Therm-a-Rest - NeoAir Xtherm Series
Models:
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Based on 1 year's data from Mar 28, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
18
1
"The Thermarest NeoAir is indeed lighter. ... At just 12 ounces the semi-mummy arguably the best quality sleeping pad in this range and weight."
"the XTherm has fantastic warmth for weight"
"I like the smaller volume since I use a 20 liter pack often"
34
8
"The best warmth to weight ratio pad on the market is the Therm-A-Rest XTherm. ... really fucking warm though so only get it if you sleep cold."
"Very happy and warm on a late Sept hike into Assiniboine last year with sub-zero C temps overnight, snow etc. ... worth it for the comfort and warmth in my opinion."
"I will guarantee you won't be cold with a 15deg bag and an xtherm. ... People underestimate how much a pad does to keep you warm, its as equally important as your bag."
25
6
"I think I only made one repair."
"No. In fact, I once slept on a two inch high by 1/4 inch stump with no problems."
"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."
Disliked most:
1
5
"I had a very hard time sleeping on the neoair, the horizontal baffles killed my shoulders (Im a side sleeper)."
"It may not the most comfortable for a side sleeper because of the horizontal baffles, however."
"I switched from the Xtherm to the Tensor All-Season last year and found the vertical baffles much better for side sleeping."
1
4
"the xtherm sucks in hot summer."
"In my experience an X-Therm is very uncomfortable in 50+ F degree temps. ... I think the reflective feature makes it more uncomfortable in warmer tempts."
"really fucking warm though so only get it if you sleep cold."
8
10
"Both times I’ve hiked the PCT my thermarests have popped in the desert . ... My first one had multiple holes and was a write-off."
"I havepunctured 2 thermarests on rocks pr thorns. ... I won’t be using them again."
"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 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.
While I may not be going super far, depending on the situation, I could have to hike quickly (closer to 3-4 miles per hour) in order to beat a storm or meet a deadline. I have currently narrowed it down to the themalite xtherm or the Nemo tensor. Leaning torwards the xtherm for the heavier fabric on the bottom. Big Agnes did offer warranty replacement, however I am concerned about the reoccurrence of the issue so I chose a non insulated pad. Thanks for the advice!
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.
If you have something you’re happy with, decline to participate in outdoor culture’s fascination with over consumption. That said, getting an expensive XTherm pad completely changed the range of temps I’m stoked to be out in.
The Xtherm was a total game changer for me. The warmth from the reflective technology makes a huuuge difference
15F frequently or “just in case”? This is my set up: Xtherm Thermarest, 0F Enlightened Equipment Enigma (bought in 2021, I’ve heard their quality is decreasing), 90gsm alpha fleece sleeping layer. SMD’s Gatewood Cape , which offers minimal heat trapping. I feel good to 20F. I’d be uncomfortable but ok at 15F. If my tarp isn’t cutting the wind well enough, I’ll also sleep in my rain layers. There’s no one “true”/“best” way. It’s going to depend on your body, your baselayers and how much comfort you want. Alpha fleece is incredible, but only if you take care of it and have a wind layer. 850 or better down is going to be a good thing to look at. Lighter materials need more care/are more fragile. Thicker material on a sleeping bag will also cut wind better, but be heavier. Managing sweat and condensation is also going to be a big part of being warm. https://preview.redd.it/ql5u7bcm7b6f1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3447a515da55f7c7c722dd870512568afebd5473
The best warmth to weight ratio pad on the market is the Therm-A-Rest XTherm. Great pad, really fucking warm though so only get it if you sleep cold. It’s pricy but if you buy it at REI it’s got a year of warranty, which you might really need, especially in the desert or even just if it gets all nasty from being wet later on. It’s a steal imo.
Thermarest neoairs are too loud and crinkly for me. Rab style of mattress doesn't do well for me as a side to belly sleeper. Nemo is my pick because the only air pads I've kept are Nemo. An astro non-insulated pad is my summer pad with an older cosmo insulated pad being my 30 to 55-deg pad.
The therm-a-rest is the most popular and i have the blue one but depending on the conditions you camp in you could pick the lighter one (yellow). That being said this one and the nemo extreme conditions will have higher denier material underneath which makes them less prone to puncture. I don’t know about the other ones on top of my head. Nemo and thermarest both have good warranties and spare parts, so I’d be leaning towards that. It’s polarizing but both are known to make a lot og noise no matter what they claim.
I've slept on snow at those temperatures on both the women's X-lite and X-therm. I was quite cold on the X-lite, and I sleep very warm.
XTherm seems to be the gold standard currently and is what I have. I have nothing but good things to say about it - super warm, super light, decently comfortable, and (from my experience) durable
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.
Just cut one down. I did that with a thermarest.

