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.

The first tool that everyone needs to sleep comfortably in a tent is the sleeping bag.

However, I would like to say that it is as important as it is, "sleeping pads (mattresses)" that act as mattress. I used to use a thin silver mat all the time, and I regretted that I was slept on a highly functional mat for the first time and was shallow.

Not only does the mattress relieve unevenness on uneven ground, it also blocks out cold air from the ground and maximizes the heat retention effect of your sleeping bag.

Especially when climbing a snowy mountain season in winter, unlike summer, you just need to just keep the unevenness in place, and you need to prevent the body from being quickly stolen by cold ground. This is because the ground can take away heat up to 160 times faster than air. No matter how much the finest sleeping bag can shut out the cold air, your body temperature will be taken away from the ground on which the low-performance mat is laid, ruining the expensive sleeping bag. Choosing a mat that can be insulated is especially essential for a good night's sleep during the cold season.

Therm-a-Rest, the top brand of sleeping pads, has been updated with air matt series

However, even so, even though it is a sleeping pad with a high degree of insulation, there are a variety of models depending on the material, shape, size, weight, price, etc., so it's hard to decide which one to choose.

So, what I would like to introduce today is Therm-a-Rest, which has been a leading runner among sleep pad brands for many years and has gained tremendous trust from adventurers around the world , the Neo Air series , an air matte type sleeping pad that I personally think is the best fit for the outdoors in the winter .

The Neo Air series has been updated to a new model this season with several new features. Thankfully, this site allowed us to use all the new and old products at the same time, so this time we would like to thoroughly compare and analyze the Neo Air series, a long-selling model loved around the world, by new and old.

What is the Neo Air series? ~About air mat type sleeping pads~

First, let's take a quick look at what the Neo Air series is, and what it is. The Neo Air Series refers to the so-called "air mattress" series of mattress, among the various sleeping pad lineups offered by Thermarest.

Air mattresses are types of mattresses that form an insulating layer and cushion by injecting air into a tubular air chamber and inflated. If it is not aired, it is simply a fabric, and this is a major difference between the self-inflation type, which automatically inflates to a certain extent even with the same mattress, and the closed cell type, which is formed with elastic foam.

Features of the air matt type: 1: It's so light and compact!

The air matt type has a variety of appeals in each model, such as comfort and insulation by incorporating the structure inside and the shape of the tube, but the common feature of all of them is that it is "light and compact."

Features of the air matt type 2: High insulation per weight = Light yet warm!

And it's not just light. While maintaining this lightness, it is an incredible thing that no other than air matt types can offer.

For example, comparing sleeping pads with almost the same warmth (=R value*), the air mat Neo Air Uberlight, which we will introduce today, is approximately 1.6 to 2 times lighter than the company's representative closed cell type model, the Z Light Sol, and the self-infrating type model, the Pro Light.

This air matt type provides efficient warmth with this small weight, but in addition, by devising the structure of the contents, it achieves high insulation that is impossible for other types to achieve, so it is easy to imagine that it will fully utilize its characteristics when climbing in winter when many luggage is packed in severe cold such as snowy seasons. In other words, in short, the air matt type is the best in winter.

on the R values, please refer to this page for details on the "How to Choose a Sleeping Pad" page

Features of air matt type 3: You can't use it unless you inject air yourself, and it can't be used.

It's an air mattress that's good, but of course it has some weaknesses. For example, you need to inject air with great care in order to set it up. To be honest, this is a hassle no matter how long it goes. Also, if the air is removed due to a flat tire, the insulation will be lost, so care and repair tools are often a disadvantage compared to other types.

What is the appeal of the evolved Neo Air series? ~Be sharpened past strengths and overcome weaknesses~

This Neo Air series has further refined the advantages of these traditional air mattresses, and overcome many of the previously weaknesses, increasing the usability and perfection of a mattress.

Of course, the models up to the previous model were also very excellent, but as new works from other brands have been ingenuously inspired and added various charms, it can be said that honestly it has not been that they have become relatively inferior. However, I feel that this work has beautifully wiped out these points and showed the determination of top brands to the point of view. We'll take a closer look at what has evolved and how it has evolved.

