Thermarest 'Fast & Light' Sleeping Mats Explained
Posted by Mark Richardson on Jul 05, 2022
NeoAir XLite NXT
With improved warmth and comfort at no extra tax in weight, the NeoAir XLite NXT solidifies the legacy of its predecessor as the finest ultralight air sleeping pad for year-round backcountry adventures. By refining the way our cutting-edge construction technique, the Triangular Core Matrix™, integrates with the warmth radiating ThermaCapture™ technology we reduced the noise by 83% from the previous model. At 3-inches thick, with a horizontal baffled structure, the XLite NXT delivers maximum comfort and support at a minimal weight and packed size.
Airbed - Mummy Shape
Airbed - Rectangular Shape
Ridgerest Classic
Thermarest's Ridgerest is a classic design, take the humble foam mat and carve into it ridges that improve both comfort and insulation for minimal increased weight. Thermarest went on to add reflective material to one side to improve insulation further, but seems to have re-instated this non-reflective version as a relatively low-priced option.
It's still not massively comfortable, but it is for a foam mat the advantages of this material for a sleeping mat is its light and indestructible you can't get a leak in it so it won't fail. You can also cut it to the size and shape you need, thus avoiding carrying extra weight.
Original Z Lite and Z Lite SOL
Closed Cell Foam mats offer insulation and a bit of comfort, the advantage of these mats are that they are virtually indestructable, impervious to puncturing and can even be cut to the size that you want. The Z Lite's dimpled profile adds comfort over a standard foam mat and in the case of the SOL mats there is additional insulation due to their reflective layer.
Closed Cell Foam - Rectangular
NeoAir XTherm NXT
With cutting edge Triangular Core Matrix™ construction and ThermaCapture™ technology, the XTherm NXT delivers a 7.3 R-value while weighing just 439 g (15.5 oz) in the Regular size. Put another way, the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any sleeping pad ever created. It is warmer, lighter and thicker than the previous model, which is why the XTherm NXT cements the legacy of being the go-to sleeping pad for alpinists, mountaineers and extreme cold expeditions.
Airbed - Mummy Shape
Airbed - Rectangular Shape
ProLite Apex
Some people prefer self -inflating mats because of the ease of use and if they do get a puncture there is still the foam to lie on. They are comfortable and warm but tend to be heavier and more bulky than Airbeds.
The ProLite Apex mats are thicker and slightly warmer than the ProLite Plus mats offering more comfort at a similar weight.
Self-Inflating - Mummy Shape
ProLite Plus
The ProLite Plus self-inflating mats offer 3 season insulation and a decent level of comfort, though self-inflating mats as a category are less comfortable than Airbeds.
Self-Inflating - Mummy Shape
Thermarest divide their sleeping mats into three distinct ranges, Fast & Light, Trek & Travel and Camp Comfort - In this post we focus on the Fast & Light category explaining the differences between each mat and giving our opinion.