Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleeping Pad - 2009 BCS

So far this pad has been amazing! Light as a feather and comfortable as all get up. I make sure to not over inflate it and it gives to make for a very comfortable sleep that works over lumps and rocks. I have been using a thin pad underneath that protects it from rocks as I am sketched out about punctures. I got the Large and would get the Medium if doing over. This is because it takes a long time to blow up and is a challenge to fold up. I keep it folded in thirds, as it comes from the manufacturer, and this seems to be the best way to store it. I would like to know if it can handle being used directly on stones but don't want to deal with punctures if it blows, so will keep using my super thin foam pad to keep the NeoAir off the stones. I used it nightly for two weeks on a glacier in Alaska and then again on a four day ski tour in the Wind River Mountains as well as several nights car camping with my son, and I sleep great with the NeoAir.

Bottom line...an amazingly light and comfortable sleeping pad that I highly recommend. If camping on sharp stones, I recommend bringing something to insulate the pad from the stones. A tent floor will probably suffice. I have been using the floorless Black Diamond MegaLite Tent...

I have been using thermarests for about 18 years. For me, the lighter the better, and I don't expect to be literally "bed style comfortable." I haven't tried any new ones for a few years, but I got this one because it was far lighter and smaller when deflated than the old ultralight ones I had. I am truly shocked at how comfortable it is. It inflates to be extremely thick and uniformly supportive, which I haven't experienced before in an inflatable pad. In the past, they have all been much thinner, especially in the ultra lightweight models, and I have always found the thicker ones to be kind of mushy and swimming-pool-air-mattress-like, if that makes sense. I am actually equally comfortable on this as my home mattress, and I can't get over how firm and supportive the baffles are. I feel like the technology has really gotten there. I think this pad is worth investing in, if you are considering upgrading.

I’ll preface this review with my cut and paste statement that I work as a backcountry backpacking guide in Yosemite National Park. Nearly all of the products I take the time to review have seen at least a half a season, if not more, of use... and I’m committed to not bothering to write a review until I feel like I’ve really gotten to know a product. I never thought I’d bother to write reviews, but I’ve recently decided that since I’ve spent so much time over these last many years reading reviews, and finding a tremendous amount of value in articulate and well-informed opinions, that I wanted to give back to the community. So, with that being said, here we go...

My NeoAir has seen a lot of use. And not just normal wear and tear, but it sees a lot of Sierra granite. I've never had a leak of any sort. I keep the patch kit in my stuff sack for it, but have yet to use it. Granted, I'm not using it as a sit pad on bare granite, nor do I take it surfing on Tenaya Lake. I treat it with care, and its served me well in return.

It is incredibly light, packs down nearly to the size of one liter bottle of Coke, and is very, very comfortable to sleep on. Also, though its well known and marked on the package, the r rating for insulation on this pad is very low. It essentially offers no insulation value. However, I've slept with this and my Western Mountaineering Versalite (a 10 degree bag) down to the low 20s and been just fine.

The complaints about the noise it makes are not problematic for me. Sure, it makes a little noise when you're moving around, but its not like you're sleeping on a bag of broken potato chips. I have no problem with slipping off of it either. The only minor quibble is that since it lacks any insulation it will initially 'deflate' once the breath you've blown into it cools. My formula is this - pitch my tent, inflate the NeoAir, throw my bag on it, and the get dinner or hors d'oeuvres going, then come back in an hour and top it off so its nice and tight. If you like it a little soft its easy to tweak via the valve for just the right amount of cushion. I've turned a few friends onto this pad, and all of them love it, and none of them have had leaks.

All in all its as good as sleeping pads gets. Sadly, it looks like Thermarest has moved on to another design thatis a bit heavier. Maybe I'll find out if the few extra ounces are an improvement once this old faithful kicks the can, but I'm hoping that's a long way off.

This pad is a great blend of features that are important to most. EXCELLENT comfort, EXCELLENT weight and pack-ability, FAIR on insulation. The only downside to this pad is how loud it is. It sounds like you are sleeping in a bag of jiffy pop popcorn.

I gotta give my love for the NeoAir, cause well, I do, a lot! It was one of the very best purchases I made last year, and I will do it again if need be.

The horizontal baffles are much more comfortable than the vertical baffles. When I lay on my NeoAir I don’t feel like I am laying on a pool toy, like I do when I lay on my Exped SynMat 7. (But hey, that’s me and not everyone will feel the same…)

I have had no issues with crinkly noise, nor has anybody else that has been hiking with me, or any of the other hikers that I bunked with in the shelters.

