Good to know: this sleeping pad is unisex
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Easy to inflate and quick to use
- Extremely comfortable – even for hikers with back issues
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive
- Packaging could be improved on this model to cut down weight and packed size
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite is an incredible sleeping pad from a well known brand who make products that are built to last (and this was clearly evidenced in that one of the people on my most recent backpacking trip where I took the Xlite was using a Therm-a-Rest pad from the 80s!). It’s quiet and noticeably so compared to other people’s pads in camp.
You’ll sleep incredibly well on this sleeping pad, meaning you’re ready to go in the morning. The wing lock valve allows you to inflate the pad quickly and easily and allows you to adjust for firmness on the go. I found this to be a real game changer compared to other pads I’d tried out before. It comes in a range of shapes and sizes to suit most hikers. For this review and for reference, I tested out the regular.
Compare to similar products:
Nemo Switchback | Nemo Tensor All-Season | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT | Rab Stratosphere 4 | Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated | Big Agnes Divide Insulated | Nemo Quasar 3D | Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated | Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated | Exped Ultra 7R | Klymit Static V | Sleepingo Large | Tame Lands | Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol | |
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Buying Options | |||||||||||||||
Our Rating | Best Foam Sleeping Pad | Best Air Sleeping Pad | Best for Comfort and Ultralight | Best for Winter and Best Mummy Shaped Sleeping Pad | Best for Summer | Best for Side Sleepers | Best for Back Sleepers | Best Budget Air Pad | Best Rectangular Sleeping Pad | ||||||
Type and Shape | Folding, closed-cell foam | Rectangular or Mummy Inflatable | Mummy Inflatable | Mummy Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Mummy Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Rectangular or Mummy Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Rectangular or Mummy Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Mummy Inflatable | Rectangular Inflatable | Folding, closed-cell foam |
Comfort | Low | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Average | Average | Low |
Warmth/R-Value | Average (R-Value = 2) | Excellent (R-Value = 5.4) | Very Good (R-Value = 4.5) | Excellent (R-Value = 7.3) | Very Good (R-Value = 3.8) | Very Good (R-Value = 4) | Very Good (R-Value = 4) | Low (R-Value = 1.8) | Very Good (R-Value = 3.2) | Very Good (R-Value = 4.8) | Excellent (R-Value = 7) | Low (R-Value = 1.3) | Low - Average (No ASTM FF3340 rated R-Value, but likely around 2) | Low - Average (No ASTM FF3340 rated R-Value, but likely around 2) | Average (R-Value = 2) |
Weight | Regular Version - 415g/14.5oz | Regular Version - 522g/1lb 2oz | Regular Version - 368g/13 oz | Regular Version - 453g/1lb | Regular Version - 695g/1lb 9oz | Regular Version - 845g/29.8oz | Regular Version - 652g/23oz | Non-Insulated Regular Version - 650g/1lb 7oz | Mummy Regular - 490g/17.3oz | Regular Version - 510g/18oz | Rectangular Medium Version - 650g/23oz | Regular Version - 530g/18.7oz | 408g/14oz | 600g/21oz | Regular Version - 410g/14oz |
Packed Size | Regular Version - 51x13x14cm/20x5x5.5in | Regular Version - 25.5x10cm/10x4in | Regular Version - 10.4x22.86cm/4.1x9in | Regular Version - 11.3x22.86cm/4.5x9in | Regular Version - 24cmx12cm/9.4inx4.7in | Regular Version - 12x23cm/5x9in | Regular Version - 20x13cm/8x5in | Non-Insulated Regular Version - 20x10cm/8x4in | Mummy Regular - 24x11cm/9.5x4.5in | Regular Version - 18x10cm/7x4in | Rectangular Medium Version - 23x14cm/9x5.5in | Regular Version - 20x8cm/8x3in | 27x8cm/10.5x3in | 23x10cm/9x4in | Regular Version - 51x13x14cm/20x5x5.5in |
Open Size | Regular Version - 183x51x2.3cm/72x20x0.9in | Regular Version - 183x51x9cm/72x20x3.5in | Regular Version - 182x50.8x7.62cm/72x20x3in | Regular Version - 177.8x50.8x7.62cm/72x20x3in | Regular Version - 183x51x8cm/72x20x3in | Regular Version - 184x55cm/72x21.5in | Regular Version - 183x51x8.25cm/72x20x3.25in | Non-Insulated Regular Version - 183x51x9cm/72x20x3.5in | Mummy Regular - 183x55-42x10cm/72x21.5-16.5x4in | Regular Version - 51x183x11cm/20x72x4.25in | Rectangular Medium Version - 183x52x9cm/72x20.4x3.5in | Regular Version - 183x58x6cm/72x23x2.5in | 187x54.6x5cm/73.5x21x2in | 188x56x5cm/74x22x2in | Regular Version - 183x51x2cm/72x20x0.75in |
Materials | Polyethylene foam backed with metalized foil | 20D and 40D Nylon with two layers of metalized film | 30D Ripstop Nylon | 30D and 70D Ripstop Nylon with Thermacapture Reflective Film | 75D Polyester with 100% recycled polyester 'Stratus R' insulation | 30D/40D Nylon withThermolite insulation and Exkin Platinum film | Ripstop nylon with Thermalite insulaiton and heat-reflecting film layer | 100% Recycled Polyester | 30D/40D Nylon withThermolite insulation and Exkin Platinum film | Ripstop nylon with two layers of metalized film | 20D Ripstop polyester with down insulation | 75D Polyester | Ripstop Nylon | 40D Ripstop Nylon | Polyethylene foam backed with Thermacapture Reflective Film |
