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Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad Review

I have used and owned one model or another of the Therm-a-rest sleeping pad range since 2014. When it came time to opt for a new sleeping pad I eventually decided to go for the Therm-a-rest NeoAir X-Therm NXT Sleeping Pad (regular size). As someone who continually tries to reduce pack volume and weight, at first glance this was a strange choice as this pad was actually heavier than my previous pad but I opted for warmth and comfort over the lowest weight. So what’s my reasoning?

The XTherm range of mats is very much aimed at cold conditions having an R-Value of 7.3 (that’s really warm). This places this mat in the top end of the warmth range but in addition, the Therm-a-rest XTherm range has long been considered the pinnacle mainly because of the combined set of features. In fact it’s considered the warmest mat on the market ‘gram for gram’ as well as being one of the smallest packed mats around.

The Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad, which is the most current version, comes in two readily available sizes (regular and large). I’m 185 cm in height and currently weighing in at around 110 kg, I find the regular size will does the job well. I can comfortably lie on this mat without my feet hanging over the end which is not a common thing for standard length mats. Width wise this mat is 51 cm wide with a depth of 7.6 cm.

The additional weight this mat has over the lighter XLite version is only 70 grams but having said that it is still very much lighter than most other mats on the market including those with much lower R-values which is a bit of a surprise.

The Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad comes with an inflation bag, and while in theory I like the idea of these ‘bag pumps’ which are starting to come with a number of mats these days, having said that I am happy to inflate my mat the old fashioned way and this is where the WingLock valve comes in handy. As a valve its larger than the older Therm-a-rest models which makes it significantly easier to inflate and also allows you to take a breath without having to rapidly close off the valve. In addition, the WIngLock mechanism allows rapid deflation. Again a nice feature but typically I will just open the valve on my mat while I’m still in my tent and allow my body weight to do all the work. That said this valve is a nice upgrade and one that many Therm-a-rest lovers will appreciate.

My older XLite models with the older value system takes 35 breaths to inflate and if I do it quickly, I almost feel like passing out!  Back to the inflation bag, I often leave it at home when I’m hiking and manage to get myself in trouble with my wife Gill as when we camp as a couple, I’m cooking dinner and she sets up the tent and sleep systems so prefers to use the pump sack.

The other thing to note with this mat is that it doesn’t ‘crinkle’ when you move which was been a long standing criticism of Therm-a-rest mats. I didn’t notice this noise however my wife wasn’t a fan as it disturbed her sleep. This mat is about as quiet as a sleeping mat can get.

Comfort wise I didn’t expect there to be much difference between my standard XLite and this XTherm model but in addition to being noticeably warmer, it just felt plusher and more comfortable. The plus with the additional warmth is that in all but the coldest conditions, this mat will improve your overall sleeping experience without having to buy a new sleeping bag. Many hikers don’t think about ‘sleep systems’ and often look at each component separately so having a sleeping pad with such a high R-Value means you will feel warmer (to a point) with a cheaper sleeping bag although there is only so much a good sleeping pad can do!

Colour wise the are two options Neptune (blueish) and Vapour (grey) although Neptune seems to be the more common option available on the Australian market.

Now for the negatives. There really is only one main negative and that’s the price coming in at an RRP of AUD $569.00 which places it at the top end of the sleeping mat segment. However if you look closely you can often find these mats on sale, often at extremely sharp pricing. Another negative of this mat is that they often sell out very quickly so keep this in mind if you have a time crunch with your purchase – if you’re waiting until you see a better deal, you’re best to jump on it!

So if you’re into cold weather camping (think snow conditions and heavy frosts) or think that staying warm at nighttime is important, then the additional (minimal) weight and additional price are worth this great option. Given that price and your budget is likely to be the deciding factor, and if you can’t stretch your budget that far then opt for the Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Mat. It may not be as warm but as mentioned it will suit most hikers’ needs at around $100 less in price.

We Like

• Super toasty for those colder nights with an R-Value of 7.3
• Very comfortable even for side sleepers
• The pump sack is included for super easy inflation – a great innovation but not necessary given the easy-to-inflate WingLock valve!
• Very compact and relatively lightweight for a sleeping mat that provides this much warmth
• When compared to other mats of similar warmth, the XTherm range is hard to beat

We Don't Like

• The cost. Typically this mat is sold cheaper than the recommended retail price so its worth waiting until then if you have the option
• These mats sell out quickly so sometimes you may have to wait and backorder

Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad

Best Uses

• For hikers where warmth is key, including in the coldest of conditions but also for supreme comfort

Buy One

You can purchase the Therm-a-rest NeoAir X-Therm NXT Sleeping Pad online from Amazon Australia,  Snowys or from Wildfire Sports

Disclosure:  We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, 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 $569.00 RRP (often on sale for much cheaper)

Other Versions

Therm-a-rest makes a large range of sleeping pads in the same range and provide alternatives depending on your needs

What’s in the bag Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad

Compared to a Nalgene water bottle Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad

Inflation of a Therm-a-rest Sleeping Pad with a pump sack

Manual inflation on my Therm-a-rest-NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-rest WingLock valve; a great improvement over older models

Xtherm video

Disclaimer

This review was done with product provided by the Australian distributor of the Therm-a-rest range

Last updated

22 December 2024

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