Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review

The NeoAir XLite NXT is one of our all-time favorite sleeping pads. The newest version of this pad, now several years old, is three inches thick and has an R-value of 4.5. This newer version is also significantly quieter than the previous version (which notoriously sounded like a crinkling bag of chips).

Comfort

The XLite NXT uses 3-inch-thick baffles, horizontally oriented (width-wise) to reduce bouncing. Unlike some other sleeping pads with baffles that run length-wise, this one won't trampoline you off the side in the middle of the night. Even if you set this pad up on uneven ground, as we did during testing, the plush air padding is enough to sleep comfortably on your side, back, or stomach.

Our main tester is 165 pounds and 5 feet 9 inches tall, and he slept comfortably on the Regular-sized pad. While this size provides ample room for tossing and turning, some people who move around a lot while they sleep or need a little more wiggle room may want to purchase a wide version, which offers 5 extra inches of width (25 inches versus 20 inches).

Previous versions of this pad were pretty loud, making crinkling noises when moving around. This issue has been significantly improved with the updated XLite NXT. There is still some crinkling noise – which is important to consider if you're a particularly light sleeper – but it's comparatively much quieter than the previous versions.

Weight

Given its three inches of loft and R-value of 4.5, the low weight of the XLite NXT is very surprising. The mummy-shaped, 72-inch-long Regular pad we tested weighs 13.6 ounces on our home scale by itself. Even though this is slightly more than the 12.5 ounces that this pad is advertised as, it's still very impressive for a sleeping pad this comfortable and warm.

The included stuff sack and pump sack weigh an extra 2.5 ounces, if you decide to carry them. The pump sack, notably, has a large opening, so you can use it to pull double-duty as a pack liner or a large stuff sack.

Warmth

With an R-value of 4.5, we've comfortably slept with this pad and a quilt in temperatures below 20°F. If you plan to camp on snow, it's best to use the XLite NXT in conjunction with a closed-cell foam pad. We routinely use this combination, and we've even successfully employed it in Alaska. There are warmer pads out there, but the XLite NXT has one of the highest warmth-to-weight ratios of the sleeping pads we tested.

The insulating material is inside the air chambers. As with any such design, heat is primarily lost when you move air on the pad by tossing and turning. Each time you move, you force a little bit of cold air (near the ground) to mix with warm air (near you). Even though air's thermal conductivity is quite low, when it moves across a surface, it can transport a lot of energy and zap your heat away.

The XLite NXT combats this type of convective heat loss by using a Triangle Core Matrix that compartmentalizes air and reduces airflow. Further, the internal structure is lined with a reflective surface that bounces radiant heat back at you as you sleep.

Packed Size

The XLite NXT packs down to a very small package. This pad isn't the absolute smallest on the market, but considering how comfortable and warm it is, the packed size is still very impressive.

With minimal effort, we could routinely pack the XLite NXT smaller than a 1-liter Nalgene bottle. There are certainly inflatable pads that pack up smaller, but not by much, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a warmer pad that's as light as this one.

If you choose not to carry the stuff sack, this pad rolls up small enough to fit in the side pocket of most backpacks. We usually pack it folded flat along the back panel of our backpack. When you pack it this way, it's almost as if the pad takes up no room at all.

Quality of Construction

The XLite NXT is an extremely well-constructed sleeping pad. We have relied on this pad for countless nights outside while backpacking, and we will continue to do so. It's made from 30D ripstop fabric, which isn't the most durable, but it's durable enough to handle normal wear and tear. We don't advise using this pad on bare ground (just as we wouldn't advise using any inflatable sleeping pad on bare ground). If necessary, it's easy to patch with the included patch kit. We have several patches on our XLites after years of use. (You can also use Tenacious Tape and Seam Grip.)

The newest version of the XLite NXT features a well-designed “Winglock” valve system. This valve system is simple yet substantial, with few moving parts that could fail in the field. We suspect this valve would survive if you accidentally stepped on it (though we haven't tested that).

Some of our testers found that the pump bag pops off the valve a little too readily when inflating the XLite NXT. After some trial and error, we learned that if you don't squeeze the bag too hard, the pump sack won't slip off. It takes about 7 to 8 bagfuls of air to fully inflate. We also think this is one of the easiest pads to inflate without the bag – we often leave it behind, along with the stuff sack, to save weight.

Should You Buy The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT?

The XLite NXT is warm enough for everything but deep-winter camping, light enough to satisfy even the most gram-conscious backpackers, and durable enough to last for years. This is the personal go-to sleeping pad for several of our testers, and it's wildly popular with thru-hikers and dedicated weekend backpackers. If you're looking for a do-it-all sleeping pad, the XLite NXT offers the best balance of comfort, warmth, and packed size.

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