View Full Version : First impressions: Thermarest Neoair Xlite
I've been using Thermarest self inflating pads for a number of years while car camping and when I put a pack back on after a number of years I lashed the pad to my pack and took it for a walk. The pad is good but I find myself waking up in the morning stiff with a knee or hip aching. Regardless of how inflated it was the pad never seemed to provide enough padding.
This past weekend I decided to camp both going to and returning from a long car ride to Tennessee. Shenandoah was the halfway point so I decided to spend a night in the woods. Along the way to VA I passed a Cabelas and that store just happened to have a Neoair Xlite prominently displayed in the camping section. It must have been a sign!
What worked - I was blown away by the comfort. I woke up in the morning refreshed with nary an ache. Also, it packs into a stuff sack that's not much bigger than a Nalgene. And it's lighter than my self inflating pad by a country mile.
What didn't - Not much, really. I'm extremely nervous about puncturing the thing but I'm usually a type A so I'm very wary of letting it rest on any unapproved surface.
Overall - I can't wait to get this thing out in the woods for an extended hike. I can already envision a better night's sleep.
Starchild
10-29-2014, 03:05
I too went from the self inflating too the Neo-Air X-Crinkly and yes it is a amazing difference in sleep quality. The trick for me was not to overinflated the crinkly so I had much more of that depth to support me, the self inflating one just didn't have the depth to start with.
Firefighter503
10-29-2014, 03:18
I have a NeoAir myself. It has 1000+/- miles on it without a problem (knock on wood). I mostly sleep in my tent, but I have used it more nights than I can recount off the top of my head in shelters as well. I don't use/carry an extra ground sheet for shelters if that says anything.
I set up camp (tent, pad, etc.) as soon as I arrive, and let just enough air out that it doesn't feel stiff when l lay down on it for the night. So far so good.
Kerosene
10-29-2014, 10:53
My NeoAir shortie has transformed my ground sleeping experience. There is a huge, huge difference between a 2" pad and whatever the old Thermarest ProLites had, especially for a side-sleeper. The shortie is a bit too narrow if you sleep on your back as my elbows hang off the sides. I've actually considered cutting down a NeoAir XL to get more width for only a few more ounces of carry weight (I use my pack under my legs).
I have put at least 60 nights on my NeoAir without issue. I do try to put either a PolyChro ground sheet or my Cuben fiber tarp floor underneath, but I'd do that for any inflatable mattress. Even so, I've gone without a ground cloth for a dozen or more shelter nights.
I'm thinking about switching to the Neoair from my Prolite but I'm waiting for a 20% off sale from REI. Seems like the Neoairs are rarely on sale.
Sarcasm the elf
10-29-2014, 11:23
I've been using Thermarest self inflating pads for a number of years while car camping and when I put a pack back on after a number of years I lashed the pad to my pack and took it for a walk. The pad is good but I find myself waking up in the morning stiff with a knee or hip aching. Regardless of how inflated it was the pad never seemed to provide enough padding.
Just to warn you, I wouldn't recommend ever placing an inflatable pad on the outside of your pack. I've managed to have a thornbush puncture my pro-lite that I had strapped to the bottom of my pack,even though I had it wrapped up inside another thin foam pad...and that was on day three of a seven day trip, not fun.
I'd also recommend buying the patch kid made specifically for the neoair and carrying one of the patches with you if you want some extra peace of mind (yes, I've also managed to put a hole in my wife's neoair when I borrowed it.) The patches for that model are quick and easy to apply and work very well.
"I'm extremely nervous about puncturing the thing but I'm usually a type A so I'm very wary of letting it rest on any unapproved surface."
Do be careful about checking where you'll be sleeping for anthing sharp first before laying down on your inflated X-Lite. Small punctures are fixed with a few drops of Super Glue(about $2 compared to the 5X more expensive Thermarest Patch Kit) or McNett's Seam Grip. McNett's Seam Grip (NOT SEAM SEAL) can be had in very small 1 oz and smaller tubes at outfitters like REI.
johnnybgood
10-29-2014, 12:18
Under inflating at 3/4 max works well for me after a period of experimentation.
I was lucky to buy a womens version neoair, 66" new from a member here for a great deal .
