THERMAREST have a sleeping pad solution, the NeoAir Xlite NXT MAX, which gives improved comfort while also being light in weight, writes Mike Gormley.
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There is nothing better than a good night’s sleep when camping, however short your night maybe. If it is a short night you need to be as comfortable and warm as possible to maximize your rest time and extra insulation against cold ground is of course of great benefit.
I am sure most of my readers here will be only too accustomed to the good old foam ‘kip mat’. Okay these work, some better than others, but it is great to have a better option. Over past years I have tried out quite a few of the allegedly ‘self inflating’ (generally they don’t!) type, as well as more realistically termed inflatable mattresses. There are many options on these and I have had very varied luck with them; whereas I have a few old and well-used kip mats, I have less surviving inflatable ones that still work ~ or will at least stay inflated for anywhere near a full night. So I am always on the lookout for air mats or pads that do work and, importantly, stay inflated for at least long enough to offer a good and comfortable night’s sleep.
It is therefore with some pleasure I can report on this one from THERMAREST as being a success. First up on the basic design. It is a personal thing, but I am really not keen on the ‘weight-saver’ mats that are short and narrow to save the odd ounce. I am reasonably tall and of larger build so easily fall off the side of these. Not great, but that type may suit some smaller / lighter folk. The subject mat from THERMAREST is a really good size and full width for its entire length. I should note my test sample is an L (Large) measuring 196x64cm but there are other smaller sizes in the NeoAir Xlite range.
This mat inflates to give you a sleeping pad that is 3 inches (7.6cm) thick. This, of course, is adjustable with the amount of air you put in. Talking of which, it is no longer a necessity to spend a few dizziness-inducing minutes blowing the mat up. This one comes with a very simple airbag pump; to give full pressure just a top-up from your lungs is required. The NeoAir Xlite has a dual valve set-up; a WingLock valve which incorporates a more conventional twist device. This is much easier to operate in the cold and dark. The valve also, importantly, allows for quick and easy deflation when it’s time to pack up and go.
Packing the NeoAir Xlite NXT MAX is simple as it has no internal padding, so rolls up easily and quickly into its provided stuff bag and it all weighs in at 570g. The pump sack is handy as it can be used as a separate sealable bag as well as a pump and can also be used as a pillow at night with some spare clothes or a jacket stowed in it.
With my built-in concern for being let down in the middle of the night, I inflated this mat well ahead of our first camping trip with it. Two days later it was still up and, as far as I could determine, had not lost any of its pressure; this was the same on a two-night camp. Most mats of this type of seem to be a bit porous or have tiny leaks, but so far so good with this one.
My general rule when using an inflatable mat is to take a basic foam mat as well to provide back-up in case of a deflation or perhaps a puncture, and especially so on a multi-night trip. Also, as inflatables are of course susceptible to puncture (it is not good to use them as a kneeling pad around camp, a tent door mat or to sit on for a rest break). So, with a little extra to pack but really minimal weight, a foam base is a good way to aid comfort. Incidentally, this sleeping mat / pad from THERMAREST is supplied with a first aid kit in case of a puncture.
If I can find anything to grumble about it would be that, possibly because it was new, the nylon material of this mat was really quite slippery so my sleeping bag had a tendency to slide about on it; it helped to slip my foam kip mat in between sleeping bag and NeoAir Xlite NXT MAX.
[images © Mike Gormley]
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