My thoughts on durability: It’s an air pad. I take that into consideration when I use it. I try to clear the area of sharp pointy things, same as I do with ANY air pad. However, they do make a repair kit for it if something were to happen, just like they do for the rest of them (and it is in my kit)…If I need to carelessly throw my pad on the ground and plop down on it, I will use a ccf pad. Otherwise, I have no reason to cry about how the air pad wasn’t durable enough since I didn’t treat it the way it is supposed to be treated, same as with any other air pad.

R-Value. It is listed at 2.5. What does that mean to me? Well, I don’t know. What I do know is that I can use my NeoAir with a 1/8 inch Thinlight pad and be fine to right around single digits. If I want to go out in colder temps, I will use a 1/4 inch pad, maybe even with the 1/8 inch pad if needed.

Weight. My regular size NeoAir weighs 13.8 oz. It measures 20 x 72 x 2.5 inches. I splurged rather than using a small (short) pad and trying to make my empty pack work under my legs. And it still weighs less than most other pads out there, especially this size. Plus it packs down to the size of a 1L Nalgene, so I have plenty of room for my other tiny stuff to fit in my pack…

As well, I appreciate that the bottom of the NeoAir is tacky feeling. That means it slides around less in my tents (especially those with sil floors) than my other pads.

It takes me approximately 18 breaths to inflate, so no big deal (for me). Deflating it is even easier, just unscrew the valve while I am laying on it in the morning, just before I get up. About 15 – 20 seconds later it is almost flat.

Also, the insulation is really only a mylar sheet. So, I don’t have to worry about long-term deterioration of a synthetic or down insulation inside the pad. As well, I don’t have to worry about the moisture from my breath damaging that insulation.

I can say some bad things about the pad though. It didn’t come with a stuff sack (which means I can save half an oz by using a rubber band, if I choose).

It also didn’t come with a repair kit. That one was the real bummer. A repair kit is essential to have with ANY air pad. So, I had to look around to get the appropriate repair kit. It cost me $10 (I think).

During the summer, I have to take more care with it as far as leaving it inflated. In the heat, the air will expand and if the NeoAir is left inflated it will ruin the internal baffles by blowing them apart. So, if I am base camping, I have to remember not to leave the pad inflated during the day. However, during the day I am usually hiking to my next destination anyway.

So, as may be seen, the regular NeoAir is a winner for me. I really don’t think I could have a better sleeping pad while on the trail. Even the newer versions coming out…

As for the Trekker, the only advantage I see is that it is thicker skinned. However, since I try to clear my area of pointy objects first, that doesn’t really seem to be an improvement over the regular NeoAir (to me). And like I said, I do have the repair kit just in case I miss something. I try to remember that even the thick-skinned Trekker can pop out there too. So, the thick skin manages to add a few extra ozs, but somehow lower the “R-Value”… honestly, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me… so it only seems right that it is a few $$$ cheaper than the regular NeoAir. Doesn’t the rule go something like this: The lighter things get, usually, the more $$$ they cost…

Now, the NeoAir All-Season pad may be a nice addition though. It is a few ozs heavier, but it promises twice the “R-Value” of the regular version, plus has a thicker skin. And to top it off, it does come with a repair kit, and for good measure they even throw in a stuff sack that doubles as a pump. For me, I could see this working as a nice 4th season pad (remember, I am in the Southeast). However, about 80 – 90% of the time, it would still be overkill, both in weight as well as in “R-Value.”

So, I hope that this helps to answer anyone’s (potential) questions. I would like to make one thing clear though. I am not trying to push the NeoAir as being the “best” air pad out there. However, I do feel like it is the “best” for me. Everyone has different issues, concerns and needs and we are all built different so we experience life (and everything within it) a little different than the next...

I've used a Z-rest for as long as I can remember, and I've been very happy with it.

But eventually I wanted to try for more comfort and a more compact pad when stored. I've now been spoiled by the comfort of NeoAir. I went with the large after trying the regular (I'm 71"). It is well worth the few extra ounces and dollars.

Yes, I do hate the time it takes to air up and down, but resting after a 6-15 mile hike... You just can't beat this comfort.

Been using this sick for the whole summer now. I have been using a large for an ultra pad. It replaced my Prolite 4 regular. It weighs less, and inch thicker, compresses smaller, 5 inches wider, 5 inches longer and way more comfortable. There is nothing out there that is this light and comfortable. I would venture to say that this is the great pad for backpacking ever made.

