Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft Backpacking Sleeping Pad Overview

Backside Line

We’ve examined the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft from the consolation of our residence to frigid nights tenting by Colorado snowstorms. To this point, we predict it’s definitely worth the hype.

The NeoLoft achieves a ridiculous stage of consolation for its sub-2-pound weight. The stretch knit cloth and 3D design conform to your physique, whereas the 4.6-inch thickness floats you effectively above the arduous floor.

The NeoLoft is supremely comfy no matter your most popular sleeping place, and the tremendous plush high sheet is sweet and mushy towards the pores and skin. It’s additionally heat sufficient to make use of all 12 months spherical, assuming you’re not tenting within the Arctic Circle.

When you’re able to hold perusing, no worries. Our full information to backpacking sleeping pads consists of extra choices, together with ultralight pads which may higher fit your wants.

How We Examined

We’ve been racking up the Z’s on this pad from automotive tenting to backpacking to changing our mattress at residence. We even examined its cold-weather limits by tenting in Colorado spring snowstorms. We’ve gained an excellent deal with on how this pad performs, however we’re excited to proceed testing this new design from Therm-a-Relaxation.

Consolation

The Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft is marketed as probably the most comfy backpacking sleeping pad ever made, and we predict they might have succeeded. It’s plush, thick, supportive, and even is available in a number of totally different sizes. 

The key phrase in its lofty declare is “backpacking.” The NeoLoft can’t evaluate with heavy, high-density foam and air hybrid pads made for plush automotive tenting, nevertheless it comes about as shut as potential whereas staying within the backpacking weight vary.

The NeoLoft is by far the thickest pad on our checklist at a whopping 4.6 inches thick. The total rectangular form gives a bigger sleeping floor over tapered mummy shapes and is even a few inches bigger than most rectangular pads at 73 inches lengthy and 22 inches extensive for the common model. 

The built-in vertical sidewalls, along with the facet rails, assist to cradle your physique and scale back the sensation that you simply’ll roll off the pad in the midst of the evening. The NeoLoft is a superb selection no matter what place you wish to sleep in, and the horizontal baffles enable for a firmer really feel than different designs.

Lastly, the highest of the pad is produced from an ultra-plush, stretch knit cloth much like the bottom layer cloth. It’s very mushy towards the pores and skin, and the stretch additional enhances the pad’s physique contouring capabilities.

Weight

As you might need guessed, this premium stage of consolation comes at a major weight value, however the NeoLoft isn’t even the heaviest pad on our checklist. 

We measured the NeoLoft at about 23.5 oz, not together with the stuff sack or pump sack. These numbers put it effectively on the heavy facet for backpacking pads, which is why devoted ultralights will in all probability cease studying this evaluation. However hear us out…

The NeoLoft’s consolation far outweighs the additional ounces. It’s nonetheless lighter than the heavy hybrid pads of yesteryear and packs all the way down to just a little bigger than a one-liter Nalgene. 

Plus, weight could be lower in different methods. The thickness and heat of the NeoLoft means you’ll be able to carry a lighter sleeping bag or perhaps a quilt. If cash isn’t an object, there’s an excellent probability you’ll be able to shed an additional pound or two by springing for an ultralight tent or backpack. A restful sleep within the backcountry results in a extra comfy, energy-filled day of climbing. Lastly,  in the event you worth sleep as a lot as we do, there are methods to compensate for the added weight.

Sturdiness

The NeoLoft gives a good steadiness of sturdiness and weight financial savings. Within the ultralight backpacking world, sturdiness is straight tied to weight – lighter sleeping pads are normally produced from thinner, extra fragile cloth that requires extra care. 

The NeoLoft is produced from 50-denier polyester on each the highest and 75-denier polyester on the underside panel. That’s thicker than most ultralight tent flooring! Some might argue that this quantity of safety is overkill for a sleeping pad, however the further thickness contributes to the pad’s assist and gives further peace of thoughts that you simply gained’t get up on the bottom in the midst of the evening as a result of a puncture.

