Therm-A-Relaxation NeoAir Topo Luxe Sleeping Pad Evaluation

Backside Line

The Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Topo Luxe XL is the Cadillac of warm-weather tenting mattresses – plush, light-weight, and surprisingly packable for its dimension. Three different variations of the NeoAir are on our finest backpacking sleeping pads information, however because of its soft floor, the Topo Luxe earns a spot on our finest tenting mattresses information.

It’s powerful to enhance on a product we already love, however Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has discovered the Topo Luxe does precisely that. This one is an inch thicker, has extra foam, and is even comfier than the opposite NeoAir relations which are targeted on backpacking. Ian has spent over 20 nights on this mannequin. He has discovered that the 4 inches of thickness and horizontal baffles ship superior consolation and stability. 

An included pump sack helps with inflation, so that you received’t be huffing and puffing after a protracted day on the path. The XL dimension is a bit heavy for backpacking, however the common mannequin trims down weight sufficient that it’s a good possibility for multi-day treks when consolation is high precedence.

Nonetheless, the NeoAir Topo Luxe XL isn’t constructed for chilly nights. Its 3.7 R-value means you’ll need to save this one for heat situations. The rounded edges scale back usable area, and our testing decided the cumbersome valves aren’t essentially the most streamlined. It’s additionally on the expensive aspect – although the sturdiness and luxury assist justify the fee. For those who want a lighter or hotter possibility, Therm-a-Relaxation’s different NeoAir fashions is perhaps a greater match. For fair-weather adventurers in search of a soft night time’s sleep and a small packed dimension, this one is difficult to beat.

Consolation

The Topo Luxe might seem like a conventional backpacking pad, nevertheless it’s simply as snug as any tenting mattress. Like a lot of the competitors, this one is 4 inches thick, so we didn’t backside out when sleeping on our sides or deal with any stress factors. The horizontal baffles create a secure floor that stops the sinking, bouncy really feel that’s widespread in different air pads. And Therm-A-Relaxation provides a bit of soppy cloth on high for a easy really feel in opposition to the pores and skin.

We advocate the most important pad attainable for automobile tenting – on this case, the XL – as a result of we like loads of room to unfold out. Nonetheless, the Topo Luxe is available in a number of sizes and widths, together with Common, Common Vast, Giant and XL. It’s simple to select the right size to your physique form and sleep fashion.

There are some cons to the Topo Luxe, although. Ian tends to toss and switch within the night time, and he discovered the rounded edges scale back the usable sleeping space in comparison with mattresses with vertical partitions. We just like the 50D polyester cloth on high, nevertheless it’s slippier than a lot of the competitors. Nonetheless, these are minor points. This factor delivers a luxurious sleeping expertise total, which is the explanation we maintain it in our arsenal.

Ease of Use

Organising camp is a breeze with the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Topo Luxe XL. The included pump sack inflates the pad shortly, saving our breath after a protracted day of enjoying outdoors. The horizontal baffles assist distribute air evenly, stopping the awkward bulges and bounciness of lesser pads. The light-weight design makes it simple to hold and retailer in our trunks, and it packs down surprisingly small for a four-inch-thick pad. Deflating is simply as easy, because of the twin valve system. The dump valve means there’s no struggling to squeeze out each final little bit of air, and also you’ll solely have to roll this pad up as soon as. Whether or not you’re automobile tenting or backpacking, this pad’s simple to make use of when organising for the night time.

In contrast with self-inflating mattresses, although, the Topo Luxe is extra work. With a self-inflating mannequin, you possibly can unroll it, pop open the valve, and stroll away. With the High Luxe, it took us a median of 8 minutes to inflate absolutely utilizing the pump sack. Nonetheless, we’re often not in any rush when tenting, so it’s not an enormous deal.

Additionally, we discovered the valves are cumbersome. They’re bigger twisting plastic valves that stick out, to allow them to jam into the aspect of your tent. They may also be a bit finicky when making changes, they usually accumulate dust extra simply than slicker supplies.