The only down side is that it is not self inflating. I can blow it up in about 20 breaths.

this is by far my favorite thing to sleep on!! i sleep on this more than my bed because it's MUCH more comfy!! costs as much as a mattress... BUT it's well worth it because you can take this one with you anywhere!!! youre for sure not to leave this guy at the campsite due to the bright color (thank you thermarest) and i've aired it up in 18 big breaths before! wore out my lungs but was very quick to fill! the insulation is fantastic, it helps you retain so much heat while sleeping or using it as a bench to play cards with your buddies! easy to roll up and store which is my number one pet peeve with sleeping pads, they nailed it. i always suck out whatever little air is left in the mattress to make sure it gets down to the tiniest form possible! i stole one of my girlfriends hairbands and use it to wrap around and store! it's the size of a .5L camelback and can be packed anywhere in a pack, just be careful for the airvalve, you don't want it to break off:/

so pretty much buy it already, quality quality quality! you won't wake up sore in the morning with this guy, i promise!

The lightest most comfortable pad on the market. Don't be confused by other companies attempts at this pad - the competitors weigh more or have a lower R value, so it makes sense that they are cheaper. Cascade Designs always makes top of the line products and have a great warranty. If you want the best sleeping pad on the market, this is it.

4 Stars cause it costs more than spending a night in a 4 star hotel.

With that said, I love this thing. Definitely the most comfortable I have been sleeping outside. I didn't slide around on it at all, in fact it made rolling around in my sleeping bag a little more challenging. I had no issues with being cold down to 35 deg. I haven't gone colder than that with it yet, not sure I'd' want to go too much cooler without adding something else underneath.

Blowing it up isn't too bad. There is one thing to be aware of though, some people have complained that this thing leaks, or deflates on its own. This is wrong, to debunk this - little science lesson coming up... PV=nRT (That's pressure x Volume = moles x constant R x Temperature)
Don't worry about n & R they're constants. So Basically Pressure x Volume = Temperature. What that also means is that PV/T = PV/T in the same closed container at two different temperatures, obviously. So basically, what I'm getting at is the air you're putting into this thing is 98 degrees. Let it sit out at camp for a while before you go to bed and it's going to cool off. Pressure inside isn't going to change, but you better believe the filled volume is. Based on the geometry of this thing, it's about 3000 cu in. So if you fill it up with 98 degree air, and then let it cool to say, 60 degrees, it's only going to be about 1800 cu inches - yeah, it'll look like it lost 40% of its air!

Some of you may have followed that, some people’s eyes may have glossed over reading it, but if it made sense to 1 person I'm happy. Hope it helps.All in all this thing is awesome and I recommend it if you can afford to spend all that money on it. You just might have to top it off with a little more air before you go to bed.

**Since there's been a few comments and my memory of the ideal gas law was a bit rusty...
Temperature must be expressed in Kelvin, so 98.6 deg Fahrenheit = 310K and 60 deg Fahrenheit = 288K.
What this means is that the bag will look like it lost 7% of it's air, not 40% (that did seem like an awful lot). Obviously the colder it gets, the more air it will seem to have lost. At 0 deg Fahrenheit it will have "lost" 18% of it's air.**

Packs light inside your pack and does not take up much room...Comfortable sleeping pad....

Stoked on this item because it packs away small and is lightweight!And suprisingly very comfortable for sleeping on considering it is so light.....

Great until your butt touches the ground at 3:00am. Mine leaked. I got it from REI due to a gift card for Christmas and I hope to take it back but not likely to get a replacement like BackCountry... It is an air mattress and I kind of expected it to leak but have only had it about 6 months and used it less than 5 times. I am pretty careful with it and have always used a sheet of tyvek under it.

I've used this NeoAir mattress for the last few years and it's been great to be able to cut down on weight and increase comfort. My girlfriend recently picked one of these up and hers came with a small patch kit (which mine didn't, but thankfully I haven't had to patch anything up!).

Be sure you have a nice, fluffy pillow with this pad -- without one, it's pretty easy to sleep with your back out of alignment and wake up sore the next day.

I've used this NeoAir mattress for the last few years and it's been great to be able to cut down on weight and increase comfort. My girlfriend recently picked one of these up and hers came with a small patch kit (which mine didn't, but thankfully I haven't had to patch anything up!).

Be sure you have a nice, fluffy pillow with this pad -- without one, it's pretty easy to sleep with your back out of alignment and wake up sore the next day.

I have used this pad on three ski trips now....And so far it has been working great,this pad packs very small leaving much more rooom in my ski pack,It has enabled me to ski with a smaller ski pack on two or three day ski tours....In moderate winter temeratures this pad has been warm enough,when using the apropriate sleeping bag....I still need to get the repair kit just in case on longer trips....

This pad truly is amazing. I converted to it from a 1.5 self inflating REI pad, that while warm, was the traditional 18inx7in size that those types of pads are. Getting a NeoAir was the best choice I've ever made in regards to sleeping on the mountains.

Size, small...really small, it's not joking about the 1 liter bottle size, before rolling I actually suck whatever air I can back out, then close the valve to make sure I can get it as small as it's intended to go. While it doesn't come with a stuff sack, you probably won't need one, it's small enough to fit into any free crevase in your bag.

