Therm-a-Rest - NeoAir XTherm NXT

It's tough to find a quality sleeping pad with an R-Value of 5 around the $100 price point. What type of weather will you be hiking in? My off the cuff recommendation within your budget is the [Kylmit Static V (Insulated) ](https://amzn.to/4irkjTc). It's got an (alleged) R-Value of 4.4. I have their non-insulated version of this pad as a spare pad that friends borrow for summer hikes. It's lightweight and comfortable. I've heard that the insulated version (linked above) is on the "Meh" side of the spectrum for R. If you really need an R-Value of at least 5, I'd go higher and go with a [Thermorest](https://amzn.to/4htamDn). I don't like being cold at night 😂 I've got a slightly older version of this pad and it's super warm and comfortable, though it's a little "crinkly" when you move around.

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.

Looks good! The thickness is my least favourite aspect of the Xtherm NXT. Though to be frank, even if this was available when I bought mine, I probably would have went with Thermarest out of conservativeness, for winter I appreciate "tried and true" products and brands.

Xtherm has for long been the standard inflatable for winter use. NXT version are newer, but there hasn't been any issues with them. Some find them uncomfortable and prefer other brands, but others (including me) are happy with them. R-value/weight is great. Xtherm has quite thick nylon on the underside, Xlite has thinner, lot of the generic complaints about "Neoair" durability might be actually from different model. Also, Neoair -series is probably the most widely used series of air mattresses, so there are more complaints to echo around as well. Rab makes quality gear, but that mattress doesn't have much going on for it, except for the price. Looks like heavier and less time-tested piece. I haven't tried that, though.

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.