Winter is the time! The evolved Therm-a-Rest Neo Air series is "lightweight, warmth, and easy to use" and has more and less blind spots.
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
When thinking about what equipment is needed to sleep comfortably in a tent, the first thing that comes to mind is a sleeping bag
However, I would like to say that the sleeping pad (mattress) that acts as the mattress is just as important. I had always used a flimsy silver mattress in the past, but when I slept on a high-performance mattress for the first time, I deeply regretted my lack of consideration
The mattress not only helps to smooth out unevenness on unleveled ground, but also blocks cold air from the ground, maximizing the insulating effect of the sleeping bag
Especially in winter, when mountaineering is covered in snow, unlike in summer, where you only need to smooth out uneven surfaces, you must prevent the cold ground from rapidly absorbing your body heat. This is because the ground can absorb heat up to 160 times faster than the air. This means that even if a top-quality sleeping bag is able to keep out the cold, your body heat will be absorbed by the ground if you lay a low-performance mattress on it, making your expensive sleeping bag useless. Choosing a mattress with good insulation is especially essential for a good night's sleep in cold seasons
table of contents
- Therm-a-Rest, a leading sleeping pad brand, updates its air mattress series
- What is the Neo Air Series? ~About air mattress-type sleeping pads~
- What is the appeal of the evolved Neo Air series? ~ Sharpening its strengths and overcoming its weaknesses ~
- The new valve system, "WingLock Valve," has evolved to be easier to use in every aspect, from air injection to cleanup
- The unique baffle structure that realizes amazing thermal insulation still has an impact
- Checking the high thermal insulation performance of THERMACAPTURE™ with thermography
- Don't forget that it's super lightweight and compact while still providing insulation and comfort
- The four types of lineup, their strengths, and recommended usage scenarios
- summary
Therm-a-Rest, a leading sleeping pad brand, updates its air mattress series
However, even when it comes to sleeping pads with solid insulation, there are many different models that vary in material, shape, size, weight, and price, so it can be difficult to know which one to choose
So, what I'd like to introduce to you today is the Neo Air series, an "air mattress" type sleeping pad from Therm-a-Rest, a brand that has been a leader among sleeping pad brands for many years and has earned the trust of all over the world . I personally think that this is the best fit for winter outdoor activities
This season, the NeoAir series has been updated with new models that include several new features. We at this site have been fortunate enough to be able to use all the new products and the old products at the same time, so this time we would like to thoroughly compare and dissect the NeoAir series, a long-selling model loved all over the world, by new and old models and models
What is the Neo Air Series? ~About air mattress-type sleeping pads~
First, let's take a quick look at what the NeoAir series is and what its features are. The NeoAir series refers to the so-called "air mattress type" mattress series among the various sleeping pad lineups that Thermarest handles
From the top, there are semi-automatic inflation (self-inflatable) type, air mattress type, and closed cell (closed cell) type mattresses
An air mattress is a type of mattress that, like an inflatable boat, creates an insulating layer and cushion by inflating a tubular air chamber with air. Without air, it is just fabric, which is what makes it significantly different from self-inflating mattresses that have sponge inside and automatically inflate to a certain extent, or closed-cell mattresses that are made from molded elastic foam
Feature 1 of the air mattress type: It's extremely light and compact!
Each air mattress model has its own unique appeal, such as comfort and insulation, due to the innovative internal structure and tube shape, but the one feature they all have in common is that they are all light and compact
The smallest Uberlite (far right) is about the size of an apple, and even the largest ones are about the size of a plastic bottle when compressed, so the appeal of air mattress types is that they are less of a burden to pack
Feature 2 of the air mattress type: High insulation per weight = Lightweight yet warm!