Weight, less that a lb, you won't feel it. This is a pretty big weight loss on the bag if you are moving from a self inflating like I did, as those are usually around the 2lb mark.

Durability, I've had it in the tent, I've had it in the sand in korea, the rock banks of the arkansas river in colorado, the bare peaks of the san isabel range, no holes to speak of so far, 2 years and around 40 camps, pad looks great.

Warmth, most will agree the pad is warm to freezing 32F, but there is some controversy in reviews on the 0-30F range. So I can only put my experience.
I personally have been comfortable on this pad in -5F, that was with the pad full inflated, in a -20 down bag, inside a Nemo Moki (expedition) tent. I was perfectly toasty. The coldest I've had the pad on the bare ground the temp was around 30F and I was in a 20F bag and I was warm. Keep in mind if you are the kind of personal to slightly underinflate the bag so it comforms more to your body then you are losing insulation as you are decreasing the distance between yourself and the ground. Best tip, if it's cold, have it fully inflated, and have a bag rated 15-30 degree below the air temp. Everything after that is trial and your own personal taste.

I don't mind blowing it up, it only takes me about 20 second of hyperventilation or 1-2 minutes of casual breathing.

Best pad I've ever had, and I doubt I'll move on to anything else anytime soon.

I wrote another review on here about my first one that leaked after a while. I did get a replacement from REI but still go to BackCountry first (if I am not in a rush). The new pad is leak free so far. I have logged at least 30 trail days and several hundred miles with this pad and would not trade it. Light and thick. Just too dang expensive. Come on therma rest... give us a break :)

This pad is comfortable. I will give Therm-a-rest that. The price is way too high and they should be embarrased charging additional for the stuff sack. That said the only other suggestion I can muster is that they should make a 25 inch wide by 45-60 inch long version. Less weight and less time to inflate. I just hope she holds up to abuse. I also agree with one of the other users and slept in the back bed of a pick up at about 25 degrees and it was not holding the cold at bay. I usually keep an old peice of therm-a-rest pad cut down to about 20"x30" to sit on, kneel on, wave at the fire...etc. and I put this under my core. That helps!!!

At 6'2'' The regular is perfect length for me to keep my head on the pad and not hang off the end. It provides great comfort even when sleeping on your side on a rocky river bank. Just another great product form cascade design!

This is by far the most comfortable sleeping pad that I have ever used. The only reason I don't give it five stars is because after several months of heavy use, I woke up in the middle of the night to it mostly deflated. After that trip I tried finding a leak to patch with no success and ended up exchanging the pad. No problems with the new one.
Did not have a problem inflating this pad whether it was after a long day climbing or 15 miles of hiking.
I was skeptical about the life expectancy with the thin material, but we will see how the second pad holds up.

Got this sleeping pad a few months ago and I really like it. I have used it backpacking a couple of times, and I slept on it for a couple of weeks while I did not have a mattress.

PROS: Extremely light. I have the regular, which weighs as much as my old Z-Rest, but is much more comfortable! Holds air well - During the two weeks that I slept on it nightly, it never required re-inflation. Small!!! This thing can be rolled down to the size of a 32 oz. Nalgene. Remarkable really.

CONS: Makes a strange crinkly noise when it is moved. No big deal though, I usually fall asleep faster when I'm not moving around anyways. Can be a bit of a chore to roll up. The stuff sack (purchased separately) is somewhat difficult to use unless it is folded just so. Maybe I'm doing it wrong? Either way, a great bypass/money saving alternative to the stuff sac would probably just be rubber bands and a zip-loc (for protection).

OTHER: Takes me less than 30 breaths to get this to where I like it. I guess that's pretty good, but I can offer no comparison to other sleeping pads.

Overall, this is a definite upgrade from the Z-Rest and it is awesome to see companies continuing to make smaller and lighter products. Honestly, I'm not too worried about the durability - it may look fragile, but I'm thinking it can handle a lot of abuse. Amazingly comfortable and light - I'm giving it 5 stars.

So this new sleeping pad from Thermarest is killer. It packs up super small and it's very light. It is also thick enough (about 3 inches) to sleep on your side. I usually sleep on my side and other sleeping pads have been tough on the shoulders due to a lack in thickness (unless you have a heavier insulated pad). I recommend this pad for those who are weight and size-conscious toward their gear...and if you are a side-sleeper like me. I have yet to use it in the winter, but I'm looking forward to it for sure.

It took some convincing for me to pull the trigger and buy this sleeping pad becuase of the $$. However, it was worth it! Light, warm, most comfortable, and packs super small. It is a huge plus over any other sleeping pad out there. The only downside is the price but this isn't for the value minded backpacker. I've heard rumours of a 2011 neoair that uses a less heat reflective material but knocks about $40 bucks off of the price. I love my neo air and all of the jealous looks i get from friends trying to go lite with the z lite or prolite.

