This is a gear evaluation concerning the Thermarest Neoair X-Lite in 2022.
Looking for a backpacking sleeping pad that’s snug, light-weight, and packs all the way down to a small dimension? If you’re, the Therm-a-Rest Neoair X-Lite might be for you. It is the most well-liked sleeping pad on the earth for good purpose. But what makes the Therm-a-Rest Neoair X-Lite so good?
I’ve been testing and utilizing the Neoair X-Lite for nearly 7 years and have spent a whole bunch of nights sleeping on the pad over time. Keep studying to see if that is the greatest sleeping pad for you.
In-Depth Review: Therm-a-Rest Neoair X-Lite
Therma-Rest NeoAir X-lite Review
Weight – 12oz / 340g
R-Value – 4.2
Temperature Rating – (23F / -5C)
Pros:
> Lightweight
> Comfortable
> Very Small pack dimension
> Great lifetime guarantee
Cons:
> Noisy crinkly sound, particularly when new
The Therm-a-rest NeoAir X-Lite was first launched to the market in 2009 because the Neoair and was a direct success. It has seen a number of enhancements since then.
The present upgraded Therm-a-Rest Neoair X-Lite weighs in at 12 oz / 340 grams and has an R-Value of 4.2 (extra on that later). In 2020 it was upgraded to incorporate the Winglock Valve system which is bigger than the earlier inflation valve however appears to lock in place higher. It additionally comes with an acceptable inflation sack to scale back the necessity to use your personal breath to inflate the pad.
The steady enchancment over time means you at the moment are getting a premium-grade sleeping pad that has good purpose to be the most well-liked inflatable sleeping pad on the earth.
It additionally is available in a number of dimension variations so no matter form or dimension you’re in search of, there’s an possibility for you.
Overall, the Therm-a-rest NeoAir X-Lite is a sleeping pad you purchase when you find yourself unsure what sleeping pad to purchase. Whether, you’re an ultralight thru-hiker, weekend backpacker, or heading off trekking around the globe, this can give you the results you want.
Weight
The regular-sized Thermarest Neoair X-Lite weighs in at 12 oz / 340 grams. This is on the light-weight finish of the marketplace for an insulated, inflatable sleeping pad.
Packed Size
The Thermarest Neoair X-Lite is available in a small pack dimension that’s barely greater than the best-in-class Therm-a-Rest Neoair Uberlite.
The Neoair X-Lite has a pack dimension of 9 inches x 4.1 inches / 23 cm x 10 cm.
R-Value – Warmth Rating
With an R-Value of 4.2, the X-Lite is a real 3-season sleeping pad with good insulation for the climate. In 2020 when the Winglock valve was launched, the R-Value of the sleeping pad elevated from 3.2 to 4.2. According to Therm-a-Rest, nothing modified with the insulation or construction of the pad, the way in which the pad was assessed had modified. This purchased about an elevated temperature ranking to an R-Value of 4.2.
Once the snow begins it’s time to search for one thing hotter such because the extra insulated X-Therm. But for most individuals, the X-Lite is the very best steadiness between insulation, weight, and compact dimension.
Thickness and Comfort
With a 2.5 inch / 6.4 cm thickness, it has a superb stage of consolation. With the up to date Winglock valve it’s straightforward to regulate the air stress throughout the pad will enable it to be suited to anybody.
Overall, the Therm-a-Rest Neoair X-Lite shouldn’t be as thick and cozy because the best-in-class Sea to Summit Ether Lite however remains to be very snug.
Dimensions and Shape
The regular-sized X-Lite is sized 72 inches x 20 inches / 183 cm x 52 cm and has a slight mummy form so it’ll taper slightly on the base. If you employ a mummy sleeping bag or backpacking quilt it’s the good form for you.
Durability
The Therm-a-Rest Neoair X-Lite is sort of sturdy and in a position to stand up to a good diploma of abuse. If you sleep on a mattress of thorns you might get a gap within the mattress however that’s no totally different than another inflatable sleeping pad. For such an setting it could be appropriate so as to add one other layer to the ground equivalent to a tent footprint, Tyvek, area blanket, or comparable. If you’re tenting on actually spikey floor a foam mat can be a greater possibility. But for most individuals and most campsites, this won’t be vital. If you’re unlucky sufficient to get a gap, it comes with a restore package so you may repair it within the subject.
During testing and use of the Thermarest Neoair X-Lite, I had just one puncture when tenting on the spikey floor. Not dangerous for a whole bunch of nights of use. It was simply repaired with the provided restore package.
Inflation Value Type and Pump Sack
It appears that today each new sleeping pad comes with a stuff sack for inflating the sleeping pads. The X-Lite is not any totally different, utilizing a big to inflate the pad. This inflation workers sack is separate from the packing stuff sack and I can’t see too many individuals carrying the inflation stuff sack with them on a backpacking journey. But if touring in a bunch then it could be sensible to solely take one to inflate the pads of the entire group. Most backpackers will inflate the pad with their breath which is an easy course of.
Since the Therm-a-Rest Neoair X-Lite was first launched it got here with the identical inflation valve that Thermarest had been utilizing for a few years. But in 2020 they modified and upgraded the inflation valve to the brand new Winglock Valve. Despite being greater it does a superb job and makes opening and shutting straightforward.
Noise
The Thermarest Neoair X-Lite shouldn’t be essentially the most quiet sleeping pad in the marketplace. But has seen a major enchancment over time. Especially when new, the pad will make a crinkly sound each time you roll over. Much to the annoyance of others at camp. Over time the noise reduces quite a bit however by no means appears to fully go away. When in comparison with the best-in-class Nemo Tensor and Sea to Summit Ether Lite, the Therm-a-Rest X-Lite is barely noisier. The noise is one space that the X-Lite can enhance.
Care Instructions
Like the entire greatest sleeping pads for backpacking, simply wash the surface of the sleeping pad with a gentle detergent or tech wash. You can air-dry it or wipe it dry with a clear material.
X-Lite vs the remainder
The Therm-a-Rest Neoair X-Lite is the most well-liked inflatable sleeping pad in 2022. It does every part nicely and provides you little to complain about. It has a compact dimension, is snug, is sort of sturdy and most of all, it simply works as promised. It shouldn’t be the lightest, least expensive, or most snug. It simply works. I suppose that’s what makes it so widespread.
It is barely noisier than among the competitors however not a lot that you must keep away from it. It is an enormous enchancment from the primary era of Thermarest Neo Air Pads which have been very noisy certainly.
Price and Value
The Thermarest Neoair X-Lite shouldn’t be the most cost effective sleeping pad in the marketplace. But if you would like a light-weight inflatable sleeping pad will probably be a superb buy. Check the present costs beneath.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Thermarest Neoair X-Lite is the most well-liked inflatable sleeping pad for backpacking on the earth. The mixture of light-weight, compact pack dimension and luxury make this a worthy possibility for anybody in search of a sleeping pad for his or her subsequent multi-day backpacking or mountain climbing journey.
BikeHikeSafari Gear Review Process
The writer, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small unbiased adventurer and outside gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
BikeHikeSafari shouldn’t be half of a giant weblog community and is proudly unbiased. All opinions on this web site are unbiased and trustworthy gear opinions of outside merchandise by the writer.
The writer, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Read extra). He was a supervisor of an outside retail retailer and could be very skilled in what’s necessary when utilizing and testing gear for opinions like this.
BikeHikeSafari won’t ever obtain any cash for opinions and they don’t settle for sponsored opinions on this web site. All the feedback concerning the gear opinions are from the writer primarily based on his years of expertise. Hope this unbiased evaluation was useful for you.