Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite review

It’s not everyday that you come across a product that is functional, practical and makes your life easier.  As a mother of two young children, camping can take on a life of it’s own.  Suddenly you need ten times the amount of gear than you did when it was just you, and the last thing you want to do is to bring something unnecessary, weighs a lot of takes up a lot of space.  The Therm-a-RestNeoAir XLite mattress is a top of the line lightweight three-season mattress that delivers an incredible amount of comfort and warmth, with minimal weight and bulk.  Designed for the backcountry minimalist, this mattress provides the essentials for a great night’s sleep.

A great night’s sleep was had when the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite was paired with the Therm-a-Rest Mira, reviewed here.

Features of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

Weighing in at a mere 12 ounces, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite is 15% lighter than its original version and is the lightest in the NeoAir mattress collection as well as the most compact.  Constructed with a 30d high tenacity nylon, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite is 20 inches wide and 66 inches in length and 2 ½ inches in depth.  The internal baffled construction of the mattress provides concrete support while assisting in recycling the body’s heat to keep you warm.

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite, designed specifically to fit a woman’s frame.

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite incorporated reflective ThermaCapture™ technology, which is also utilized in many of Therm-a-Rest’s sleeping bags.  This technology traps body heat while the Triangular Core Matrix™ construction inside the mattress minimizes heat loss.  The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite features an added layer of Therm-a-Rest’s ThermaCapture technology for added warmth, giving it an R score of 3.9.  Additionally, this construction supplies the body with an incredible amount of stability and support, which is all done without the bulk, weight or durability issues that commonly occur in down or synthetic fills.

The straps holding the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite in place are integrated into the Therm-a-Rest Mira bag.

Testing the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite was quick and easy to fill, requiring only 10-15 full size breaths through a valve, which allows this mattress to be inflated and functioning within just a few minutes.  The tapered design of the mattress also helps cut down on the amount of space that air needs to fill inside the pad.  Adding additional breaths or letting some air out once inflated can adjust an individual’s preference of stability and comfort in a mattress. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite was equally as easy to deflate and pack up, as inflation and usage.  Simply opening the valve and rolling from mattress from the feet up expelled the air and allowed the mattress to be rolled and placed in the stuff sack.  Once deflated and backed, this mattress fits in a 9”x4” stuff sack, which is the size equivalent of a liter water bottle.

The valve on the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite is quick and easy to use, requiring only a few breaths.

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite is fantastic choice for the discerning backpacker to the chronically cold camper.  This mattress was not only comfortable, but warm.   The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite is extremely packable and durable and comes with a stuff sack and repair kit to provide you will the all tools you need in the backcountry.  Additionally, this mattress is designed to fit with Therm-a-Rest’s SynergyLink – shown in the photos up above.  This system is designed to hold mattresses snuggly against Therm-a-Rest sleeping bags by slipping them in between two large fabric bands on the back of the sleeping bag, which ultimately creates ideal sleeping conditions.  Therm-a-Rest did their research and created a mattress that gives the luxury of a good night sleep without adding weight or bulk. Head on over the Therm-a-Rest’s website to check out the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite for yourself.