Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad Review

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is a lightweight sleeping pad suitable for year-round conditions. It’s best used by backpackers, ski tourers, or anyone planning to sleep outdoors – on the ground – in cold-weather environments.

It’s the warmest pad in the ultralight Therm-a-Rest lineup, with an R-value of 7.3. It weighs just 15.5 oz / 440 g in a regular size—it also comes in regular/wide and long. If you’re familiar with the NeoAir XLite, this is essentially the warmer winter version of that pad.

After testing out the pad myself, I’ve put together a detailed review of everything you need to know about the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad.

Specs

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is available in three sizes: Regular, Regular/Wide, and Large. I used the Regular version for this review, and the specs below reflect the XTherm NXT in a size Regular. The NeoAir XTherm is a mummy-shaped sleeping pad, but there is also a rectangular version of the XTherm NXT available, the NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX.

• Weight: 15.5 oz / 440 g
• R-value: 7.3
• Shape: Mummy
• Valve: One-way WingLock
• Baffles: Horizontal
• Width: 20 in / 51 cm
• Length: 72 in / 183 cm
• Height/Thickness: 3 in / 7.6 cm
• Packed dimensions (in): 9 x 4.5
• Packed dimensions (cm): 23 x 11
• Fabric (top): 30D rip HT Nylon
• Fabric (bottom): 70D Nylon
• Materials: Nylon, Polyurethane
• Included: Pump sack, stuff sack, and repair kit
• Country of origin: USA
• Color: Neptune
• MSRP: $239.95

Photo Gallery

The Good

The Warmth/R-value

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is a four-season sleeping pad with an impressive R-value of 7.3. This sleeping pad offers one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios available. It’s common for people to bring an inflatable sleeping pad and an additional foam sleeping pad when camping on snow for maximum insulation. However, I wanted to test the XTherm NXT’s warmth on its own, and I used the sleeping pad with no foam pad directly on the snow (with the floor of my tent between). The verdict? It provided me with reliable overnight warmth, and at no point did I wake up cold.

The Noise

As was the case with the revised XLite NXT sleeping pad, I wasn’t sure about the claim on the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT box that said, “Now 6x Quieter!” But, as was the case with the XLite, this claim is once again true. This new version is seriously quiet. Like, impressively so. The old XTherm pads got a lot of flak for being noisy, but not this one. You can roll over in the middle of the night without waking up your neighbors (or yourself). And it stays quiet even after months of use.

The Valve

The new XTherm NXT keeps the same one-way WingLock valve that was introduced in the previous refresh of Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads. This valve has four possible positions: completely open (deflation), partially open (inflation), and closed (two positions result in the closure of the valve – though one is more secure and correct than the other). The valve offers fast and efficient one-way inflation. No need to close the valve between breaths or practice your circular breathing. It’s also easy to make micro-adjustments to the pad’s firmness once it’s been inflated. Deflation is simple – open the valve all the way and lay on top of it until you hit the cold hard ground beneath you.

The Weight

Despite the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT being a four-season sleeping pad, it still weighs less than many of the three-season inflatable options available. It’s a lightweight pad that weighs 15.5 oz / 440 g which means this pad has one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios of any sleeping pad available. The XTherm NXT offers four-season comfort with three-season weight. True, you can find lighter options in a three-season sleeping pad, but if you’re a cold sleeper, the weight increase from a lighter three-season pad to the XTherm NXT sleeping pad is minimal and likely worth the small weight penalty.

The Okay

The Compactness

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT packs to around the size of a one-liter Nalgene. It’s not the smallest, most compact pad you’ll find, but it’s not hard to forgive when you consider the pad’s R-value. Compared to a foam pad, the XTherm NXT is still incredibly small (although, depending on the conditions you’re using the XTherm NXT in, you may also be carrying a foam pad). My strategy for rolling up the pad is to mimic the way the pad comes out of the box – folded into thirds (hot-dog style) and then rolled up tightly from the bottom.