The new valve system "WingLock Valve" has been made easy to use in everything from air injection to cleaning up.

The highlight of this update is the advanced air inlet system, the WingLock Valve . Over the past few years, up-and-coming competitors have been trying out a number of models that have become even more convenient in some areas, such as easy to inflate, easy to store, and more convenient. However, I don't think there's a way to combine all of these things yet.

In the midst of all this, I tried out this new valve, which was completed after over 100 prototypes and over 500 days of field testing, and realized that this innovative part has been elevated in all of these. I was amazed at how well it was perfected by its name.

It's three times easier to get air in

First of all, the larger valve opening can now blow more air at once than before. If you try blowing it directly with your mouth and comparing it, you can breathe in without any resistance, and it is clearly easier to put in than the small valves you have seen up to now. As a result, the time it takes to inflate has been significantly reduced (about three times). Of course, there are individual differences, but compared to valves with larger but flat mouths from other manufacturers, it is said that larger valves are more comfortable and easier to handle when direct injection through the mouth.

In addition to blowing directly through the mouth, air can be injected by using the standard pump sack, making setting easier. Pump sacks are also convenient when using in winter when moisture in exhalation is prone to freezing (photo below).

When you put it in, it does not flow backwards, and when you pull it out, you can quickly exhaust it.

Previous valves have been simple for better or worse, so if you open the plug to blow air in, the air will naturally be exhausted at the same time. the WingLock Valve which has been updated this time, is a complex part that combines two plugs: the wing and the valve. Air flow can be controlled by combining "closing and opening" by rotating each of the two plugs.

For example, as shown in the photo below, if you open only the valve (top left of the bottom photo), the valve and wing of the air inlet are both closed, and the valve is placed into a one-way air injection mode where air does not flow back and only inject it (bottom left of the bottom photo). Also, if you open the wing and turn the valve open while the wing is in exhaust mode, the air will naturally be exhausted all at once (bottom right of the photo below).

No more air infusion, subtle adjustments, and exhaust for tidying up are all completed with the same intuitive operation as opening and closing the lid of this plastic bottle, and there has never been a simple and simple interface before, making it easy to use, even while gloveing. In addition, durability and ease of repair are taken into consideration, making it truly free of charge. Only those who have used various mattresses may understand, but once you use it, everything about previous models looks old.

The unique baffle structure delivers incredible insulation, making it an impact as ever.

Naturally, the Neo Air series is not just a board that just puts air into the bag. The unique structure and technology that has been well-known since the previous model allows for efficient insulation by controlling the air (heat) clogging into the mattress.

Controls airflow with TRIANGULAR CORE MATRIX™ construction

First, the Neo Air series mattresses are layered in alternating layers of triangular baffles with plenty of thickness, known as the TRIANGULAR CORE MATRIX™ Air is convection to transmit (remove) heat, but by controlling that convection, it is possible to minimize heat loss in the baffle and the temperature drop at the boundary between the baffle.

The baffle size is 6.4cm, which is thick enough that even if you weigh one point, you won't notice any unevenness below (photo below).

This baffle structure not only reduces convection, but also reduces unevenness between the baffles, making the mat surface flatter, and also provides a horizontal orientation (although it is not the most comfortable of all air mats), providing a more comfortable sleeping experience with less bouncing than a vertical baffle.

Controls radiation heat with THERMACAPTURE™ structure

Furthermore, the Neo Air series, excluding the lightest Neo Air Uberlite , has a unique reflective coating plate sandwiched between the layers ( THERMACAPTURE™ ), which captures radiation from the body and prevents heat loss to a minimum. The sparkly reflective layer in the cross-sectional photographs of each model below is the thermocapture layer. This layer is enclosed in the higher insulation (=R value), and the warmest model, Neo Air X Thermo (top left of the bottom photo), is used in total four images, both up and down, and centered, with two images for Neo Air X Light (bottom left of the bottom photo), and one image for Neo Air X Light is enclosed in the center.

We checked THERMACAPTURE™'s high insulation with a thermograph

No matter how loudly you cried out here and warmly, it may be that the suspicious person still has no faith.