Weight issues brought me to it. I use this with my sleeping bag during Winter...Bag does not slide off during the night. The rest of the year I use the down comforter and fitted sheet. Totally cool, er, warm. Thermarest comforter is rated to 40 degrees...using the NeoAir, I have slept in 35 degree temps (in my tent), stayed warm all night. I love it. No issues with durability in two seasons of use (sixteen trips). I set this up when making camp, then 'top it off' with a few more breaths of air before sleep. Stays comfy all night.

The valve was finiky. I had to really turn it tight to keep air from leaking out. Felt like I was going to tear the valve off the mattress at times.

Other than that, it was a great pad and offered great comfort and insulation.

What do i do with all the extra space left in my pack now that I hace chucked away my old sleeping pad?
The reason why I don't give it five out of five is because it still has some way to go before it insulates good enough when sleeping directly on snow. Anyway It still saves weight and space. Get one!
(I used the the extra space for chocolate in case you wondered)

I just spent 8 days & nights winter camping. Night temp. -30, day temp. -20. The NeoAir worked great. The pad was comfortable,easy to blow up & it kept me warm. Not once did I get cold from underneath me, not even at-30. I did put a hole in it, but it was very easy to fix. This is an excellent pad for winter camping. Eric Boehmler , Alaska.

Received the large version as a Christmas present this year and it's very impressive. I find the cross-chambers to be better supporting of my body than my old Big Agnes pad. As long as you don't intend to use this in cold temperatures you'll be fine. If you want to extend use into 4 season situations try and closed cell foam pad (maybe 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch) underneath for additional r-value. If you're sleeping in shelters, consider a piece of tyvek to go under the pad to keep it safe from nail heads or splinters.

This is hands down the best outdoors gear related purchase I've made in easily a few years. Going from a 13 year old Thermarest Guidelite to the Neo air has saved me so much weight and space that it still blows me away every time I pack this thing into my bag.
This is hands down the most comfortable sleeping pad I've ever spent time on. I'm generally a side sleeper and the Neo air is by far the best option I've come across that allows me to sleep in my natural state in terms of comfort, packability, and weight. It feels a bit fragile at first, but it's actually quite durable.
As far as warmth, I've never had a problem with it on snow or in the cold. I've used it on snow at altitude many times (coldest being close to 0F) and haven't noticed the need for a second closed cell pad to increase insulation. Maybe I just sleep warm, or maybe my bag is bomber, but I'd bet that you won't need a closed cell pad to use with this unless you're in some pretty extremely cold conditions.
While it is a bit pricey, I've never once regretted spending the extra money. If you have an older thermarest type pad, are just using closed cells, and/or are a side sleeper and you're in the market for a new pad, the Neo Air should definitely be something to consider. Try it out at a store and I guarantee you'll fall in love with it.

I love this pad, it's nice and thick which makes side sleeping tolerable on crap ground. Bonus- it's really lightweight. I have owned this pad for a couple of years and have no patches in it with many good nights sleep.
The only downside is how noisy the pad is when you move around. But buy some earplugs, my sleeping bag is noisy too. Isn't yours?

Yes Big Agnes owners, the Large will NOT fit in your bag, BUT all the smaller ones WILL!

Weight/R-Value you won't find anything better. If you're a once a year camper, don't buy this, if you're a avid backpacker or year around camper. This is one of the best investments you'll make.

Received the large version as a Christmas present this year and it's very impressive. I find the cross-chambers to be better supporting of my body than my old Big Agnes pad. As long as you don't intend to use this in cold temperatures you'll be fine. If you want to extend use into 4 season situations try and closed cell foam pad (maybe 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch) underneath for additional r-value. If you're sleeping in shelters, consider a piece of tyvek to go under the pad to keep it safe from nail heads or splinters.

There are pads out there that are much cheaper and lighter but you will be sacrificing a lot of comfort. The Neo Air is an incredibly comfortable and compact sleeping pad. You can control the firmness or softness of the pad allowing for a custom sleep experience. The insulating properties are very impressive. 16 of us were tenting on frozen dirt. In the morning when all the tents were packed up I walked around and noticed every ones “melt spot” from where they were sleeping. I was using the Neo Air and my melt spot was much smaller than almost everyone else.

Durability: Very durable if taking precautions. You need a ground cloth! If you’re in a tent perfect! Guys on the Appalachian using just the shelters I find a space blanket works perfect and weighs next to nothing. Ultra lighters and Light guys, MSR makes an E-Bivy that is 10oz and is surprisingly tough and water resistant, coupled with the 7oz tarp from GoLite that uses just one hiking pole to set up and boom you’re in business. Some sort of stuff sack is a good idea to protect it form objects in your pack.