Within the case of a puncture, the pad comes with a helpful restore equipment for patching holes within the subject.

Heat

One other advantage of going with the NeoLoft over lighter and cheaper pads is its four-season heat. With an R-value of 4.7, the NeoLoft gives loads of heat for shoulder seasons. It’s just a little underwhelming for winter tenting on snow (devoted winter pads have an R-value of 7-8), nevertheless it’ll do the job in gentle winter climates. 

We suggest including a foam pad beneath when tenting straight on snow to bump up the pad’s heat and hold it from sliding round. We camped with the NeoLoft all the way down to about 28-degrees F with a 15-degree F sleeping bag and stayed good and comfortable.

The NeoLoft’s heat comes from its thickness and building. Therm-a-Relaxation’s ContourCore Matrix options two layers of triangular air chambers, so even when your physique compresses the highest layer, the underside layer stays lofted to proceed insulating. Their ThermaCapture is basically a foil cloth that displays physique warmth again at you, and the stretch knit cloth conforms to your physique form to reduce chilly spots.

Ease of Setup

At first look, a thick, beefy sleeping pad seems like a ache to explode each evening and pack away every morning, nevertheless it’s not that unhealthy. 

The NeoLoft comes with an enormous, seam-sealed pump sack to help with inflating. The total-sized opening lets you blow into the again from a couple of inches away or scoop air, simply filling all the bag. 

On common, we will absolutely inflate the NeoLoft in slightly below two minutes, or about 4 full fills of the pump sack. The pump sack attaches securely to the air consumption valve, and the sealed seams be sure that no air leaks and goes to waste. The enter valve lacks a fine-tuning button, however a swift twist of the knob lets you expel small quantities of air to dial in your most popular firmness.

When it’s time to pack up within the morning, the output valve quickly dumps air, and the versatile polyester cloth is simple to fold and roll up. We notably recognize that Therm-a-Relaxation has allowed just a little wiggle room within the stuff sack, so it’s not simply barely large enough to suit the pad.

Ought to You Purchase the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft Backpacking Sleeping Pad?

The Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft is a hefty funding, however it could be price the additional expense in the event you battle with getting an excellent evening’s sleep within the backcountry. 

Its plush consolation is second to none because of its thickness, mushy materials, and revolutionary stretch knit building. The pad gently cradles you to sleep so you’ll be able to take pleasure in an energy-filled, pain-free day of climbing.

Though its 23.5 ounce weight may scare away ultralight backpackers, the NeoLoft nonetheless achieves glorious weight financial savings, contemplating its sturdiness and heat. It’s heat sufficient for shoulder seasons in all climates and even reasonable winters. The 50D polyester gives the proper steadiness of light-weight sturdiness.

The price of NeoLoft is kind of steep, nevertheless it’s arduous to place a value on feeling good and rested. There’s undoubtedly one thing to be stated for optimum weight financial savings on lengthy journeys. Nonetheless, for a few of us, our youthful days of deep sleeps on the arduous floor are ending, and restful sleep is changing into more and more elusive. This is likely to be the ticket to preserving your thoughts and physique comfortable on the path.

What Different Backpacking Pads Ought to You Think about?

We get that the NeoLoft isn’t for everybody. In our full information to backpacking sleep pads, you’ll discover choices which can be cheaper, extra sturdy, and lighter weight.

NEMO Quasar 3D Insulated Overview: The Quasar delivers comparable consolation with its rectangular form, first rate thickness, and contoured horizontal baffles. Nonetheless, its supplies favor sturdiness over plushness and weight financial savings. 

Sea to Summit Ether Mild XR Overview: We actually benefit from the sprung cell design of the Ether Mild XR over horizontal baffles. They don’t really feel fairly as agency as horizontal baffles and naturally conform to your physique form. The Ether Mild XR can also be extra inexpensive, extra sturdy, and lighter than the NeoLoft.

Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XTherm NXT Overview: When you’re searching for a real winter sleeping pad to maintain you heat within the coldest temperatures, take a look at the XTherm NXT. It has the very best r-value of any pad on our checklist at a formidable 7.3.