Sleeping Pads
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ThermaRest NeoAir Xlite NXT (13oz)
Price- $209.95
Weight- 13oz (370g) regular
R Value- 4.5 (four-season use)
-UPDATED MAY 2026-
We've used this pad, in all of its recent versions, for our last three thru-hikes (the Grand Enchantment Trail, The Hayduke, and the Transcaucasian Trail), a PCT section hike, and numerous other trips of 20-100 miles. All together this adds up to a minimum of 230 nights slept on these pads, which is more than enough to give a fair review.
These particular pads have become very popular on American long trails and stirred up a bit of controversy as well. The first model released several years ago was, well, a little crunchy. And by that I mean they sounded a bit like a bag of potato chips when you rolled around on them, especially if underinflated. This was a byproduct of the mylar-style insulation inside the pad, the same thing that also makes these a viable 4-season sleeping pad with a R-value of 4.5. While Bugs and I considered the crinkly factor a fair tradeoff for a pad we never have cold spots on, even sleeping on snow or frosty ground, that feeling was not universal.
A year or two after the original release they dropped the NXT models, with an updated insulation that is significantly quieter. We both have the updated version and I can attest to it being noticeably less crunchy.
Not only is this pad warm we both find it very comfortable to sleep on, but this is a highly subjective opinion, just like with your mattress at home, people have a large range of what is comfortable for them.
(Above- Cowboy camping in Steven's Canyon, UT on the Hayduke. No tent, no problem, it's probably just a passing shower anyway.
Below - Bug's inflating the pad at a cowboy camp in Arizona on the Grand Enchantment Trail. I woke up with frost on my bag that night but no cold spots underneath me.)
The Good- It is incredibly comfortable and by far the warmest air mattress we've ever used, especially considering it only weighs 13oz. Therm-a-Rest has also greatly improved the noise factor; the latest model is far less "crunchy" than the originals, which sounded a little like a bag of chips when you rolled around.
The Bad- It can develop slow leaks over time, most often in the seams. This seems to be a persistent issue, even in the newer NXT model. While we have successfully worked with Therm-a-Rest's customer service to replace these pads this can be a lengthy and tedious process, especially on the trail. Fortunately, the leaks we’ve experienced aren’t an acute failure, but a slow leak requiring one or two partial reinflations during the night. Frustrating for sure, but at least the pad is still usable.
While this a major concern there just isn’t an equal competitor on the market at the moment so we’ll continue to use these pads for the foreseeable future.
Big Agnes Sleeping Pads
(Amazon Store)
(link takes you to an updated selection of Big Agnes pads)
Our first sleeping pads, these saw us through the 1200 mile Pacific Northwest Trail and numerous other adventures. We both found it to be very comfortable, but definitely prone to cold spots if sleeping on cold ground or snow.
This pad is also very durable and while I wouldn't recommend it, I've seen it used as a float in an alpine lake. Not even in my wildest camping dreams would I do that with my Therm-a-Rest!
The Good- More durable than some other pads on the market. Big Agnes has a large product line-up and I would like to try some of their newer models like the Zoom UL, almost a direct competitor to the NeoAir.
The Bad- This pad is not as well insulated and this is what ultimately led to us switching products. But your experience may vary, most of out camping tends to favor cold apline enviroments or desert nights that frequently drop below freezing, so we benefit from warmer pads.
Unfortunately our original pad has been discontinued, but Big Agnes offer new and improved models. Link to the Amazon store above.
(seen here in Northport, WA in a trail angle's backyard on the Pacific Northwest Trail)