Therm-a-Rest - NeoAir XLite Women's

I brought both, both times. Would again.

More comfortable, and much much quieter, but not anywhere near as warm.

I absolutely love my XLite Womens (R5.4, 66", 12oz). I think it's perfect in every way; warmth, weight, and length. This would get me to reconsider though.

Welp, I ordered it so we'll see soon enough.

Only used it once so far but it was fine with lows at 35F with a Katabatic Palisade. I’m hoping to use it more soon, and will thru hike with it in a few months.

I only use pads that are too short for me. I currently use an XLite Womens (66") and a Tensor Elite (63"). I like having my feet hang off the edge after a long day of hiking, it feels better. If I'm on a longer pad or in a bed, I will do the same thing.

I hiked 2023 and had a few nights in May (yes in th desert) and many in Sept/ early October where it was sub freezing at night and snowing. I had a 15 degree katabatic quilt w the thermarest xlite (the yellow pad w 5.4 R value). Paired with merino wool leggings and long sleeve + down booties and a beanie. Even on the COLDEST nights in the Sierra in September (we did a flip) I was warm! Hope this can help :)

I've a 2012 TR Neo Air Woman size with approx ~12k trail and root miles with three Seam Grip dabs fixing pinhole leaks. And I'm a desert and mountain rat. Ive a 2016 EE quilt like new. I typically get 3 k miles out of Dyneema pack. I'm still using sil and Dyneema cat tarps bought 10 + yrs ago. And, I'm a yr round backpacker. This speaks to the user taking care of their gear and using it under the parameters it was designed. Not buying gear as much saves $ to do more trips.

Back and side to side ....neo air Xlite woman's size...I've been using it it for 9,10 yrs original one. Has multiple dabs(~8) of McNetts Seam Grip patching where pin prick holes were fixed.

Once again it goes to backpacking style in large part. I hike often 20+ hrs before stopping although 10 min breaks are ok every 2 -3 hrs. I cowboy camp alone most times in privacy. I don't fk with a device before sleep although I may journal. I review what happened that day and evaluate the next in my mind or looking at a map. I stop, eat, and am asleep in 30 mins or less. I've no blaring health issues. I can sleep on a slab, bivy on a ledge, sleep on an old forest road, or find a spot in the desert or beach sand. I'm fking tired when I stop. Put on repeat. I do that for wks even months on a thru. I've learned to sleep on a 20" wide polycro ground sheet, 3/8" CCF or TR Xlite.

I have previous generation NeoAir Xlite and XTherm pads (with the older valve that looks like a small black cylinder protruding from the pad. The XLite has a bit of that "potato chip bag" crinkle which I think has gotten better in the newer models. In terms of comfort, my Nemo Tensor is WAY more comfortable, but my first Nemo Tensor failed when it kept getting little holes where the dimples are located. The NeoAir XTherm is AWESOME for warmth. I took mine on my Mt Baker climbing/mountaineering class in mid July 2024 and it was great there, and I didn't seem to mind the comfort as much. Maybe I was just tired at the end of each day and didn't care! I have a Kilos AeroCloud Ultra on the way to try and compare, which will probably be my wife's pad when we go to Iceland this summer to hike the Laugavegeur. She has lower back issues and keeping her on a comfortable pad is very important. We're always trying to strike a balance between comfort and weight for her gear. I think the Rapide SL is another good pick. Hard to know which of all these options are the best.

I got my wife the Kilos Gear Aerocloud Elite, and another female friend of ours also borrowed it. It's equivalent to a regular/wide pad from Nemo, Thermarest, Big Agnes, etc. They both said it was significantly more comfortable than our Nemo Tensor which I think is considerably better than my older Thermarest NeoAir XLite. My wife has a double spinal fusion and says that the Kilos Gear still isn't perfect but then again she struggles even at home . Unfortunately Kilos Gear isn't sold at REI

ccf pad cut down to size for the doggo, and an inflatable pad (xlite or tensor) for you next to it -- or get used to sleeping on ccf pads too if that wouldn't be good enough and she couldn't be taught to accept it

I have a tensor, xlite, and exped 3r -- I think they're all reasonably comfortable, although tensor probably at least 10% more comfy than both. Expeds can be bought cheap (sometimes $100), but if that's not the main concern it's between the tensor and xlite: tensor has 40d bottom and 20d top, xlite is 30d/30d; tensor is 5.5r / xlite is 4.5r; tensor (r/w) is 18oz, xlite max is 19oz. Historically the xlite has been considered more durable + repairable, but with the new fabric changeup recently, not sure that'll still be the case. Tensor is probably what I'd recommend to you. Also, trial version exists that is lighter but less warm (~3r) which could be warm enough for you.

I'm actually a stomach sleeper and find the xlite very comfortable for that, although the noise is definitely an issue when sleeping without a thin pillow. I do think the tensor is slightly more comfortable, but I have to get the air pressure just right, more-so than the xlite. Interesting we have different experiences like that!

Would save almost no weight, probably about an ounce, and for most people would be considerably less comfortable. I would prefer a 2.25" inflatable xlite though just because I'm sub 150lbs and a stomach sleeper, but anyone bigger or a side sleeper would likely hate that pad.

We have therma rest inflatable backpacking mattresses (neoair and my 10+ year old pre-neo pad) , that we take car camping aswell. I often lay out more blankets on top, especially if we have my 4yo stepson with us. 3 pads, 2-3 layers of comfy blankets and then we can basically use sleaping bags as top covers, or individually, or whatever we feel like.. It might help though that while we cuddle/snuggle a lot, we don't generally touch each other that much while actually sleeping due to overheating. I can tolerate it more though, so I get stuck with kiddo near me haha.

We have therma rest inflatable backpacking mattresses (neoair and my 10+ year old pre-neo pad) , that we take car camping aswell. I often lay out more blankets on top, especially if we have my 4yo stepson with us. 3 pads, 2-3 layers of comfy blankets and then we can basically use sleaping bags as top covers, or individually, or whatever we feel like.. It might help though that while we cuddle/snuggle a lot, we don't generally touch each other that much while actually sleeping due to overheating. I can tolerate it more though, so I get stuck with kiddo near me haha.

How cold is it going to be? I have a thermarest neoair (a couple versions as purchased over the last 10 years) and previously only used the Coleman mats like you have there. I find the inflatable pads far more comfortable. My suggestion would be to find an inflatable pad in "wide" and there are varying insulation levels (R value). It won't me AS tiny as the klymit but much smaller than the Coleman. About nalgene size . Thermarest, big Agnes and a bunch of other brands make them in wide.

Personally (I’m in my 40s and a side sleeper) an Xtherm or Xlite is one of my favorite purchases. But everyone has different needs. I’m a fan of not buying new things until you actually need them. Or you are sure that your goals will outgrow your gear. A cheap inflatable is definitely not worth it.

I sleep on a Exped Ultra 5r AT HOME every night. If I ain't worried over big miles, I take it backpacking. Cradles me just right with the outer "tubes" a little fatter than the midle ones. And I recommend a pillow that's tall enough for side sleeping. I usually take a thermarest x-lite on longer sections though, a little lighter and sleeps fine too.

If the Prolite works great for you, why not keep it and cut weight elsewhere? Pads are quite subjective, like recommending shoes. I agree it's a grail hunt, I've went through a bunch too! The Neoair is my go-to, the Exped Ultra is my favorite, and I can get by on a z-lite in warmer weather.

I ditched my 1/8" pad by the Sierra Nevada because it wasn't valuable for me. I got three punctures in my Xlite in the desert and couldn't risk the 1/8" as a sit pad, given that it'd collect dirt and spiky stuff. I suspect it trapped spiky things in my tent that would've otherwise slipped around, and possibly not punctured my pad. It helped my pad not slide around, but beyond that, it didn't help me with punctures as best I can tell, and it was awkward in or outside my pack. So, good as a basic sitpad, but I'm not confident about its value beyond that.

Bring both. I did and was glad to do so watching so many other folks with issues/holes.

Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20F, Tremarest NeoAir XLite (go for XTherm if you want warmer, but XLite is enough). Wouldn't use a 30F bag if temps can get low enough. I basically use this kit in PNW in those temps you listed. I just wear a puffy and fleece leggings on sub-freezing days if I need a bit more warmth, and it's nice to anyway since climbing out of the bag does not feel cold if you are not naked.