Cons: After a couple hardy breathes into the pad I get a little light headed. It takes about 20 to 25 good lung full’s to inflate. I usually put a couple breathes into it, get water, couple more breaths, do something else and so on until its filled. Also break down time takes a little longer as well.

Bottom line: Perfect for going as light a possible but keeping comfort at an all time high.

I am very happy with the Neoair. I used it this past weekend during a few chilly (34F) nights camping. I do agree with other reviewers that if it dipped colder than that I would like a little extra insulation and I might steal my girlfriends Z-Lite pad to put underneath it.

First off, I am happy it airs up really quick and takes up so little space in my bag. I was surprised as to how plush a pad this can be. This is more comfortable than some full fledged air mattresses I have slept on. I also found that airing it up all the way was not as comfortable as taking just a bit of air out. Once I did that I fell in love with it.

Another thing I find I appreciate about this pad is I never once slipped around on it. It also seems less crackly sounding when I am using it camping than the first time I aired it up and tried it at home.

All-in-all I am not regretting spending more on this pad because I am very happy with it and can foresee using it for quite some time.

The only negative I have for it would be that I have to watch my girlfriend as she constantly tries to steal my pad instead of use her own.

Along with the Big Agnes sleeping bag with which I use this pad, the NeoAir is the single most valuable (not expensive, valuable) piece of camping gear I own. At home, I have a Sleep Number bed...the NeoAir is as close as you are going to get to that in a tent. I have used it in 95+ degree (at night) weather in Texas and it was comfortable. I have used it in 27 degree weather in Oklahoma and I was toasty warm sleeping directly on the ground. In a Big Agnes, the sleeping pad provides 100% of the bottom insulation. I have owned my NeoAir for over 18 months now and spent over 30 nights on it. Zero complaints. Well worth the money.

I am a classic Big & Tall sort of person (more big than tall, but tall too) and the NeoAir pad allows me to roll over on my side without my hip ever touching ground. Sure, it takes 40 breaths to blow it up - but then it's heaven all week. When slipped in to the pad pouch on the bottom of the Big Agnes I can roll, toss, turn, and SLEEP in any position in complete comfort. Every campout (I am a Scouter) I make the folks with big blowup mattresses and self-inflators alike jealous as I fold the NeoAir into thirds and roll it into a bag smaller than a loaf of bread.

I have seen others complain of punctures on the first use - try clearing your sleeping site of sharp stones and burrs before you pitch your tent (duh).
I have seen others complain of awaking on the ground in the morning. A little lesson in science - your breath is approximately 98 degrees when you blow up the pad. Warm air is expanded. As your warm breath in the pad cools down, the air contracts and so does the pad. This is especially pronounced in cold weather. Just top it up with a few breaths and sleep happy. As a matter of habit, the NeoAir is the first thing I set up after my tent. I blow it all the way up, toss it in the tent, and then finish setting up camp. Then, right before I go to sleep it needs topping up because the air I used to inflate it has cooled down and contracted. Once the pad and the ground temperature reach an equilibrium point, there is no problem. But, if you blow it up right before you get in the bag - yup - you are going to wake up on the ground. Don't blame the NeoAir, blame science.

Buy the stuff sack. Ridiculous that you have to spend an extra $15 when you are spending $100+ on a pad, I know, but the stuff sack is just the right size. I have seen others complain about the stuff sack. Here we go again...if there is ANY air left in your NeoAir when you try to roll it up - you got it - too thick to go in the bag. Make sure all of the air is out, roll it up, and it slides into the stuff sack with room to spare. There is absolutely NO problem with the NeoAir, or its stuff sack.

One other tip - blow it up the minute you get it and let it sit over night. Notice how it deflates a little. Top it up. Notice how it stays inflated. If there is a manufacturing problem this is where it will show up. If you buy it, never test inflate it, and wait until your first night out to discover a problem, whose fault is that? (Hint - it's not the NeoAir's fault. Be Prepared.)

This is a great pad. I love the new technology and how light and compact thermarest has gotten such a warm sleeping pad. That being said, I did find I had to adjust the amount of air in the pad to make it comfortable for me. To much and it was hard, too little and I felt the ground. Maybe I'm just picky, but it was a little finicky the first couple of uses. Still love it though!

So I've had this for a while, and I really do love it. It's comfortable and light. However, I'm not sure if it's just because it's all air, but the past few nights I've used it, I wake up with my butt touching the ground -- the air just doesn't stay in all night. Whether its the air pressure or a leak, I have had it replaced already, and it is still happening. It's a shame, but oh well.

