How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Max Sleeping Pad
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Ultralight and ultra-packable, the rectangular Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Max sleeping pad is quieter, thicker and more versatile than its predecessor while maintaining year-round warmth.
Shop newer versionKey Details
Pad Thickness (in.)
3 inches
- Improved internal construction delivers a silent sleeping pad
- 3 in. (7.6 cm) of thickness, a horizontal baffled structure and the added sleep surface of a full rectangular shape deliver backcountry comfort while keeping weight minimal
- ThermaCapture™ technology and interior triangular chambers radiate body heat and reduce heat loss to deliver a 4.5 R-value—good for year-round conditions
- WingLock™ valve delivers fast one-way inflation and rapid deflation without giving up the ability to easily purge air while you lie on it for comfort micro-adjustments
- Ultralight construction with low-bulk materials allows it to pack down to about the size of a conventional 1 L water bottle
- Includes pump sack, stuff sack and field repair kit
Made in USA.
View the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir NXT Product LineView all Therm-a-Rest Air Pads| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Air |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Rectangular |
| R-Value | 4.5 |
| Repair Kit Included | Yes |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 3 inches |
| Gender | Unisex |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Great pad.
Jack Rakuyo2 years ago
So I took this in 3 degree weather, app said feels like -8, was up about 1500 feet. Yeah. the ground was so frozen that my tent stakes fused to the dirt. I had no other insulation besides a S2S reactor extreme sleeping bag liner (now I'm buying the fleece one) and a kelty ultra down 20 degree bag (plus my clothing layers). I was a little chilly, but nothing too bad, really. My back was a little cold but not bad enough to lose sleep or even be that uncomfy. The only reason I took off one star is because of the following- so due to being way past its temp limits (which i hear are between 10 and 20) I had it at MAX inflation. and I gotta say you can NOT have this at max inflation. my arm fell asleep when sleeping on my side since at max inflation the thing is a rock I woke up in the night not cold but just uncomfortable. I will update this when I take it in some more fair testing conditions but I feel like the baffling and whatnot doesn't help enough, you need it deflated. maybe that's working as intended but its a bit annoying. As for the width its awesome. It takes up the entire floor of my Xmid 1 so I could roll around all night and not worry. The pump sack takes a bit and isn't particularly fun but deal with it i guess.
Overall- shockingly warm for the weight, but stiff on the comfort side for my tastes. Hopefully I'll update this when I test it partially deflated.
Jack Rakuyo
PA
10 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Poor Quality for Price
daytonpa1 year ago
The product is not worth the expense. I have the regular pad and the air valve has failed on the fourth trip. Despite this, I was very drawn to this pad considering the low weight to inflated thickness, the ease of the inflation process, etc. As for the most recent trip, I would wake up to cold ground every 2-3 hours as air would slowly leak out of the valve. Look for other brands.
daytonpa
Ypsilanti, MI
6 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
PegsLegs Snohomish
Received free product
Snohomish WA
Truly an Upgraded "Quite" Sleeping Pad
2 years ago
Thermarest Neoair Xlite Max All-Season sleeping pad is truly an upgrade from standard sleeping pads. First, it is wider by a few inches than most, which doesn't seem like a lot but it does make a difference in that it never felt like I'd slide off the pad. Second, it's very quiet, doesn't make that rubbery sound that most pads make when you move or change positions. Third, the air chambers are smaller and run the width of the pad instead of the length of the pad making it feel more like a solid pad, no long air chambers to roll around on. It rolls up very small and compact to fit into a bag that takes up very little room in my backpack. Alternatively, you can just roll it and bungie onto the backside of your pack. It comes with the air sack that attaches to the valve for filling easily. The valve is out of the way at the far bottom corner of the pad. Total weight is 1 lb 2 oz which is very doable for the average backpacker. This pad was labeled regular width, tall. My husband is 5'10" (weight 165 lbs) and had plenty of length and width. I'm 5'1" (140 lbs). We are older hikers/backpackers (68 and 70) so comfort is high priority for us. Once again, it is wider than most pads so is comfortable turning/rolling over without running out of pad, and no rubbery noise! Quiet pad. Definitely recommend to friends looking for an upgrade in a sleeping pad, young and old.
Age:65–74
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
Bee3
Received free product
Luxurious & Lightweight
2 years ago
I was immediately blown away by how large - and light - this sleeping pad is. The size and thickness are absolutely luxurious, especially for the low weight. I'm impressed by the three season R value, although of course that's something you notice less in the summer. I took this pad with me on a backpacking trip in Cherokee National Forest and slept like a baby. The pad was also very quiet. You can see that it takes up more than half of my two person tent - this is a great pad for people who like to travel light but still want to enjoy their time at camp, people who are taller than average, and people with wide hips/shoulders.
Yes , I recommend this product
Mountain Mark
Received free product
Pittsburgh, PA
Light and Durable Sleeping Pad
2 years ago
This sleeping pad has replaced my old sleeping pad, a high quality brand, since using it. It took 8 minutes to fully inflate with the inflation bag. In my opinion, very quick. It held air perfectly even after a few nights sleeping on it. It is very light and easily compresses into the bag. Although light, it is durable. I put it through the paces with a few unintended pokes and no holes were detected. The deflation valve is great. It allows the ability to quickly deflate completely with no latent air trapped in any pockets. All of the elements of this product have turned it in to my current go to for sleeping pads.
