If you’re serious about backpacking long distances, your sleeping pad matters just as much as any other piece of gear in your pack.
Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for ensuring you wake up well-rested and refreshed for whatever miles you have ahead of you on the trail.
Good sleeping pad = good sleep, whether you’re camping locally or in a national forest somewhere.
But with all the various brands and styles on the market, how do you pick the right one?
Deciding on which gear to buy can be a difficult experience, so let us save you some time. If you are looking for the best of the best, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT is where it’s at.
It is one of the best backpacking sleeping pads money can buy.
Below we’ll go over some commonly asked questions, so you can decide if this pad is right for you.
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What Is a Sleeping Pad? Why Do I Need One?
Sleeping pads are essentially inflatable (or sometimes foam) mattresses that are used for backpacking or camping.
They are NOT air-mattresses.
Sleeping pads are often lightweight, compact, and easy to use, as opposed to an air mattress that is thick, bulky, and heavy.
While they are primarily designed with comfort in mind, sleeping pads also provide a layer of insulation between you and the ground. This keeps you warm when camping in the cold.
Inflatable pads reduce heat loss while keeping you cozy, so you can sleep easy in any conditions.
They are a core piece of your backpacking sleep setup and a must have item.
Why Choose the NeoAir Xlite?
The NeoAir Xlite is like the Rolls Royce of sleeping pads.
It balances comfort, weight, and size without compromising on quality, making it perfect for serious campers.
In a side-by-side comparison with other sleeping pads we have tried in the past, the NeoAir is thicker, warmer, and lighter than the rest by a significantly large amount.
Sleep-wise, it makes a world of difference.
How Much Does the NeoAir Weigh?
This NeoAir Xlite is extremely lightweight, weighing in at only 13 ounces.
It is one of the lightest sleeping pads on the market, and as ultralight backpackers (or anyone who has ever walked long distances with a pack on their back) will tell you, every ounce matters on the trail.
The lighter your pack, the less energy it takes to carry it.
As a general rule of thumb, your big three items (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad) should not weigh any more than ten pounds. With the NeoAir weighing less than a pound, that leaves you extra wiggle room with your tent and sleeping bag.
How Big is the Pad?
The questions should really be how small is it?
When the NeoAir is rolled up for travel, it is similar in size to a small bottle of water.
This means it will fit in whatever pocket you choose to put it in, giving you flexibility when organizing your gear.
Fully inflated the pad is 20 inches by 72 inches (perfect for anyone of average size), but there are large and wide versions available as well if you need a bigger pad.
Essentially, it is small when you need it to be compact and large when you need it to be spacious.
Is it Durable?
Durability should always be a point of interest when buying camping or backpacking gear.
You want your stuff to last so you don’t have to buy the same items twice.
But when buying ultralight gear, it always seems there is some sort of trade-off, where durability is compromised in exchange for dropped weight.
This has not been our experience with the NeoAir.
The NeoAir has been with us on countless trips, across multiple states and many different terrains, and it has never once needed repaired—simply some added air from time to time.
It has survived multiple seasons and still works the same as it did on the first trip out.
How Easy is Set-Up?
The NeoAir inflates and deflates quickly and easily, which is much appreciated after a long day of hiking.
To set it up, all you have to do is pull the sleeping pad from the storage bag, unroll it, then blow it up with either your mouth or the included pump sack.
A one-way valve helps keep air in while you are inflating, so you aren’t losing what you put in.
Deflating is the same process just in reverse—open valve, release air, roll it up nicely, and put it back in the sack!
Is the NeoAir Good for Beginners?
The NeoAir is great for campers and backpackers of all skill levels, and will work in most any conditions.
There is one small caveat, however.
If you’re just getting into serious backpacking, this is a great all weather sleeping pad that will last you many years.
But if you’re someone who only camps occasionally or on short trips, you might not need something this high-end right away.
For something more affordable, try a Gear Doctor inflatable sleeping pad instead.
Good for Cold Weather?
The ability to keep you warm in the cold is one of the biggest strengths for the NeoAir.
It has an R-value of 4.5, which means it is best in spring, summer, and fall, but paired with a good zero-degree sleeping bag it does well even below freezing.
We’ve had it as low as 15 degrees without any issues; even when our fresh water supply was freezing it held strong.
Pros and Cons
There are pros and cons to every product, so let’s review the basics:
Pros
- Extremely lightweight, easy to carry
- Good for dispersed camping
- Compact for pack storage
- Comfortable for back or side-sleepers
- Good for most weather
- Quieter than other sleeping pads, less squeaking
Cons
- A bit expensive for beginners
- Might be narrow for some people
- Not as durable as the heavier thicker pads
- Some customers complain of air-retention problems
Final Thoughts
If you are planning on spending a large amount of your time camping or backpacking, you really can’t go wrong with the NeoAir for your sleeping pad.
It is thick enough to actually sleep well on, warm enough for most outings, and light enough that you won’t feel like you’re hauling a bunch of extra weight on your back.
It is quieter than other sleeping pads we have tried and just an overall good option for your gear list.
Hopefully you’ll love it as much as we do.
Thanks for reading!
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