Customer Reviews

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Air Mattress

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Perfect for backpacking as it folds into about 1/4 the size of an "old-school" thermarest. You will also feel considerably warmer. It has a metallic type layer on the bottom which radiates your body heat back up to you. I got the regular size which is big enough to get the job done, however it's on the narrow side and if I was starting over I'd get the largest. Small or medium seem pointless as the regular folds incredibly small anyway. This mat does look more delicate at least superficially, but I haven't had any problem with it breaking or deflating. If you are into backpacking this is now the only air mattress I would consider buying, at least for warm weather hiking. The only thing to keep in mind is that there is no foam or insulation at all, so in the unlikely event it deflates you are left with nothing. When winter camping I bring a thin foam pad as well just in case. But in the summer, with all the space you save in your bag you can make room for more important things, like a bigger pillow or extra alcohol.

My Thermarest neoair large should arrive back at Cascade Designs this week. After using the air pad for 10-12 times, it developed very small leaks (micro leaks) in the seams. These leaks are hard to detect--you must inflate the pad, submerge it, put serious pressure on it, and look for the pinpoint leaks on the seams. The consequence of these leaks is that I (195#, 6'1") had to re-inflate the pad every 4-5 hrs during the night.

A call to Cascade Designs (Thermarest) got a pleasant "send it back and we will switch it out."

I wonder if the high price of the neoair pads is because they expect a certain number of "failures" and subsequent replacements.

On the plus side, the neoair is by far the most comfortable pad I have ever used--I get a great night's rest (if I don't have to keep re-inflating it.) I'm a kayaker and carry a simple air-pad pump to inflate it. A couple extra breaths top it off. It is an obviously somewhat delicate product with respect to sharp or pointed objects. I always inflate it in the tent and had no problems w/ punctures for the 25-30 times I used it.

I strongly recommend the "large" over the "regular" if the extra few ounces are not a problem. My wife has the regular, and she occasionally mentions that it is a bit narrow--she is 5'8", 130#. So far, her's does not leak.

I camp 30+ nights a year--about half of those on Florida beaches and in the Everglades, the other half are in the western US (rocky mountains at 8000-9000' and desert SW.) I'm looking forward to my NeoAir replacement, but I have also ordered an Exped SynMat 9 Deluxe air pad to try. I will update this post with my experiences.

UPDATE: After about an 8-day turn-around, I received my "new" large Neoair--it would better be called "refurbished" Neoair, since it had a professional looking 1/4 inch patch. A couple days before the Neoair arrived, my new Exped SynMat 9 Pump DLX Sleeping Pad arrived. Frankly, the Exped 9 seems like it is built like a tank compared to the Neoair. But, the Exped weighs 23 oz more (42 oz vs 19 oz). It is 1 inch wider (26" vs 25") than the Neoair. It is also 1" thicker (3.5" vs 2.5"). The Exped 9 also has an R value of 6 vs R=2.5 for the Neoair. The Exped 9 Deluxe has a built-in pump, a repair kit, and a stuff bag--the Neoair has none of these "extras." The Exped 9 is also at least 50% more bulky when rolled up, than the Neoair. I have no trouble deflating/rolling-up either the Exped 9 or the Neoair. While the built-in pump of the Exped 9 works, I use a Coleman 4D pump to inflate both air pads. To top each off, if necesary, I use a few oral puffs for the Neoair and a few pumps w/ the built-in pump on the Exped 9.

Considering the bulk and the weight of the Exped 9, it is more suited for kayak-camping or car-camping rather than backpacking. The Neoair is terrific for backpacking IF YOU CAN KEEP IT FROM LEAKING. Frankly, for me, the risk of the Neoair leaking on a multiday, remote wilderness camp trip makes me hesitant to take it--especially since I have an Exped 9.

Over my 45 year backpacking career, I have tried every conceivable foam pad, searching for the lightest weight, and most comfort. I put high value on a comfortable nights sleep, and this pad delivers. Since you can easily adjust it while laying on it, you can dial in how firm you want the pad to be. It does take longer to fold and pack up as you have to fold it in thirds length-wise, and then roll it up to expel the air. I swore I would never blow up another foam pad, as that is what we had to do in the 60's. But this pad only takes about 15 breaths to fully inflate. The comfort, insulation and light weight make this the best pad I have owned. The biggest down-side is that I would not fold this up and use it in my crazy creek chair shell or sleep on the bare ground with it. It is too delicate for that, but it's just fine inside a tent.