It keeps me from waking up sore so yeah I'm happy.
Starchild
10-29-2014, 12:47
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I'd also recommend buying the patch kid made specifically for the neoair ...
Mine came with a patch kit.
HooKooDooKu
10-29-2014, 14:10
Mine came with a patch kit.
The 1st generation neoairs (the crinkling rectangular ones) didn't come with a patch.
Since they moved to the contoured shaped xlite, they've come with a patch kit.
All the various styles I can find on REI (xlite, xtherm, camper) come with patch kits.
Mine came with a patch kit.
Mine also came with a patch kit
Thank you all for your info!!
Sarcasm the elf
10-30-2014, 07:08
Mine came with a patch kit.
The 1st generation neoairs (the crinkling rectangular ones) didn't come with a patch.
Since they moved to the contoured shaped xlite, they've come with a patch kit.
All the various styles I can find on REI (xlite, xtherm, camper) come with patch kits.
As HooKooDooKu says, my original neoair bought in 2009 didn't come with any patches, I had to buy the kit seperately after I got a hole in it. The good news is that it has had the same patch on it since it the spring of 2010 and the pad is still going strong.
Small punctures are fixed with a few drops of Super Glue(about $2 compared to the 5X more expensive Thermarest Patch Kit) or McNett's Seam Grip. McNett's Seam Grip (NOT SEAM SEAL) can be had in very small 1 oz and smaller tubes at outfitters like REI.
The pad comes with a patch kit though I usually carry a small tube of Seam Grip for on the trail repairs to a variety of equipment.
Just to warn you, I wouldn't recommend ever placing an inflatable pad on the outside of your pack. I've managed to have a thornbush puncture my pro-lite that I had strapped to the bottom of my pack,even though I had it wrapped up inside another thin foam pad...and that was on day three of a seven day trip, not fun.
Yeah, it's been a fear of mine too but I'd rather take the risk and carry a smaller pack. That said, the much smaller xlite can live inside, safe and sound.
Sir-Packs-Alot
10-30-2014, 08:30
I hiked with a Neo for 3-4 years and (although kinda noisy when you roll around) loved it. After trying a Klymit Static V pad I switched. Now I sell them at Wolfpen Outfitters (Top of Georgia Hostel & Hiking Center) and highly recommend them :). The added plus is the cost as well. Only $50.
Rei had a blow out on the fitted sheets for the Neo. This cut down on the noise considerably plus in the summer you don't stick to the pad if you are just laying on it.
colorado_rob
10-30-2014, 09:51
The 1st generation neoairs (the crinkling rectangular ones) didn't come with a patch.Some of them must have, must have changed policy sometime back then, because mine did, still got it. Never used. My old Neoair finally developed a slow leak, could not find it to save my life. Mailed it back to the manufacturer (per instructions on web site), a week later a brand new X-lite was on my front porch (also with patch kit, of course, now I have multiple patch kits). Amazing customer service!
Odd Man Out
10-30-2014, 09:59
I hiked with a Neo for 3-4 years and (although kinda noisy when you roll around) loved it. After trying a Klymit Static V pad I switched. Now I sell them at Wolfpen Outfitters (Top of Georgia Hostel & Hiking Center) and highly recommend them :). The added plus is the cost as well. Only $50.
I've had my eye on this one due to good reviews (I currently have a Neoair Trekker wide torso). I want a wider pad but don't need the long length (and extra weight) the wide pads have. I don't know why companies only make wide pads in long lengths. The Static V seems to meet my needs, but I see there is now a Static V2. Do you know what is the difference is?
CarlZ993
10-30-2014, 11:07
I'm a NeoAir X-lite convert as well. I bought it a short time before my 2013 AT thru-hike. I used it a couple of times before the hike as well as the entire thru-hike. I worried about leaks but never got one. I always used used a groundsheet when I slept on a shelter floor. I'd fully inflate the mat & then would deflate it slightly so that my hips would barely touch the ground/floor when laying sideways. Very comfortable. Very warm as well. I've used mine when the temps got down into the teens & still stayed warm.