Thermarest Neo-air x-lite for 3 seasons use or the x-therm if you are looking at colder weather. Yes they are expensive but they have a lifetime warranty and great customer service

If I ever buy another inflatable pad, it'll be a [Nemo Tensor Trail](https://www.nemoequipment.eu/collections/sleeping-pads/products/tensor-trail-insulated-ultralight-sleeping-pad). Of all the inflatable options, it's simply the best blend of comfort/weight (assuming you avoid cold temps like I do) The horizontal baffles on the XLite are nowhere near as comfortable

I’ve used the xterme since it came out with zero problem. At the beginning of last summer I bought the xlite and it immediately leaked. Used it for about 10 nights and took it back to REI. Never again.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-sleeping-pad https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-camping-mattress Outdoor Gearlab is a great resource for things like this, they break it all down. Personally I used the NeoAir Xlite, and while I was a bit jealous of my peer’s comfort with their huge air mattresses, the ease of setting up and packing up without the need for an outlet or a pump, and it packing down to about the size of a pineapple, and weighing under a pound, made it worth it to me. And I slept fine. There’s other options on there that lean toward comfort over weight and size though.

Thermarest Neoair Xtherm or Xlite are my picks.

Exped megamat for car camping, thermarest neoair for backpacking

Have you looked at a Thermarest Xlite? Better warmth to weight than those options.

If you wanna make it even more lighter and packable, there’s a way to [shorten it](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=90Fx6TLNEJQ) down to three-quarter length and use your backpack for the lower body insulation. That’s what I do. Mine weighs 270 g after the modification.

That’s old news. They’ve altered the way they make them so they are nowhere near as noisy anymore. They used to sound like crinkly paper when you turn. No longer.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite with an r-value of 4.5 weighs 370g. You don’t need a stuff sack.

Tried pretty much everything, settled on the xlite, for me personally offers the best combination of attributes. For any pad I would only consider a long and wide now.

I'd not come across that with the Rapide only the Zoom but quick Google search does suggest the issue or at least potential for that issue is there with the Rapide as well. Yeah for me the marketing approach from Nortent does more harm than good and actually makes me less likely to buy something from them. When I was buying a mat it was a toss up between the X-lite, Exped Ultra and the Rapide SL, ultimately went with the X-lite as it is lighter (despite 30D v 20D of the ultra) and has a good warranty, though definitely less comfortable!

The three pads that tend to compete in this category (ultralight with 3 season insulation) are the Nemo Tensor All Season, Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xlite, and this S2S. Therm-a-Rest is the lightest but most people (esp side sleepers) find it less comfortable due to the horizontal baffling. S2S is the heaviest of the three but also arguably the most comfortable. Nemo is in the middle for both weight and comfort.

Keep in mind, too, that a CCF pad can be a huge hassle to attach to your pack. Some people care more than others about stuff flopping around, dealing with attaching it every morning, etc, but you might want to figure out which type you are. I keep saying I'm going to try my CCF for summer backpacking, but always give up and throw my XLite into my pack. Even after I spent two nights with it deflated due to punctures (yes, more than one :( on one trip, I patched it when I got home and still used it for my next trip. It's just too easy. But it's still good to have a CCF to use on really cold nights in a campground, as a second pad underneath an inflatable. Or of course if you do winter backpacking or the like.

I have the XLite and it’s holding up really well, good insulation, and I’m even comfy on my side. I think the noise issue that people mention is overblown. My only issue is that it’s really slippery. I feel like I roll over sometimes and it slips out from under me like I’m squeezing a balloon, though I’m willing to admit that might be a skill issue on my part.

I'm doubtful the exped is more durable than the neoair. Exped uses a 20D fabric vs a 30D for the neoair. Denier isn't everything but we can suppose both brands use good quality fabric. The neoair is one of the highest rated inflatable pad on the pct survey, it wouldn't be the case if they were constantly popping. I don't think you should ever use it on bare ground though.

The neoair beats every other pads on all metrics except comfort. So if it's comfy enough for you that's the best pad.

Also, it's not super UL (but shoulder season/winter hiking often isn't), but on cold trips I layer a z-fold under my normal pad (NeoAir X-Lite). Especially if OP has a pad already and just wants something for sub-freezing temps, definitely a durable and cheap option to consider.

Rapide for comfort, Tensor All-Season for overall value and light comfort, xlite for UL and durability. IMO

I have a previous back injury. I find the Womens S2S Etherlight to be the most comfortable, though the least warm. Next for comfort is the Nemo All Season, as well as the Nemo Tensor. In comfort, they are both just slightly less comfortable than the S2S. Both are warmer than the S2S. I have used the ExPed Hyperlight pad for about 40 nights. I believe this pad has been replaced with the newer version. Mine was a 2.8R value. For me, the warmth was equal to the S2S pad. It was not an uncomfortable pad. It just wasn't as comfortable as the S2S and Nemo pads. I tried the Thermarest NeoAir Xlite. My lower back ached when I used the pad. It just didn't have the support I needed. I wish I could use it as it has great warmth to weight ratios. I used the wide versio pads for each of these, though the Exped was a mummy MW version I would assume what is comfortable for me may not translate to you as your back injury may be different than mine. My injury involved the lower back. I have slept in a hammock a few nights and never experienced back pain.

Avid Rockies backpacker based in Calgary. I have the Nemo disco -9 bag and it is perfect for all my three season trips and I’m getting a second one soon for my son. In the summer I still take a base layer top (a lighter one) and shoulder season add in the bottom. I also have a warmer base layer and a much lighter top. So it’s mix and match depending on the temp. As everyone sleeps differently, warmer or colder, you’ll have to figure that out on your own. But the bag is good! I use it with a Thermorest neoair xlite but for warmer temps use the Uber light. I believe the Nemo you mentioned is the equivalent. I suggest testing your gear once you have it to figure out your limits. I went winter camping at elbow lake just before the road closed (as car only 1km away!) and with the gear I would normally take in a shoulder season trip I figure I’m pretty good down to -10 and will survive fine if a bit colder. Did Rummel lake on a warmer spell in February and it was a fantastic trip. Obviously the winter trips I had more than just my usual shoulder season gear but it was very informative of my shoulder season capabilities.

You have to think about temperature gradients when discussing insulation. If in summer the ground temp is near body temp, then even if you have an R=100 pad it won’t make any difference since you would not be loosing heat to the ground, even with no pad. So an xtherm in warm conditions performs pretty much the same as a xlite.

i’ve got a thermarest neoair xlite and it’s great

That's so funny, I had the opposite experience. Used an XLite for a good long while and just accepted that my arms and shoulders always felt sore in the morning and/or went numb overnight. Switched to a Ether Light XT Insulated (regular mummy, not wide), took a tiny weight penalty, slept like a baby ever since. Sleeping pads are as personal as underwear. I will seriously never understand why one person thinks their preferred pad will work for someone else. You just gotta try a few till you find the one that works for your (unique, individual) body.

XLite isn't comfortable for a lot of people

I'm a side sleeper and my arms and shoulders ache and/or fall asleep or go numb on the Xlite. For whatver reason I can only sleep on dimpled baffles (tensor, etherlight)

yeah sometimes you end up in a bind where the pad that is the most comfortable for you is one that is prone to having some manufacturing defect that reveals itself slowly. i wish i was more comfortable on thermarest neoair but i just can't sleep good on horizontal baffles. i know they're more reliable over the long term. but what are you gonna do. what kills me is people on this sub who act like because pads develop weld defects that means you're WaStEfUl or bad at caring for your gear. it's asinine

they both kinda suck tbh try a nemo tensor, big agnes rapide, or sea to summit etherlite, or thermarest neo air

Not only will they have the blown up ones, check around REI's returned goods. I found two NeoAir XLite pads for less than $90 each, "used". Honestly looked brand new and held air. Which ever par you decide on, check the returns before you buy new.

I tried Klymit and had the same problem. Get a Thermarest Neoair Xtherm or Xlite. I’ve used an Xlite for 4 years with no leaks.

I have a Nemo Tensor, Thermarest NeoAir X-Lite, and an Exped Ultra. My favorite of the 3 is the Exped. I haven't used the Rapide, but I'd put it in the same class as the ones I have. At that point, they are all so similar, buy the one that is the most comfortable for you. $20-30 less or more at that price point isn't huge, and is 100% worth it for more comfort.

6'1, 260 lb side sleeper.... Exped Ultra 3R is my pad of choice for my climate, but they have some with much higher R-values. It's more comfortable, to me, than either the Nemo Tensor or Thermarest X-Lite.

