Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting "Thermarest" Replacement

I am heading to Alaska next year and found that my 20 year old Thermarest has decayed and needs replacement. What do you folks recommend these days?

Thermarest NeoAir XTherm NXT Max Large.

This. Bought one for a March trip down the Grand Canyon znd fall deer hunting in the Adirondacks. Couldn't be happier and would buy another. They stand behind their product as well.

I'm a big fan of the Big Agnes Air Core pads. Have uninsulated and insulated.

Thanks. Just ordered from Moosejaw with a 20% New Years discount.

Is this pad less obnoxiously noisy than the regular NeoAir? I couldn't sleep on the lightweight models or even be in the same tent with one - sounds like rolling around on a bag of potato chips all night.

Sounds like you're just not tired enough yet.

The noise was a common complaint with their lightweight pads in the past. After doing a little research it looks like they may have quieted the pads down on the newer models.

Yes, it is less crinkly than the older models of NeoAir and NeoAir XTherm.

Kammik Pongo pad is what I'm using now. Insulated and not as crinkly sounding as neoairs. I haven't touched the neoairs since I got it.

Ed, where are you going, what are you doing, what time of year?

Not a big selection.

It looks like you already made your choice, but, for others looking into this, the Exped Dura 8R is a great pad, especially if warmth and durability are paramount and saving weight isn't of much concern.

The Exped pad generally receives excellent reviews, and it incorporates down as an insulating material, which results in a much quieter, non-crinkly pad compared to those that use reflective foil as insulation. I'm not sure how the down is encapsulated into the pad, so moisture could be a concern, but I've not heard that it's been a problem.

I picked one up for 50% off retail just before the holidays but haven't tried it yet.

Here is a link:

Exped Dura 8R

A couple reviews:

HuntingLife.com
GearJunkie

Brad,

Brown bear over the 4th of July launching via my place in north Idaho. Jake Jefferson is the guide/owner. Fly into Anchorage, spend the night then on his plane to "I haven't a clue"...

The Exped Downmat 7 and 9 are both extremely comfortable and warm, but not my first choice for packpacking. I love them for truck camping, though.

Hi Ed, so given you'll be there in July, no need for the extra weight of the Xtherm - unless of course this isn't a backpack trip, in which case I'd get something thicker and even more comfortable than the Xtherm (yes, I have one).

I don't like air core pads. I am a huge fan of the Thermarest Prolite Plus. I think the Sea to Summit self inflating series of pads is pretty good as well.

Brad,

Have you tried the NXT? It's thicker and more comfortable than the original XTherm, IME. Tough to beat a Downmat 9 for comfort.

If I knew I’d never use it in the cold I wouldn’t get an Xtherm. Otherwise, unless I wanted to buy multiple purpose specific sleeping pads, I’d get the Xtherm. Weight difference is insignificant, especially when measured against performance difference. I’m a one pad for all use (other than car camping) guy. Weight adds up pretty quick when you’re flying also. I’d take that into consideration when looking at bigger/heavier pads.

Jordan, no - the fact you mentioned the newer NXT went right past me! I haven't used it. I have the older version. It's nicely warm and plenty comfortable. However, Nemo is upgrading their Tensor line slowly this year. Most folks consider the Tensor's more comfortable than the Neoair's. All are going to 3.5" thickness and better R values. They do, however, average around 1.5 oz's heavier than the Neoairs.

The first they've upgraded is the "Extreme" model, which competes with the Xtherm, but is 3.5" thick and R8.5. Going forward, I'm switching over to Tensor's.

https://www.nemoequipment.com/colle...or-extreme-ultralight-mountaineering-pad