Good to know: this sleeping pad is unisex
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Excellent warmth, even at altitude and colder conditions
- Lightweight and small packed size
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Set up can be confusing, especially if you haven’t used a pad like this before
- Sound when sleeping could be reduced
I loved this sleeping pad through my tests, I would recommend it to all backpackers for the combination of its warmth, comfort and packability, not to mention it’s weight. I tested out the regular, coming in at 1lb for this review and found it packed down extremely well in my backpacking pack. Likewise, I use a Nemo Hornet 2P and find it sits pretty much perfectly in my tent.
This sleeping pad from Therm-a-Rest is very comfortable, on one backpacking trip that I tested the NeoAir XTherm NXT, I set up my camp 4 miles along a 10 mile trail and coming back to my tent and to this pad after summiting was welcomed! The great thing as well is that this sleeping pad is offered in three sizes: regular, regular wide and large making it suitable for a range of different backpackers.
My only slight niggle with this sleeping pad is the wing lock valve, which if you’re not used to this type of operation when it comes to inflating means you may well think you’ve been sent a faulty product like I did. However, after watching some videos online, I was able to work it out and get out on the trail. So, I’d advise you do this well in advance of your first backpack just to make sure you feel comfortable with its set up!
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
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is a highly versatile sleeping pad, from testing, it performs exceptionally well in colder conditions – in fact, it has a higher R rating (measures the sleeping pad’s resistance to heat loss) than many of the other pads in our best sleeping pads round up, making it a great option for all year round.
Whilst some sleeping pads that are suitable for colder temperatures are heavier as they contain more robust materials, Therm-a-Rest have really set the bar with this product, as it comes in at 453g/1lb for the regular, and the regular wide and the large are both 635g/1lb 4oz. This is impressive and is in part due to Therm-a-Rest’s technological advances within this range (they’ve shaved significant weight from this model against its predecessor).
Performance Comparison
Type and Shape
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is a rectangular pad that inflates. It sits in the lightweight category at 453g/1lb for the regular, and the regular wide and the large are both 635g/1lb 4oz. It is also extremely well versed for handling cold weather conditions and has a 7.3 R value (a measurement used to understand thermal resistance – the higher the R value, the better the sleeping pad resist heat loss). This means it’ll take you comfortably through four seasons without being too hot in the summer and perfect for fall/autumn and winter treks.
Comfort
The pad is 7.6cm/3in. in thickness and makes use of a ‘horizontal baffled structure, which provides a lot of comfort on the trail. I found this pad was mostly comfortable and didn’t deflate in the night which was a huge plus. However, I am a side sleeper, and I still felt pressure points in my hips when I flipped over onto each side.
I’m not sure if deflating it a little would help with that, but it is a common issue with any sleeping pad I use. The pad is a little noisy when you move around on it with a sound that is reminiscent of a plastic bag being crumbled up, but other than that I slept well. It is also thin enough that it could fit into my mummy sleeping bag.
Warmth
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT makes use of the brands patented Triangular Core Matrix™ construction and ThermaCapture technology. It is actually 57g/2oz. lighter than the previous model. The 7.3 R value, combined with its lightweight feel, makes it extremely versatile for colder and higher altitude backpacking trips.
I found the pad was incredibly warm and didn’t feel any drafts underneath me while sleeping. In fact, it captured more of my body heat than any other pad I’ve used to date. I could feel the heat under me and that has never happened with any other pad.
Ease of Use
Set up was fairly easy, but it requires a few dozen large breaths to fully inflate. I’d say between 3-7mins to inflate depending on how much lung capacity you have. The one-way valve/wing lock helps to maximize each breath without leakage, which I think is a nice feature.
On one of my tests, I set up camp 4 miles into a 10-mile trail, so I set up my tent and this pad before heading up the other 6 miles to the summit and then returned. It was nice to have it set up before I returned, and it was a relief that it was so comfortable after such a long day of hiking.
But I can see how trying to set this up at high altitude when you’re exhausted from hiking for miles could be tiring in itself trying to inflate this pad. It would be nice if it had a partially self-inflating feature so that all that is required is a few additional puffs to fully inflate it.
Taking it down was fast and easy with the wing lock valve you use to deflate it. It took maybe 2mins to deflate and fold it up into the stuff sack. The material compresses very easily when it’s time to fold it down and get the last of the air out and then put it in the stuff sack. I did not use the included pump sack.
Weight
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT comes in three sizes, a regular, regular wide and large and as you can imagine, this does have an impact on the weight. The regular is 453g/1lb, and the regular wide and the large are both 635g/1lb 4oz. Really, this weight isn’t particularly noticeable between models.
At the weights offered, particularly the regular, this pad sits firmly in the lightweight category and is great if you are trying to shave considerable weight off your backpacking gear. The weight savings offered on this sleeping pad are thanks in part to Therm-a-Rest’s Triangular Core Matrix™ construction and ThermaCapture technology. This pad comes in at 57g/2oz lighter than the previous model.