Stick with the foam imo! Although foam won't necessarily be the most comfortable option to sleep on when camping on hard surfaces (which can be mitigated with site selection), it offers comfort in other ways. It's comfortable in that it's very low-maintenance: it'll never pop or develop a leak, and it'll never deflate in the middle of the night. You don't have to baby it whatsoever. It's comfortable in that it takes mere seconds to set up and take down. It's comfortable in that replacing it is easy and cheap. It's comfortable in that it's very light for the weight and you can trim it down to lighten it further. It's comfortable that it serves multiple purposes, including a sit pad during the day and a mat for stretching. All of these things pay dividends on a long-distance hike where light, reliable, multipurpose, and time-efficient gear rules. Also, I don't think foam is nearly as uncomfortable as people make it out to be. You can always use extra clothes and other stuff for padding if you have to camp on a hard surface. I find inflatables to be slippery and annoyingly narrow, whereas I can sprawl on foam like I'm on a real bed. Edit: I'll add that I own a Thermarest NeoAir X-Lite and an Exped Ultra 5R. I'd take foam over them any day on a thru-hike for the ease of use, durability, and weight. The last thing I want to do after a long day of hiking is to spend time blowing air into a glorified pool floatie.

The neoair is the most comfortable pad that I've ever used - ranging from closed cell foam, self inflating open cell, to blow up tube style.

I mean the xlite.

Spending $200 on one of the lightest pads on the market just to add weight in the form of a thinlight and seam grip is honestly a meme. You may as well just carry an XLite at that point, which is both warmer and more durable. This is why super light inflatables do not make sense to me. They require extra gear to protect them, while not even being that much warmer than just carrying an indestructible foam pad 

My neoair xlite is 10 years old and still going strong! (Tho prob about 1/3 the miles of yours 😅). Also very comfortable.

I thought I needed a thick wide pad as a side sleeper. I got an S2S Etherlight. About half way thru a thru in ‘21 I had to try an XLite, because supply chain. Dropped about 9ozs and kicked myself the rest of the way down the trail for being so gullible. The XLite was much more comfortable for me sleeping and I could really feel those 9ozs off my back. Get that and bring a few ozs of Blue Chew and your gal will carry the rest of the gear! Ha!

Seems relatively heavy. The Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Pad is much lighter but cost more. [Sea to Summit - Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Pad](https://seatosummit.com/products/ultralight-insulated-mat?variant=7896105451548) This was my first inflatable sleeping pad, it was a work horse. The S2S has a slightly lower R value, it’s 1.5” wider and has the same thickness. I got the S2S for like $70 at the beginning of the pandemic, and it’s been a great value. I’ve recently upgrade to a Therm-a-rest xlite. I think the sea to summit is a little bit too expensive now, it should be closer to the price of the Trail Pro light. The Therm-a-Rest xlite is a much better value but for a higher price.

I think as long as you both get the same pad (same height) and a quilt setup then you can pick and choose if you want to be close to each other (double wide pad could also be an option). Quilt you can always open both up and use like a big blanket (stink dependent). Zpacks and other brand make a coupling strap that keep the two pads close together more or less. My partner and I have different height pads and it makes things much less comfortable. Thermarest Neo Air X Lite is one of the most popular pads and would be good for the summer and shoulder seasons.

I use the Thermarest NeoAir Xlite and am very happy with it, but I also don’t use it more than 10 days a year. It’s very comfortable and packs very small, but the R value is only fit for summer.

I also highly recommend the xlite, have had mine for 3 years with no issues. It is compact, warm, and seemingly durable enough that I don’t need to baby it. Just finished a 4 week roadtrip from Alaska to NC and car camped 90% of it using the xlite in the back of the car, worked great.

Just today I found myself wishing the Xlite came in a Short Wide. (Seriously, why only offer wide for tall people?!)  I'm only 5'6", so I don't need or want a 72" long pad, but my shoulders are 19" wide and I sleep like a dang corkscrew over the course of a night. A 20" wide pad just does not cut it for me. Current pad is 25", and while I don't think I'd want as narrow as 22", 24" would probably still be enough for comfort.

Trie the STS XT at REO and compared to other pads it is loud when moving around. In addition it is bulky when packed and has a lower R value. I also have the Thermorest a=x lite and prefer the Nemo All Season.

I love my xlite when I'm hiking long distance and love my Nemo Tensor all season for shorter trips.

Love my xlite. The less inflated, the softer and more comfortable it is. Combine with a S2S Aeros UL pillow, and the buff you're already carrying as a pillowcase. 

My neoair xlites are going strong after 5years plus; my old thermorest prolite 3 shorty (older and heavier) is out of the regular rotation but is 20+yrs old and still works great no patches. Closed cell foam doesn't pop!

This seems perfect for me. I switched from a Tensor to an XLite for the weight savings, but just cannot get comfortably with the baffle design. I'm concerned about its durability, but otherwise this seems like the pad for me.

My thermarest xlite is a pound, 25” wide, and I can take it down to like 25-30F very comfortably. Finding that for anywhere near $100 new would be incredible

Find anything remotely comparable to an xlite on alibaba and it’ll be a hit.

I sleep fantastically on a Therm-a-Rest neo air xlite, but plenty of people prefer vertical baffles like exped pads have.

Klymit Static V if you are small (only non-insulated, the insulated ones are to large for the price). Although they are advertised as being 183cm long, mine was only 179cm long. I'm 185cm tall and could not use it comfortably. Got an Sea to Summit ultralight air mat on sale in large in that price range. Pretty comfy and still very small. But you need to know, that at this price point you will get either a small/lightweight or a warm mattress. The sleeping pad that combines both in the best way possible is the NeoAir X-Lite in my opinion, but it costs double. It might still be worth it to spend the money, since you might want to upgrade it eventually anyways. The air mats from Decathlon are also a good choice, although they are not the smallest. Foam pads are also an option (Nemo Switchback, Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite, Decathlon MT500)

My Xlite is comfy. Try the lightest thing first before considering a 2 pound pad.

I've been comfortable on 1/4" foam for 500 miles on the CDT through New Mexico (mostly under pine trees) but not on 1/8" foam which I used on my first PCT hike as a backup for my XLITE which leaked out the valve all through Washington, leaving me on the ground multiple times per night, waking me up every hour or so. Personally I like 6 panels of 3/4" zlite (~5 oz) for a bit of a safety margin. One way for you to test both would be to bring a full-length 1/8" pad that you can fold in half into a torso-length 1/4" on a training hike and see what you like. Site selection is obviously important, and for a 1/8" you may want to find/dig a dip for your hip. What is your level of experience and where are you planning to hike?

I don't like the horizontal baffles and height. I tend to fall off an xlite. That's why I got that sea to summit ultralight insulated one - much more stable and despite being thinner it's warm and comfortable on my hips.  But some people don't have that issue with xlites.  I'm selling my old xlite on gear trade subreddit. I'm sure it makes no sense for someone in the EU to buy from me in NA. But I'd it does then take a look at my profile and see if the price makes sense for you. 

The inflatable changed my life. I went to REI where I could try out a bunch and see what felt best. Are there any outfitters near you where you can try a bunch out like that? There are a lot of factors that contribute to warmth, weight, and comfort. So, do your research. The thickness and width really make a difference to comfort. The material makes a difference too. Some people care about the valve and how quick you can inflate and deflate. Durability is important. Obviously weight matters. I think my long wide thermarest xlite is around 17oz, and it’s worth every oz to me compared to just a foam pad.

I'm thinking about picking this up for my PCT thru next year. I tried the XLite, instantly got 5+ holes on the first night of a 3-night trip and it really soured my perception of the pad. I ended up using it for 60 nights after I patched every hole, but I was using a groundsheet a lot of the time after that. Picked up the Exped Ultra 3R next and man that thing is durable, quiet, and comfortable. If you look at the Ultra 5R Mummy, it's only like 3oz heavier than the XLite and the durability and comfort of those vertical baffles seem to win out for me.

I have the Xped 5R... It's _very_ comfortable and warm (much much warmer than I would ever need if I didn't plan on going down below 5°c!). But it's a _little_ bit chunkier and heavier than I might like if I wasn't in need of the warmth. XLite is lighter and more compact, but significantly less comfortable IMHO, also very warm. Can't speak to the Nemo personally. My summer pad is the [Kilos Gear Aerocloud UL](https://kilosgear.com/products/aerocloud-sleeping-pad-ul) and I really rate it; comfortable, lightweight, compact, and honestly surprisingly warm still, never really even felt the cold until it got down below 0°c - & obvs _much_ cheaper than the other options you've listed. Comfort is a little bit of a personal preference based on your physique and sleep preferences; but I would certainly recommend the kilos gear pad. Sorry to give you even more options 😂

Xlite doesn’t have durability issues. The now-discontinued “uberlight” had durability issues. The xlite is the industry standard for durability/warmth/weight.

