Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad

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

This pad is amazingly light. Ridiculously light. It doesn't even feel like there's anything in the box. I got the smallest size, and at 6'1", it seems comfortable. With my head on the pad, it ends mid-thigh, and with my head sticking off the top, it ends right at my knee. I thought the dropoff with a short pad would be uncomfortable, but surprisingly, that doesn't seem to be an issue on my back or side.

It's surprisingly warm to the touch, even uninflated. The IR-reflective material inside (mylar?) is effective. Inflated, it should keep you at least as warm as a foam pad.

The new mummy shape is nice, too, particularly if you have an older Big Agnes sleeping bag designed with a mummy-shaped pad sleeve (with no cutouts to allow a square pad) on the bottom. This pad fits fine inside the BA bag. (Again, mine is the small-- I can't vouch for the others, although I suspect the 72" would probably also fit) Obviously, since the short version does not reach the foot of the sleeping bag, if you use a similar system with no insulation on the underside, you'll need something to stick under your feet to keep them off the cold ground on cold nights. For the hardcore ultralighter, your pack might work, but I'll probably cut a small piece off an old foam pad, which can then double as a camp seat.

Which brings me to my only real concern: light weight sometimes comes at the expense of durability. Only time will tell, but the fabric on this pad is literally so thin you can see through it. It's not obvious from the pictures, but it's true. You're never going to want to put this directly on the ground. I'd be terrified to use it as a chair. It's going inside my sleeping bag sleeve, which is going inside the tent/bivy or at the very least on top of a ground cloth.

In short, it seems exactly as advertised-- it's light, warm, and tiny, but it's probably not bulletproof.

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

Great gear if a bit pricey. I've had this out a number of nights and down as low as 7F and was very comfortable. I toss a lot at night and never slip off. It is a bit narrow for back sleeping (20") and you really have to get the inflation right. For me it's 25 puff for a very full mat and about 18 for "just right". Weighs in at 12.55oz plus and add'l .45 for the sack. It also comes with a repair kit. It doesn't squeak or crinkle (unless it's really under inflated) and I don't burn through when side sleeping (I'm 5'11, 195lbs).

It is fairly easy to deflate and roll but you will have to do it twice to get all the air out so it will fold and roll tight. It stows in a very small space and is a perfect complement to my Montbell bag and GoLite pack. If you are a bit older like me get this to cut your weight and get a good night's sleep.

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

I just got this product and I'm very excited to give it a try in the woods. I used it one afternoon at home just to see if there were that many differences between the original NeoAir and the new one. I have both, the new version is noticibly warmer than the older version. It is just as comfortable but even lighter and packs smaller than the original to boot.

Basic function is the same as the older model, but due to the new shape, I can use my Therm-a-rest Haven bag easier now.

I can't report on durablility of the pad yet. My older (yellow) NeoAir was spot on reliable. I never suffered a puncture or deflation. I will say I am ultra careful with my equiptment and use a clean site and a ground cloth under my tent.

The material feels about the same as the older version, but it is noticably more transparent. I was happy to find out that the new version not only comes with a stuff sack but a repair kit for trail side emergency repairs.

Over all, this is the new standard for light weight comfort in the back country.

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

I have used the original NeoAir for many nights without an issue. First night with the XLite and it develops a slight tear and goes flat. The product is just too fragile.

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

DO NOT TAKE THIS INTO THE COLD ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT A ZREST OR BACKUP PAD.

I work at the Arctic Survival School in Alaska and I have so many patches on this thing it looks like a quilt!!!

First flat I probably deserved, had it on the aircraft floor on the way to Afghanistan -- 3 holes from sand or something.

Second flat... out on the tundra in my snow cave. Not sure how I got holes (ice crystals, down feathers??), but woke up freezing with a flat pad, luckily I had zrest underneath (neorest/zrest combo works down to -30F).

3rd bunch of holes, 2 more, in storage! Just sitting on the shelf. I made sure I patched the previous holes by inflating, folding in half, and putting gallon water on top for 12-24 hrs.

Haven't taken it out since, maybe during the summer, but still it would suck to lay on the cold ground no matter the temp. Just don't trust it.

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

If you are used to a self-inflating Therm-a-Rest, the "comfort" of this pad is DIFFERENT.

The NeoAir seems to get a lot of positive reviews regarding comfort. But my 1st night out with the NeoAir was uncomfortable; it left my back sore.

My previous Therm-a-Rest was an old 'regular' size LE edition. But where the LE pad supports you with padding and air, the NeoAir obviously supports you ONLY with air. It makes a difference. However, given the light weight of even my 'large' size NeoAir, I hope my back can get used to this difference.

I found I could turn on my side without bottoming out. Despite the crinkling reflective material inside the pad, I was suprized at how little noise it made while rolling or shifting around at night.

