By the time I was 15, I was well aware Santa wasn’t putting gifts under the tree for me. But that didn’t make Christmas Day 1997 any less magical — especially given all the new backpacking gear I had asked “him” for. Brimming with excitement, I tore through the crinkling, colorful wrapping paper. All the colors of our tree’s lights splashed reds, greens, and yellows over my eager hands.
Even before I could see it, I knew: The unmistakable shape of a tube — a tube that held my very first inflatable sleeping pad.
For 3 years leading up to that happy morning, I had lugged around an open-cell egg crate sleeping pad on my overnight outdoor adventures. It afforded many nights of sleeping comfortably under the stars or in my tent (even on rocks and roots).
But it was the size of a football tackling dummy when it was rolled up. It never fit inside my pack. As I sat in my flannel pajamas on that fateful morning, I realized those nights were over.
Unfortunately, I soon learned that the sacrifice for packability was a good night’s sleep. I have since accepted sleeping on compact, lightweight sleeping pads that keep me up off the cold ground, even though they all seemed to let the bumps seep through.
This summer, Therm-a-Rest announced the NeoLoft sleeping pad, a 4.6-inch-thick rectangular backpacking sleeping pad. The pad promised to bring comfort to the backcountry, with an R-value of 4.7 for year-round use and the ability to pack down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. The thought of comfortable nights came rushing back. I had to test it out.
In short: Therm-a-Rest has made a huge step forward for backcountry sleeping pads. The NeoLoft packs down ridiculously small for its inflated size, and its insulation makes it appropriate for year-round use. Best of all, the thickness and construction make for a truly comfortable night’s sleep for space-conscious backpackers.
If you’re in the market for backpacking sleeping pads, check out our guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads.
- Regular (model tested):
- Weight: 1 lb., 9 oz.
- Length: 73”
- Width: 22”
- Packed size: 5.7” x 9.5”
- R-value: 4.7
- Thickness: 4.6”
- Material: 50d poly knit (top), 75d poly knit (bottom)
- Price: $240
Pros
- 4.6” of soft loft
- 4.7 R-value for year-round comfort
- Quiet
Cons
- Rolling off this sleeping pad hits different
Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad Review
Design & Features
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TwinLock Valve System
Basis for Comparison
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In the Field
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How’s It Sound?
Weight Trade-Off
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Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad: Conclusion
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