I hiked in 2015 and kept both the NeoAir Xlite and the folding foam pad. The folding foam pad is equivalent to no less than the towel from Hitchhiker's Guide. It's good for SO MANY THINGS and its a priority item for anything longer than 8ish miles. My BW was around 16-17lbs if I'm remembering correctly and if you consider the pad to be a luxury item my other luxury item was my Kindle and I'll never do long-distance backpacking without either again.

My Thermarest neo-air xlite popped on my second night on the trail, making for a very uncomfortable night. I repaired it in Mt. Laguna, but when I got to Julian I sent it home and bought a foam pad at the outfitter there. Not as comfortable, but comfortable enough, and anxiety free.

That’s what I did also. Went from crappy Amazon pad, to x-lite, to Tensor, to Etherlight. Each one was leaps and bounds improvement over the previous.

I've used S.I and Sea to Summit pads in Norway and microtears are definitely real with S.I. I switched to Thermarest NeoAir Xlite and I love it, it is very warm, packs tiny and it weighs under 350g. If you hate the bouncy air mat feel, try Exped Synmat or Downmat. Their baffle design feels more stable and the Downmat is perfect for cold Norwegian nights. Air mat punctures are rare if you're careful where you set them up.

Yes the NeoAir has a decent balance it is lighter than S.I. and not too bouncy, especially with a thin foam mat underneath. If you want more stability, you could look into the Exped Ultra 5R or Synmat HL as good middle-ground options.

I switched from the original xlite to tensor and wish I did it sooner.

You know any of those is fine. So, just choose the cheapest. But, for what it’s worth, I’m a pro guide and me and my colleagues all use xlite. I like thermarest because I’ve used their air mattresses for 30 years and I think that Cascade Designs is more advanced with their R and D due to their longevity.

6’4’ 240 lb big boy here. I’m a pro guide and generally go out for a week at a time to Appalachian Trail, Grand Canyon, eastern Sierra. I have used a neoair xlite for the past 3 years and it has been really reliable. I guess I’ve had the opposite experience as you. I did order an Uber lite once but with my size I didn’t feel good about its durability although it was insanely compact and lightweight.

I have an xlite from a few years back and it is truly one of my best pieces of equipment. I’m a pro guide and most of my colleagues use the same. Not sure how that compares to current stock. They look the same.

Thermarest Xlite is compact but still fairly durable as long as you are careful with it. Also these pads can generally be patched fairly easily. Nothing is going to beat a foam pad in the durability department tho.

I agree with everything jrice said. In addition, you can vastly improve the sleeping bag weight. For budget recommendations, I would say the [aegismax windhard quilt](https://hz.ru.aliexpress.com/item/3256804730003792.html). There are multiple models, but make sure it's the 10 denier fabric with 800 fill power. The 23F regular is 18 oz; no other gear choice is going to save you 49oz for that little extra money, maybe even spring for the 18F. Aliexpress has coupons for various holidays; I'm not sure what all of them are but at least one of them is the 11/11 holiday; for a $100+ order, I'd wait for a $15 off coupon to come up. You can also improve on the pack weight. I know it's hard to justify if you already have the Jade but I've seen the REI Flash Air for 30% off (so low $200s) during one of their 20% sales. That's a savings of 26-27oz. Another pack to consider is the kakwa; it's a good pack for the money. Drop the rain cover; use a compactor bag as a liner. For the sleeping pad, I'd figure out how to get the best deal on a thermarest xlite. Wait for the REI 20% sale, buy some REI giftcards off [raise.com](http://raise.com) giftcard exchange for 15% off; that should take it below $150. Savings of 17oz and an R value of 4.5. You might not need the zoleo. If you have an iphone 14 or newer or a Pixel 9 or Galaxy S25 /w Verizon or tmobile, there should be some satellite messaging ability. [https://www.techlicious.com/guide/all-the-phones-that-have-satellite-messaging/](https://www.techlicious.com/guide/all-the-phones-that-have-satellite-messaging/)

Your pad will pop. I’d almost bet on it.  I took and Xlite and a 1/8th and loved having them both. The 1/8th gets so much use throughout the day.

Hello everyone. In mid-July I went on a bike trip through the French Alps from Geneva to Nice and decided to sleep most nights in a tent. My tent is a Naturehike Cloud 1p weighing around 1300 grams. I have a previous generation Therm-a-Rest Xlite sleeping pad and it is very uncomfortable for me. It is narrow, 51 cm, and very slippery, and although I am thin and not tall, I wake up minimum 10 times a night and often my body or legs ends up on the bottom of the tent because I simply fall off the pad. I also have only two sleeping bags:an Aegismax down sleeping bag from AliExpress with a comfort temperature of +10C and a second S2S Spark IV with a comfort temperature of -8C. Last year I slept in July in the Italian Alps at an altitude of 1600 m and I was cool in the Aegismax sleeping bag, especially in the morning at 5-6 AM I could no longer sleep normally because of the cold. I want to have a good rest during the trip, as there are big climbs ahead and I will be very tired every day and sleep is very important for recovery. Please advise a light and warm enough sleeping bag and pad. I am also considering a Quilt instead of a sleeping bag as an alternative and weight saver, but I have no experience with it before. Of the mats, I have now paid attention to the new Therm-a-rest Xlite NXT regular/wide, but on the forums people still write that it is very slippery. I also see the popular BA Rapide SL mats, but they are much colder than the manufacturer claims and there is a problem with the insulating foil. The second option that I paid attention to is the Nemo Tensor Trail Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad, but I am not sure that the R-Value 2.8 is a good enough indicator. I will be grateful for any help.

The weight savings looks nice compared to my Xlite with 3 pin holes in it, but I don't think I want to go from 30d to 10d..

I've taken my LightTour on several 4+ day trips over the last 2 years and have never had an issue. Before that I had a thermarest xlite that popped on it's second use.

Neo air xlite by thermorest

Thermarest xlite neoair! I think it’s very comfortable but a lot of people don’t like it because it does sound like you’re sleeping on a bag of chips. It’s very crinkly.

Two sleeping pads + sleeping pad coupling straps to hold them together (OR the thermarest luxe coupling sheet, not UL but it was a game changer for us) + 2 person quilt. My husband and I use the thermarest neoair xlites and the enlightened equipment 2p quilt. We love being able to cuddle but also separate ourselves or sprawl onto each other's sleeping pads. Edit: I'm not sure if you asked for a tent recc but we've been enjoying the durston xdome 2

I took both. Used em together and separately. You just won’t notice the weight.

> I'm close to getting a Thermarest Xtherm, which I probably will as it seems ideal to me, unless convinced otherwise. Good call. I vaguely prefer a torso-length CCF paired with a ThermaRest XLite to build in a bit of redundancy, but the XTherm has fantastic warmth for weight, and we don't hear about many issues. This is a sound choice for sure. Consider a wide. I don't mind "regular" width pads, even as a big guy, but people often find them shockingly small. Think seriously about the dimensions. For -10C, I'd strongly recommend a mummy bag, with a hood. Quilts are a great weight savings, but even a lot of experienced people prefer mummy bags as the temperature dips meaningfully below freezing. Where are you ordering to and what's the budget for the bag? (Tariffs and shipping will probably guide the selection process.)

The basic deal is that you have what's probably a 27F comfort-rated bag and a 3.2 R-value pad, so it's really no surprise that you're cold at 0F or whatever. If you're not hypothermic, you're doing great! (In a manner of speaking.) I think these two things actually work for upgrading a sleeping system in a modular fashion: 1. Supplemental CCF pad. Try six panels of ZLite or similar to see if you can get away with that. I find that I'm fine in the single digits with an XLite and six panels of ZLite, but your mileage may vary. (I sleep colder than you do -- I would DIE at 15F in your kit.) 2. Aegismax Mini sleeping bag. It's a hoodless EN comfort-rated 52F sleeping bag that weighs about a pound. It has sewn through baffles and can be bought for $85. I'm 6'1" or so and marginally okay with the non-long version. Both of those are pretty weight-efficient approaches, IME.

It’s definitely subjective, but there are some design elements that contribute to a pad’s comfort. I have a bad back and I’m a side sleeper. I typically get 3-4 hours of sleeping on the trail. I’ve tried both the MSR neoair xlite and xtherm, Nemo tensor all season, Big Agnes Rapide and the klymit static V. I recently purchased the REI helix long wide pad and I’m now sleeping 6-7 hours on trail. I’ll gladly take the weight penalty for better sleep. Justin Outdoors has several sleeping pad review and comparison videos that are worth watching.

Yeah it's subjective to a point. Generally body support is an objective subject, but how people prefer that support to be delivered will differ. If you have back issues then an inflatable air mattress that is only about halfway inflated will provide the best support for you. It prevents any low points from bottoming out and supports the high points, essentially delivering a uniform platform that supports your entire body without pressure points. For me the best pad is the Thermarest Neo Air Xlite, but I value weight savings a lot. I'm sure there are probably more comfortable pads out there that weigh more.

