Therm-a-Rest NeoAir

 

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir
Page Type Gear Review
Object Title Therm-a-Rest NeoAir
Manufacturer Cascade Designs
Page By Bill Reed
Page Type Oct 23, 2009 / Oct 23, 2009
Object ID 6517
Hits 4861
Vote

Product Description

From the Therm-a-Rest website:

NeoAir™
Description Specs Awards

The NeoAir mattress represents the world’s most advanced engineering in ultralight comfort. Beyond being the lightest air mattress available, we’ve utilized two patent-pending internal technologies, making it up to three times warmer and far more stable than any other uninsulated air mattress available. And when it comes to space in your pack, you’ll appreciate that it’s no bigger than a one-liter water bottle. Revolutionary by design, the gossamer NeoAir mattress makes comfort one less thing you’ll need to compromise when traveling fast and light.


Features

Ultralight & Compact: Weighs just 14oz. and packs down to the size of a 1-liter water bottle.

Unrivaled Warmth: Our patent-pending reflective barrier returns warmth to your body and reduces heat loss to the ground, keeping you three times warmer than any other uninsulated air mattress.

Sleep Stable: When inflated, patent-pending Triangular Core Matrix technology creates an internal truss system, resulting in the most stable non-self-inflating air mattresses.

Lasting Performance: Achieving thermal efficiency without down or fiber insulation means the NeoAir mattress can be inflated directly without the added weight of a pump, or worrying about exhaled moisture wetting insulation and decreasing performance.

Specifications

From REI's website

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleeping Pad - Regular Specs

Specification
Description
Dimensions 72 x 20 x 2.5 inches
Dimensions - metric 183 x 51 x 6 centimeters
Average weight 14 ounces
Average weight - metric 0.40 kilogram
R-Value 2.5
Insulation Reflective thermal barrier
Packed size 4 x 9 inches
Design type Inflatable
Sleeping pad shape Rectangular
Gender Unisex

Images

Reviews


Viewing: 1-4 of 4

Bill Reed - Oct 24, 2009 11:14 am - Voted 5/5

I think I Love it!
It's super lightweight, it's full sized and roomy and it's pretty damned comfortable! On the downside, it's very expensive ($150), looks a little flimsy and, as far a I can tell, the self inflation feature is a myth.
Overall, so far, I'm glad I purchased it and look forward to sleeping on it again!

Update-10/17/11:
Been using it for 2 years and have wondered if it was leaking the whole time, always thought it was contracting overnight due to temp drop. Finally decided it was more than that after a recent trip. Filled it at home and watched it shrink in 24 hours.
Accidentally poked a hole in it while trying to check for leaks in a bath tub. Sent it in to Cascade Design for repair, fully expecting to pay to fix the hole I made. Surprised when they sent me a new one at no charge. Tested the new one at home and found it working fine.

Autoxfil - Feb 2, 2010 8:02 am - Hasn't voted

Not for everyone, but very good.
I don't know who thought it was self-inflating: this is a blow-up air mattress and I've never seen it advertised as anything else.

It has good points and bad, like any gear. The good:

It has the highest R-value per pound and per cubic inch of any mattress.
It can be rolled and packed into any nook or cranny because it is so small and flexible.
The thickness (2.5") makes it extremely comfortable, especially for side-sleepers whose hips and shoulders tend to press through self-inflating models.
Since there's no foam, moisture from your breath doesn't hurt the R-value. If you've ever had to help a ProLite out by adding air manually you probably lost a little more heat that night.

The downsides:

It is not warm enough for sleeping on snow for most people. So, you need to add another pad, usually a Z-Lite, which adds weight and bulk. A single ProLite Plus is not as warm or as comfortable as the above combination, but it's not bad, the same weight or a touch lighter, and more compact.

The price. You do pay for the weight and size.


Also:
There are concerns about durability - mine has been great, and I'm not worried. I have the patch kit, which I'd need for any foam pad anyway.

Brian C - Dec 14, 2010 8:47 pm - Voted 5/5

Happy for now
This is a great pad but am still concerned about durability. Hasn't failed me yet (I use a floorless tent in summer) but the material seems thin. I will take it out iglooing this season and see how warm it keeps me.

Bill Kerr - Sep 24, 2011 11:08 pm - Voted 5/5

Best sleep
Thick and comfy gives a better sleep and more so if on your side. Can't beat the weight or convenience. Newer versions are less crinkly and less leak problems but I would not abuse it. I never over fill it and am careful about where I put it down.
Expensive but warm for the weight.

Viewing: 1-4 of 4