And it's not just light. It's also incredibly lightweight, yet offers excellent insulation, something that only air mattresses can offer
For example, when comparing sleeping pads with roughly the same warmth (= R-value*), the NeoAir Uberlite air mattress introduced here is approximately 1.6 to 2 times lighter than the company's representative closed-cell model, the Z-Lite Sol, and its representative self-inflating model, the Prolite
This air mattress type provides efficient warmth with such little weight, and thanks to its ingenious internal structure, it also achieves a level of insulation that other types just can't match, so it's easy to imagine that this feature would be put to full use during winter mountain climbing, when the cold weather during snowy seasons means carrying a lot of luggage. In other words, to put it simply, air mattress types are the best in winter
From my experience of trying out various types of mats on snow in the past, I have found that air mattresses are best suited to snowy mountains, as they absorb the unevenness of the ground while also being lightweight and offering excellent insulation
on R-values, please see our "How to Choose a Sleeping Pad" page
Feature 3 of the air mattress type: The only drawback is that you have to inflate it yourself to use it
Although air mattresses have many advantages, they do have their weaknesses. For example, you have to pump air into them very hard to set them up. This is honestly just a pain no matter how much time passes. Also, if the air leaks out due to a puncture, the insulation is lost, so you have to be constantly careful about maintenance and repair tools, which is another disadvantage compared to other types
What is the appeal of the evolved Neo Air series? ~ Sharpening its strengths and overcoming its weaknesses ~
The new Neo Air series further refines the advantages of conventional air mattresses and overcomes many of their previous weaknesses, making them even more user-friendly and complete as mattresses
Of course, the previous models were also very good, but other brands' new products have been ingeniously designed to add various charms, so it's fair to say that there were some areas where they seemed inferior in comparison. However, this latest model has completely eliminated those shortcomings and truly demonstrated the determination of a top brand. Let's take a closer look at how it has evolved
The new valve system, "WingLock Valve," has evolved to be easier to use in every aspect, from air injection to cleanup
The highlight of this update is undoubtedly the improved air inlet " WingLock Valve " system. In recent years, up-and-coming competing manufacturers have been trying out new models that are easier to inflate, deflate, and store, making them more convenient in certain areas. However, it seems there has not yet been a valve that combines all of these features.
After using this new valve, which was completed after over 100 prototypes and over 500 days of field testing, we realized that this innovative part has raised the bar in every aspect. We were impressed by its high level of perfection, which lives up to its name
The new WingLock Valve (left) is slightly larger than the old model (right), but it is located on the side so it doesn't get in the way when folded, and it feels well-made and durable
It is three times easier to inflate
First of all, the larger opening of the valve allows for more air to be blown into it at once. When we tried blowing directly into the valve, we found that it was easy to blow into without resistance and was clearly easier to inflate than the smaller valves we had used up until now. As a result, the time it takes to inflate has been significantly reduced (by about three times). Of course, this will vary from person to person, but compared to other manufacturers' valves, which have larger openings but are flatter, we can say that the larger valve is easier to get used to and handle when inflating directly with your mouth
In addition to blowing air directly into the device, you can also use the included pump sack, which makes setup even easier. The pump sack is also useful in winter, when the moisture in your breath tends to freeze (see photo below)
If you inject air using the pump sack that comes as standard, the burden of setting it up is significantly reduced. What a great time we live in
No backflow when inserting, and quick exhaust when removing
Previous valves, for better or worse, were simple in design; when you opened the valve to blow air in, the air would naturally escape at the same time. The updated WingLock Valve , is a complex part that combines two valves: a "wing" and a "valve." You can control the airflow by combining the "sealing" and "opening" functions that can be achieved by turning each of the two valves.
For example, as shown in the photo below, when both the air inlet valve and wings are closed (top left), and then only the valve is opened, it switches to one-way inflation mode (bottom left), where air can only be injected without backflow. Also, when the wings are open and the valve is turned open to enter exhaust mode, the air will be naturally exhausted all at once (bottom right)
Inflating, fine-tuning, and releasing the air for storage can all be done with the same intuitive action as opening and closing a plastic bottle cap, and it's so easy to use that you can even do it with gloves on. Never before has there been such a simple and easy interface. Durability and ease of repair have also been taken into consideration, making it truly flawless. Only those who have used many different mattresses will understand, but once you try this one, all previous models will seem outdated
The unique baffle structure that realizes amazing thermal insulation still has an impact
The NeoAir series is not just a mattress with air in a bag. Its unique structure and technology, which has been well-received since the previous model, allows it to control the air (and heat) trapped inside the mattress, providing effective insulation
TRIANGULAR CORE MATRIX™ structure controls airflow
First, the NeoAir series mattresses are TRIANGULAR CORE MATRIX™ (see photo below). Air transfers (and takes away) heat through convection, but by controlling this convection, it is possible to minimize heat loss within the baffles and the temperature drop at the boundaries between the baffles.
The TRIANGULAR CORE MATRIX™ structure suppresses air convection, reduces unevenness, and makes cold spots less likely to occur
The baffle size is 6.4cm across the lineup, which is thick enough that you won't feel any unevenness underneath even if your weight is placed on one point (see photo below)
This baffle structure not only reduces convection, but also kills two birds with one stone by reducing the unevenness between the baffles, making the surface of the mattress flatter, and its horizontal orientation (although not the most comfortable of all air mattresses) reduces bounce compared to vertical baffles, providing a more comfortable sleeping experience
The fine baffles are arranged horizontally, so you don't have to worry about any dents or uneven surfaces, making it easy to turn over in bed
THERMACAPTURE™ construction controls radiant heat
all models in the NeoAir series, except for the lightest model, the NeoAir Uberlite THERMACAPTURE™ that sandwiches a unique reflective coating between layers to capture radiant heat from the body and minimize heat loss. In the cross-sectional photos of each model below, the sparkling, reflective layer is the THERMACAPTURE™ layer. The higher the insulation (R-value) of a model, the more of this layer is incorporated. The warmest model, the NeoAir X Thermo (top left in the photo below), uses a total of four layers, one at the top and bottom and in the center, while the NeoAir X Lite for women has two (bottom left in the photo below), and the NeoAir X Lite has one in the center.
