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But how do you choose the right one out of 25 models? This piece is intended to centralize information, create quick and clear comparisons, and help you find the right sleeping pads for your sleep system. Jump ahead to: 1. Sleeping Pad R-Value 5. Sleeping Pad Construction 6. Sleeping Pad Valves 7. Sleeping Pad Sizes 8. How to Choose a Sleeping Pad 9. Sleeping Pad Maintenance.

Backcountry sleeping pads need to be lightweight, warm, compact and durable. This tricky combination is made possible by the use of premium materials and industry leading construction techniques.

The industry standard and award-collector for lightweight three-season backpacking performance. Does inflating and deflating all that volume sound tiresome? The high-flow one-way inflation of the WingLock Valve makes setting it up a breeze. Plus, it comes with a breath-saving pump sack. Triangular Core Matrix construction offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any pad construction in the industry. That ratio is further boosted by the embedded patent-pending ThermaCapture layer that radiates body heat back toward your body, rather than letting it slowly seep out of the pad.

The result is a R-Value of 4. If you need a reliable and high-performance foundation for your backcountry sleep system, there is no better choice than the XLite. The award-winning Xtherm provides best warmth-to-weight ratio of any sleeping pad on the market and is a must-have for winter backcountry objectives.

Slightly bulkier than the XLite due to its thicker materials and added warmth features, it still packs down plenty small enough to be an easy choice for thru-hikers and alpinists. Its objective is warmth R-Value 6. The baffled internal Triangular Core Matrix construction makes for a super-supportive 2. Like the XLite, the WingLock valve eases inflation and deflation especially when combined with the included pump sack.

One piece of feedback we regularly get from customers is that the Xtherm has become their go-to pad for every trip, not just the cold ones. One reason is that for a few extra ounces, they get the extra durability of slightly heavier materials on the bottom, and some peace of mind knowing punctures are less likely.

The Xtherm is a cold-weather specialist, but the qualities that make it great are dead-useful on any trip. A gram-counters dream, the UberLite is the lightest insulated air pad ever built. If the lightest and most compact sleep system is your goal, the UberLite is the pad for you. Compared to an XLite, the lighter weight materials are immediately noticeable. Still, this 2.

Similarly, it uses a WingLock valve and included pump sack for easy inflation and deflation. It may be a specialist pad, but the Uber features hallmarks of Therm-a-Rest build quality to deliver peak-ultralight performance.

Get the best of both worlds with the ProLite Apex. With its StrataCore construction the ProLite Apex combines the lightweight and compact attributes of a true air pad with the ease-of-use, comfort and durability of a self-inflating sleeping pad.

Alternating ridges of air and open-cell foam make this 2-inch pad super comfortable, warm and supportive for all types of sleepers. Open-cell foam core pads will never be as light and compact as our NeoAirs, but by carrying some extra weight you get ease-of-use and added durability on account of the slightly thicker materials.

With a 3. The ProLite is an absolute Therm-a-Rest classic that recalls our invention of the groundbreaking self-inflating sleeping pad. It was designed for the modern backpacker in need of reliable self-inflating performance and comfort at an affordable price-point. The open-cell foam core utilizes diagonal channels strategically cut out of it die-cut in order to eliminate bulk without sacrificing warmth or support.

At 1-inch thick, the ProLite provides sleepers with essential comfort and three-season warmth. Pro Tip: Pick up a small size for serious weight savings. Although the added comfort measures increase the overall weight, the ProLite Plus is no less backcountry ready. The open-cell foam does most of the inflation work, requiring just a few breaths to find your desired comfort level.

Much like its sibling, the ProLite Plus gives the sleeper simple and durable three-season performance at camp. The Z Lite series is darn-near perfect with its approach to being an indestructible, ultralight and multi-use tool for your backpacking kit.

Honestly, your imagination is the limit. The textured design allows heat-trapping dimples to capture your body heat and hold it. Moreover, the SOL model features a layer of our proprietary reflective ThermaCapture coating to bump its R-Value up to a fair weather 2.

That may not seem like much, but if you layer it under another pad, that 2. For example, an XLite—with a three-season R-Value of 4. That level of backcountry usefulness is hard to find at this price in any gear category, not just sleeping pads. The modern adventurer rarely restricts themselves to a single lane of adventure. Weeks spent sleeping in a tent deep in the backcountry are followed up by weekends car camping with friends and family.

They are light and compact enough for the backpack, while still bringing the premium comfort features you want in the frontcountry. The Topo strikes that perfect balance between specialist lightweight backpacking pad and a super-comfy backcountry bed.