Age:55–64
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'7"
Yes , I recommend this product
Jack Rakuyo
PA
Great pad.
2 years ago
So I took this in 3 degree weather, app said feels like -8, was up about 1500 feet. Yeah. the ground was so frozen that my tent stakes fused to the dirt. I had no other insulation besides a S2S reactor extreme sleeping bag liner (now I'm buying the fleece one) and a kelty ultra down 20 degree bag (plus my clothing layers). I was a little chilly, but nothing too bad, really. My back was a little cold but not bad enough to lose sleep or even be that uncomfy. The only reason I took off one star is because of the following- so due to being way past its temp limits (which i hear are between 10 and 20) I had it at MAX inflation. and I gotta say you can NOT have this at max inflation. my arm fell asleep when sleeping on my side since at max inflation the thing is a rock I woke up in the night not cold but just uncomfortable. I will update this when I take it in some more fair testing conditions but I feel like the baffling and whatnot doesn't help enough, you need it deflated. maybe that's working as intended but its a bit annoying. As for the width its awesome. It takes up the entire floor of my Xmid 1 so I could roll around all night and not worry. The pump sack takes a bit and isn't particularly fun but deal with it i guess. Overall- shockingly warm for the weight, but stiff on the comfort side for my tastes. Hopefully I'll update this when I test it partially deflated.
Age:18–24
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'7"
Yes , I recommend this product
Morphius
Santa Clara, CA
Very uncomfortable pad
1 year ago
This is by far the most expensive, least comfortable and noisiest sleeping pad I own. When fully inflated, the pad digs into my back. The narrow horizontal baffles push onto my upper back with a lot of pressure and very uncomfortable. The pad only feels acceptable when half inflated. But when I sit up the pad bottoms out. The internal insulation material and how it's applied make the pad very noisy when I move and shift my body. It's not just surface noise, but internal rustling of the internal layers. The valve design is complicated and needs two hands to hold the pad and twist the valve lever. This does have good insulation for winter use. But in the summer this insulated pad is very hot.
Age:55–64
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'8"
No, I do not recommend this product
Sarah J.
2.5 out of 5
2 years ago
Purchased June '23. Have used this for a backpacking camping trip into the mountains, so being light and super compact it's fantastic! (although a little slippery and easily slide off). Love the thickness, makes for a more comfortable sleep. Then for a solid 10 nights at sea level. It did appear to loose a touch of air, say 25%. Twice I had to re-inflate. My son used it, found it very comfortable, but again, slippery. We ended up wrapping it in a sheet, to prevent the sleeping bag from rolling off. I have a 30 year old original, sent inflating Therm-a-rest that has the fabric top. Works perfectly! I'd happily sacrifice a little more packed volume for the woven top...
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
campsnob
Makes me want to sleep in my tent EVERY night!
9 months ago
This pad is SO comfortable. It makes me question why I have a bed and mattress at home. I would happily sleep on this every night for the rest of my days. I couldn’t do the mummy shape because I move a lot in my sleep. I’m 5’2” and 120 lbs, my husband is 5’6” and 145 lbs and is also a fan. I have trouble blowing it up with the pump sack and by mouth, so I’m probably gonna buy the tiny pump that they sell. This pad works for all of the seasons making it great for any camping trip I decide to go on.
Age:25–34
Weight:100–125 lbs.
Height:5'2"
Yes , I recommend this product
Erin B.
No more sore spots!
1 year ago
I just slept 7 nights in a row on my new NeoAir. I am definitely getting a better nights sleep due to the added warmth and cushion of the sleeping pad. I am so happy with it. Not once did I wake up with sore hips or an arm that had fallen asleep. And the noise reduction compared to the old models is great, there are no crinkling noise keeping me awake every time I move. It is easy to inflate using the bag and easy to roll up and move to the next site.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
bradfordbk
Garbage
2 years ago
Love almost everything about this pad, with one massive problem. It's relatively lightweight and packs up small, considering the size and R factor. Excellent warmth and I found it very comfortable, with no noticeable "crinkle" noise. However it leaks like a sieve. I took it out for a few nights in the Sawtooth National Forest (brand new, never used on the trail). It inflated quickly, but even in the 2-3 hours between inflation and me going to bed, it seemed like it lost some air. Fast forward to about 4am and I woke up with my butt on the ground. In about 6 hours it had deflated to roughly 20% of it's air capacity. I reinflated and fell back asleep, but by 8am it had deflated again (maybe 40% capacity). I thought it was a fluke or that maybe I had left the valve slightly open, but had the exact same result the next night. This is a brand new pad with no wear or holes. Very disappointing.
Age:35–44
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'9"
No, I do not recommend this product
Jburslem
Portland, OR
Leaks like crazy
2 years ago
First trip in and I had to inflate twice just to get through the night. Going right back to the store.
Age:45–54
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:6'2"
No, I do not recommend this product
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