Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Series Review

Why Do We Rent XTherm MAX Sleeping Pads?

We rent the XTherm MAX because it is wonderfully comfortable, durable and packs down incredibly small and lightweight. With the NeoAir Micro Pump it inflates itself as well. The NeoAir Micro Pump is considerably better than the awkward and annoying pump sack that originally comes with the XTherm MAX. The XTherm MAX is the absolute best sleeping pad we could find on the market today. Whistler and Garibaldi Park campsites are mostly high up in the mountains and the temperatures can get low at night, even in the summer months. The XTherm MAX has a very high R-Value, which means it is an amazing temperature barrier when the ground under your tent is very cold. The XTherm MAX is the perfect sleeping pad year-round in Whistler and you won't believe how lightweight and compact it is in your pack! We rent the MAX version of the XTherm (rectangular) instead of the regular XTherm version (rounded) because they fit better alongside each other and don't move around under your sleeping bag. The uniform, rectangular shape also provides a complete barrier from the cold, whereas the rounded, tapered version leaves gaps near your feet. The weight difference is very small for this added comfort, with the XTherm weighing 0.43kg, while the XTherm MAX weighs 0.49kg. In terms of packed size, both these versions pack down incredibly small and both measure exactly the same at 23cm x 10cm or 9 inches x 4 inches.

The stats above show how the XTherm MAX compares to other sleeping pads we could have chosen to rent. The comparison is slightly unfair, however, as the XTherm NTX MAX and the XLite MAX don't come in size Regular, so Regular Wide is the closest comparison to the XTherm MAX Regular size that we rent. Notice the weight of the XTherm Max is less than all the others except the XTherm on the far left. In terms of packed size, our XTherm MAX packs smaller than all the other, except the regular XTherm which packs down to the same size. The popular Prolite and Prolite Plus sleeping pads that we also rent, weigh more than our XTherm MAX's and even pack down much larger! R-Value is another very important reason we chose the XTherm MAX. R-Value is a measure of thermal resistance, showing how much insulation from the cold ground a sleeping pad will provide. The XTherm MAX has an incredible 6.9 R-Value, which puts it in the range of extreme cold protection. The Prolite has a 2.4 R-Value and the Prolite Plus 3.2 which puts them in the range of three season protection from the cold. The XLite MAX has a 4.5 R-Value which gives all season protection. We rent the XTherm MAX sleeping pads year-round because they are warm, lightweight and pack down small. Reserve here..

XTherm MAX Sleeping Pads in a Mutha Hubba Tent

"The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm is an absolute beast; it balances remarkable warmth (6.9 R-value) with a packable and lightweight design. We can't find a single comparable pad on the market that balances warmth and comfort with versatile features. We're fans of the pad's newly improved valve system and had no hesitation crowning the NeoAir XTherm our favorite pad.." - OutdoorGearLab

We Also Rent Therm-a-Rest Prolite Sleeping Pads

Prolite pads compress down to a small size in your pack. We rent the smallest and most compact, 3/4 length(head to knees) pads on the market. Perfect for overnight expeditions in Whistler and Garibaldi Provincial Park. All-season self-inflating comfort—now with even less weight and bulk. The ProLite mattress combines outstanding all-season warmth with the convenience of self-inflation. Diagonal-cut foam delivers more warmth than the more common vertical channels, making it the ideal choice for ski touring, cold weather expeditions and winter camping. Stuff sack included. Review from Cascade Designs, "I've used many many sleeping pads over the years as a guide. I've tried the gimmicky pads, the ultra light pads, basic pads. This pad is hands down the best option out there, if you are serious about having lightweight gear that will hold up to the real abuses of spending long amounts of time in the backcountry... I haven't had a single complaint, or even a single leak. Don't waste money on other brands or pads, Thermarest really is the best." Four-Season Warmth: Thick, patent-pending diagonal-cut foam offers efficient year-round comfort. Ultra-Compact: Lightweight foam boosts compressibility for easy packing. Self-Inflating: Expanding foam core self-inflates; top off with just a few breaths for personalized firmness. Reserve here..