After using this air mattress for 33 days, in a variety of climates and terrains across 26 states, it was the most valuable thing I packed. After riding a motorcycle for 8 to 10 hours a day, a good night sleep is really all you can think about. The Neoair delievered each and every night, with me waking up in the morning completely refreshed and ready to go. When I first received it in the mail, I was a little worried about the durability and height off the ground (when inflated). I took two patch kits with me (better safe than sorry, especially when it's 33 days), but never ended up needing them. As for the height, it turns out that Therm-a-rest knows more about air mattresses than I do. The mattress kept me off the ground, even when on my side, but it was taunt enough that it didn't give in or dip in the middle like larger air mattresses. I'm 6'1", 195lbs and the large option was the only option. When deflated and rolled up, it's the size of a 1 liter soda container. Which is great when every inch counts.

Well, to summarize my experience after spening a month on the ground, the NeoAir is worth every penny I paid and then some... enjoy.

I have used this Therm-a-Rest NeoAir mattress for two weekends and think it really is great. It is so incredibly light compared to anything else that I've used - and I've done several others. I liked the thickness- kept me off the ground even when I was lying on my side. I also liked the texture of the yellow surface; it kept me from sliding off which is usually a problem on uneven sleeping surfaces. When ordering remember that "Regular" is actually only about Five feet , whereas if you want a full length you have to order a "Long". A little tricky; I actually liked the "regular" since I use my soft pack for a pillow. On the negative side I did not appreciate having to spend $14.95 on a sack for it- should've been included in the cost, which I thought was on the high side already but willing to buy it since my old one was ripped up by a bear . I also worry about how durable it is long term since it seems so thin. But I guess time will tell.

I was skeptical when I read other reviews that a person could actually sleep comfortably on one's side on this mattress.

I am rapidly approaching 50, love to hike and camp with my teenage son but really hate to be uncomfortable on the cold hard ground.

We do "extreme" mountain hiking and every ounce we carry has to be worth it.

This mattress is worth its weight in gold. Lightweight, seems sturdy, easy to inflate, easy to deflate and re-pack. You really can sleep on hard, rocky ground on your side with this thing. Amazing. Worth the premium price. This is also the first review I have ever been inspired to write on a product.

No negatives at all. Comment: Instructions say about 20 good breaths to blow it up - took me about 30.

I've tried a lot of sleeping pads... fancy designs, foam, self-inflating, uninsulated air pads, short pads, long pads etc. This pad was BY FAR the most comfortable pad I've used and you CAN'T BEAT the weight. My husband and I recently completed a thru-hike of the John Muir Trail (about 25 nights in the woods) and this pad performed beautifully. We were warm enough (even on cold and rainy nights at high altitude), cusioned enough and got the best night(s) sleep ever in the backcountry. We LOVE our NeoAirs!

Used the neoair on a week backpack in high Sierras at 11-12000 feet. Very comfortable, packs small, weighs 9 oz. I have reduced my pack weight from last summer from 38 lbs to 25 lbs. This pad is a part of the process. Fits in a sock, pumps up with 20 breaths, did not notice any "crinkling" while sleeping as sleeping bag covers pad, top notch pad. I will treat it carefully to protect it.

Having grown up camping, I have seen the whole line of Therma-rests, starting with the torso pads my parents had when I was a kid. The NeoAir is the next step in sleeping pads. Ive used this pad extensively in multi-day trips into wilderness with much happiness. I even added a pillow to my backpack, as this pad makes space because it packs down to about the size of a nalgene. The stuff sack fits the pad perfect, just make sure you do a GOOD job rolling it up. Im very happy with this new pad, it even holds a candle to my Paco Pad. Material is thin, but the noise did not bother me while sleeping as others have mentioned. As far as using this pad for a seat/ recliner around camp, I would look for something else as this material could pop if not treated carefully or used with a grounddcoth/ tent.

The fat man approves. My co-hikers were pissed to have to carry full sized mats, while I carried this in my water bottle pouch on my pack.

I slept so well, that when I woke up, I almost freaked out when I realized I wasn't on my bed.