It's hard to get something light weight that is also comfortable. At first I was using the prolite small which weighs 14 oz's and is only 1.25 inches thick, however, as soon as this one came out, I had to get it. I sent in my old pad, got this one, and won't look back. It takes a little more to inflate, but it is incredibly comfortable. I don't inflate it all the way so it can contour to my body better, but this pad is the best out there!

I was a little worried about the noise of the material, but its really not that noisy at all! Its super comfy, super light, and packs up super small. I'm 6' 3" and was hesitant on what size to get, but I bought a regular and it is the perfect size for me! Not sure about durability but I'm not too worried because I tend to baby my gear.

Being a serious gear head, I can honestly say that I have tried most lightweight pads out there -- either in store or in the wilderness. The Neo far surpasses any pad I have ever used in terms of compact weight, comfort and stability. This baby is tiny and featherweight in a backpack. It will slide into some of those tiny voids while packing. This pad is simply the most comfortable pad I have ever laid my trail weary spine upon. Some pads cause added rolling when turning from back to side sleeping and back again. I for one tend to move around during the night and the Neo is neither noisy (as some people claim) or unstable. I think its the horizontal baffles that offer improved stability and warmth. I have the 20 and 25" models. The 20 is a bit too narrow, but works fine while the 25 feels like a queen size mountain matress. It literally fills the entire floor space of my MSR Hubba HP. I simply add a 1/8" or 1/4" closed cell foam pad between the Neo and my bag during colder conditions - perfect!

I cannot put a higher rating or I would. The only thing that could improve this pad is a material that is more durable for using in a camp chair, however this would then be detrimental to the insan lightness of this pad. For that I will be more careful!

Get it today!!

I've had two, decided to look elsewhere. My first NeoAir suffered from the delamination scourge which affected many early run NeoAirs. I sent it in to Cascade Designs Warranty/Repair Dept and they replaced it promptly, no questions asked. Replacement pad had no problems, but I ultimately decided to sell it.

Try as I might, I just can't get comfortable on the NeoAir. The horizontal baffles just don't work well for me- the effective width the pad feels like it's only 16" with the way the baffles collapse at the edges. Makes for an poor night's rest, all night long I'm having to adjust the pad and my position on it so that I'm falling off one side or another. The sticky coating helps- if only all pads had it! Never had a problem with the many other 20" wide pads I've owned from Thermarest, Pacific Outdoor Equipment, etc. In the end, the design of the pad doesn't make much sense. Unless you're using it in a hammock, vertical baffles seem to make more sense.

Ended up selling the NeoAir and getting a Pacific Outdoor Equipment Ether Elite 6, and more recently a custom Kooka Bay pad. About the same weight as a Medium NeoAir, but four inches wider and almost twice as warm with an R-Value of 4. Both options worth considering if the NeoAir doesn't work for you.

Bought this because it's half the weight of my Exped Downmat. It's comfy but seems narrow and not quite as comfortable as the Downmat. I'd still go for the Downmat in the winter, but the Neoair did great at 11,000 ft on Mt Rainier this weekend with sub-freezing temperatures.

Only nit pick is the extra $13 for a stuff sack. I used a BD skin bag which fitted the mat well.

I knew that this pad packs down small, but I was still amazed when it first came in the mail. Not only is this pad less than 1/3 the weight of my old Therm-a-rest, it's about 1/5 the volume, and it's longer, thicker, and more comfortable.

The only downsides are that it's expensive, and it takes a lot longer to inflate than other pads. It also feels a bit fragile, but I haven't had any punctures or leaks yet.

I wanted to hate this pad so badly. It's SOOOO overpriced, doesn't come with a stuff sack OR a repair kit, and just sounds too good to be true. Turns out I hate to love it.
I bought one a few months back (I was lucky enough to find a large) and it wouldn't hold air overnight. Thus, I promptly returned it and wrote it off... But since I'm obsessive compulsive, I HAD to try again. Once again, I was lucky enough to find a large (after searching EVERYWHERE for a solid month), and this one holds air better than Michael Phelps. I spent the night on it with the perfect amount of air and it was more comfortable than my bed. Seriously. I also thought I'd hate the sticky coating, but found it to be incredibly useful when I turned sideways and my sleeping bag stayed put (I like it that way). I was skeptical about the "reflective heat surface" but actually noticed that where my body was, IT WAS WARM AS HELL. Seriously. The large size is PERFECT for my fat ass, it's wide enough so my arms don't hang off the side when I'm on my back, long enough so my feet aren't hanging off the edge, and so thick that side sleeping is not a problem at all. Perfect...
So, in the end, I am absolutely PAINED to give this pad 5 stars: there is no stuff sack, no repair kit, and it cost more than my TENT... but after all is said and done, the ability to actually sleep comfortably in the wilderness is priceless. And since my large weighs at least a full pound less than any large foam pads out there and stuffs smaller than most REGULAR sized pads I've seen, I grudgingly bow down to my Neoair. The perfect air mattress.