Checking the high thermal insulation performance of THERMACAPTURE™ with thermography
No matter how loudly you shout about how warm it is, skeptics may still not believe you
So, in order to understand at a glance (perhaps) the incredible insulating properties of the Neo Air series, we have introduced a thermographic camera
That said, it's a simple gadget that connects to a smartphone, and there's no laboratory where the indoor temperature, ground temperature, and humidity are tightly controlled, let alone testing on snow at this time of year, so it's difficult to strictly compare the insulation merits of each mattress.So this time, we'll be sleeping on a high-spec air mattress and a sheet that offers almost no insulation, spread out over a layer of ice packs to simulate the feeling of sleeping on snow, to give you a visual of how the performance of the air mattress affects the body differently
Thermography experiment (photo below)
In a room with a room temperature of approximately 24°C and humidity of approximately 55%, eight completely frozen ice packs were laid on the floor, and an air mattress and a sheet were placed on top of them, and the subjects lay down on them for a certain period of time, and the temperatures around the areas that were in close contact with the ice packs were compared
- The temperature was measured after lying down on the floor , ice packs, and NeoAir X Thermo
- [Photo on the right] Floor - Ice pack - . Lie down on the all-weather blanket
Thermography experiment results
In thermography images, the closer the color is to yellow, the higher the temperature, and the temperature gradually decreases from orange to pink to blue. First, in the case of lying down on the thin sheet on the right, we can see that immediately after starting (actually after 1-2 minutes), the pink color is already seeping in from below near the surface of the body that is in contact with the ground (temperature of about 23.5°C). Then, in just under 10 minutes, the same place has dropped to 20°C. Of course, it actually feels too cold to sleep on
On the other hand, the NeoAir X Thermo mattress is laid down (see the left side of the photo), immediately after starting, the temperature of the ground is close to -10°C, and the center of the thick mattress is 19°C, but the temperature of the skin in contact with the mattress is over 30°C, so you can see that the user does not feel the cold of the ground at all.
What's even more surprising is that when we measured the same points after an hour, we found that even though the heat from the ground (the ice pack) was steadily being absorbed (it should be transferring heat), the temperature of both the contact area and the inside of the mat continued to stay the same (it may even be rising)
the NeoAir X Thermo mat containing four Thermo Capture sheets on snow and stand on it, you feel the heat coming from the mat itself, as if it were emitting heat, probably because it effectively uses the heat from your body as radiant heat. The ice packs underneath melted considerably after just an hour, causing the temperature to rise, so we were unable to demonstrate their true effectiveness in this experiment, but in reality, the insulating power the NeoAir X Thermo can be felt with your body, more clearly and significantly than it can be seen with the naked eye. It's incredibly reliable!
Don't forget that it's super lightweight and compact while still providing insulation and comfort
As mentioned in the general features of air mattresses in the first half, the Neo Air series also features a wide range of lightweight and compact models
Furthermore, Therm-a-Rest's NeoAir series offers unparalleled insulation per weight, unmatched by any other brand. For example, the Uberlite has an R-value of 2.0, providing sufficient insulation for the mild seasons of spring through autumn, yet it's incredibly light and compact, weighing just 250g (approximately 320g with all accessories, less than the weight of a can of coral)
Measured weight of the Uberlite (R-value 2.3) including stuff sack and pump sack (left) and the Z-Lite Sol (R-value 2.0) (right)
Even the warmest model, the X Thermo, weighs just 430g, about the weight and size of a plastic bottle. And yet it provides the warmth (R-value of 6.9) of 3.5 sheets of the Z Lite Sol shown in the photo above. Unbelievable!
