(Runner-Up) Best Overall Sleeping Pad

Price: $189.95

Type: Air Construction/Baffled Insulation

Claimed R-value: 4.2

Weight: 12.5oz (354g)

Packed Volume: 1.8L

Thickness: 2.5″ (6.3cm)

LxW: 72″x20″ (1.8m x 0.5m)

Breaths to Inflate: 15-20

What We Like: Warm, Light, Highly packable

What We Don’t: A bit pricey, Slightly noisy

Of our Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads, the NeoAir XLite is most certainly the most “middle of the road” pad when it comes to price, weight, and R-value. Suppose you’re looking for a sleeping pad that will tick several necessary boxes without needing to go overboard on any of the features. In that case, this may just be the pad for you. Prices range from $149.95 to $229.95 depending upon size, with the standard-size pad coming in at $149.95. All in all, it’s a very well-built air pad; it’s light, durable, easy to inflate, and packs away relatively small. We did wish it was a bit quieter for those who toss and turn, but as a backcountry bed, it’s genuinely a quiver killer. We loved this pad enough to name it Runner-up for Best Overall Sleeping Pad.

Compare to Similar Products

See Our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review HERE!

Therm-a-Rest is a popular brand in the sleeping-pad industry. In fact, there are a whopping five Therm-a-Rest pads on our 2021 list. Of those five, the NeoAir XLite is most certainly the most “middle of the road” pad when it comes to price, weight, and R-value. If you’re looking for a sleeping pad that will tick several important boxes without needing to go overboard on any of the features, this may just be the pad for you. This mummy-shaped sleeping pad utilizes air construction with baffled insulation and comes in a fashionable “Lemon Curry” color. Prices range from $149.95 to $229.95 depending upon size, with the standard-size pad coming in at $149.95. We loved this pad enough to name it runner-up for Best Overall Sleeping Pad.

Warmth

With an R-value of 4.2, the NeoAir XLite is more than capable of withstanding three-season temperatures. This R-value is achieved through something Therm-a-Rest calls a Triangular Core Matrix. Inside the pad, two stacked layers of triangular baffles create a stable surface while minimizing heat loss by compartmentalizing the air and reducing its flow, all without compromising the warmth-to-weight ratio. There’s also a ThermaCapture lining to reflect body heat and further boost the warmth factor.

Comfort

The NeoAir XLite has a thickness of 2.5″ (6.3cm), with horizontal baffles to boost comfort; unfortunately, these baffles are also a bit crinkly. Those who are easily awoken by sounds and tend to move in their sleep may want to avoid this particular pad. Dimensions for the regular-sized pad are the standard 72″x20″ (1.8m x 0.5m), with the short version running 47”x20”, the regular wide at 72”x25”, and the long at a remarkably roomy 77”x25”.

Weight & Packed Size

At the regular size, the NeoAir XLite weighs in at a very respectable 12.5oz (354g); the short version is 8oz while the long is exactly 1lb. There’s also an extra 2oz added for the pump sack and stuff sack. This leaves it tied with the Sea to Summit UltraLight for the second lightest sleeping pad in our review, with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite taking the crown at a featherweight 8.8oz (249g). As a backpacking sleeping pad, the XLite simply excels. Its compressed volume is 1.8L, which leaves it near the middle of the pack amongst the pads in our review and very much in the acceptable range for backpackers.

Inflation

Therm-a-Rest recently revamped the NeoAir line, with the most notable inclusion being the change from what was widely considered to be a subpar valve to the new WingLock valve. This new system uses one-way inflation and a larger opening to enable it to be inflated three times faster, as well as deflate faster. The current NeoAir XLite can be inflated in 15-20 breaths, but this can be accomplished even quicker with the included pump sack.

Durability

The shell is made of 30D rip high-tenacity (HT) nylon, which is quite durable and can even hold up on the bare ground (though we wouldn’t recommend taking this risk). Should the worst happen, there is an included repair kit for trailside patch jobs. The new WingLock valve is not only an improvement on ease of inflation but also durability. It’s far less flimsy than its predecessor with chunkier components that should hold up if it accidentally finds itself underfoot.

The Bottom Line

Although there’s a notable price tag attached, there’s also quite a bit of value that goes along with the NeoAir XLite. All in all, it’s a very well-built air pad; it’s light, durable, easy to inflate, and packs away quite small. We did wish it was a bit quieter for those who toss and turn, but as a backcountry bed it’s truly a quiver killer.

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