Therm-a-Relaxation has made among the hottest sleeping pads for nearly so long as anybody can bear in mind. Their lineup covers the gamut, from tremendous soft automobile tenting mattresses to the basic accordion foam pad.
Lately, their NeoAir XLite has turn into what many consult with as the commonplace sleeping pad for ultralight backpacking. And new for this yr, they’ve made some changes to one of the vital beloved sleeping pads of the previous decade. Introducing the NeoAir XLite NXT, the most recent and best model of an all-time nice.
NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad At-a-Look

Though the NXT appears to be like much like earlier iterations of the NeoAir XLite, it incorporates vital enhancements into the already well-liked sleeping pad.
- MSRP: $199.95-239.95
- Weight: 11.5-17 ounces
- R-Worth: 4.5
- Thickness: 3 inches
- 83% Quieter than earlier mannequin
Circumstance of Overview
I used to be capable of get my arms on the massive model of this pad (I’m 6’) to check out this spring. I did a 5-day part hike of the AT in Northern Virginia in late March, in addition to the whole Sheltowee Hint Path over the past 2 weeks of April.
In complete, I’ve spent about 3 weeks sleeping utilizing this pad. Most of my nights have been in my tent, however I did spend a pair in AT shelters, in addition to one sleeping in a stone pavilion in a park. My nighttime temperatures have been between 30 and 50 levels Fahrenheit (-1 and 10 Celsius).
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NeoAir XLite NXT Options

The valve system is environment friendly and straightforward. It additionally attaches on to the included pump sack for breathless inflation.
- Winglock Valve: This valve system permits for 1-way air circulation throughout inflation whereas nonetheless maintaining the pad easy and environment friendly to deflate.
- 4 Measurement Choices: Common Small (20 x 66 inches | 11.5 ounces | $199.95), Common (20 x 72 inches | 13 ounces | $209.95), Common Huge (25 x 72 inches | 16 ounces | $219.95), and Giant (25 x 77 inches | 17 ounces | $239.95)
- Two Shade Choices: Photo voltaic Aptitude or Lemon Curry (Common Quick model not out there in Lemon Curry)
- Goodies Included: Pump sack, stuff sack, and area restore package.
- Three Inches Thick: The NXT is half an inch thicker than the earlier mannequin, which permits for extra flexibility in adjusting firmness.
- Hotter: The R-Worth has elevated from 4.2 to 4.5. Whereas this will appear to be a minor improve, it’s a step within the route of constructing this a real all-season sleeping pad. Paired with a good sleeping bag or quilt, the NXT is prepared for many journeys not in winter.
- Unisex: Earlier variations of the NeoAir XLite have been out there in each males’s and ladies’s fashions, with the latter being each shorter and hotter. The NXT is for everybody and is offered in additional sizes consequently.
83% Quieter
Arguably the largest improve to this pad is that it’s considerably quieter than its predecessor. For years, the NeoAir XLite has been dinged for its noisiness, which some liken to sleeping on a crinkly bag of chips. I’ve encountered many hikers who opted for different pads just because they couldn’t stand the noise, and this one situation has stored many hikers away from what’s in any other case thought to be one in every of, if not the very best pad available on the market. No marvel Therm-a-Relaxation determined to deal with it.
How did they do it? A variety of the NeoAir XLite’s R-value is derived from what the corporate calls “thermacapture.” This featherweight reflective movie does an ideal job of stopping warmth loss by way of radiation, however previously has been the principle supply of undesirable crinkliness. A more recent model is drastically quieter and combines with the triangular core matrix to maintain this one of many warmest and lightest pads available on the market (Therm-a-Relaxation has an ideal video explaining all of this).
What Do You Imply “83% Quieter?”
This was positively one in every of my greatest questions after seeing this declare, and happily, there’s an ideal reply. Therm-a-Relaxation examined completely different variations of the NeoAir XLite in an anechoic chamber, which is a noise-reduction room that eliminates echoes. Utilizing microphones, they measured strain waves produced when dropping kettlebells on the pads. Therm-a-Relaxation then arrived on the 83% determine by evaluating the wave peaks between pad fashions (once more, there’s an ideal video on this). In brief, science.
My Expertise