Heat

As a result of its R-Worth is simply 3.7, we solely advocate this Therm-A-Relaxation mannequin for gentle situations and heat summer time nights above 40°F. It’s 4 inches thick, so there’s nonetheless loads of separation from the chilly floor. In hotter temps, we had no bother retaining physique warmth because of horizontal baffles that evenly distribute heat and scale back chilly spots. 

As soon as temperatures drop beneath freezing, although, it struggles – another excuse this mattress doesn’t rank greater on our information. Within the footage all through this text, we had been testing the Topo Luxe on a frozen lake round 10,000’ within the Entrance Vary of the Colorado Rockies with in a single day temps of 35°F. This pad wouldn’t have stored us heat sufficient by itself, so we added a foam pad beneath for two further R-Worth factors, which made it a lot snug for the 35°F low.

Warmth retention is compromised by the air-filled design, which doesn’t lure heat as successfully as foam-filled choices. If winter tenting is on the agenda, a better-insulated pad can be a wiser selection.

Packed Measurement

Packing this mattress down is refreshingly easy. Due to an enormous dump valve, this factor deflates effectively on the primary roll, and packs right down to an impressively tiny 6 by 11 inches. The included pump sack doubles as a storage bag. At simply over two kilos for the XL (and even lighter for the Common dimension), it balances consolation with portability properly. Whether or not it’s stuffed within the nook of a storage room or tucked inside a backpack, it doesn’t take up extreme area in comparison with comparable luxurious sleeping pads.

The Topo Luxe is likely one of the lightest choices on our tenting mattresses record, nevertheless it’s nonetheless bulkier than ultralight fashions constructed for ultralight backpacking. The thick building doesn’t pack down in addition to thinner air pads. The valves are additionally on the bigger aspect, including some further bulk when saved. Nonetheless, in case you don’t thoughts backpacking with a bit extra weight, this one presents a really distinctive degree of consolation.

Ought to You Purchase the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Topo Luxe XL?

The Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Topo Luxe XL is ideal for campers and occasional backpackers who desire a plush, supportive sleeping pad with out the trouble of a cumbersome air mattress. For those who’re in search of an impressive stability of packability and luxurious, this one is within the Goldilocks zone. At 4 inches thick, it presents a soft, well-structured floor that rivals an actual mattress whereas nonetheless packing down effectively. It’s a guide inflation system, however the included pump sack makes inflation fast and easy, so setup is a breeze. That mentioned, in case you’re on a finances, prefer to unfold out, or plan to camp in colder climate, this one will miss the mark. We don’t advocate the Topo Luxe for temperatures beneath 35°F due to its decrease R-value. It’s additionally a bit heavy for backpacking, and the value tag is steep in comparison with wider, heavier, and extra soft automobile tenting pads. Nonetheless, in case your high precedence is consolation and also you solely backpack and automobile camp a handful of instances a 12 months, this one is the right center floor.

What Different Tenting Mattresses Ought to You Think about?

Take a look at our finest tenting mattresses record for options:

Paria Recharge XL Evaluation: The Paria Recharge XL is a stellar budget-friendly various to the Topo Luxe: it’s additionally 4 inches thick, manually inflated, and on the decrease finish of heat. Nonetheless, this one is lighter by half a pound.

Sea to Summit Consolation Deluxe XL Evaluation: For those who’re extra of a automobile camper, the Consolation Deluxe is price contemplating. It solely prices a bit greater than the Topo Luxe, nevertheless it’s extra snug, a lot hotter, and simpler to inflate.

Therm-A-Relaxation LuxuryMap XL Evaluation: LuxuryMap is one other Therm-A-Relaxation mannequin with an reasonably priced price ticket and a thick, cozy design. Nonetheless, this one is healthier for automobile campers because it’s heavier and bulkier than the Topo Luxe.