How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad
$199.95 – to $239.95
Ready for better nights under the stars? Designed for year-round use, the 3 in. thick Therma-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT sleeping pad delivers maximum comfort at a minimal weight and packed size.
Key Details
Pad Thickness (in.)
3 inches
Weight
Short: 11.5 oz.
Regular: 13 oz.
Regular Wide: 1 lb.
Large: 1 lb. 1 oz.
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- Improved internal construction delivers a silent sleeping pad
- 3 in. (7.6 cm) thick profile delivers premium backcountry comfort and extra room for better personal firmness adjustment
- ThermaCapture™ technology and a Triangular Core Matrix™ construction radiate body heat and reduce convective heat loss
- 4.5 R-value makes this 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-liter 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 | Mummy |
| R-Value | 4.5 |
| Repair Kit Included | Yes |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Packed Size | Short: 4.1 x 9 inches Regular: 4.1 x 9 inches Regular Wide: 4.6 x 11 inches Large: 4.6 x 11 inches |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Pad Thickness (in.) | 3 inches |
| Dimensions | Short: 66 x 20 x 3 inches Regular: 72 x 20 x 3 inches Regular Wide: 72 x 25 x 3 inches Large: 77 x 25 x 3 inches |
| Weight | Short: 11.5 oz. Regular: 13 oz. Regular Wide: 1 lb. Large: 1 lb. 1 oz. |
| Gender | Unisex |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Best Sleeping Pad on The Market
Johnny2 years ago
The valve system is fantastic and was easy to adjust. We recently got caught in cold weather and wow, this pad kept me warm. Took a little bit to find the pressure that I like. Two other people in the party of four had the same pad and swear by them. Pains me that newbies are leaving reviews that downrate the best product on the market.
Johnny
UT
30 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Poor quality control; still noisy
Matthias2 years ago
They claim it is 6 times quieter, but it is still as noisy as a bag of potato chips. More disappointing, though, is that it came out of the box with scoff marks that they were aware off, having placed a red arrow pointing to the place. Not a big deal if it were based on my usage, but to sell second quality for new is not OK.
Matthias
VA
36 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
DrunkenSherpa
Received free product
Columbia, IL
Compact, yet comfortable
2 years ago
I was looking for a compact sleeping pad for tent/backpack camping, and I found one. Also, a sleeping pad that I could also take on flights. I really ended up liking the therm-a-rest neoair. The box contains the pad, a repair kit, a sleeve, and a pump sak. I tested the Neoair sleeping pad at home prior to hitting the trails and used the pump sak. In a pinch, the pump sak would serve the purpose. To be honest, I have a small pump and filled the pad in no time. I love the valve! My first trial was sleeping on my basement concrete floor w/ the pad. I was napping in no time. Next, I headed for the trail for some camp time. The pad was an easy fill, and an easy layout. The pad fit just inside my 4 man tent and length was not a problem for me. The pad is semi-mummy shape which fit well w/ my sleeping bag. The pad was extremely comfortable and I was able to sleep on my back or side. i would recommend reading the instructions, particularly if you will be camping in the summer. I cannot comment on the R factor yet, the temp did not dip below 60 F. Overall very impressed w/ the comfort. I had no issues w/ loss of air thru the night. Bonus, packing it into a small sleeve. Yes, I really do like the portability of this pad. Did I mention that I really like the valve? I am 5'5", 155pds.