Of course, when it comes to lightweight and compact equipment, trade-offs are more or less inevitable in terms of durability, heat retention, size, etc. It goes without saying that the important thing is not to focus solely on weight, but to choose something that meets your intended purpose (needs)
The four types of lineup, their strengths, and recommended usage scenarios
Now, I hope you can see the overwhelming appeal of the new NeoAir series. I'll reiterate once again that I feel it is superior to any other brand at the moment in the following two areas:
- The air inlet has been made much easier to use, from inflating and deflation to storing the bike
- Exceptional insulation per weight
Taking all of this into consideration, I would like to conclude by summarizing my personal and subjective recommendations for the scenes and uses in which I recommend each model in Thermarest's lineup
Neo Air X Thermo
The back is reinforced with 70D nylon for durability
We've reviewed sleeping pads on this site several times, but we've never seen a more recommended mat for winter outdoor activities than this model. Its overwhelming quality and ease of use make it unrivaled, truly worthy of being called the king of winter. Not only does it offer superior insulation with an R-value of 6.9, but the 70D reinforced bottom reduces the risk of bursting, making it a compelling choice. If we had to point out a drawback, it would be its exceptional price and the somewhat annoying crackling sound caused by the ThermoCap layer inside
Neo Air X Light
The best balance of insulation, lightness, weight, comfort, and ease of use is what makes X-Lite so appealing
At 350g, it's light enough compared to competitors with the same warmth, and its R-value of 4.2 provides ample warmth even in winter with some ingenuity. In other words, this model strikes the perfect balance between lightness and warmth. As long as you don't do anything particularly strenuous in the harsh winter, you can say it's versatile enough to be used all year round. However, that good balance may prove to be a drawback for those who use multiple other mats
Neo Air X Light Women's
Although it's short, I think it's within the acceptable range for Japanese men. What's more, the added thermal insulation provided by one layer of Thermacapture is a nice touch
The NeoAir X-Lite women's version is a regular size NeoAir X-Lite, shortened by about 15cm and featuring an additional ThermoCap layer for a little extra warmth. While maintaining its basic versatility, it's tailored to suit women's preferences. Given the standard Japanese sizing, it's likely to fit some men perfectly. Even if you're not, those looking to save even a little weight can use this to gain weight and insulation, while still being able to fill in any gaps with a backpack, boots, or other gear. The price is the same as the regular X-Lite, so this might be a hidden standard model
Neo Air Uberlight
The Uberlite is incredibly light and small. Its lightness is irreplaceable, but it takes courage to lay it directly on the ground
While it doesn't have a ThermaCapture layer, this is the brand's lightest mat, boasting a triangular core matrix construction that maintains high insulation and comfort while remaining incredibly lightweight and compact. It's the perfect choice for fast and light hikers and alpinists, for whom lightness is paramount. Even for average hikers, the insulation is sufficient in warmer seasons, but the extremely thin (15D) fabric means care must be taken to prevent damage
[Reference] Neo Air Series Lineup Spec Comparison
*All numbers are regular size
| item | Neo Air X Thermo | Neo Air X Light Women's | Neo Air X Light | Neo Air Uberlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| image |  |  |  |  |
| type | Air injection type | Air injection type | Air injection type | Air injection type |
| Insulation material | 4 Thermal Capture Layers | Two Thermal Capture layers | 1 Thermal Capture layer | ― |
| R value | 6.9 | 5.4 | 4.2 | 2.3 |
| Surface fabric | 30D high strength nylon | 30D high strength nylon | 30D high strength nylon | 15D nylon |
| Back fabric | 70D nylon | 30D high strength nylon | 30D high strength nylon | 15D nylon |
| weight | 430g | 340g | 350g | 250g |
| Weight per unit | 62.3 | 63 | 83.3 | 108.7 |
| Storage size (length x diameter) | 23 x 10cm | 23 x 10cm | 23 x 10cm | 15×9cm |
| Thickness | 6.4cm | 6.4cm | 6.4cm | 6.4cm |
| size | 51×183cm | 51×168cm | 51×183cm | 51×183cm |
| Size variations | R/L (63 x 196 cm) | WR size only | S(51×119cm)/R/L(63×196cm) | S(51×119cm)/R/L(63×196cm) |
| Relative evaluation | ||||
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Thermal insulation | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| weight | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Storageability | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
summary
The evolved Therm-a-Rest NeoAir series has retained the original appeal of the series - the common benefits of air mattresses, namely "high insulation per weight" and "lightweight and compact" - and has taken them to a level that stands out more than any other brand. Furthermore, the new feature of "ease of use of the valve" has been added, and the product has been finished in a way that gives the impression that it has surpassed competing brands that have been ahead of it for the past few years
Of course, some competing products still have advantages in terms of comfort and durability. Naturally, there is no single sleeping pad that can be used in every situation. Rather than searching for the strongest one, it would be best if you could choose the sleeping pad that is right for you, based on your usage environment and purpose
Personally, I think the appeal of air mattresses is greatest in winter, when we carry more luggage. So, from winter camping and low-altitude hiking to fastpacking and snowy mountain climbing in the depths of winter, one of these models should be perfect for you. Choose the best model from the four models in the new Neo Air series to suit your mountaineering style, and you won't be disappointed by its high cost
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