The best pad on the market imo is the Thermarest Neo Air Xlite. You can order them in various sizes. They are ultralight, very small when packed, very comfortable, and very warm. They're on sale at REI until the 1st.

I roll it up and put it in the stuff sack. It's fairly small when stowed, and it adds an additional layer of protection for the pad. It's small enough that I can shove it into gaps inside my gear. I have the first generation one though, which is a little taller and thinner when packed than the new ones. I just got my wife a new one a couple weeks ago and it is a little shorter and fatter when packed. She hasn't had any issues stowing it while it's in the bag though.

Dang, that sucks. I've had such a great experience with my Neo Air Xlite and my Sea to Summit pillow. Although I think my pillow might finally have a leak after many years of use. I'll find out for sure tonight during my pre trip shakedown.

You won't like the answer but Tnermarest Neo Air Xlite is the answer. Yes, it's a couple hundred bucks, but it'll last a very long time, has an R value of something silly like 4.5, is heckin comfortable, heckin light, and heckin packable. I'm middle aged with a slew of back injuries from martial arts and motorcycles. Sleeping in the wilderness was getting bad enough that I was thinking about quitting altogether. I found the Xlite at an REI garage sale for $60 and immediately swooped it up. I haven't had any back pain since! The pad combined with a Sea to Summit pillow is almost as comfortable as sleeping at home, with no back or neck issues. The only drawback is that it's kinda slippery and my bag would want to slip off of it. So I bought a Big Agnes bag with a little pad restraining system. The new Xlites aren't as slippery, aren't as noisy, and come with a bag that can be used to inflate them. I just bought one for my wife this week and I was impressed with all of the improvements they've made since I bought mine around 6 years ago.

Neo Air Xlite under inflated is great for my bad back. There are no hard points and it supports your body well. That plus a Sea To Summit UL pillow make sleeping in the woods comfortable for me. An added bonus is that the R value is like 4.5.

Prolites self inflating feel different than xlites. If you can sleep comfortably on an xlite then no reason to get a polite besides it being more durable.

I used the 1/8 with my xlite, 0 pops for the entire length of the PCT! And it was a bomb pad for siestas/breaks

Thermarest neo air x lite or whatever it's called. I have the regular size and it is awesome!! Very nice sleeping pad. 10/10

Ha, same. Started with the 'ol cheapo Klymit Static V, moved to the small mummy Therm-a-Rest XLite NeoAir for a couple years, then figured I'd get a wide to see if that helped with side sleep comfort so my butt and knees weren't off the edges (& went extra warm because may as well eliminate redundancies) with the Therm-a-Rest XTherm in reg wide. No dice. Tried a friend's Nemo Tensor, and wasn't for me. Tried the large women's Sea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated air - dimples felt odd and was too thin; no better than my old mummy xlite for overall comfort even with the wider shape. Running out of budget to throw in for the S2S Ether Light XT test and given my experience with the Comfort Light, wasn't convinced it was the move. Still haven't tried vertical baffles like the Expeds, and maybe that'd do fine, but instead just went all in on the reg wide chonky Neoloft... and good god. With that soft knit stretch top, slept a like the coziest dreamy log for 8.5 hours first time I took it out (and then 6 the next, but only thanks to a disruptive woodpecker. Nature!) I hesitate to mention/recommend it here as it kinda undermines the whole forum topic (ultralight) with its extremely-not-ultralight weight. But packs just as small as my reg-wide XTherm and as a bike camper, pack size matters more than strictly weight so I'm sticking with it.

XLite was extremely uncomfortable for me to the point where I just sleep on a CCF pad instead.

I don’t use one now because I’ve gotten a bit more comfortable sleeping on my back this past year. BUT back when I was a side sleeper I loved the Big Agnes Rapide SL Regular Wide. Quilted baffles were so comfy and it was THIQUE. Slightly weighty, but who gives a shit about UL if you can’t sleep and recover. Also wasn’t AS warm as Xlite, but not a big diff. Combined that with a similar two pillow method + sleep mask and ear plugs to Aromatic’s and I was OUT. Now I use a neo air xlite in shoulder season and a closed cell when things have thawed out because I sleep on my back more. I also second quilts. My Katabatibc 30 degree is toasty down into the 20’s and gives hella weight savings + roominess.

I like my Thermarest Neo-Air xLite. But am thinking of replacing it with a slightly heavier Kilos AeroCloud UL for more comfort and supposed durability. Plus I like that I can fill it with a lightweight pump sack.

R 3.8 so a little less than my Thermarest. But fine for normal camping. If I'm in cold shoulder season I put a CCF pad under the inflatable.

I have the Thermarest Neoair x-lite and it's prety thick and comfortable at a light weight. However, I'm thinking of changing to the Kilos AeroCloud UL as it looks a little thicker and more durable. FWIW.

Do you sleep on your stomach? As a stomach sleeper I find the baffle construction of the Therm A Rest Neo Air Xlite very uncomfortable. I have to use it at a very low pressure for it to be somewhat bearable. It also feels too much like an air mattress and it’s noisy (which is especially bad as a stomach sleeper because your ear will be right on top of the mat).

I think with inflatable pads how much you inflate them makes a huge difference. I hate the baffle design of my Therm A Rest Neo Air XLite and have to use it at a fairly low pressure for comfort. Which makes the insulation way worse than its R-value would suggest. A CCF pad like the Z-Lite feels fairly firm and doesn’t seem to lose any insulation no matter how I’m lying on it. Does anyone know how R values are actually measured? Do they use a specific air pressure for inflatable pads and do they use some kind of weight to simulate compression?

Looks too thick and bouncy. Is it? My Therm-A-Rest Neo Air feels like an air mattress, sounds like a bag of crisps and doesn’t feel nice on the skin. I hate the thing and much prefer my girlfriend’s Trail Lite. If only it were not so heavy and big.

Just to offer a counterpoint to the majority of folks here: I carried an 1/8th inch pad until Damascus but did not find it to be necessary for protection if you’re even a little careful where you place your pad (I had an xlite). It was annoying to have the extra thing to carry when it didn’t feel that useful, so I ditched it and never regretted it. My xlite did puncture once, but it was at the top near the valve not on the bottom where you might expect. I also thought the foam would provide a little bit more warmth, but I’m not sure it was noticeable

1) Patch your Xlite 2) If not working, buy a Nemo Switchback. Start with the full one and cut it down until you don't want to take anymore off. Enjoy a never popping pad. If too hard, double up for your torso

[here's](https://www.reddit.com/r/WildernessBackpacking/s/7vAF6wA3dd) some suggestions I made recently. None are UL really but neither is the pad you're coming from. Best bet is probably the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite in the usual mummy size for best/lightest in the segment. Exped Ultra 5R is fantastic but decidedly not UL

Me and my dad both have the Thermarest NeoAir Xlite (the newest and more quiet version). We both sleep insanly good on them, they are the regular wide models and just fits in our shared tent side to side with some space left at our feet. Im 187cm and a regular wide is perfect in size (had another model in large wide, and I dont miss the extra length).

You should be good with the Neoair xlite. For your temps, it should be more than enough. If you plan on camping even colder, get the xtherm. The Xtherm is so warm it literally feels like im on a heated floor unless im directly on snow, even then it feels warm, its literally unusable in the summer.

No experience with the new one. I much prefer my small prolite plus to my xlite. I find it alot more comfortable. It also makes a great frame sheet for a frameless pack.

I own the NeoLoft & the NeoAir X-Lite, the NeoLoft is amazing as a side sleeper. It's heavier & bulkier, yes, but a comfortable pad is my indulgence.

These days, even the xlite is too comfortable to be considered ultralight. If your not using a torso length 1/8in, you should be kicked out of the sub.

Pros: light, can’t be punctured, can be used as a seat or pad on most terrain Cons: thin, will become thinner in the middle, not much padding, not very warm once temps drop into the 40s at night I used mine from Georgia to Maine on the AT, but did ship out my Thermarest NeoAir XLite for the last month or two when it got colder. Putting it on top of the foam pad was nice.

Anecdotally I've had my last thermarest neoair xlite for 7 years with approximately 3000 miles of use before a center baffle blew out so there's a bump in the center of the pad, it still holds air. Never had to patch it and never had the valve leak overnight.

If you’re considering a neoloft, another thing you could consider for about the same weight is an xlite or tensor with a zlite or switchback underneath. The CCF pad will protect your inflatable, prevent you from bottoming out when sleeping on your side, and makes for a really nice sit pad. Also you have a backup pad if the inflatable fails.

