How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Camping and Backpacking
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
Once again shattering the ceiling of low weight, surprising warmth and packability, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite sleeping pad sets a new standard for gram-counting backpackers and adventure racers.
Shop newer version- Streamlined shaped and advanced fabrics reduce the weight—almost 15% lighter than the original
- Patent-pending reflective layer returns heat back to your body and creates air pockets that conserve warmth
- Patent-pending welded-nylon grid of chambers further ensures high warmth and low weight
- Innovative baffling minimizes the movement of air so you shift less and rest better
- Comes with a stuff sack and repair kit
| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pad Type | Air |
| Sleeping Pad Shape | Semirectangular |
| Insulation Type | Synthetic |
| R-Value | 3.2 |
| Repair Kit Included | Yes |
| Stuff Sack Included | Yes |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Gender | Unisex |
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
26 people found this review helpful
11 years ago
Survived AT thru-hike
My dad bought me this pad for Christmas for my upcoming Appalachian Trail thru-hike (2013). It quickly became my favorite piece of gear. In the past I had always tossed and turned when camping from pressure points on my hips and shoulders (side sleeper). I got some great nights' sleep with the XLite. I was a bit nervous about its durability prior to starting, but I only had one pin-hole leak which I got in PA. It was easily patched with the included kit.
I slept probably 50/50 in shelters and in my tent. When in a shelter, I did not use any barrier between the pad and the wood floor. My tent has a sil-nylon floor with no extra ground-cloth or footprint. I would kick all the sticks and rocks out of the way, but I did not particularly pamper it.
Also worth noting, Thermarest has definitely changed the material at least a time or two for the XLite. There seemed to be some that were more transparent than others on the trail. I would speculate that they did this to increase durability as some of the early reviews seemed to have lots of leaks compared with my experience and that of my fellow thru-hikers.
Yes , I recommend this product
Cory in GA
Kennesaw, GAMost Helpful Critical Review
38 people found this review helpful
12 years ago
Light weight at a cost of comfort
I have been working very hard to get my gear weights down into the near ultralight category and the NeoAir XLite was purchased so I could save 9oz over the REI Stratus Large air pad. The NeoLite XLite in a large is 16oz and the REI Stratus in a large is 25 oz.
I took the XLite home and decided to sleep on it overnight to make sure it was comfortable. Many have reported that it is very comfortable but my experience was different. Two things about the pad did not work for me as follows. The edges of the pad tended to compress under the weight of my arms allowing them to rest on the floor. Also, no matter how much I adjusted the air pressure, I found that the pad tended to develop a high spot right under the small of my back that I found to be uncomfortable.
The REI Stratus pad I was planning to replace is quite a bit more comfortable for me as the side tubes are a larger diameter than the others and they cradle my arms next to my side. Also, I didn't have issues with "high" spots under the small of my back.
So, even though I am seriously trying to shave ounces off my pack weight, the loss of comfort I experienced with the NeoAir XLite pad vs the REI Stratus pad was a deal killer for me. I decided that a good night's sleep was worth the extra 9oz. Not to mention, the REI Stratus costs about 1/2 what you have to pay for the NeoAir XLite.
My advice is to take the time to make sure the NeoAir XLite will fit your needs. If it does, it's about as light weight as you can find.
Yes , I recommend this product
KayakCamper
Marietta, GaColotraillover
Golden Colorado
First night blowout
12 years ago
I was doing a six day, 114 mile hike on the Colorado Trail starting at Mt. Princeton, ending at Copper Mountain. My first night, about three hours into the night, I woke up flat on the ground. No puncture through the floor of my tent, no sharp objects in the tent, just a 2" tear in the Neo Air that went across the baffles, making it unrepairable. It took three more days to get to Twin Lakes before I could buy a new closed cell pad, which I finished the trip with. I'm a 190 pound guy, so maybe this pad is just fine for women and guys that are under 160 pounds, but I sure wouldn't buy one if you're any heavier. Total disappointment.
No, I do not recommend this product
Robot76
Seattle, WA
Best night's sleep ever
12 years ago
Rarely am I motivated to write a gear review but I'm making an exception. This thing is awesome. After years of struggling to find the right sleeping pad the Neo Air finally hits the mark. It is very lightweight and compact, yet extremely comfortable. Also they seem to have fixed the noisy "potato chip bag" crinkly sound that was a problem with the first version of this pad. I sleep on my side, and I'm 5'10". After years of slipping off the pad, hip digging into the ground, back pain, tossing and turning and so forth I am finally able to sleep through the night. Really it's almost as comfortable as being at home in my own bed (almost). I was a little worried about durability but I used it on a 10-night thru-hike and it held up just fine.
Yes , I recommend this product
Kitchensink
Vancouver, wa
Awesome
12 years ago
I wanted to recommend this sleeping pad, for being so thin, it feels as soft as a 1 foot thick air mattress. I ordered a large because some PCT thru-hiker ultra light weight complaints were that the regular size left their shoulders hanging/falling off. The large is longer than I need but the width is good, I'm 5'10, 190, with broad shoulders and the large is good for me. It is hard to blow up at the end of a long day of hiking, about 25 good hard breaths and it slides around a little to much in my tent but it is super warm and super comfortable so I recommend it, wish it was just a little shorter is all.