Made of premium materials, the Topo boasts a 3-inch 7. WaveCore construction ensures the necessary insulation for three-season pursuits. It comes with a pump-sack for easy inflation in addition to the standard WingLock Valve system that features one-way inflation.

As the name suggests, the Topo Luxe takes the backcountry comfort profile of the Topo and goes all in. Premium materials and iconic Therm-a-Rest construction make this comfort-conscious pad compact and backcountry ready, but with the chops to be the envy of any car campsite.

This thing is ultra-versatile, warm for its weight, packable, and comfortable. If you're looking for a top of the line pad that isn't miserably heavy, this is a pretty dang good choice. For years we made a conscious decision to just deal with the frustration of having a dated valve system on our Therm-a-Rest pads.

The new winglock valve exceeded our expectations and solved the low flow, back flow, and durability issues we had with the XLite. Not only did the XLite get kitted out with the new new, but it also gained a full number R-value, further boosting the usable temperatures.

While we saw fit to award the XLite with our Top Pick in previous years, this year really solidified our decision, and we're more impressed than ever. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers.

No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Photo: Therm-a-Rest. Share this article:. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite is ideal for those looking to shave ounces off their overnight kit without sacrificing too much comfort or warmth.

After years of gear testing, it's rare that we get excited about new gear updates, but after learning of Therm-a-Rest finally pulling the trigger on updating their valve system, we got pretty excited. The XLite was a recipient of this new winglock valve, as well as a boost in R-value. The XLite exceeds our expectations for an ultralight backpacking sleeping pad and thus once again takes the Top Pick Award in the Ultralight category.

Compare to Similar Products. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm. Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated. Klymit Static V2.

Show full specification details Hide full specification details. Performance Comparison The XLite was an excellent sleeping pad.

Shoulder season backpacking gear decisions were made easy with the XLite in our kit. While it isn't highly insulated, it got the job done in unpredictable weather. The XLite offers plenty of thickness to keep you off the ground even when resting on elbows. The horizontal baffles keep bouncing to an absolute minimum. It's easy to see why this was one of our top scorers in the packed size category.

The XLite packs in tighter than rush hour traffic on I into Denver. The XLite certainly isn't as warm as the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus but it is significantly lighter and can still see you through a cold night or two with your life intact.

The new winglock valve and pump sack included with the XLite isn't perfect but it's as good as other brand designs and about a thousand times more effective than the previous valve included on this pad. The pad was used directly on the sharp rocks and popped shortly before sunrise A Regular size Therm-a-Rest Neo Air pad Xlite shown here fits perfectly inside an Alpacka Explorer 42 raft and insulates and elevates you from cold water. There are certainly lighter pads out there but the XLite is comfortable, warm, and really packable.

The RidgeRest SOLite mattress is the lightweight alternative to the RidgeRest Solar mattress, coated with a layer of reflective ThermaCapture technology that redirects radiant heat back to your body to amplify warmth.

Working in conjunction with the classic RidgeRest peaks and valleys, the SOLite mattress delivers exceptional insulation in an ultralight and virtually indestructible alternative for backcountry travelers. RidgeRest Classic. Ultra-durable crosslink polyethylene combines with Thermarest's heat-trapping peaks and valleys to make this a great item for budget first-timers or destination travelers in need of an emergency mattress replacement.

By using Thermarest's most durable foam this mattress is sure to last many a year, delivering exceptional value to campers looking for basic comfort.

The NeoAir XTherm mattresses pack more warmth per gram than any other air mattress in the world, making it the ultimate choice for big trips in challenging conditions. Multiple, reflective ThermaCapture layers provides true four-season warmth without the weight or bulk usually found in a winter-worthy mattress. The NeoAir XLite mattress delivers more warmth and comfort per ounce than any other three-season air mattress available.

Each benefits from Thermarest's Triangular Core Matrix stability, ThermaCapture warmth and uniquely soft fabrics to deliver deluxe comfort for minimalists. The Women's XLite mattress features an additional ThermaCapture layer, providing extra warmth for cold sleepers. The Evolite mattress uses patent-pending AirFrame construction to create Thermarests most comfortable, ultralight self-inflating mattress. It's the pinnacle blend of self-inflating comfort and convenience with the ultralight loft and packability of air mats.

EvoLite Plus. The EvoLite Plus provides the same low bulk, high-loft comfort of the EvoLite mattress with the addition of ThermaCapture warmth and extra thickness for added cold weather performance.