The only downside is the noise. If you toss & turn, you may disturb your tent-mate or shelter-mate. When using it in a shelter, you will make some noise deflating it. Being an early riser, I tried to be a quiet as I could. But, I'm sure I annoyed some people who liked to sleep later than I.
Dholmblad
10-30-2014, 18:48
How long does the mat take to fill and deflate? I was trying to find a video of someone doing this, but I couldnt
It takes about twenty full breaths to inflate. It will deflate about as fast as you can roll it.
firemanjohn
10-31-2014, 09:13
I'm thinking about switching to the Neoair from my Prolite but I'm waiting for a 20% off sale from REI. Seems like the Neoairs are rarely on sale.
Check out Amazon. I believe that they have they Regular size for $127 and its on prime.
firemanjohn
10-31-2014, 09:23
I'm thinking about switching to the Neoair from my Prolite but I'm waiting for a 20% off sale from REI. Seems like the Neoairs are rarely on sale. It looks like Amazon has it for 140 with prime shipping but just saw that www.campsaver.com has a 21% coupon code that you could use. Good luck! I just ordered one!
It looks like Amazon has it for 140 with prime shipping but just saw that www.campsaver.com has a 21% coupon code that you could use. Good luck! I just ordered one!
Looks like the coupon code isn't valid on Thermarest products:
"Not valid on these brands: Arc'Teryx, Asics, Birkenstock, Canada Goose, EcoZoom, GoPro, Hilleberg, Hydro Flask, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Kelly Kettle, Marmot, MSR, Ocean Signal, Osprey, Patagonia, Seal Line, Sorel, Therm-A-Rest, Western Mountaineering, Yeti Coolers."
But I'm probably going to wait for REI's 20% coupon since it would be much easier to return to REI if I don't like it. It's really hard to tell whether a sleeping pad will work without sleeping on it.
I'm also trying to decide between the Xlite and Xtherm products. It would be nice to have a higher R value pad for colder temperatures and there is only a three ounce penalty involves, plus the XTherm is still an ounce lighter than my existing pad. The question is whether the XTherm is good year round or too warm in summer with body heat radiating back upwards when you don't want it to.
Dholmblad
10-31-2014, 10:02
How much winter camping do you do?
How much winter camping do you do?
Not much, although I am planning to spend some time testing out new gear along the AT in SNP this winter ahead of my PCT thru hike. Also, I'll be taking a snow skills course near Tahoe in April before my thru hike and I'm guessing it could be pretty cold. I might try out the XLite in cold conditions and if it is insufficient switch to the XTherm or possibly just supplement the XLite with a cheap blue foam pad.
Dholmblad
10-31-2014, 10:14
I have not done too much winter backpacking. But I have been on the AT in late fall early spring using a zlite. I would think the xlite would be sufficient, and if its not you could supplement with added clothing, another cheap foam mat, reflective foil(maybe? )
It takes me about 25 breaths to inflate it, so roughly 4 mins (taking my time so I don't get light headed lol). To deflate it just takes as long as it does to squish it down and roll it up!
I'm thinking about switching to the Neoair from my Prolite but I'm waiting for a 20% off sale from REI. Seems like the Neoairs are rarely on sale.
Look into combining it with the REI Credit card (if you don't already have one). When I got mine last year, I used the 20% off, plus the $100 gift card from opening the credit account, and got my X-Therm for about $50.00. Plus, with the credit card, I get percentages of every purchase (everywhere) added to my dividend and an additional 5% dividend for purchases from REI (on top of the normal 10%) added to my REI refund every year. Quite a good deal if you ask me, and I LOVE the X-Therm. Probably wouldn't have invested in it without this deal.
I did have to make one purchase. any amount, within a certain length of time to get the $100 gift card.
Regarding the X-Therm, I'm very happy. Used it on the JMT last summer/early fall and was never too hot. Additional advantage, the X-Therm is made with somewhat tougher materials. It does not give you the impression that it will pop with the slightest provocation. Also, the stuff sack is designed as a pump for inflating - works reasonably well with a little practice. Keeps all moisture out of the X-Therm interior and was easier to inflate at high altitude. :)
Takes about 15 good stuff sacks full of air for a good inflation.