Yes , I recommend this product
Flying Backpacker
Glendale, CA
Awfully crunchy
12 years ago
This pad is very lightweight and a breeze to carry. However, it is not that comfortable. The edges taper down, so it's easy to slide off the pad. Also, the material is very crinkly, so it makes all kinds of noise every time you move during the night. If you sleep like a corpse, it's probably OK, but if you toss and turn like me, the noise and the tendency to slide off the pad may get on your nerves. I ended up returning it and purchasing a Big Agnes Q-CORE SL, which weighs six ounces more, but costs the same and is way more comfortable.
No, I do not recommend this product
Cory in GA
Kennesaw, GA
Survived AT thru-hike
11 years ago
My dad bought me this pad for Christmas for my upcoming Appalachian Trail thru-hike (2013). It quickly became my favorite piece of gear. In the past I had always tossed and turned when camping from pressure points on my hips and shoulders (side sleeper). I got some great nights' sleep with the XLite. I was a bit nervous about its durability prior to starting, but I only had one pin-hole leak which I got in PA. It was easily patched with the included kit. I slept probably 50/50 in shelters and in my tent. When in a shelter, I did not use any barrier between the pad and the wood floor. My tent has a sil-nylon floor with no extra ground-cloth or footprint. I would kick all the sticks and rocks out of the way, but I did not particularly pamper it. Also worth noting, Thermarest has definitely changed the material at least a time or two for the XLite. There seemed to be some that were more transparent than others on the trail. I would speculate that they did this to increase durability as some of the early reviews seemed to have lots of leaks compared with my experience and that of my fellow thru-hikers.
Yes , I recommend this product
Packer1706
Appleton, WI
Best Sleep Ever!!!
12 years ago
Best sleeping pad ever. Expensive? What is a good nights sleep worth? Sleep well and hit the trail refreshed and ready to go. Also packs down smaller than your water bottle and only weighs 12oz. It's krinkly? Not when it's aired up and you are lying on it. Spend the extra money for a good nights sleep in the back country, and it's made in the USA!
Yes , I recommend this product
Jolene
Cincinnati, Ohio
Just alright
11 years ago
I definitely love the lighweight feature of this ground pad. I am 5'6" and have the long version- can't imagine it being any shorter. But, it is still ultra lightweight. My issues are that it is really a pain to blow up, its crunchy loud (your tent-mate will hate you) and after 4 nights on it my back was a wreck! Some of this was hiking soreness and some of it was age BUT a lot of it was the ground pad, I just couldnt get real comfortable on it. I also found it to be a little too narrow. I used a ridge rest under it for warmth, so you also need to consider that. I would try to test one out before making the purchase.
Fred Ultralight
Butte, MT
GREAT weight & space saving pad...
12 years ago
Excellent alternative to heavier, bulkier sleeping pads, and doesn't sacrifice comfort. But if you need better insulation, consider the NeoAir XTherm-- (close to the same weight, but much higher R-value!) Inflating the XLite by mouth is a bit of an ordeal, and puts wetness into the mattress. BUT Thermarest has an adapter that lets you use a plastic bag or stuff sack as an inflater "pump"-- light, and well worth the investment!
Yes , I recommend this product
KayakCamper
Marietta, Ga
Light weight at a cost of comfort
12 years ago
I have been working very hard to get my gear weights down into the near ultralight category and the NeoAir XLite was purchased so I could save 9oz over the REI Stratus Large air pad. The NeoLite XLite in a large is 16oz and the REI Stratus in a large is 25 oz. I took the XLite home and decided to sleep on it overnight to make sure it was comfortable. Many have reported that it is very comfortable but my experience was different. Two things about the pad did not work for me as follows. The edges of the pad tended to compress under the weight of my arms allowing them to rest on the floor. Also, no matter how much I adjusted the air pressure, I found that the pad tended to develop a high spot right under the small of my back that I found to be uncomfortable. The REI Stratus pad I was planning to replace is quite a bit more comfortable for me as the side tubes are a larger diameter than the others and they cradle my arms next to my side. Also, I didn't have issues with "high" spots under the small of my back. So, even though I am seriously trying to shave ounces off my pack weight, the loss of comfort I experienced with the NeoAir XLite pad vs the REI Stratus pad was a deal killer for me. I decided that a good night's sleep was worth the extra 9oz. Not to mention, the REI Stratus costs about 1/2 what you have to pay for the NeoAir XLite. My advice is to take the time to make sure the NeoAir XLite will fit your needs. If it does, it's about as light weight as you can find.
Yes , I recommend this product
Keith and Kiva
Mount Laurel, NJ
Extremely Light / Packs Extremely Small
11 years ago
Purchased this about a month ago and used it on a seven day trip in Shenandoah National Park last week. This thing packs really small and takes up just a tiny bit of room in the pack. It's very comfortable and full-size (not a "cut down" version like you'd expect to save weight). The only issue is inflating it after a long day's hike - I found to fully inflate it, it takes 24 full breaths. I ended up fully inflating and then backing out just a small amount to make it just right for comfort. Overall though (other than the inflation piece), very lightweight and very small to pack so it deserves the 5 star rating. The one I have is not too noisy either; not sure if it's a newer version or I'm just lucky?
Yes , I recommend this product
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