Durability | Excellent - will still work even if torn or damaged | Good - supplied with repair patches | Good - supplied with repair patches | Good - supplied with repair patches | Good - supplied with repair patches | Very Good - supplied with repair patches and spare valve parts | Good - supplied with repair patches | Good - Supplied with repair patches | Very Good - supplied with repair patches and spare valve parts | Good - Supplied with repair patches | Good - Supplied with repair patches | Good - Supplied with repair patches | Good - supplied with repair patches | Good - supplied with repair patches | Excellent - will still work even if torn or damaged |
This article is part of our series on the best sleeping pads for camping, view all articles below:
- Best Sleeping Pads for Camping
- How we Tested Sleeping Pads
- How to Choose the Right Sleeping Pad for Camping
- Compare Sleeping Pads
Related content:
Analysis and Test Results
In testing the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT, it performed amazingly in all regards. Where this pad really stands out is the comfort it offers, even for hikers who have back and joint problems. I have just turned 50 and at this point I’ve had several major surgeries. I also backpack a lot so getting the best possible sleep is really important to me. I found it with this pad – it’s next level.
One area that really helps with this is the wing-lock valve. This allows you to adjust the firmness on the go and get something that really works for your specific needs. What’s more, one of my other favorite features from testing this pad was just how quiet it seems to be. In fact, I made considerably less noise in camp than many of the other people I was with and this helped me sleep that much better on trial. Overall, this is an amazing sleeping pad that’s well worth the money, and hype.
Performance Comparison
See our video 360 of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT sleeping pad including set up and taking into account some of it’s main features:
Type and Shape
This sleeping pad from Therm-a-Rest is a slight mummy shape design, this does change slightly on other variants from the regular, which is understandable. For example, the wide is wider (naturally). It’s an air sleeping pad meaning it inflates via a sack and wing lock valve.
At 368g/13oz for the regular, this also sits it well in the lightweight category. So will suit most lightweight backpackers looking to up their anti in terms of gear really well.
Comfort
This pad is 7.6cm/3 in. thick and is marketed to deliver true comfort whilst out in the backcountry. The Therm-a-Rest wing lock value is a pretty amazing feature when it comes to comfort, as it allows you to inflate and deflate via minor adjustments to get the correct feel for you.
As someone that just turned 50, has 5 major joint surgeries and a proclivity to backpack anywhere from 10 to 25 miles a day, quality sleep is a top priority. I have tried several types of sleeping pads from different manufacturers and this pad was by far the most comfortable I have ever slept on. Therm-a-Rest has always been well known for their sleeping pads and being a top end design I was dubious that this may just be marketing hype. From my tests, I can confidently say that it isn’t – this pad stands out to me above and beyond!
Warmth
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT is marketed as a year round sleeping pad as it has an R-value of 4.5. It’s also decently thick at 7.6cm/3 inches, which does make it feel warm and well insulated. It also makes use of Therm-a-Rest’s ThermaCapture technology and their Triangular Core Matrix construction which is designed to radiate body heat and reduce heat loss whilst using.
I did overnight trips to 9k+ ft in summer, so I didn’t get a great sense of how warm it was in really cold temperatures but paired with my Sea to Summit Ember 45° Down Quilt, I was plenty warm in mid 40-degree temps.
Ease of Use
If you are comfortable with inflating other sleeping pads with a pump sack, this is just as easy and just as quick. I did inflate it before I first went out on a trip with it to make sure it was as simple as the instructions said it would be, and it was. If you have never used a pad of this type, I would recommend practicing inflating and deflating it before you head out. There are plenty of videos out there on this, so it’s best to get comfortable and know your kit well.
My video below shows me inflating the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT whilst out on a backpacking trip:
Weight
As the NeoAir Xlite NXT is offered in a range of sizes, there are differences in the weight. The short comes in at 340g/12 oz, the regular is 368g/13 oz, the regular wide 453g/16 oz and the large 480g/1lb 1oz. So obviously this is a difference depending on the size you buy. For my tests, I was using the regular, which is at 13 oz and comparable to a lot of the other pads in our best sleeping pads for camping round up.
Before testing this pad, I had been using a 4 inch thick sleeping pad to protect my joints, so this 3 inch pad packed smaller and lighter and I didn’t find that any part of my body was in contact with the ground during my trip, so comfort was not sacrificed for weight and size.
