Australian Hiker

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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Mat Review

For me my first the Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite was an evolutionary process. I started off with a foam pad followed by the Therm-a-rest Prolite before moving onto the NeoAir XLite pad (see the image below). By nature I am a side sleeper but given that I have had a number of shoulder and back injuries over the years, I have to regularly shift positions during the night from my back to one side and then the other. This annoys my wife no end as she is a light sleeper so the more I toss and turn, the more I disturb her.

Like most people of my generation, I used a foam pad for a number of years and appreciated the Therm-a-rest Prolite series when it came out but found it still didn’t provide enough support when I slept on my side. Early in 2016, I bit the bullet and purchased my first Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite mainly because I had a major shoulder injury caused by a rock climbing accident that forced the issue. As expensive as this pad is, it has been one of the best financial outlays and to this day this sleeping pad remains one of the industry leaders.

There are a huge number of inflatable mats available on the market now and while I have opted to use the warmer Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad this one still ranks as Thermarest’s best recognised and most widely used mats so why is that?

First up the Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad sits very firmly in the ultralight category weighing in at 370 grams for the regular size and packs down to  around the size of a one litre water bottle which aids in my goal to become an ultralight hiker.  One additional bonus is as these sleeping pads continue to improve this one has an R-Value of 4.5which will suit the average hiker for all but the most extreme conditions.  I do appreciate the additional insulation this pad provides but being a hot sleeper this usually isn’t an issue. The pad size is fine for my 185 cm frame and while some people have issues with ‘soft’ edges or not being able to get your arms on the pad if they are outside the bag, this doesn’t worry me; if my arms are outside the sleeping bag then it means that it is warm. If this was a real issue, the large version is wider and longer but I didn’t see any real positives for me given the additional weight and size to deal with.

The other upgrade that Thermarest implemented with their current range of mats is their ‘wing lock valve’ which makes it easier to I inflate the mat and comes com plate with an inflation bag that you squeeze to get the air in rather than having to blow up the mat and also allows for very rapid deflation. I’ll own up here as someone who doesn’t use the inflation bag and will leave it at home to save some extra grams. I got I nato trouble with my wife over this as she is the one that sets up the tent at the end of the day she she very clearly stated that she would have been happy to carry the inflation bag to save her the effort!

This pad is certainly not perfect (but no pad is). The price is the most obvious negative and is at the dearer end of the price scale at AUD $495 RRP but I really wanted this pad and waited until it was on sale to buy at a good discount.

Another negative often discussed on the internet for the older model was the crinkly noise the older model made and this issue is one of the biggest changes in this model.

One other thing too be aware of is that as an ultralight air pad you need to pay attention to the ground under this mat to ensure that there aren’t any sharp stones or stick that can prick holes in the mat. I have found that with my Thermarest mats that eventually you will need to patch the occasional small minute hole for time to time but in my case they are getting much more than the average use.

Overall I am very happy with this pad and while I have now opted for the Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad I would strongly suggest you look at this as an option when choosing an inflatable pad unless you are regularly cold weather camping. For many hikers the price will be an issue but consider all the features that this pad offers before choosing another option.

We Like

• Exceptionally low weight at 370grams
• Very compact size when packed up means you hardly notice this sleeping pad in your pack. Great for the ultralight hiker who wants comfort and minimal weight
• Good resistance to cold for its size and weight which will keep you warm in all three-season conditions. This will help form the base for a great sleep system
• Great for side sleepers as your hips won’t dig into the ground giving you a better nights sleep
• Will last you for years provided to look after it

We Don't Like

• The cost. This is not a cheap sleeping pad but you get what you pay for!
• Relatively delicate construction so you need to take care on rocky surfaces to ensure you don’t get slow puncture leaks
• Takes a bit of effort to inflate  but that a common thing for all air mats
• Not wide enough to fit your arms when outside the sleeping bag. However this is not an issue when your are are inside the bag
• Can be a bit soft at the edges although again I don’t find this an issue

Best Uses

• Ultralight hiking
• Great for side sleepers

Buy One

You can purchase the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Mat online from Snowys or from Wildfire Sports

Disclosure: Some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!

Investment

AUD $495.00 RRP. Keep an eye out for the regular sales that occur and you may get a great deal

Other Versions

Thermarest make a large range of sleeping mats to suit all your outdoor activities

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Mat

Close up of the valve on the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Mat

Therm-a-Rest-NeoAir-XLite NXT Sleeping Mat compared to a 1ltre Water Bottle

Therm-a-Rest-NeoAir-XLite NXT Sleeping Mat what’s in the bag:

• Sleeping pad
• Patch Kit
• Pump Sack to blow up the may
• Storage bag

Product video

Disclaimer

This review was done with product provided for testing

Last updated

22 December 2024

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