Therm-a-Rest - NeoAir XTherm NXT

I don't think the comfort is the best for the Xtherm, but it's comfortable enough for me. And very warm, I have yet to feel cold when using it (in Norway and Iceland for instance).

Quick question first: how early do you think you’ll actually hit the Sierra? I’d really base this decision on expected nighttime temperatures rather than specs alone. It’s worth checking the average lows for a normal snow year around the time you expect to be there. If you realistically expect to sleep often below ~20°F, I’d at least take a serious look at the NeoAir XTherm NXT. It has a significantly higher R-value than the Tensor All-Season and actually weighs a bit less, which is kind of hard to ignore if cold nights are likely. If those temps aren’t necessary and you’re mostly dealing with teens to upper 20s at the coldest, the Tensor All-Season makes a lot of sense for comfort and noise. And if it ends up being warmer overall, the NeoAir NXT (XLite) is still a solid lighter option. Personally, I’d let the expected temperatures make the call.

I find the xtherm nxt pretty quiet if it's well inflated. It's more comfy but noisier if softer.

Thanks for your review - great to hear from someone with it. And the price point is fantastic. Fyi, I've got a thermarest xtherm and it uses 70D nylon on the bottom. But it was £180 2nd hand, so not really comparable ;-)

The neoair nxt xtherm or xlite? If it’s not the xtherm or xtherm max 100% dead. If it is probably dead. You are at the max of that system with little wind protection. Best case scenario you are very cold all night. If the temps drop 5-10° below which is possible in the mountains then you are putting yourself in a lot of danger.

I was not a fan of the XTherm. I don’t like the baffle system on it and its super loud!

One has an R-value of 5.4 and the other is a 7.3. No brainer for a cold sleeper. I have the warmer (7.3) pad for winter use. And to make sure my youngest stays warm when family camping.

You get the XTherm because you want the warmest pad available. Not for comfort. All pin cushion/dimple patterned sleeping pads experience heat loss at the dimples in extreme cold temps, requiring them to be fully inflated in extreme cold to mitigate the terrible heat loss at those dimples. Which makes it uncomfortable to sleep on. Thermarest’s baffle design does not have this issue. Rapide/Helix design, I prefer for most temps above freezing. When you can let some air out, enjoy the dimpled pad comfort, and not freeze. This is all anecdotal.

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.

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 own the XTherm and have been very happy with it, and Thermarest as a company in general. Great stuff.

These are two very high end backpacking sleeping pads. Xtherm is going to be warmer. It also has a slightly thicker bottom fabric. This is built to even handle sleeping on the snow, so warmth shouldn't be an issue. It costs more though. Or were you thinking of the Nemo Tensor *Extreme*? Which is even warmer than the Neo-Air Xtherm. While I like the valve on the Thermarests, I like the pump sack a lot more on the Nemo. If you shop at REI, they have a sale coming up from November 14-24.

They all work about the same. The nice thing is they are almost indestructible. Thru hikers toss them on the ground, sit on them, kneel on them. etc. You can also cut it to shape to save a tiny bit of weight if you like. For warmth, I just like having a warmer sleeping pad. Like the Tensor Extreme, or Neoair NXT. If it's more for protection of your pad, Gossamer Gear's Thinlight would be the way to go.

Your sleeping pad setup is going to make you very cold. You're fooling yourself if you think otherwise. Frozen ground and single digit temps you need the full length Thermarest X-Therm NXT, R value 7.3. At the very least get a full length sleeping pad with at least R value 6. A CCF full length pad R2 value can be added for a bit more warmth. It's called a "Sleep System" for a reason - bag and pad are a unit. Dude, I learned this from experience - R value 4.6 pad, 15 degree sleeping bag, long johns, fleece jacket = miserable night of no sleep at 6°F, ground frozen solid. That's the real world - it bites the unprepared.

I recently switched from the Thermarest XTherm NXT as I just couldn’t get comfortable on it. I loved the weight and small size of it when packed down and I really wanted to like it. I tried different levels of inflation, pillow under my knees etc, but in the end I just couldn’t avoid waking up with significant lower back pain. I went for the Exped Dura 8R MW which is HUGE when in my pack but god damn that thing is comfortable. I don’t have any concerns about its longevity either. It’s robust AF. It’s the cost, quality, weight triangle I guess.

I couldn’t wake up without lower back pain after spending the night on the Xtherm.