Age:55–64
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'5"
Yes , I recommend this product
GrayMatter
Received free product
Colorado Springs
The King of Specs
2 years ago
I have spent the better part of three years sleeping on the predecessor to this pad. So I was very excited to spend some time with the updated version. And the short story: it’s better in every way. But I’m guessing you’re here for the long story… Let me start by saying the numbers on this pad are incredible. A wide pad, with 3” of cushion and an R value of 4.5 for 1 pound flat is insane. There is nothing else on the market like it. If you don’t speak stat gibberish, just know this is a wide, four season pad for one pound. The unicorn of camp pads. Here’s what I like. It’s super light weight, compact and provides enough insulation that this could be your “do everything” pad for most of the year. It is a little larger than a Nalgene bottle (see picture) and the valve re-design is top notch. In fact, the new valve alone is a stand out. If they changed nothing else besides that, I would be happy. It’s easy to make small adjustments for dialing in the firmness and the unidirectional flow means it’s quick and easy to fill. No trying to blow up the pad and twist the valve to prevent escaping air at 12,000 feet. Just hook up the included pump sack (which can double as a water proof sack for your clothes BTW) and after 8-9 sacks of air, you’re done. I will say the sack feels a little cheap and the proprietary size of the valve means you have to use their pump sack rather than others on the market. Not a deal breaker but something to be aware of. Now the not so nice. My first compliant is the noise. I don’t know if it’s a 6x reduction in noise but this is still not a quiet pad. The predecessor pad was so noisy my camp mates would make me camp at least 150 feet away. That is not an exaggeration. The comments comparing it to sleeping on a bag of Lays potato chips are spot on. This new pad is definitely quieter by several fold (again, not sure on the 6x) but don’t mistake that for this being a silent pad by any means. If you, or more importantly, your camp mate, are sensitive to noise this might be a miss. The second consideration is durability. My original pad finally came to an abrupt end when we got a dog and the pad got multiple punctures from our dogs nails. The low weight comes with a cost. And in this pads defense, that’s true across the board. But this is not a rough and tumble pad. It’s a “clear the ground of sticks and no dogs in the tent” pad. If that works for you, this is one of the best options out there. So is this pad for you? If you can handle the noise, yes. The specs, comfort and great insulation value (R 4.5!!!! And it’s one pound! One Pound!) make this a no brainer for those who can handle the now reduced crinkle and the little extra work of taking care of a more delicate pad. It’s a backpackers pad and a warm night, side sleeping off the ground, with no back pain from an extra pound of weight will have you singing it’s praises in the morning. But if your husband, wife or significant other is a light sleeper or you car camp most of the time with a dog, this is not the droid, I mean pad, you are looking for.
Age:25–34
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'4"
Yes , I recommend this product
Alex
Received free product
San Diego CA
Nearly Perfect
2 years ago
It is a nearly perfect light inflatable sleep pad. Easy to use (inflate and deflate), a flexible R value, comfortable. We used it twice camping in mild climates in May, and once even in a hotel for my niece (small and compact second travel bed). Overall, I only found one slight adjustment I would make but it is entirely personal: a slightly wider foot area. Inflation - 5/5 - used the included pump bag, which you hold up and then roll down to transfer air into the pad. The first time, I had to hold up and roll down the pump bag 12 times, but the second time I inflated the pad in 2min 35 sec over 8 bag rolls worth of air. Another pad took me 1min 45sec to blow up manually but it left me light headed (not even at altitude) and I like the clean dry air from the bag method. Deflation - 5/5 - it uses a single two way valve to inflate and deflate that is easy to use and sealed well. It deflates a little slower than a pad that has two openings where the dedicated deflate opening has no obstruction but it is only a difference of a few seconds. Noise - 5/5 - these inflatable light pads used to make a lot of noise, like crunching a potato chip bag every time you move or roll over. This one is about average now to a little quieter than most and was not a bother. Size - 4/5 - I like the larger size, particularly due to my height (6’4”). And the width compared to my other pad created a more stable feel. Making the foot area a little wider would help with movement throughout the night to avoid the cold floor. Most of my mats are have not been tapered like this one for that reason. Structure - 5/5 - I really like the modest ridge lines. Other pads have steep ridges, often with slightly larger side walls. This pad was wide enough though to not need the walls and I appreciated the more subtle horizontal ridges that create a flat smooth surface. Comfort - 5/5 - Thick enough for side sleeping with really light material and some insulation. No improvements come to mind.
Age:35–44
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'4"
Yes , I recommend this product
Jeff
New England
Sleep Like a Log, Carries Like a Feather
1 month ago
Comfortable, lightweight, packable, and quiet. I bought this pad for section hiking on the Appalachian Trail, leaning toward an ultralight setup. It replaced my 3/4-length Nemo Tensor, and the full-length design has significantly improved my sleep quality. I’m 6’3”, and the regular size fits me just fine. So far, I’ve only used it on nights down to 40°F, but the insulation performed well. Durability seems adequate, though the materials are clearly optimized for minimal weight and could be prone to punctures. If you’re tough on gear, a foam pad might be a better choice. For lightweight backpacking, though, this is a solid option.
