Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review

The NeoAir XLite NXT is the newest version of our all-time favorite ultralight sleeping pad. The NXT has increased its loft to three inches and upped the R-value to 4.5 for this latest version. This pad is also significantly quieter than the previous version.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

We've tested many backpacking pads over the years, and we've grown to prefer horizontally oriented baffles. Many pad manufacturers have chosen to use either long vertical baffles or quilted patterns, both of which offer advantages. But the XLite NXT has 3-inch thick horizontal baffles, which effectively reduce bouncing. In addition, they are smoother to the touch and less obvious than lengthy baffles arranged in a vertical orientation, particularly when the pad is inflated to a greater PSI.

The XLite NXT is thick enough to sleep comfortably on your side, back, or stomach without issue. Even if you set this pad up on uneven ground, as we did during testing, the plush air padding is enough to create a comfortable sleep surface. We tested a regular-sized pad, and our main tester is 165 pounds and 5 feet 9 inches tall. While the regular size fits perfectly and provides ample room for tossing and turning, people who move around a lot while they sleep or need a little more wiggle room may want to purchase a wide version, which provides five extra inches from side to side (25 inches as opposed to 20).

Previous versions of this pad were pretty loud, making crinkling noises when moving around. However, this issue has been significantly improved with the latest version. There is still some crinkling noise, but it's much quieter. That said, it's still not the quietest in the group, so consider this if you're sensitive to noise.

Weight

Given its three inches of loft and R-value of 4.5, the low weight of the XLite NXT actually comes as quite a surprise. The regular-size XLite NXT measured 13.6 ounces on our scale by itself, plus 2.5 ounces if you decide to carry the stuff and pump sacks. This is a little bit more than the 12.5 advertised ounces, but it's still very impressive for a sleeping pad this comfortable and warm.

With minimal effort, we could routinely pack the XLite NXT smaller than a 1-liter water bottle. For a cushion that compresses down this compactly, the XLite NXT offers a level of warmth and coziness that is unmatched. There are certainly models that pack up smaller, but not by much. The Xlite NXT is unquestionably a fantastic choice when comfort, warmth, and portability are desired.

Warmth

The XLite NXT has one of the higher warmth-to-weight ratios of our tested sleeping pads. We've comfortably slept with this pad and a quilt in temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. There are warmer models out there, but this is suitable for mild 4-season use.

The XLite NXT is an air-construction sleeping pad with insulating material 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 the thermal conductivity value of air 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 convective heat loss by using a Triangle Core Matrix that compartmentalizes the air and reduces its flow. Further, the internal structure is lined with a reflective surface that bounces radiative heat back at you as you sleep. As with any inflatable sleeping pad, the maximum R-value occurs when the pad is fully inflated.

Therm-a-Rest asserts that the XLite NXT should be comfortable down to roughly 20 degrees Fahrenheit with a stated R-value of 4.5. Based on our field testing, we think this is pretty accurate. If you plan to camp on snow, it's best to use this in conjunction with a closed-cell foam pad. We routinely use this combination, and we've even successfully employed it in Alaska.

Packed Size

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

When deflated, this pad rolls up into a small enough size to fit in the side pocket of most backpacks. It's larger than a one-liter water bottle, but not by much.

We usually pack this pad 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 and will continue to rely on this pad for countless nights outside while backpacking. That said, we do not advise using this pad on bare ground, just as we would not advise using any inflatable sleeping pad on bare ground. However, all told, the durability of this pad from the 30D ripstop fabric is respectable and will easily hold up to normal wear and tear.

A well-designed “Winglock” valve system also improves the durability of the XLite NXT. This system feels substantially thick in hand and doesn't have a lot of moving parts that could fail. We suspect this valve would survive if you accidentally were to step on it, though we didn't try this. If necessary, it's easy to patch the XLite NXT with the included patch kit. You can also use Tenacious Tape and Seam Grip. Therm-a-Rest also offers a limited lifetime warranty on all their sleeping pads.

According to our product research, many folks feel that the pump bag pops off the valve a little too readily when inflating. This issue also occurred when we first inflated the pad, but we quickly learned how much pressure to apply in order to achieve the best speed without it popping off. We would typically need seven or eight bags of air to fill this pad, plus one more to fully firm it up. While the pump sack isn't perfect and would be more user-friendly if it fit the valve more snugly, this system works well enough. We also think this is one of the easiest pads to inflate without the bag, so 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 unquestionably pricey, but we think it's worth the price for an incredibly warm and comfortable sleeping pad that weighs less than almost any other pad you can buy. It's ultra-versatile, capable of four-season use, and one of the most packable sleeping pads we've seen. If you're looking for a top-of-the-line pad that isn't miserably heavy, this is an awesome choice.

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