Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT: The Ultralight Pad Built for Year Round Sleep

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Every backpacker eventually faces the same trade off: comfort or weight. A thick pad sleeps well but fills your pack. A thin pad saves space but leaves you sore and cold. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is the pad that made a lot of people stop choosing. It is light enough for long trails, warm enough for most of the year and thick enough to actually sleep on. Here is what it is, why it works and where to buy one.

What it is

The NeoAir XLite NXT is an ultralight inflatable sleeping pad from Therm-a-Rest. The brand calls it the most advanced all season do it all ultralight air pad, and says it builds on the legacy of its predecessor with improved warmth and comfort.

The key numbers for the Regular size, according to Therm-a-Rest:

• R-value: 4.5, which Therm-a-Rest describes as good for year round conditions.
• Weight: 13 oz (370 g).
• Thickness: 3 inches (7.6 cm).
• Packed size: about the size of a conventional 1 liter water bottle.
• Sizes: four options, so you can match the pad to your height and sleep system.

How it stays warm and light

Inside the pad, Therm-a-Rest uses two technologies together. Triangular Core Matrix construction uses stacked layers of triangular baffles to create a stable surface and cut convective heat loss. ThermaCapture is a reflective layer that radiates body heat back to you. The brand says a single ThermaCapture layer can boost warmth by up to 50 percent, and together the two deliver the 4.5 R-value without adding bulk.

If R-value is new to you, our guide to sleeping pad R-value explains what the number means and how it is tested.

Why it is cool

It is quiet. Therm-a-Rest says refining how the Triangular Core Matrix integrates with ThermaCapture reduced noise by 83 percent compared with the previous model. Your tent mate will thank you.

It is easy to set up and pack. The WingLock valve gives fast one way inflation and rapid deflation, and still lets you let out small amounts of air while lying on it to fine tune firmness. A pump sack comes in the box, along with a stuff sack and a field repair kit.

It works in more seasons than you might expect. Therm-a-Rest's guide to choosing a sleeping pad notes that a warm sleeper might get away with the XLite NXT in snowy conditions. For colder trips, you can add a closed cell foam pad like the Z Lite SOL underneath. Therm-a-Rest says the two together give a combined R-value of 6.5, enough for a cold winter night.

A note on care

Therm-a-Rest is upfront that its Fast and Light air pads use thinner materials, so they are inherently less durable than heavier pads. Clear the ground of sharp sticks and stones before you lay it out, and learn how to use the included repair kit before you head out. The brand says repairs are usually as easy as a peel and stick patch in the field.

Tips for the trail

Practice inflating and packing the pad at home before your first trip, so the routine is quick at camp. Clear the ground of sharp sticks and stones before you lay it down, and on rough sites consider a groundsheet underneath. In the morning, open the valve and roll the pad from the far end toward the valve to push the air out, then fold and pack it.

Who should buy it

The XLite NXT suits backpackers, thru hikers, bikepackers and anyone counting ounces who still wants a real night's sleep. Its small packed size also makes it a smart choice for a compact pack; our guide to backpack sizes can help you plan the rest of your load.

Round out the kit with a warm bag (see our guide to down fill power) and a small stove like the MSR PocketRocket 2.

Where to buy

Therm-a-Rest sells the XLite NXT directly in all four sizes, and outdoor retailers carry it too. Pick the size that fits your height and the width you like to sleep on.

For more trail gear, browse our buying guides.