a puncture in a pad or tear in my tent bottom (no ground cloth), but a sharp object under body weight can cause damage to anything...

Comments about Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad:

NeoAir XTherm - Large

I got the Large for the width and length at the expense of weight and cost. It was well worth it.

Light and comfortable and warm. No more back aches due to cold hard pads. I will be interested in finding out how well it works snow camping.

It is not exactly quiet, but much quieter than the NeoAir Xlite.

Filling the pad takes a few minutes with the pump sack, but better then mouth blowing for several minutes.

It is not inexpensive but is replacing three other self-inflating ThermaRest and Big Agnes pads which will now be given to family and Scouts.

Comments about Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad:

Just finished a backpacking trip through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With this sleeping pad, I was able to get a full night's sleep each night. It was amazing. My body was able to recover quicker due to the sleep I was getting. That has never happened on any other section hike on the AT. I highly recommend this pad.

Comments about Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad:

I was worried that this would be "crinkly"/loud and that my bag would slide off of it. Neither happened. Once you put your bag on it is is practically silent and your bag sticks to it like glue. Great product. Super warm, you can actually feel the heat coming back up from the pad. I'll say it is TOO warm for summer use. If you are going to be using this above about 50F/10C I would advise the XLite instead of the XTherm.

Comments about Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad:

This pad gives me needed space in my pack and is 12 oz. lighter than my previous Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus sleeping pad. It took a little getting used to the narrower 20 inch width but I am willing to give up a little for the lighter and smaller profile.

Much less "crinkley noise" than everyone warned about. I am a happy camper.

Comments about Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad:

I like camping, backpacking, and climbing in all seasons/conditions. So I wanted something that fit my 1 person hoop tent for 3 season use as well as any 4 season tent for winter/winter mountaineering use. I also wanted something that's comfortable, easily packable, and very lightweight. This pad really fits the bill on all that & more.

I had a DownMat UL 7 which was comfortable, but its' rectangular design made it difficult to fit inside my 1 person tent. I also found that the DownMat was slippery when combined with my sleeping bag; the xtherm has none of that slippery feel to it and I stay right where I am! The DownMat will be going back- it's a great mat, but the NeoAir XTherm wins in the weight/packability department.

If I find myself hot during summer nights with this, I just take the rainfly off if conditions are nice. If not, I use my bag as a blanket. I pack at both lower and high elevation, and for me I have found this pad to be very versatile. It takes a bit of work to inflate, but it's not excessively difficult.

The only thing I wish that was different about this product is the stuff sack that came with it. It's too large of a stuff sack and doesn't keep the pad packed firm enough despite its low weight & great packability, so I'd go with a smaller stuff sack or a strap to tighten around it.

The krinkly noise might bother some but I'm partially deaf so I don't hear a thing when I'm sleeping!

Comments about Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad:

Tried it out local at the beach and found the comfort level top notch, but didn't want to review it based on that. April 10th we went on a 5 night backpacking trip to Twin Lakes Sequoia where the snowpack was 3-5 feet beneath us. Lets just say I was sleeping in comfort at 20 degree temps where a non insulated airmat would've left me sleeping on ice. You can have a zero degree sleeping bag on a non insulated air mat and freeze in 30 degree temps, so this Xtherm actually lets your bag perform as it should. There is a rubberized feel to the top and bottom of the mat which helps you stay put at night and kept my inflatable pillow in place. I prefer to inflate it, then lay on my side on it, and let air out till it conforms to my body better. Temps create fluctuations in fill so keep that in mind.

Comments about Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad:

As many who get into the outdoors do, I'm in the process of replacing my first batch of cheaper/heavier car-camping type of gear with costlier but better/lighter backpack-camping gear.

In my move from my first pad (which rolled up to about 6"x26" and weighed 4 pounds) to the Xtherm (which rolls to only 4"x9" and weighs under 1), I could not be happier. The price stings a bit, but the comfort this puppy affords you on the upper deck of a dug-out snow cave makes it worth every penny.

I've used this pad only twice so far this winter, but have been thrilled with it both times.

First time was on the cold floor of a breezy old fire lookout on a moderate peak. Though my 20° bag wasn't warm enough to keep the rest of me comfortable, my back was toasty thanks to the reflective layers inside the Xtherm, bouncing body heat right back to me.

Most recently, I had the pad stowed in my pack for a single overnight up on Mount Baker, above Artist Point. After digging out a cave, I setup the Xtherm right on the snow base of my sleeping area, and climbed into my bag for the night. I was so warm, when my alarm went off to remind me to get up in the middle of the night & shoot photos of the near-full moon right over Baker, I turned it off & refused to get out of the cave until morning.

Others seem eager to point out that the pad is noisy. I guess it's a LITTLE talkative, at least if you're comparing it to any open-cell or closed-cell foam pad, and maybe even some other all-air pads (i.e. Big Agnes, ExPed, etc). I find it to be comparable to other NeoAirs from Therm-A-Rest, especially the Xlite, but also the Trekker and AllSeason, though to a lesser extent. And for what it's worth, while I have it setup and use it in the field, I find it to be MUCH less noisy than when I've tested it at home. Perhaps it has to do with the material being muffled by a sleeping bag on top, and whatever surface it's pressed against on the bottom. BUT.. I'm a pretty heavy sleeper, so I might not be the best judge of this aspect.

I love that it's a whopping 2.5" thick. I'm no small guy, but even when I prop myself up with a hand or elbow, I still don't bottom out on the pad.

I would say my biggest qualm with this product isn't even the pad itself, but rather the stuff/pump sack which comes with it. Calling it a pump sack is a bit of a misnomer. It works, but don't expect it to work quickly.

To reduce/eliminate moisture from my breath from being introduced into the pad – and later condensing and freezing inside of it, as it is pressed against cold snow – I've tried to inflate the pad by lofting & pumping the sack, with it attached to the pad's valve. I gave up after about ten minutes, and just inflated it the regular way – lung power. Perhaps it was the cramped quarters which made it so difficult.

Even before my most recent outing with this pad, I'd considered purchasing the large pump sack / jembe seat that Therm-A-Rest makes and sells separately. I tested that in a store, and it works great, as it's so much larger than the pump sack the pad comes with, and weighs so little.

However, I'm now considering hunting down the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Mini Pump, which REI doesn't (yet?) carry. I believe I read that Cascade Designs licensed the design from Camp-Tek, a design which has received really good reviews. The thing weighs under 3oz, can run off of batteries from my headlight, and won't introduce any moist/warm air into the pad on cold nights.

Another downside to the included pump/storage sack is its size – it's quite spacious, and unless you use an additional compression strap around the pad, it doesn't hold it very snug/compact. As I don't expect to need it as a pump sack once I find the NeoAir Mini Pump, I repurposed a smaller stuff sack I managed to acquire elsewhere, into which the snugly-rolled pad fits perfectly!

This pad is an awesome product. If you've got the scratch, buy it.

Comments about Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad:

Owned a lot of pads,many inflatables.Best one yet!!!

Service and delivery comments:

Fast and free

Comments about Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad:

I bought this pad to fit into my Big Agnes Zirkel 20 bag. It fits well, and feels really comfortable and very warm. Feels durable. Great buy!