While I enjoyed the extra width of a 'large', I found it difficult to repack because of the tri-fold required to pack it back down to its original size.

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

The first night out with this pad was the best night of sleep I've had in the back country in 20 yrs...no BS!

Truly amazing how much warmth is kicked back at you. I use a Western Highlite bag early season and normally have to use a thin base-layer to stay warm, but with this pad I literally slept with only socks on my feetsies. That's a significant warmth increase.

One of my favorite aspects of this pad is the non-slip factor. I toss and turn at night and in the past either my pad or my bag would slide around. With this pad my bag did not slip off once the entire night, nor did the pad move!

The comfort is amazing and the packability is a plus. I won't even mention the weight because that's why you're here.

Some folks mention or complain about the crinkling sound of the pad. For me it was a non-issue. Once your bag is on top and you lay down there is no noise issue. I will say I blow up my pad as full as possible, as I like a firmer sleeping surface. A less full pad may make more crinkling sounds...I don't know?

No (or very few) gear item(s) is/are perfect, so I have to mention that it does take a little more effort to blow this baby up. I used to use a Prolite pad and enjoyed the self-inflating feature, but with that said it's not that big of a deal and not even worth checking it as a con. The mountain gods want you to buy this bag!

Cheers! S-H-A-L

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

Used twice so far and I just love it. I upgraded from a self-inflating thermarest (which still works great) but this is just a level beyond in terms of size, shape, and comfort. Yes, the feel and look of the material is disconcerting. On the 1st use, I inflated it in the afternoon, enjoyed a nice evening, and when turning in, was dismayed to find it somewhat deflated. But I inflated it to firm again and it stayed just like that all night. It was the drop in temp. that caused it to appear to deflate...so just keep this in mind if you start to think it has a leak. Is it going to develop some leaks? Of course it is, if you really use it! Everything requires some maintenance...my old thermarest got a few leaks in it's 10 years of service, but all it takes is a patch. And this pad at least comes with some patches. It's also very true what they say about it being warm. Fully inflated, I can sleep on my side and stomach without bottoming out...I could never do that with my old thermarest. So for the savings in weight and space, plus the extraordinary comfort, it is definitely worth it! Plus, Cascade Designs is very good about replacing products it you have a problem, so buy with confidence.

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

I just picked this up as a replacement for a Prolite Plus/4 season pad that had an irreparable tear, to be used for backpacking, ski touring, and mountaineering. The weight and packed size are awesome. partially inflated, it also works with my old, purple, therma-rest chair, and works fine with thermarest's couples kit fully inflated.

the crinkly noise factor turned out not to be an issue when inflated and slept on, as another poster noted. Durability was adequate for 2 nights of snow camping, with some exposure to granite, though I was definitely more paranoid with this pad! Will be carrying the included patch kit at all times! Plenty warm for camping on snow, with temps dropping to the lower 20's at night. Plenty comfortable for back or side sleeping, with no bottoming out. I found that slightly deflating the pad makes it more comfy for side sleeping, though. No slipping off the pad at all (a concern with the prolite), which was great.

Definetly takes a some lung power to inflate... will be looking into an inflation bag to skip the effort and the humidity that gets injected into the pad by blowing directly into it. Would be nice if Thermarest included this, but i suppose that would make it even more expensive...

Overall, great ultra light pad if you can stomach the price!

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

I use the Small (48" length) pad to save weight. I place spare clothes under my feet for padding.

While insanely expensive this pad allowed me to shave half a pound off my net pack weight. After 14 miles it's worth every penny!

I'm replacing an old(10+ years) Therm-a-Rest 3/4 length 1/2" self inflating pad. But even among newer pads the XLite is light!

There was concern that the "crinkly" noise of this pad would be annoying. I'm not super sensitive to this sort of thing but I found the sleeping bag on top of the pad muffled out most of the noise. Non-issue for me.

I tried the pad both inside my bag and outside. My wife was the first to note that inside the bag reduced room for you. Which isn't a problem if you don't move all night long. For us death rollers not so good.

I pulled my pad out of my bag and put it under. The material is somewhat sticky and didn't slide around once I got it into place. Slept like a brick for 11 hours!

One other nice thing about the XLite is it deflates quickly and is easy to roll up and fit in the stuff sack. Not a lot of muscle or second tries required to get everything back where it belongs.

I am a little concerned that the material is deliicate. I've never had a hole in my old sleeping pad, but I've always been ridiculously cautious. Making sure there are no rocks or other debris on the bottom the tent and trying to pitch my tent away from sharp rocks etc.

One other thing - this pad responds to temperature shifts quite dramatically. If you fully inflate it at cold temperatures I have no doubt your body heat could increase pressure enough to rupture the pad. Best not to over do it!

Overall I'm very impressed and quite pleased so far. We'll see how this pad holds up during the course of the Colorado Trail this summer.