My setup is a GG 1/8th (5 panels, cut off 2 and carry a sit pad) along with a thermarest Neo air xl - all in, right around $250. I’m an AT thru hiker and setting out with this gear on the pct in 2 weeks

I’ve gone back and forth…recently I had 2 neoairs (a regular and a wide) both with leaks in my gear storage. I patched the wide and took it on a 5 day trip in the Grand Canyon, in which it failed on night 1. I’ve also had trouble with customer support and warranties. I 100% sleep better on them when they work, and I like the smaller volume since I use a 20 liter pack often. That said, If reliability matters (a thru) and money matters, ccf all the way

I had one of the first neo airs and I used on extended trips and for work. I also let my dogs walk all over it. I used it on rocks and twigs. It took like 10 years to get a hole.

I've been using the thermarest neos air ones since they were introduced.

I personally don’t think that pad will be good enough for shoulder season and def not winter, even if paired with foam. Virginia winter can be in the teens or colder even. In general, I haven’t found my Neo air (notably higher r value) to be “too hot” in mid Atlantic summer temps. It’s the top insulation that controls for that far more. If you’re worried about being too hot in summer, the real move is to find an alternative to that 20* bag.

My neo air is noticably more comfortable than my static V, but neither of them is as comfortable as my bed at home, which in turn is not as comfortable as my hammock. I'm usually tired enough when backpacking to make it through the night on the neo air, but I try my best to camp somewhere with trees, so I can hang instead.

I've had a neo air and it's light but noisy when turning. Just got a big Agnes (can't remember the model but the widest single insulated) and it's comfy and quieter when turning. Certainly heavier than the neoair though

I found the hest foamy to be awesome in every aspect except for its size. Rolled up it takes up an insane amount of room inside. Swapped back to a Neo air instead.

i have a therma neo air therm--good. but what makes it great is the 1cm closed cell foam pad that i bring along with it--keeps me xtra warm at night, but more importantly is a great lounging pad in the winter kitchen and kneeling pad at the tent door etc

If i am car camping.... I am crazy bougie. I bring my aerobed and use my big anker solar battery to blow it up. If i am backpacking, i just use my backpacking thermarest.

I hate my NeoAir, I don’t find ThermaRest pads comfortable at all. I’d take a CCF over a Thermarest. For trips where I want an inflatable over a CCF, I just got a Nemo Tensor since they’re on sale at REI (25% off). At least in store, it felt a lot better than my NeoAir or CCF.

Seems like a great all around option. A little heavier than I would like on because I need a long/wide, but I sleep like shit on the NeoAir. I wake up multiple times every night off the pad, slide around, bottom out and my body hurts in the morning. The CCF pad I have is better, but also not warm enough a lot of the time.

The thermarest Neo air mats are lightweight and good quality, if a little pricey. MEC alternatives aren’t bad either. I prefer a foam/air mix pad and have been really happy with the one I have form Sea to Summit. If you want to be on the inexpensive side, look at Woods or Decathalon, but expect more weight.

I have found and fixed a leak in my NeoAir, but I can't imagine finding the hole while on the trail.

I've 200+ nights on my NeoAir. I've patched a couple holes over that time, but it was easy to identify and fix them in the field. Cascade Designs, the parent company of thermarest, will replace your pad if there's a defect in it (I've warrantied an MSR tent with them). Thru hikers use inflatable pads and do just fine. Are you having this problem with multiple brands and models? Are you super heavy? Are you sleeping wearing anything that is metal? Maybe get a gossamer gear 1/8" foam pad and put it underneath your inflatable.

I went kayak camping pretty recently. I doubled up and packed my thermarest neo-air in my kayak since it packs down so small, then I tucked a foldable foam pad to the top of the boat.l under the bungee lines. It got wet but the material doesn't hold water so it worked out. I'm a bit of a princess when it comes to my sleep set up and this worked pretty well. To sleep I put the foam pad down then the thermarest over it.

You should go to REI if you can and try out different pads. I had a very hard time sleeping on the neoair, the horizontal baffles killed my shoulders (Im a side sleeper). I recently got an exped 5r mummy which is still under a lb depending on size. I love it. Its so comfortable, it feels sturdy, doesnt slide around. I sleep better than I ever got on the trail I love it. I think its a nice balance between very light & obscenely heavy (like the neoloft).

Then it’s a CCF pad for you. I’ve had no issues with reliability. I’ve owned an Uberlite and two Neoairs (NXT and non). But if something can break, it will eventually. I’d recommend babying it, in every way (site selection and clearing, handling, etc.).

For solo? Assuming you don’t need a free standing tent, take a look at Mier Lanshan 1P on Amazon. It uses a trekking pole. I have like a 16 year old NeoAir pad which rolls up slightly smaller than a Nalgene. It’s kinda pricey but they still make them.

I would not recommend a ccf pad though I take a small piece to sit/kneel on at camp. Found the Thermarest Neo-air uncomfortable and a pain to inflate; bought a Klymit Static V2 at less than half the cost and they’re definitely on to something with their design. It’s a few more ounces than the neoair. I’m a side and stomach sleeper and slept like a baby on my last 5-night trip. It seems thin at first so I was skeptical but its wide/channeled design does a miraculous job of cradling your body and distributing the weight. Honestly, best pad I’ve used backpacking in 25 years.

This is subjective. For me, yes, an inflatable pad is worth it for better sleep quality. Foam pads just don't work for me. In your case, you report that you already sleep fine on a foam pad so why not just stick with it? Regarding durability of an inflatable, yes it's likely lower but you may be able to patch it and still worth it for sleep quality. I did get a leak in my NeoAir but I set up camp in a reasonable spot and was able to put my pack under it and it was ok. Patched it when I got home. The hot ticket item for me is actually the short Prolite. Very similar weight to my old NeoAir, bit more durable, adequate ground insulation, and still has a bit of foam. Takes up more space but still fits in my packs with usual loadouts.

I’m taking a neoair AND a RIDGEREST!!!!! Luxury baby! Base weight is still 11 pounds cuz of a few other luxuries but DO IT!

You've tested *all* of them? You find the Nemo more comfortable than an Etherlite XT? An REI Helix? An Exped? A Rapide SL? That doesn't compute for me. The Nemo is more comfy than a Neoair but well below all of those.

2 things here, time of year is key, the other is age. even late spring, in the uplands in the UK you can get hyperthermia pretty easily without decent ground insulation. You mention student, so i'm guessing circa 17-22. You should be able to sleep on a roll mat just fine at thatt age with, esp after a day's hard PT in the outdoors. For this if you want to save money, forget amazon entirely and look at an army foam matt, or a thermarest one if want to buy from a regular shop. Both will keep you alive and insulated in all weathers. As for airpads, they are a liability. I know i've had most brands over the years and the reality is there is no cutting corners. Sure can get a cheap one from amazon, say trekology one of the better one's but know it will fail, and its not a question of if, but when. Note a non insulated airpad, you will have a very very uncomforable night, as in freezing. I've been all over, all different terrains and super remote, a hard foam matt will never fail and you should always carry one, even if you have a top of the range airmat, because without one, if the airpad fails your screwed. As for air pads themselves. My advice is having tried all leading brands, save up and get a thermorest neoair (avoid uber) and go for a xtherm if wanting winter, and the normal(yellow) one if 3 season. yes they are expensive but if they fail (which out of all the matt's ive had over the years are the most reliable) the customer service is second to none, you will get a replacement. So you can buy x number of cheap pads without any ability to get a replacement a year down the road, but over the seasons it adds up. So best advice, is save up a little, make home brew to save money lol, and buy once, but buy quality. The other thing is sleeping bags, and again that becomes very costly. If your young and thus should be fit and thus your not worrying about every gram, look no further than uk ex military surplus stock for sleeping systems/bags. They will last, are well proven and just work.

Slept on a ZLite on the AT and PCT, bought a NeoAir for the CDT and slept great on all of them. 10+ years later and I can’t even come close to a good nights sleep on a 25 inch wide pad with a decent pillow. Probably just need to hike more miles.

Therm-a-Rest neo-air. Bought it on a whim ten years ago before a three week long trip and probably done around 180 nights on it since then. Hasn’t missed a beat, no problems and it’s so much warmer and comfier than my previous self inflating mat. Might be a wee bit crinkly but I’m normally spark out. 😉

Buy once cry once. Get a nemo Tensor all season or a Thermarest Neoair - you can find both used on ebay for less than rrp.

I used to sleep on a Klymit and recently upgraded to a Thermarest Neoair. Huge difference, Klymits are cheap but they are cheap for a reason, they kinda suck.