This pad really is light and packs small. Also very comfortable -- the one gripe is that it is pretty noisy. Noisy enough to disturb sleep when you move at night and noisy enough that folks in other tents (20 yards away) commented on hearing me turn over at night. That said, I am wondering if there are any suggestions to solve for that? Solve that and it is perfect.

This pad is awesome. It packs down to a size of a little bigger than a nalgene bottle. When blown up it is just about 3 inches thick and comfy as heck. The only drawback is that it takes a bit of time to blow up and also to pack it down correctly. If you are dirtbike camping like me, or just need need gear to take up as little room as possible, this is the pad for you. If you are on the fence, pull the trigger. You won't regret it.

This is a killer pad. It is unbelievable how small it packs (no, like other therm-a-rests it does not come with its own stuff sack, which is unfortunate given how much this pad costs). It really does roll up to 9 X 4 inches (regular size)., and weighs less than a pound. But size does not mean anything if it does not work, and this pad really works. Yes, you have to blow it up, but this really is not too hard to do so. It is really thick, so that even if I let some air out so that it is soft, I still do not hit the ground even when lying on my side (so no more waking up with one leg asleep!). It really does a good job of retaining heat (so that I have even been fine sliding it into the sleeve in my Big Agnes bag) and is stable enough that you don't feel like you're sleeping on a pool float. Sure, this pad is pricey, but based upon its comfort, weight and stuffed size, I believe that it is worth it.

great pad. of course super lightweight and compact, but if just sleeping on ground I would recommend bringing a tarp to sleep on because the pads fabric is not as thick as the older therm-a-rests.

THE BEST sleeping pad on earth - especially for backpackers, who need low-weight, low size options. This pad packs down to the size of a Nalgene, and provides unparalleled sleep comfort.

If you are over 6 feet tall, i highly recommend getting the Large - the Regular is too small for me, and I'm 6'4".

AWESOME PAD!

I ordered this to use in place of my Cabela's Ultimate 3" pad for backpacking.
It is the size of a Nalgene bottle when stored and the weight is just over a pound for the Large model.
I am 6' 7" and weigh 250 pounds and the NeoAir pad worked great for me.
The NeoAir is Wood Badge tested and Wood Badge approved!

I was a little skeptical on paying the price for this but I'm glad I did. It packs very lightweight and small. I didn't fill it completely full of air so that I could fold it and use some of it as a pillow. It makes a lot of noise if you move around on it and it may disturb people sleeping next to you is only complaint. But hey I didn't care I love how comfortable it was.

great comfort, feather weight, love this pad

make sure to use a ground cloth for puncture protection (not that that has been a problem after 10 months of use - Olympic Peninsula Coast, North Cascades, Grand Canyon, etc) - it's just that it would really suck to have to sleep on the rocks and roots in the middle of a hump

i deflate mine, roll it into a cylinder and wrap my space socks around each end, then into the pack

what's with the comments about the lung effort to blow this up? can't blow this up? really? go home

I had to return the first one I bought because of a defect. My new one arrived in a few days, the transaction was awesome!!

five stars for comfort, but four stars for ease of use cuz you do have to blow it up, which takes a couple of minutes. the biggest complaint is that this pad is advertised as being a good could weather pad, but its not at all. this thing will suck the heat right out of you. my solution consisted of getting a z-light to put on top of it, which works well to insulate against heat loss through the ground. four stars over all, because of that little issue.

I just got this pad a couple days ago and got the chance to test it out for the weekend and i must say it is very comfortable, and ridiculously easy to inflate. Definitely a great buy, I'm looking forward to seeing how long it will last!

Light weight and easy to pack are the two main reasons for purchasing this sleeping pad. After sleeping on only a ISO Mat while at PTA (Hawaii) I realized I needed a ground mattress. Since buying I've used it in the Mojave Desert (EMV) for 24 straight nights without any problems. Did notice it loosing some air over night and during day when left inflated. Never enough to touch ground though. Three or four more breaths firmed it up to my liking.
Once deployed to Afghanistan I of course took the Neo Air on all Op's without any issues. Did use a ground tarp and Z-lite iso mat (afraid of punctures) and slept like a baby. Took a lot of ball busting from the young Marines but only because they were jealous (Haters).
Would highly recommend.

Very comfortable, holds the air well and does not make noise if you turn from side to side. It packs down to the size of a water bottle. I would recommend this type pad to a friend.

Been using this a few years now for backpacking and Kayaking trips. Super light super comfy for long trips and weekenders. price tag well worth the saving's in size and space. Consider the inflate time as a work out lol.