Version | Weight |
Short | 340g/12 oz |
Regular | 368g/13 oz |
Regular Wide | 453g/16 oz |
Large | 480g/1lb 1oz |
Packed Size
This Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad varies its packed size based on the size of pad you buy. The short and regular both come in at 10.4 x 22.86cm/4.1 x 9 inches and the regular wide and large come in at 11.68 x 27.94cm/4.6 x 11 inches. I would love to see an all in one stuff sack/pump sack to cut down on weight and equipment to keep track of, but that is a minor gripe.
Version | Packed Size |
Small | 10.4 x 22.86cm/4.1 x 9 in |
Regular | 10.4 x 22.86cm/4.1 x 9 in |
Regular Wide | 11.68 x 27.94cm/4.6 x 11in |
Large | 11.68 x 27.94cm/4.6 x 11in |
Open Size
As with all other areas, the opened size is different depending on which size sleeping pad you decide to buy. This is the area you’ll see the biggest differences in terms of sizes between the different models. The small runs at 167.64 x 50.8 x 7.62cm/66 x 20 x 3 inches, the regular 182 x 50.8 x 7.62cm/72 x 20 x 3 inches, the regular wide 182.88 x 63.5 x 7.62cm/72 x 25 x 3 inches and the large at 195.58 x 63.5 x 7.62cm/77 x 25 x 3 inches.
I tested the regular and I didn’t find that any part of my body was in contact with the ground at any point during my camps and through the night. It fit in our tent quite well and as expected. We used it in a Marmot Super Alloy 2P tent for reference.
Version | Packed Size |
Small | 167.64 x 50.8 x 7.62cm/66 x 20 x 3in |
Regular | 182 x 50.8 x 7.62cm/72 x 20 x 3in |
Regular Wide | 182.88 x 63.5 x 7.62cm/72 x 25 x 3in |
Large | 195.58 x 63.5 x 7.62cm/77 x 25 x 3in |
Features
This pad from Therm-a-Rest is well featured, and comes with various technologies that sit it at the top end. These are notably the Therm-a-Rest’s ThermaCapture technology and their Triangular Core Matrix construction which help to make this a 4 season sleeping pad.
There are two features that put the NeoAir Xlite NXT above the rest. The Wing-Lock Valve that allows for quick and easy adjustments to firmness is a total game-changer. I was able to easily make minor adjustments at night while laying on the pad. At first glance, this seems like a potential point of failure, but the construction seems really solid and I’m willing to take the chance of a seam blowing out for this feature.
The other aspect that I love is how quiet this pad is. Inflatable sleeping pads are notoriously loud and for someone who tosses and turns so much in the backcountry, I am always conscious of moving around too much and keeping my camp mates up all night long. The packaging boasts a seemingly unrealistic 6x in noise reduction over previous models. I was quite skeptical, and I was also very wrong. While it wasn’t completely silent, it was very quiet. It was notably different to everyone in camp and made for a much more pleasant overall camping experience and much improved sleep quality.
Materials
This sleeping pad is made exclusively of nylon. Using 30D rip HT Nylon for its top and bottom fabric construction. This is enough to keep it feeling pretty robust against trail debris and anything you’re likely to encounter. If needs be, it does also come with a repair kit that is handy should any problems arise, though I think this is doubtful through testing.
Durability
Only a longer time out with this pad will tell how durable it is, but through testing, this pad feels far more durable than any other inflatable pad I’ve ever used. Therm-a-Rest has been around longer than most other outdoor brands and they are known for quality, so I would expect to get some serious life out of this pad with proper care. It also includes a repair kit that’s really handy. Fun fact: One of the people on our recent trip was still using the original inflatable pad from the 80s!!!
Sustainability
Therm-a-Rest don’t make any specific claims about the sustainability of this product, which of course would be good to see published. However, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT is clearly built to last. To be honest, for most backpackers this will probably be the only sleeping pad you need, and this does a lot to help with sustainability. Buying less is one of the key ways we can have less of an impact. So even though its sustainability credentials aren’t clear, the fact it’ll last for a long time puts it in a good place.
Price
This sleeping pad from Therm-a-Rest is at the upper end of the price bracket (alongside a lot of their other sleeping pads we’ve reviewed such as the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT). It does come in at a pretty high price point and so it may well put a lot of beginner backpackers off due to this. However, this feels like it’s priced well given it’s features as a high end pad and is a solid investment if you’re wanting to take your time backpacking to the next level.
Conclusion
At first, I was dubious as to whether some of the claims I’d read about this pad or even on its packaging would just be marketing spiel, but after testing, I can very confidently say it lives up to expectations and the hype. As I said earlier, this is probably the best sleeping pad I’ve ever tested. I spend a lot of time backpacking and going into my 50’s, comfort and a good night’s sleep is incredibly important to me. I got it and more with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT.
If you decide to buy this sleeping pad as an investment in your gear to take your backpacking further, I can happily say you will not be disappointed with your decision. It’s comfortable, lightweight, warm and the adjustments available for pressure on the go are next level. This sleeping pad is special.
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