Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Review

Therm-a-Rest revised the NeoAir XTherm NXT significantly with this update to the classic model. The dimensions and valve remain the same, but the pad is now lighter, warmer, thicker, and quieter than previous versions. It still has the awesome Winglock valve but is now made with a thicker 70D fabric to increase durability. This sleeping pad was already great, but we think the latest version is the best one yet. This is the pad we reach for whenever the temperatures are going to be extremely cold overnight because we know it will reliably keep us warm and comfortable all night.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

We tested the XTherm NXT without a tent to push the limits of its insulating capabilities. This pad has a claimed R-value of 7.3 and kept us comfortably warm all night long, even as the temperatures dipped well below freezing. It has horizontal baffles that are three inches thick, and even when we set it on top of a sizable rock, we still found it to be exceptionally cozy and not overly boundy. We could only feel the ground when we were kneeling directly on the pad. Side sleepers won't have any trouble settling into an ergonomic posture either — you can slightly deflate the pad for maximum comfort without worrying that your hips will sink all the way through. The XTherm provides a great balance of all the most important factors.

Previous versions of this pad were considerably louder than the newest iteration. This is a welcome improvement, and while the crinkling sound this pad makes isn't completely gone, it's definitely quieter. Those sensitive to rustling and crinkling sounds from their sleeping pad might still not love how the XTherm isn't silent, so this is something to keep in mind before making your final decision.

The XTherm NXT shape tapers on the bottom half, and the fabric is pretty slippery. This makes it slightly less comfortable, but it also provides excellent warmth to weight in a tiny package. If you don't mind the extra weight, the Regular Wide or Large sizes of this pad are worth checking out since they'll give you more room to sprawl out.

Weight

The XTherm NXT is very light, especially considering the warmth it provides. On our scale, this pad weighed exactly one pound. With the pump sack included, it weighs 2.5 ounces more. This is considerably lighter than the previous model.

Most other four-season pads don't come close to the packed size and weight of the XTherm NXT. This model even outperforms the majority of three-season pads in terms of weight and packed size, even those with R-values less than half that of this one. It rolls up into a surprisingly small package and comes with a sizable stuff pouch that the pump sack and pad fit inside. Even when wearing gloves, it's simple to tuck this pad into its stuff pouch, which comes in handy on chilly mornings. It's pretty annoying to have to remove your gloves to pack away outdoor equipment made for all four seasons.

Warmth

We are confident in claiming that the XTherm NXT is one of the warmest sleeping pads we've evaluated after using it across a large range of temperatures. It uses Thermacapture reflecting heat technology and has a claimed R-value of 7.3, leaps and bounds above everything else in our lineup.

In terms of insulation technology, the XTherm NXT is at the top. Even the warmest insulated pads typically have synthetic fiber insulation on the inside, which, while effective, makes for a noticeably thick and hefty pad. The XTherm's reflective metalized coating is exceptionally good at reflecting heat.

When deflated, this pad is also exceedingly light and portable compared to fiber insulation versions. Our team has slept on the XTherm NXT all over the Western United States and even in Alaska. Because of its warmth, portability, and lightweight, we use it as the standard for all other pads.

Packed Size

Most sleeping pads with high R-values will take up a huge amount of space in your pack. But with the XTherm NXT, you might not even need a bigger backpack for cold-weather backpacking. This sleeping pad packs smaller than many other pads we tested, even though it's the warmest.

The XTherm NXT easily rolls and packs away in its stuff sack down to about the size of a 1-liter water bottle. It's not quite as small as some other sleeping pads, but those don't have as much insulation, either. When packed, the XTherm is small enough to fit anywhere in your pack that any other pad would, whether in an external pocket or buried deep in your pack, next to your sleeping bag and tent.

Quality of Construction

The XTherm NXT is very well constructed. The seams and welds are robust, and the underside material is thick enough to withstand repeated throwing on the ground. We've used the XTherm for long stretches in the backcountry. Unless you purposely toss it down on cactus-filled desert sand, you shouldn't have any problems with durability.

The underside of the XTherm NXT is now made of an even thicker 70D material, which is confidence-inspiring. The last thing you want when cold-weather camping is for your pad to stop holding air, so we're happy to see this thicker fabric. It also comes with a patch kit.

The Winglock valve is excellent and substantially more resilient than the prior valve system. It inflates quickly and easily, doesn't lose air, and deflates immediately if you open it while you're lying on the pad. A set of wings flip the main valve from inflate to deflate mode. When set to inflate, the valve doesn't allow air to escape, which is one of the biggest differences from the past system.

The supplied pump bag easily locks onto the Winglock valve. In past iterations, you had to exert a lot of effort to slide a rubber ring around the valve. The valve on the new pump bag is more prone to popping off if too much pressure is applied, but it does have significantly better airflow and is easier to use. Although it may be annoying, this is probably in place to prevent the pad from popping and getting damaged by excessive inflation.

We've used the XTherm NXT with and without the inflation bag. Overall, we never found it too difficult to simply inflate this pad with our lungs — it generally took us about 40 breaths. Not using the inflation bag saves you some weight as well, but we know breathing heavily just to inflate your sleeping pad at the end of a long day of backpacking isn't everyone's idea of a good time.

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

Although the XTherm NXT may put a substantial dent in your bank account, it offers amazing value in the end. This pad retails for almost twice as much as most of the other pads in our review, but it weighs approximately the same and is twice as warm. This is one of the most adaptable and best-performing models that we've ever gotten our hands on, and it's a solid option if you're looking for a pad that delivers warmth, comfort, lightweight packability, and exceptional ease of use.

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