I sleep incredibly well on my expensive yellow thermarest neo air. *especially* after a long day of excercise.

I know they are light but the neoair durability isn’t great. Also Cascade (thermarest) just moved from Seattle to Reno and I bet things are super disorganized still I opted for the Exped Ultra series. There’s a weight penalty but I find them much more comfortable, and Exped repairs pads for the cost of shipping to Tacoma.

You obviously have not tried a NeoAir

I won’t say most but I would say a good majority use the thermo rest neo air. It varies in size but it’s a quality pad and I use it personally

Others have said the same but I'll chime in to add to add my personal experience. I have a thermarest neoair and it does great for most temps, but when it starts dropping near or below freezing, I usually bring a close cell foam pad to put under my neoair. Makes for a warmer sleep than an added Puffy and on longer trips protects me from sleeping on the ground in case of a puncture.

Overall quality isn't terrible. The valve is super low tech, tough to bleed the pad without having to reinflate. Outer material seems pretty fragile and there's an inner "space blanket" layer that crinkles when you pack it. Doesn't seem to be as warm as my other pad, a Thermarest NeoAir.

Same here. When I did my life's biggest hike thus far, I was in my early 20's, very close to being underweight, and had zero injuries. Sleeping on a Z-Lite was a no-brainer, and I was comfortable on it. Now, I'm tickling the upper limit of the normal weight range, I have to arrange my legs in a certain way to avoid knee pain, have one shoulder prone for a nerve getting pinched, and one elbow that won't go straight. My Thermarest NeoAir enables me to get a decent night of sleep out there.

Sea to Summit has a structure they call "air sprung cell". I personally own an old NeoAir but have tested a Sea to summit pad with that structure and I must say, it was much comfier. I've been trying to justify chucking in the money for a new pad, but am not there yet.

Another vote for the Thermarest NeoAir

Thermarest neo air = heaven. Best pad I’ve ever owned by 1 million %

The high end thermorests are a good middle ground. The neoair line is very comfortable and the xtherm has a great r value

I read quite a few reviews if the nemo Tensor that it fails/leaks, and that it's potato-chip bag loud! The pad noise is something I really hate, so I would have to touch this in store to check personally. I bought the NeoAir years ago based on the hype, but found that it's so ridiculously loud I can't use it!

Take them both 100%. The thinlight stops the neoair from moving/ sliding around, or sharp sticks puncturing it. Thinlight is great back up if neo air pops. It’s so light, it does double duty for stretching, fast breaks, extra backing in frameless pack. Take it!( I’ve many with it on the PCT)

I’ve slept well — like *well* — in the backcountry for the first time this summer thanks to the StS Etherlight XR mummy. (No experience with the prior etherlight, which I think some might be commenting on.) It’s absolutely worth the few extra oz to me, and the packed size is still fairly small. I previously was using the NeoAir, and it’s just no contest. I don’t slide off the StS, and I can sleep on my side. I will start to feel the pressure on my hip and have to change position occasionally, but probably don’t end up doing that much more than when I’m at home. I’d thought about buying the wide version because my arms always slid off and were uncomfortable with the NeoAir. I went with the regular width mummy StS and have had no problems with any body parts sliding off. :) Thought about the Nemo Tensor(s) real hard the last few years but never purchased one due to the reported leakage potential even with occasional use. I haven’t tried the BA. I tried the regular (non-mummy) exped 5R last summer car camping. It has raised side baffles (similar approach to BA), and I found it more comfortable than the neoair. So I bought the exped 5R mummy this summer for backpacking. 1. It’s a very aggressive taper on the mummy. (Whereas the ether XR is relaxed.) 2. Its packed size was significantly larger than the neoair, and I couldn’t actually fit it into my pack in the spot that works best. Luckily I then saw that the Ether was a new version and returned the exped mummy, got the StS. The StS is more comfortable than the 5R rectangle, and I’ll probably use it for car camping too in the future.

For me it really depends what I'm doing and where I'll be sleeping. If I'm sleeping on relatively flat, manicured ground or snow I bring my inflatable Neoair, it's smaller, lighter and warmer. If however I might end up on rocky ground or am climbing something where a bivy isn't intended, but is a possibility I bring my z-lite as I can use it anywhere. So ultimately I'd recommend buying both if you intend to be sleeping on both rocky ground and snow.

It’s like a gamble. For me I’ve been using a NeoAir for a 2000 mile thru hike plus another 500 miles since than with no . Maybe mine was made on a Wednesday. Never buy a pad made on a Monday or Friday.

The Thermarest NeoAir is indeed lighter. At just 12 ounces the semi-mummy arguably the best quality sleeping pad in this range and weight. But it's also not cheap. The NeoAir Xtherm is the cold weather version, R 7.4, and 16 oz. The Nemo Tensor Extreme is rectangle, R 8.1, and 18 oz. Both the Thermarest and Nemos are quieter than they were in the past. Also, the more you use them, the more quiet they get. Agree the Thermarest pump sack is the worst of the bunch, no question, but I've gotten mine to work enough. The Rapide is usually warm enough for most people 3 seasons, and the reason to buy it is indeed it's thickness, and the sides being raised. Agree the Exped 5R is good for most people. It's a simple, comfortable, rectangle. R 4.8, and 1lb 4 oz. That's certainly heavier than the Thermarest but $50 cheaper.

I’ve had one of these for maybe 12 years and I’m shocked it hasn’t sprung a leak so there’s a big vote of confidence

Light, Comfortable, Warm - you pay extra for each of those features as price increases. Investigate thicker pads, or pads with different baffling layouts - some people love the way Thermarest Neoairs feel others hate it, same goes for Nemo's inflatables. They aren't as light but I also find self-inflating pads like the Prolite very comfortable

I loveeee this mat! I also have an thermarest neoair, which I defenetly prefer! But this flexkat is great for above 5 C°. Try tk find soft grount. On stone etc it might be uncomfortabke.

I'm a side sleeper with hip pain at times and I prefer a CCF Nemo Switchback for sleep. I am planning on selling my barely used NeoAir Thermarest inflatable bc it always makes back and hip issues worse. Then again I'm someone who prefers to sleep on the floor over a bed bc it feels way better on my back. Good luck in your search!

I weigh around 170 and have had my current pad (a Therm-a-rest NeoAir) for over 10 years and it's still going strong. I use it roughly 30 nights per year. I roll it up, no stuff sack, and carry it in my pack. I sleep in a tent so my pad doesn't have direct ground contact when I'm sleeping, but I frequently take it out of the tent and put it on the ground so I can relax outside.

I have a neo air - cost a bomb when I got it about ten years ago. Definitely worth it - warm and comfy! Before that I "borrowed" my auntie's thermarest back in 2003 - that was a few years old then. I think I only made one repair.

I have a neo air - cost a bomb when I got it about ten years ago. Definitely worth it - warm and comfy! Before that I "borrowed" my auntie's thermarest back in 2003 - that was a few years old then. I think I only made one repair.

I've seen some people putting down reflective blankets + extra mats + more blankets + etc under air beds to insulate from the ground. To be honest though, it's a lot of faff with an uncertain outcome, when you can buy a sleeping pad with a high R-value (or combine two). My thermarest neo air cost a bomb when I got it ten years ago, but it's the only mat I take (even car camping) and I'm always warm.

I have a light weight thermarest neoair. Super small packed up. But thinking is there a just slightly wider version. I've used i a lot for a long time doing races but.... maybe more comfort is due. My arms fall off when on my back.

ThermaRest is the gold standard IMO. I’ve got several hundred nights on my Neo Air mattresses and they haven’t had a single leak or issue whatsoever. I’ve been let down in the past by other brands (Eureka, Big Agnes, Sea to Summit, MEC), but the ThermaRests are just rock solid. They’re the ONLY brand I’ll use now.

Light weight, durability, warranty coverage and customer service. I’ve got over 200 nights on my current ThermaRest Neo Air without a single leak or issue whatsoever. Heck, I still have 2 original self-inflating ThermaRests from the early 90s that still hold air just fine.

If you’re camped on a slope, layering the neo-air over the foam pad keeps it from slipping downhill. Plus it makes a great ass pad during the day.

The suggestion of a rental is a good idea if you currently aren’t interested in making this a hobby! If you are looking to buy, however, the foam Therm-o-Rest pads are the classic camping pad that everyone owns one of. They z-fold up into a rectangular stack and are relatively light and cheap. I’m 40 and need a little extra cushion on the trail these days, so I use an air mattress. Therm-o-rest has some decent priced air mattresses, but they are a little spartan compared to some of the more expensive air mattresses.

