Gear Review – Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm Sleeping Pad
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm Sleeping Pad
5
FEBRUARY, 2023
I bought my Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm sleeping pad early in my backpacking career – in March 2014. By that time I’d already suffered through enough cold nights in the backcountry of Colorado and Glacier National Park to know I needed more insulation underneath me while I slept. Even back then the Xtherm was selling for $200! It is expensive and relative heavy but its insulating performance is incredible. When you find yourself in extreme cold temperatures in the backcountry the NeoAir Xtherm can mean the difference between relative comfort and potential deadly risk of hypothermia.
NeoAir Xtherm – Improvements since I bought mine and cost
I should note that this review is for the 2014 version of the NeoAir Ztherm. Therm-a-Rest has released a few new versions of the Xtherm since then, all of which were improvements from the version I have. The newer versions are warmer and lighter than the Xtherm I own. They are also more expensive! The current version (2023) is the NeoAir Xtherm NXT which retails for $270 for the long version. Mine was $197 for the long, wide version. But the 2014 version weighed 22 ounces and had an R-value of 5.7. The 2023 Xtherm NXT weighs 20 ounces and has an R-value of 7.3. That’s a 30% improvement in insulation combined with a 2 ounce weight reduction. Oh, at an additional cost of $73.
“The Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm has the greatest weight-to-warmth ratio of any sleeping pad on the market. It is a comfortable, packable, durable, lightweight, and warm sleeping pad. It will quickly become your go anywhere, do anything sleeping accessory.” – Product Review
Size and Weight
My 2014 NeoAir Xtherm has had considerable in-field use. I’m sure there is some dirt on mine that is adding a little weight. It weighs 567 grams or 20.0 ounces. That’s two ounces lighter than the specifications I found for the 2014 version. It’s also identical to the weight specification for the 2023 version. I wonder if the specification I found was in error. The packed size I measured was 13 inches long by 5 inches in diameter (or 5 inches high by 5 inches wide). Therm-a-rest advertises that it can roll up to a much smaller size – maybe so, but to roll it up that small would take a ton of effort to remove air, roll tight, etc.. Inflated, the 2014 Xtherm large measures 25″ X 77″ X 2.5″ thick (3″ for 2023 version).
Blowing up the Xtherm using the NeoAir Micro Pump
When I first purchased my Xtherm I inflated it ‘manually’ (using my mouth). This had two drawbacks: (1) it added moisture inside the Xtherm that could cause issues, and (2) at high altitudes, it sucked! – I would get dizzy from blowing all that air into it. I dreaded blowing it up when we got into camp. A few years back, I purchased the NeoAir Micro Pump to do the bulk of the work inflating the Xtherm. The Micro Pump was annoyingly loud, but it worked well. It would inflate the air pad nearly, but not quite, fully. I would have to add about four puffs using my mouth to inflate it fully. The current version of the Xtherm uses a different fill valve, but they still make a version of the Micro Pump that mates to the new fill valve.
Field experience and durability
I’ve used my original 2014 Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm in the backcountry for nine years. I don’t take it on every trip, but it’s been on about 30 backpacking trips over those nine years. It still looks, works, and performs as if it is brand new. I have never had the slightest leak with it, the fill valve still rotates and functions perfectly, and there is no evidence of any unusual wear other than some dirt that has become evident over time. The insulation capability of the NeoAir Xtherm is remarkable. I’ve used it on nights in the backcountry with temperatures in the low teens, and I’ve never experienced any conductive heat loss to the ground. Before using the Xtherm I felt heat loss to the ground frequently. It works well!
Construction and Materials – From Therm-a-Rest
So what makes the Xtherm so warm it seems like magic? I don’t have a clue! But here is how Therm-a-Rest describes it: “Triangular Core Matrix™ construction and ThermaCapture technology deliver cold-conquering warmth-to-weight ratio. 70-denier nylon on the bottom withstands the wear and tear of extended expedition use, while 30-denier ripstop nylon on top keeps it light and packable. 3-inch thickness and horizontal baffled structure deliver premium backcountry comfort while keeping weight to a minimum. WingLock™ valve delivers fast 1-way inflation and rapid deflation.” So there you have it… I can say it is VERY warm and fairly light.
Conclusion – Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm Sleeping Pad
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm sounds almost too good to be true. Extreme thermal insulation and cold weather performance, relatively lightweight, incredible durability, very comfortable, and packs down to a small size. From years of personal experience, my 2014 Xtherm lives up to all of that, and the 2023 version is better than the 2014 model in every way. There always seems to be a downside, and in the case of the NeoAir Xtherm it is the fact that it’s stupidly expensive. But if you can afford it, the up-front investment is worth it. The Xtherm is simply the best cold-weather sleeping pad you can buy, and it will give you many years of problem-free performance in the field. I highly recommend the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm.
