Therm-a-Rest - NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX Sleeping Pad

Great summary! FWIW my (particularly specific) alternate take on sizing is: having a Neoair Xtherm revolutionized my experience on the trail thanks to a proper nights sleep (including on snow) - HOWEVER my first one was standard width, and my brain never fully shook the underlaying feeling that I was about to roll off (obligate side sleeper, so always a degree of instability). I did use my pack to my back to help ease this, but very suboptimal, especially in a small or shared tent. Getting the wide version was the final peg in giving me a warm stress free sleep - the increased weight was negligible for me in this case. Of course everyone’s mileage will vary wildly, but sometimes it’s the myriad little things that make the difference - I always recommend trying to find a friend or rental you can try your top 2-3 options in the field before sinking the dough :)

Consider the Therma rest Xtherm NXT wide. Fantastic pad. Plenty of R for cold weather. Half the weight of those Exped options.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm NXT MAX in size L https://preview.redd.it/adrxi4ds933f1.jpeg?width=1500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a380cabe37f19451709b6d8c96159f859ecbdf4

Holy shit!

It's 250€ in Europe

I used two inflatable sleeping pads during my 2024 NOBO AT thru. My Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX during colder weather and the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Venture for warmer months. I never used a pad underneath, but if I was not laying on the pad inside my tent or shelter I would put my Tyvek tent footprint underneath for protection. The shelters always seemed pretty smooth, but I would always check the area before putting my pad down. I only slept in shelters for no more than 10 nights. Was mostly in my tent. My venture ended up getting a small leak which was small enough I was able to use until I got my xtherm sent back to me in Vermont. The leak seemed to be in the valve. Haven’t really tried to fix it yet, but seems like it could be a tough fix. My xtherm was a beast and is still working very well today. Overall I would say no extra pad is needed, but would recommend a tent footprint if laying the pad somewhere on the ground or other place that may be risky. Also, would bring something to patch up a hole. If you’re in a tent or shelter the inflatables hold up well from my experience. Best of luck!!

It depends on specifics. Three season is easy, winter season is another 60 degrees difference. Alaska winter gets to -30, Phoenix winter stay in the 20's (but hits +120 in summer). Two quilts, usually works (20/30+40/50). The tensor or xlite is probably good enough, the xtherm sucks in hot summer. I got an xtherm reg.wide max and used it 5 times, thinking the same thing as you, and swapped out. If you wanna buy it though, it's like new and I'd sell it for $160 shipped.

Thermarest neo air xtherm max

Late last summer I bought a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX Sleeping Pad for shoulder hikes in the same areas as you’re planning. Very happy and warm on a late Sept hike into Assiniboine last year with sub-zero C temps overnight, snow etc. A little heavy for UL purists maybe, but worth it for the comfort and warmth in my opinion. Also outside your budget slightly, but it might allow you to continue with your current bag for much of the season if you otherwise find it not quite warm enough with a colder sleeping pad.

I've used a Thermarest NeoAir XTherm sleeping pad, wide version, for a few years. No puncture issues, I think it had an R value of 5.7 at the time, now i see current models are 7.3. Weight is around 1 lb, and packs easily and compactly on the bike. The ground gets cold at high elevations, even down in the desert, don't skimp with this layer. I'm using an Enlightened Equipment 10 degree down quilt. My main tent is the BA Copper Spur 2-person tent, around 2.5 lbs. I leave the stuff sack at home, just stuff the tent and fly at the bottom of a pannier. Poles get stashed on top of my rack or in my harness at the handlebars. These are the normal poles, not the bikepacking version. I also have a first gen. Durston Xmid 1-person, but have yet to try it. I also bought his carbon fiber tent pole because who takes trekking poles bikepacking? None of these were purchased at full-price, thankfully.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm MAX, which is perfect for cold weather, has an R-value of 6.9 and provides excellent warmth.

How are you defining "often"? Mine got a (very slow) puncture once in the 10 weeks I was on the trail for and I got a replacement sent to the next town without issue. I can't say it took a lot of babying either - it took a few seconds to move sharp stones etc out from under the tent each night (and I didn't have anything underneath it to protect it).  If you're happy to lie on foam then I'm certainly not criticising it, but training your body to get "used to it" seems pretty unnecessary. I'm significantly more comfortable on a good inflatable mattress than foam. 

Well that's a ridiculous calculation as one single event (for a pad that had already been well used beforehand) can't possibly be extrapolated like that. You've ignored the question - what is your definition of "often"? I know I certainly didn't meet a single person who mentioned they had often had issues with their pad, or that they regret having it.  As you say, HYOH. If you find spending a couple of minutes rolling up a pad particularly arduous I'm not going to argue - I was disputing your claim that there are so many issues with them that even people who prefer them should train their body to like sleeping on foam.  Obviously the tent floor is below the pad - I was talking about having an additional mat/sheet underneath it for protection. Which I'm sure you fully understood given you're one of the people suggesting it!