I got tired of blowing my Neo Air up at the end of a hiking day, so I bought one of these NEOAIR Mini Pumps, weighs less than 3 oz. Runs on 2 AAA batteries. Connect it to the mattress and it's inflated in a couple minutes.
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/accessories/neoair-mini-pump/product
I got tired of blowing my Neo Air up at the end of a hiking day, so I bought one of these NEOAIR Mini Pumps, weighs less than 3 oz. Runs on 2 AAA batteries. Connect it to the mattress and it's inflated in a couple minutes.
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/accessories/neoair-mini-pump/product
I saw one of those at a local outfitter. Got any idea how many times it will inflate on a set of batteries?
saltysack
02-28-2015, 21:51
I got tired of blowing my Neo Air up at the end of a hiking day, so I bought one of these NEOAIR Mini Pumps, weighs less than 3 oz. Runs on 2 AAA batteries. Connect it to the mattress and it's inflated in a couple minutes.
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/accessories/neoair-mini-pump/product
Seriously considering getting one....lil pricey though
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I got my NeoAir on Amazon and it did not come with a patch kit. So, if it doesn't say it has one, it probably doesn't and you need to add that to the cost.
I do love it. Also, I generally don't think of myself as having great lung power, having lots of issues with allergic asthma, but I really have not found the blowing up to be burdensome. Its like a mini meditation time.
SWODaddy
10-17-2015, 07:56
I got tired of blowing my Neo Air up at the end of a hiking day, so I bought one of these NEOAIR Mini Pumps, weighs less than 3 oz. Runs on 2 AAA batteries. Connect it to the mattress and it's inflated in a couple minutes.
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/accessories/neoair-mini-pump/product
My wife got one included with her NeoAir pad. Complete junk. I'd recommend a pump sack instead.
Just Bill
10-17-2015, 12:08
I've had my eye on this one due to good reviews (I currently have a Neoair Trekker wide torso). I want a wider pad but don't need the long length (and extra weight) the wide pads have. I don't know why companies only make wide pads in long lengths. The Static V seems to meet my needs, but I see there is now a Static V2. Do you know what is the difference is?
R value is a bit low on these @ 1.3R (not much past a summer pad)
Price and extra width is a plus though- just keep in mind you only have bout 40-60 days a year in MI you can use it, lol.
I've been eyeballing the Exped's lately as they come stock in a wider regular length but still hit R3.3 which will get you closer to 35*. The Hyperlight beats the NeoAir in weight and matches it in Rvalue.
http://www.rei.com/product/881905/exped-synmat-hyperlite-sleeping-pad
I've heard of some durability issues, but thinking much like the neo-air they are likely unfounded rumors...
Offshore
10-17-2015, 13:04
R value is a bit low on these @ 1.3R (not much past a summer pad)
Price and extra width is a plus though- just keep in mind you only have bout 40-60 days a year in MI you can use it, lol.
I've been eyeballing the Exped's lately as they come stock in a wider regular length but still hit R3.3 which will get you closer to 35*. The Hyperlight beats the NeoAir in weight and matches it in Rvalue.
http://www.rei.com/product/881905/exped-synmat-hyperlite-sleeping-pad
I've heard of some durability issues, but thinking much like the neo-air they are likely unfounded rumors...
The Exped looks interesting. Looking at some videos, its a lot quieter than the Neoair. The Neoair was a non-starter for me - the noise was like I was sleeping on a giant bag of extra crispy potato chips.
Obviously the wide Xtherm is totally different. Lying in the middle of the Xtherm and rolling left and right makes no noise. The part that makes some crinkle sounds are the extreme edges. The only time I hear that sound is for a second or two when I roll on or off the pad. My experience is based on 2 consecutive months of use.
Wayne
Wayne
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Vegan Packer
10-17-2015, 18:40
I have an XLite in the Long size, and I just received an Exped Synmat Hyperlite in the Medium Wide size to test out. I hope that this will answer a few questions about the similarities and differences.
