Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm: warmth through winter and spring

During winter and spring, we tested the ultralight, four-season Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm on several occasions. Its low weight, insulation and compact packed size made it appealing both to weight-conscious hikers and to those who feel the cold.

At the time of our 2013 test, the XTherm was the warmest mat in the NeoAir range and among the warmest available without additional down or synthetic insulation. Four heat-reflective layers inside provided the insulation. In size L, that added 110 g compared with the summer NeoAir, while raising the R-value from 3.2 to 5.7. The difference was noticeable and made it suitable for winter use in our testing.

The NeoAir’s Triangular Core Matrix construction is designed to provide stability and support, and it did. Rolled into its stuff sack, the mat was very compact, even in the substantial 196 cm size L we tested.

The supplied stuff sack doubled as a pump. It worked, but was somewhat awkward and slow. The manual also allowed inflation by mouth, which we used most often because it was much quicker. Its estimate of around 20 strong breaths was reasonably accurate.

At first touch, the XTherm seemed very rustly, but once inflated we did not notice this. Its 6.3 cm thickness provided a comfortable rest, with no noticeable ground chill during our winter and spring outings. We also took it on winter tour-skating trips as a sitting mat, where it comfortably accommodated three or four people.

The XTherm was expensive. But if your priorities were low weight, a small packed size, comfortable sleep, quality and, above all, warmth, a price starting a little above SEK 2,000 could be worthwhile. We hoped it would remain a reliable companion in warm and cold conditions for years.

Specifications and prices at the time of review

What we liked: Low weight, effective protection from ground chill and small packed size.

What could be better: The price.

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