Age:55–64
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'3"
Yes , I recommend this product
Mike
TX
2nd Xlite to arrive with holes on Day 1
1 year ago
This is the 2nd xlite Ive purchased from REI that arrived with a hole in the pad on day 1. I returned the first immediately because I didn't have time to repair a faulty product before my trip. This time I didn't have that and had to repair my first night on the trail, AR Ouachita National Forest 12/29/23. Thermarest just responded to my warranty claim today and said I can fix the pad myself or pay them to repair their failures. Thermarest (Cascade Designs) product QA/QC must be non-existent and they have obviously let their standards drop significantly in recent years. Very pathetic and unprofessional for their company. As for the product itself, when the pad isn't a rushed, unchecked, overpriced piece of noisy plastic trash balloon, it does work well. Though I had to patch Thermarest's embarrassing mistakes on day one, the patch held and I was warm for the remainder of the trip. I'll keep this 2nd repaired pad for now but my faith in Thermarest is quickly diminishing. I advise caution when considering a current Cascade Designs product: Thermarest, platypus, MSR, packtowl, seal line.
Age:25–34
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:6'2"
No, I do not recommend this product
Wayner
Received free product
New Jersey
Great even in chilly weather
2 years ago
I used the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite while tent camping, with nightly lows in the 40’s F. It kept me warm and very comfortable while sleeping. The inflate/deflate valve is very sturdy and built well, the tabs to turn and deflate allowed me to easily make adjustments while laying on the mat. The inflation sac made it very quick to fill and easy to do in a smaller tent.
Age:35–44
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
emmasulli
Seattle, Washington
Love the banana slug!
8 months ago
I absolutely love this sleeping mat. It keeps me nice and cozy warm down to low 30s and I got the regular wide size so I have some extra space to move around and lay and not feel like my arms and elbows are going to fall off and rest on the floor. For a wide pad it packs down pretty small and is very lightweight. The bag had lots of reviews about being noisy but I don’t see it as being any noisier than any other pad. I use this pad with the Big Agnes Lost Ranger sleeping bag and it works wonderfully to cinch the quilt to this pad so I feel like I’m just in one cozy personal sized bed in my tent! I also love the color and I call my pad the banana slug. My only complaint is that the provided inflation bag doesn’t hold a lot of air so it takes me about 12 pumps to fill up my pad. I have never experienced losing any of the air overnight! Great pad :)
Age:18–24
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Yes , I recommend this product
Terri
Popped on the first outing under normal condition!
1 year ago
I just got back from my very first outing with this sleep mat. It held air great and didn’t need any air added on a 5-day, 4-night trip. Sadly, it popped on the last morning of the trip, while I was sleeping on it and instantly went flat. That was on my first trip out with it. When I inspected it to figure out why it instantly went flat, I found a 3-4 inch slit in the mat along a seam. I only weigh 115 lbs and was laying on it with a thermal liner on it, with it tucked inside a sleeping bag, in a tent that was set up in sand. There was no reason for it to pop and leave a 3-4 inch hole in the mat. It was definitely not worth the money and I’ll be returning it tomorrow.
Emily
Received free product
California
Extremely light and comfortable
2 years ago
This is lightest yet most comfortable sleeping pad I've experienced. The loft is high (3 inches!), which is impressive for something that packs down so much even after repeated use. I appreciate how easy it is to inflate with the one way inflation feature; the mechanism seemed unnecessarily bulky at first but it does significantly reduce all that huffing and puffing. The pump sack helps make the process even faster for not much more weight or bulk. My only very minor criticism is that the regular size is a little narrow if you're bigger or tend to move a lot in your sleep. If you're okay with the slight increase in weight, consider getting the wider size.
Age:35–44
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'4"
Yes , I recommend this product
TomIrvine
Received free product
Akron, NY
My New Favorite
2 years ago
Neoair Xlite NXT reg/wide Like other Neoair pads, this one packs down to the size of a 32 oz. Nalgene bottle, even with its included pump-bag. It arrived on a Friday and I took it camping that weekend. The pump-bag snaps securely to the valve and it took me about 8 bags to fill the pad to firmness. (A light North breeze made filling the bag easy, but you can also just blow into the bag to fluff it out.) I like the WingLock valve, which is new since my last Neoair pad. It allows you to fill the pad without losing air between bag-fulls (or breaths). When you want to deflate, flick open the WingLock. The packaging claims the pad to be “6x Quieter” than previous iterations. I was particularly interested in this claim, since I had thought the earlier versions of Neoair pads did make a lot of noise when you shifted - like a krispy-krunchy noise. The claim seems justified. The Xlite NXT doesn’t make much noise at all. (Is it 6 times quieter? I don’t have the proper sound-measuring equipment to verify this.) The comfort was excellent, on par with previous Neoair pads in my gear collection. I’m 5’8”, 147# and I like the wide pad because my arms can rest at my sides without sliding off when I lay on my back. This is easily my top-choice pad for future back-packing/camping trips.
Age:55–64
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Yes , I recommend this product
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