Regarding the Exped, I was surprised to find out that, even with my height being barely 5'9", due to the tapered cut of the head area of the Exped in the MW, my feet hung off of the bottom of the pad when sleeping on my stomach. This was due to the fact that the head taper required me to slide down, in order to keep my elbows and arms from hanging off of the edge while using the pillow. On my back there was no problem, but this is not how I sleep for the entire night, so I sent the MW back to REI, and they are sending me the Long Wide, which I will test out next. I expect arrival within about five days.
Thermarest does not make a Medium Wide, so I could not make a fully direct check of one unit against the other. This being said, even though the Exped did not fit my body in the Medium Wide, I have a feeling that the less severe taper of the head of the Thermarest (which is just my perception--I will fully check this out upon the arrival of the new Exped) in a similar length (72 versus 77 inches) would work out to allow me to be able to sleep on my stomach without having to move away from the head of the pad, and this would allow me to get away with a shorter version, which would cut a few ounces and give a little more room in my tent. I have previously raised the issue of the size limitations of the Thermarest, and this resulted in suggested links to DIY trimming solutions that I have not yet ruled out, but that I am not yet willing to try, at least not while the valve still remains an issue (see below), and without another mat that I would be willing to use, should my DIY solution work out not-so-well. :eek:
I don't like the Thermarest inflate/deflate valve. I have their pump sack that I use for inflation. When I inflate the pad, as it starts to get full, there is a backpressure created by air that is trying to escape the pad. I have to carefully hold the pump sack, cut off flow that is trying to escape from the pad, and also get the pump sack to get another gulp of new air for the next inflation pump. Once I get the pad fully inflated, if I don't hold the bag perfectly to prevent the backpressure of air trying to escape the pad while also turning the valve shut, air escapes the pad, and it is then less than full. It can sometimes take a few times to get the combination just right.
On the other hand, the Exped pad has a superior valve that allows air to enter the pad but not escape during the fill process. The Schnozzel pump bag also connects to the valve more securely than with the Thermarest, which has sometimes separated or leaked during the fill process. I can fill the Schnozzel, squeeze the air into the mattress, and then I can take my time refilling the sack, or even stop and just let it go, without having air escape from the pad. I get a complete fill on the first try, without failures of any sort.
Between the two brands, I definitely find the XLite to be more comfortable than the Exped, though I have only slept on the Exped for a few hours, so far. On the other hand, the difference is not so much that the Exped gets ruled out, which is why I am going to test out the Long Wide before making my decision.
Oh, and one last thing to add is that the overall weight of the Thermarest in the Long, and the Exped in the Long Wide, each with its respective pump sack, is slightly less with the Exped.
In a perfect (but realistic) world, my solution would be to make some sort of ultralight check valve (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/114524-Advice-for-DIY-Inflation-Check-Valve) to add to the Thermarest valve or pump sack, shorten the pad a bit, and then go with that, and I may still consider that solution, once I determine that shortening the XLite would still fit. However, now that I am trying out, and starting to get used to the Exped UL Inflatable Pillow (which is much lighter than my Thermarest Compressible Pillow), which uses the same inflation/deflation valve as the pad, if I can make the pad work, I am likely just to stick with the Exped over the Thermarest, and I can then use the Schnozzel Pump Sack for both the pillow and the pad.
Vegan,
Do you have the Schnozzel pump sack? Will it attach to the NeoAir? I think it might be better than the NeoAir pump sack. Curious if this is possible.
Thanks for your help.
By the way. I close the valve on my Xtherm at the end of each bag of air. I only open it about half a turn each way. It works for me.
Wayne
Sent from somewhere around here.
Sorry. I see that you answered my question. It kinda works.
I don't put enough air in my Exped pillow to need a pump. YMMV
Wayne
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Vegan Packer
10-18-2015, 01:42
Vegan,
Do you have the Schnozzel pump sack? Will it attach to the NeoAir? I think it might be better than the NeoAir pump sack. Curious if this is possible.
From checking around, I see people making simple adapters from hoses and such. You just sort of cram it into the Schnozzel's outlet valve, and then squeeze it over the Thermarest valve. However, that still doesn't stop the back pressure from allowing air to leak out of the Thermarest, which is why I am considering looking for some kind of light weight check valve.
I forget the specs of the "adapter," but I recall easily finding it by Googling.
Thank you for your help.
Wayne
Sent from somewhere around here.