The Warranty

The warranty offered by Cascade Designs (i.e., the parent company of Therm-a-Rest) is a two-year limited warranty covering manufacturer defects. It does not cover “normal wear, puncture, abrasion, misuse, alteration, abuse or taking apart of the product.” The warranty also notes, “Mattresses older than two years from the date of manufacture may be replaced with a cosmetically irregular mattress.” I’ve dealt with the Cascade Designs warranty department on multiple occasions regarding sleeping pads. I’ve always had a pleasant experience (although I’ve found the turnaround to be a bit long).

The Durability

Unlike its three-season counterpart, the XLite NXT, the XTherm NXT sleeping pad uses slightly more durable fabric for the sleeping pad’s bottom. The top of the XTherm is made from the same 30D rip HT Nylon as the XLite NXT, but the bottom of the sleeping pad is made with a more durable 70D Nylon. This provides a bit more durability and insulation, but I still wouldn’t suggest using it on the bare ground – at least not without making sure there’s nothing sharp that could puncture it once you put your full weight on it.

The Baffles

The Therm-a-Rest XTherm NXT sleeping pad has a mummy shape and horizontal baffles. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with the horizontal baffles on the NeoAir XTherm NXT. Still, some sleepers (myself included) may find other designs – e.g., an egg carton construction – more comfortable to sleep on. I also find myself consistently sliding off the top of the pad during the night as the horizontal baffles, paired with the slipperiness of the nylon top, make for an easy-to-fall-off surface once you get your weight going in one direction.

The Sizes

Unfortunately, if you’re a shorter person or want a short four-season sleeping pad, there’s no short version of the NeoAir XTherm NXT available. However, it is available in regular, regular/wide, and large sizes. Additionally, if you’re looking for a rectangular version of the NeoAir XTherm NXT, there’s the (rectangular) NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX available as well; the MAX also lacks a short version.

The Bad

The Pump Sack

The NeoAir XTherm NXT comes with a pump sack to provide users with “easier inflation.” It’s a nice gesture, but I have always found these inflation sacks to be more trouble than they’re worth. Sure, if you’re concerned about maintaining a moisture-free environment inside your sleeping pad (something that may be more relevant in freezing temperatures) or you truly hate blowing into a valve to inflate your pad, this may be a useful addition to your pack (and it can double as a stuff sack for things if you want, I guess).

The Cost

Objectively the worst feature of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is the cost. The least expensive version is $240 (at the time of publication), which increases to $270 if you want/need the large version. It’s not crazy to say that cost could make your sleeping pad – not your shelter or sleeping bag – the most expensive piece of gear in your sleep kit. Does that mean it’s not worth the cost? It depends on who you ask and what the use case is. That said, the cost of this pad will likely make some would-be users think twice before investing.

The Name

Once again, the outdoor industry demonstrates its terrible naming conventions with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT. Honestly, many hikers have taken to simply identifying Therm-a-Rest (which is not the most user-friendly name to begin with) pads by their color, size, and/or shape. “Oh yeah, I have the regular silver inflatable one” – still a mouthful, but easier for many hikers to remember than “Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT.” What’s going to happen with the next update to this pad? Will it become the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT+? The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT 2.0? The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXTer?

Who It’s For

If you’re a beginner backpacker, someone who only gets out a few times a year, or you’re a warm sleeper who will be out only in three-season conditions, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is likely overkill. That’s not to say it’s not a great sleeping pad, and it won’t serve you well, but if you’re on a budget, that money is likely better invested elsewhere.

Alternatively, if you’re going to be out in winter conditions, you’re an especially cold sleeper, or you want the lightest/warmest sleeping pad you can find, the NeoAir XTherm NXT is an excellent option. There aren’t many lightweight sleeping pads with this level of warmth-to-weight ratio, and this pad from Therm-a-Rest is a great pick if you’re looking to stay warm (and asleep) outdoors.

NeoAir XTherm NXT Alternatives

Wrap Up

If you’re looking for an ultralight sleeping pad suitable for four-season conditions, look no further than the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT. It’s superior to the previous versions and pairs well with either a sleeping bag or a quilt.

At just 15.5 ounces (440 g), it has one of the warmest warmth-to-weight ratios available. It can provide all-night warmth—even when used directly on top of the snow.

Check out the NeoAir XTherm NXT here.

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