I have had to sleep on some pretty rocky spots before. Firstly, I would gather any fallen twigs leaves and foliage to try and even out the floor and take the edge off the sharp bits. Then ideally I’d put a CCF pad down before getting on a thermarest inflatable. But I have bivied directly on some hard rock platform with just a bivi bag and an uberlite between me and the ground. It was piles of dead leaves and thin branches that made the difference. Turned out okay. I was doing an ultralight fast packing trip and was in the middle of some nasty forestry tree plantation on a steep slope by the time the sun was going down. Decent spots were very rare so I ended up sleeping on top of an out cropped boulder.

Both times I’ve hiked the PCT my thermarests have popped in the desert . The first time it was an older thermarest that had already seen a bit of action . The second time it was early on in my hike and it was the one I’d replaced the previous one with! After that I went CCF pad and was absolutely fine with it. In many ways, I prefer it.

For me the thermarest warranty has been worth its weight in gold, it’s an inflatable product that’s exposed to the elements, they’ll all get damaged eventually but every interaction I’ve had with them has been amazing, no questions asked replacement or repair

Me and my husband sleep on an air mattress with seperate blankets and sleeping bags, before that we had two thermarest that aired up

Have you considered a camping cot? There are a lot of ultralight options now which are about the same price as a good sleeping pad for side sleepers. The only difference being is the weight, you’re looking at around 1.5kg for a cot bed which would be double the weight of a sleeping pad. For me, the extra weight is worth it for the comfort. For context I’ve tried Therm-a-Rest, Big Agnes and Nemo mats. If I’m going for comfort, the cot bed wins every time.

For one year trip I would use something cheaper, more sturdy than ultralight. Thermarest often listed is great but £50 decathlon air mat is more sustainable, you'll have less stress. To increase R factor, you can add some CCF pad.

It's very simple if it blows up with air and inflates - at SOME point it's gonna get a hole in it. That's life! The whole air mattress thing started with Therm-a-rest's and they were pretty tough back then, now with everybody sporting hard-on's for "ultralight" gear its gonna get worse. Same goes for actual air mattress, you can sleep on them but if you're not in Texas or Arizona yer still gonna freeze your butt off. Here's why ....... People these days buy inflatable pads for the comfort, but you really need them for the insulative qualities they actually provide. Don't believe me go sleep on the actual ground one night. When you crawl in to your sleeping bag you actually crush the down or syntho fill in the bag so there is no insulation there under you and the cold even in summer can seep right in. You need a pad under you to keep you off the ground ..... the best ones for that are still the cheap blue ensolite foamy's you buy at the cheaper stores but yes, for comfort they suck. There is a yellow thicker brand called Zotefoams Evazote and they got up to an inch thick but I haven't seem them for years but they were good quality and tough and CAN'T deflate ! So ultimately if you want comfort you need to go buy a big chunk of open cell white foam four inches thick and 7 feet long like you see in hobby stores - mega comfy and the size of a house! But now you can't pack it anyway so you're back to the blow up pads - and that's it. You can go to stores and look at stuff like Futons and crap but they don't pack well ! Heck even Ikea makes a folding mattress but again good luck carrying it around, right? Pick one but they WILL get a hole in them at some point however you can try to limit that with a cot. I've used them for years and its nice. I'm gonna suggest a Cabella's Lounger Cot but they are $350 bloody bucks and the same goes a real camping pad, something like a Exped Megamat itself is $400 bucks by itself. The two cots I wanna get are gonna cost me $405 bucks so add in two decent pads like Expeds and they're $500 .... great huh? It's nuts at a thousand bucks! I actually might just go get some memory foam cut at an RV store and use that. They can't deflate and its about the same bloody price as these inflatable ones, granted it won't be near as packable and portable but both my Thermarest leak, both my Big Agnes pad leak, even the TWO Coleman air beds leak, you can't win. My tent is 210 sq feet and 10 feet tall so I don't need backpack-ability either ........

This comes up a lot. Search the sub for ‘mat’ for loads of replies. For me, thermarest, but I’ll break your budget unless you can get one second hand.

we each have a folding cot with a thermarest and a sleeping bag. we go car camping so it all fits in the back seat and the trunk. We also have (what they call) a seven person tent, but it fits our cots and a folding table comfortably, and we can stand up in it.

I did the PCT with just the thermarest and it was fine. I did the AZT with Thermarest and 1/8" foam pad and it was awesome. I slept much warmer and it was very nice to have the foam pad for breaks.

If you plan to sleep in shelters at all, you definitely want something under your pad to protect it from splinters and nails. My first thermarest popped in TN due to me raw dogging it in shelters. For my second pad, I got a sheet of tyvek and it made it all the way to Maine without any issues.

Have you actually tried the Klymit? I’m pretty sure it’s up there with thermarest in terms of popular backpacking mats. I’ve always used thermarests. That Coleman mat looks like it’s made for car camping, not backpacking. You should be able to find the R-value of the Klymit pad on the packaging to find out if it’s insulated or not.

Well if you need quality, comfort and light easy portable one… term a rest is just the best in the market. We use those for 20 years down here wile fly fishing in bariloche, patagonia Argentina. Good luck!👍

Cot and thermarest is boss. I use a folding wide, heavy duty woods cot. It’s heavy and has some bulk, but I’m usually near my truck or boat.

I’ve been using. Therma-rest for years. There might be better tech out there these days, but they’ve always served me well.

Yup. Those thick air mattresses are horrible to share with another person. I go with a good, solid cot with a thermarest for some padding and will never look back. For excursions where the cot is too bulky to bring along, the thermarest works fine.

We have a similar cot and thermarest. Very comfortable, and keeps us warm. We only camp in winter, early spring and fall.

Op zolder liggen 2 thermarest matten waar ik als kind nog op geslapen heb toen ik met m'n ouders kampeerde, 20-25 jaar geleden. Basic matjes, niet enorm dik maar tot ik m'n huidige (totaal niet compacte) tweepersoons van Redwood kocht altijd goed op geslapen.

i used a cot camping a few times with a thermarest on top. pros: off the ground and good on my back. cons: arms hung over the sides and hurt in the morning, pillow kept sliding off, wobbled long ways (not side to side) a lot when i moved around. i recommend an extra wide one to help w the arms hanging off the sides or use a sleeping bag. in the end it was heavy and not worth it for me when camping

I have no complaints about my thermarest. I can even sleep on my side without hip pain. OK, well it is a little noisy.

My thermarest is over 25 years old and I think had one leak that I patched. maybe?

I like my Thermarest. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Excellent mattress! I used it with pleasure but then switched to the thermarest which is lighter and I feel great with it.

I haven't had a good night sleep until I started to use the Rapid SL. It has a good weight I think, the R rating is valid on it, only need higher for winter camping (for that i'm using the therm-o-rest, which is crazy good, except the shape, where i much prefer the rectangle shape of the Rapide with the raised sides, because I'm turning around a lot). To fit the pump you do need to be a bit aggressive with it but doable. Side note: a non fully inflatable pillow made a big difference for me to get comfy 

I am twisting and turning around a lot even after I fell asleep and with the mummy shaped pad I often found myself halfway off the pad in the middle of the night.

I've had thermarest since their inception. Great product

I havepunctured 2 thermarests on rocks pr thorns. I won’t be using them again.

what brands? i only use thermarest bc they're the most reliable

Nope, have had mine for 10 years, still noisy.

Something like a Thermorest may be a good solution. They pack down small, are lightweight but robust, are an ok size and provide good ground insulation for those chilly Alpine nights

I fly with my thermarest

I like the one I have, it’s as old as I am

I have one Exped and one Therm-a-rest in this style. At first, they’re great. Over time, the Exped began to leak, and I think the TaR is now doing the same. As best I can tell, the rubber lining inside the fabric begins to slowly degrade and develop pinhole leaks. You never hear leaking air. You just wake up in the morning with your hip touching the ground (I’m a side sleeper). I stored both fully extended, with the valves open, so keeping them compressed in the sack was not the problem.

Yeah that is actually weird. When I bought my thermarest it was around 100 €, tough as nails, just under a kilo and I've never been cold on it even in sub freezing (the R-value is low though) But it seems the 100 € pad category has either gone extinct or prices have inflated.

I bought a thermarest. I do not believe in blow up mats because a pinhole means you wake up two hours later lying on the ground cold as fuck wishing you had bought something else, then spending an hour trying to find a way to warm up when you’ve already fucked that chance.

My gunner and I would stick a pair of stretchers in the back of our Bradley—quality sleep right there. (If you’re not blessed with being mech infantry—why let your ruck ride you when you can ride your ruck?—I always went thermarest)

I got my thermarest on ebay for a good price