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Thermarest had, for us, changed our approach to wild-camping when we first received a NeoAir XLite around a decade ago. We have now used the XLite and XTherm as our core piece of kit for multi-day wild-camping group activities since we started our business 9 years ago. We suppose that once you put trust in a product it’s easy to stick with it, with  Thermarest offering a dependable air mat for our use throughout our trekking season in Scotland.

Not much has changed over the years, the most notable being a change to the WingLock valve just a few seasons previous. The NXT range has certainly been a breakthrough in terms of offering something truly updated whilst also sticking to the core principals of lightweight adventure. We received early production models for both and have been using the  XLite NXT and XTherm NXT for around the past 6 months on many multiday expeditions throughout Scotland’s wild and rugged mountain regions.

Both NXT versions have received much attention to be lighter and warmer, with less rustle than before, something that was a bug bear for many. The XTherm being the most notable of the two delivering a 7.3 R-value whilst weighing less than a fair chunk of 3-season mats at 439 grams, giving it the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any sleeping mat…. ever. It’s also very compact and again wouldn’t feel out of place carried outside of the winter season. This factor alone will be a choice for many outdoor goers and a worthwhile investment. Our current XTherm is still going strong 6 years on and has never let us down and has very little signs of wear, with the NXT version looking to follow in very much this direction.

An increased R-value of 0.4 from the previous model wasn’t going to have us noticing a huge difference throughout the night. Where we did see much improvement was the increase in baffle depth. We do find the horizontal baffles when fully inflated to feel rounded and you don’t sink into this style of mat to those with vertical baffles. Letting out a bit of air to fine tune to our body shape and weight was definitely needed and this is the case again with the NXT. The difference this time though is that with the larger 3-inch profile, this was not only a lot comfier than the previous XTherm but also provides better protection placing us higher from the cold ground.

The same also applies to the Xlite NXT which too has a 3-inch profile and an increased R-value to 4.5 making this a mat for mostly full year use in the UK. Pair it up with an additional foam mat for the colder months and this is a system which would be perfect for most. Coming in at a mere 377 grams it is very light and extremely compact when considering what you get in return.

Where the two mats do differ slightly is the use of fabrics. Both use 30D Ripstop Nylon which we have found to be strong and resistant to punctures and scraps against course rock. The XTherm however has an extra robust base fabric of 70D. A bit of reassurance that when out in below zero temperatures the unfortunate event of a puncture won’t ruin your night’s sleep and at worst make for an end to the journey altogether. For use in winter, especially snow holing, we will always favour a two mat system due to this factor, taking along a thin foam base, but still relying on the XTherm to provide the main warmth and protection.

The top fabric is textured to mitigate sliding off throughout the night and once you fine tune the firmness using the WingLock valve both mats are very comfortable and adapt to all ground types.

Unfortunately, both the XLite and XTherm still use the previous blow-up bag which can be a pain to lock in position and also takes a lot more time to inflate than many other brands available. We were really hoping Thermarest would address this on the new model but will have to make do for now.

So now we come to the really interesting bit…. The infamous dreaded NeoAir rustle! We have to say it has never been a real issue of ours. Maybe we are just familiar with the sound or maybe sleeping outside regularly we can usually get a good night’s sleep no matter the outside noises. It cannot be argued though, that the NeoAir can make a bit of a racket when moving around trying to locate a headtorch or just getting into a comfortable sleeping position.  Thermarest have obviously taken note of this and say, ‘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.’

Unusually this isn’t noted on the XTherm which baffles us as we find the XTherm to be much quieter than the previous whilst the XLite, although is significantly less noisy than before, we wouldn’t say 83% - maybe more like between 30-40%. But it is hard to make a guess as a percentage. From what we’ve found there is a lot less noise when shuffling around but if you were expecting a near silent mat then this is not the breakthrough you may be hoping for.

Our Verdict

The Neo Air XLite and XTherm NXT range have not only lowered the weight compared to the previous models but also increased the comfort and thermal qualities making this the perfect option for lightweight wild-camping, as well as long-distance routes throughout the UK and abroad. As we advise people on our treks, a sleeping bag can only perform to its best if a suitable layer is placed underneath protecting it from the ground. The XTherm stands out for us as a much improved piece of kit with an unrivalled weight-to-warmth ratio of 7.3 R-Value, and a low pack size of 439 grams. The XLite NXT will follow on from our current stock to be our choice for the warmer months trekking with an R-Value of 4.5 at 377 grams. All mats come in a range of sizes to suit a range of body types and activities. They may still not be the quietest mat available, although Thermarest have done a decent job to reduce this, but are still a very reliable option, which for us is an important factor when heading into remote mountain regions. The best feature for us is the increased profile now sitting 3 inches from the ground which hugely improves comfort. This reliability and longevity is why we will continue to use the NeoAir for our group activities throughout the year. 

Trek Scotland is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting... Read more from Trek Scotland