Version | Weight |
Regular | 453g/1lb. |
Regular Wide | 635g/1lb 4oz. |
Large | 635g/1lb 4oz. |
Packed Size
Depending on the size option you go for, it packs down slightly differently, as can be expected. The regular sits at 11.3 x 22.86cm/4.5 x 9 inches, and the regular wide and large at 12.7 x 27.94cm/5 x 11 inches. So, as you can see whilst there is a difference it is fairly minimal, and for my tests, I used the regular size.
This pad barely took up any space in my pack. And even when it’s in the stuff sack it still squishes down a little more so you can pack around it. It was a welcome way to reduce size and weight without sacrificing warmth, comfort, and durability.
Version | Packed size |
Regular | 11.3 x 22.86cm/4.5 x 9 inches |
Regular Wide | 12.7 x 27.94cm/5 x 11 inches |
Large | 12.7 x 27.94cm/5 x 11 inches |
Open Size
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT comes in three size options, and this does have an impact on the opened size. This is where all three start to differ and what you choose here will be based on your size and sleeping area you need. The regular is 177.8 x 50.8 x 7.62cm/72 x 20 x 3 inches, the regular wide is 177.8 x 63.5 x 7.62cm/72 x 25 x 3 inches and the large is 195.58 x 63.5 x 7.62cm/77 x 25 x 3 inches.
For my review, I worked with the regular, which as a 5’8” women at 160-170lb felt right for me. This pad fit into my tent perfectly. I have the Nemo Hornet 2P tent and it fit easily with several inches above and below my feet.
Version | Open size |
Regular | 177.8 x 50.8 x 7.62cm/72 x 20 x3 inches |
Regular Wide | 177.8 x 63.5 x 7.62cm/72 x 25 x 3 inches |
Large | 195.58 x 63.5 x 7.62cm/77 x 25 x 3 inches |
Features
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is a well featured sleeping pad. From my tests, I like the wing lock valve, but it’s not intuitive that the wing lock and the black valve are separate features. When I first tried to inflate at home, I thought I needed to open the wing lock valve, which I did, but I didn’t open the black valve.
So, I blew into it about 15 times and thought I had a faulty product. Then I watched an online video and saw that I have to open the black valve to inflate. The wing lock valve only needs to be opened on deflation. That could be clearer in the instructions.
Also, once opened, the black valve closes fairly easily as you’re blowing into it. Sometimes after removing my mouth to take a breath, the black valve would close and I’d have to retwist it open and then take care not to put too much pressure on it so it wouldn’t close on me. That said, I still loved this sleeping pad and the warmth to weight ratio feels like one of its best features.
Materials
This sleeping pad makes use of a 70 denier nylon on the bottom which is excellent for withstanding tears and also uses a 30 denier ripstop nylon top. The materials are well produced and keep this pad feeling good for multiple uses on trail.
Durability
On my most recent backpacking trip where I used this sleeping pad, I found out that 2 other friends also have this sleeping pad and they love it. Based on my experience, I think this pad is very durable and that it will last for the long term. The material feels thick, but easily compressible and it folds up into its stuff sack easily with little resistance. When laying on it, it felt sturdy and substantial, not flimsy. The wing lock looks secure, and the black valve also seems to be well crafted.
Of course, the way you look after your products will make a difference too and we would always recommend that a sleeping pad like this is stored well at home. Likewise on the trail it’s always a good idea to make sure that the pad has protection under it. Whether that be from your tent base or a sheeting such as Tyvek if sleeping outside your tent, to keep it protected from any potential abrasions.
Sustainability
Therm-a-Rest make no special claims about the sustainability of this sleeping pad, however when you consider how well built this pad feels, alongside the fact that it works beautifully in all four seasons as well as its weight, there’s a pretty good chance that for many backpackers this could be the only pad you need. This obviously helps in terms of sustainability, because how much we buy, and the number of products has a direct impact on wastage and production.
Price
This sleeping pad certainly comes in at the upper end of the scale of the sleeping pads we’ve tested in our best sleeping pads round up. However, from the features and the especially warm finish that the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT offers, this doesn’t seem excessive.
If you’re a cold sleeper, you will likely find this sleeping pad to be an incredible option, and given its versatility as a lightweight option too, being perfect for all four seasons, the fact that you should be able to use this pad all year round does make it seem like a great value proposition. It’s built to last from a well known and well-respected brand, so these are all plus points in its favor!
Conclusion
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is a well featured sleeping pad that is exceptional in colder temperatures, but also works comfortably all year round. It does come in at a fairly premium price point, but considering what it offers, it’s well worth the money you’ll spend on this new piece of kit. From my tests, I’ve found myself loving it and would highly recommend it to all backpackers.
The sleeping pad currently comes in three sizes also, making it suitable for a range of different backpackers. The area where I really feel like this pad excels was in the warmth that it offered me on my camps, even at higher altitudes. In fact, it’s the warmest sleeping pad I’ve ever slept on and this in part is what keeps it feeling comfortable all night.
There are a few niggles about the wing lock valve, which I do think could be explained better in the user instructions, however after watching some videos online, I got it set up and it’s been relatively easy going since then. If you’ve got the money to invest, I would say that the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm is well worth it and will help you take your adventures to the next level.
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