I by no means fold my pad the intricate method it comes within the field, however even rolled and folded it’s nonetheless small and straightforward to pack.
The noise distinction between the earlier mannequin and the NXT is nothing in need of excessive. I might even go so far as saying that 83% noise discount seems like a modest quantity — this pad is just about silent. I used to be by no means bothered by the sound of the outdated mannequin within the first place and obtained so used to it that I barely observed it anyway. Nonetheless, the silence of the NXT is deafening.
Moreover, all the pieces else that was nice in regards to the former mannequin carried over: the inflation valve is streamlined and easy, the pad is comfy, and I even suppose the brand new materials is softer.
Nothing Is Excellent
I did have one small situation: my pad developed a leak inside the first week of use. Whereas this will appear to be an enormous crimson flag, I feel that context is essential. After studying by way of a variety of evaluations of the NXT, this doesn’t appear to be a problem for other people. Each from time to time a pad is simply defective, and I feel that this was the case with mine.
And for what it’s price, patching a pinhole leak with the included package can produce a everlasting and efficient restore for many who don’t thoughts getting rowdy in a tub or lake. Or if you wish to go away it to the professionals, Therm-a-Relaxation operates a restore program that may breathe new life into your punctured pad for a really affordable price.
In my case, I needed to get up 1-2 occasions over the course of an evening to plump up my pad, however after 2+ weeks, the problem by no means obtained any worse. Clearly, that is one thing you by no means need to see in a sleeping pad, however I hope and anticipate my expertise to be the exception. In six months of sleeping on my older mannequin, I by no means handled any leaks.
NeoAir XLite NXT Professionals
- Quiet: The up to date XLite NXT’s primary promoting level simply tops this record. Now that the crinkly noise situation has been addressed, there’s no holding it again.
- Comfy: Three inches is a variety of cushion for such a light-weight pad. It helps to maintain the person far sufficient from the bottom regardless of how tender or agency they prefer it. It’s no sleep quantity mattress, but it surely does the trick.
- Light-weight: This pad maximizes the weight-to-comfort ratio. You received’t discover a cushier, hotter pad at this weight.
- Heat: An R-Worth of 4.5 squeezes this pad into the 4-season class. Paired with the correct sleeping bag or quilt, the NXT could be ample for year-round purposes.

Three inches of candy candy consolation.
NeoAir XLite NXT Cons
- Costly: Beginning at $200 is a tricky look. It’s an ideal pad, however that’s a serious chunk out of a gear finances that might be used on different big-ticket objects. The value level positively makes this a premium product and could be out of attain for some.
- Heavier: Sadly, enhancements typically include a value. On this case, Therm-a-Relaxation added roughly one ounce to every of the pad sizes.
- Inconsistent High quality(?): I hate to let my lone expertise be the ultimate phrase on the sturdiness of this pad, but in addition, that’s kinda what gear evaluations are for, proper? I think my pad picked up its tiny puncture in an AT shelter (whereas on a floor sheet). Is that this materials/building much less sturdy than its predecessor? Am I simply horribly unfortunate? Let’s hope for the latter as a result of all the pieces else about this pad actually is superior.
Closing Ideas

Though I’m 6 toes tall, the massive pad has greater than sufficient room for me to splay out.
Therm-a-Relaxation is the highest canine in terms of sleeping pads, and with the most recent enhancements to an already extraordinarily well-liked pad, they simply made themselves much more aggressive. I hate that mine leaked, however that danger is at all times a actuality in terms of an inflatable pad, regardless of how excellent it appears, or how a lot one infants it.
Hopefully, that is uncommon with the NXT as a result of in any other case, it checks all of the containers. I believed that the consolation was top-notch for an inflatable this gentle, and the quieter thermacapture expertise is definitely worth the hype. For these causes, I absolutely anticipate this to be the hottest pad on the path amongst those that can afford the very best.
Store the NeoAir XLite NXT at REI
Comparable Sleeping Pads
Nemo Tensor Sequence
MSRP: $179.95-$199.95
Weight: 14-18 ounces
R-Worth: 2.5
Huge Agnes Insulated Q-Core Deluxe
MSRP: $169.95
Weight: 25 ounces
R-Worth: 4.3
Huge Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad
MSRP: $149.95-199.95
Weight: 18-26 ounces
R-Worth: 4.2
Disclaimer: This Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite NXT was donated for the aim of assessment.
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