So, to help you understand the incredible insulation of the Neo Air series at a glance (or perhaps), we have introduced a new weapon called the Thermography Camera and checked it out.

That said, it is a simple gadget that connects to a smartphone, and the indoor temperature, ground temperature, humidity, etc. are not a laboratory that is well controlled, and even tests on snow are not possible at any time, so it is difficult to compare the strict insulation between mattresses. So this time, I'll try sleeping with ice packs inspired by snow, and then laying down a high-spec air mat and a sheet that is almost impossible to expect insulation, and have you visually see how the effects of the ground on your body differ depending on the performance of the air mat.

Thermography experiment (photo below)

In an indoor room temperature of about 24°C and humidity of about 55%, the floor was laid with eight completely frozen ice packs, then lay an air mat and a sheet on top of it, and lying down for a certain period of time, comparing the temperature around the area where it was attached.

• [Left side of the photo] Lie lying on the floor - ice pack - Neo Air X Thermo (R value 6.9) and measured the temperature after approximately 1 hour.
• [On the right side of the photo] Floor - ice pack - grabber Lying on an all-weather blanket

Thermography experiment results

In the photos taken with a thermographic, the closer the color is to yellow, the higher the temperature, and the temperature gradually appears to be lower, from orange to pink to blue. First, when you lie down on the fluff sheet on the right side, it can be seen that the pink color around the body surface, which is already in contact with the ground, is already eroding from below (temperature approximately 23.5°C) just after starting (actually 1-2 minutes have passed). And in just under 10 minutes the same place went down to 20°C. Of course, it's actually cold and I can't sleep.

On the other hand, this is when you lay the Neo Air X Thermo Immediately after the start, the temperature on the surface of the ground was close to -10°C, and even though the thick mattress part was 19°C near the center, the temperature near the surface of the body that comes into contact with the mat was above 30°C, so we can see that there was no sense of coldness in the ground at all.

What's even more surprising is an hour later. When I measured the same points, I found that the heat from the ground (ice pack) is being taken away (heat should be transferred), but both the adhesion and inside the mat continue to maintain the same temperature (it is often even raised).

the Neo Air X Thermo which contains four thermocaptures , even when you place it on the snow and ride it, you can feel the heat coming from the mat, perhaps because it effectively uses heat from your body as radiant heat, as if the mat is generating heat itself. The ice pack on the underlay melts considerably after an hour and the temperature rises, so this experiment was unable to demonstrate its ability, but in reality, the NeoAir X Thermo can be felt more clearly and remarkably with the body than with the eyes. That reliability!

Don't forget that it's ultra-lightweight and compact, while maintaining insulation and comfort

Just as mentioned in the features of all air mats in the first half, the Neo Air series is packed with lightweight and compact models.

Furthermore, Thermarest's Neo Air series is overwhelmingly insulated per weight, as is no match for any other brand. For example, Uberlite has an R value of 2.0, and is insulated for mild seasons from spring to autumn, with an incredible lightness and compactness of 250g (approximately 320g, which is less than a single can of Sango can, even with all accessories included).

Even the warmest model, the X Thermo, weighs only 430g, about the size of a plastic bottle. This gives you warmth (R value of 6.9) equivalent to 3.5 Z light sols in the photo above. i can't believe!

Of course, light and compact tools have more or less trade-offs in terms of durability, heat retention, and size. Needless to say, the important thing is not to stick to weight alone, but to choose something that meets your own expectations (needs).

Four types of lineup, their strengths, and recommended usage scenes for each

Now, by now, you've come to understand the overwhelming appeal of the new Neo Air series. To repeat this once again, I realized that the following two points are superior to any brand at the moment.

• The air inlet makes it easier to get air in and out of storage.
• Amazingly excellent insulation per weight

With this in mind, I would like to summarize the recommended scenes and usage of each model lineup from Thermarest based on my own opinion and prejudice.

Neo Air X Thermo

I have done several comparison reviews of sleeping pads on this site, but I have never seen a mat that is more recommended than this model in the winter outdoors. This sleeping pad is truly worthy of being called the Winter Champion, boasting an overwhelming high quality and is even easier to use, making it even less likely to be vulnerable. Not only is it excellent insulation with an R value of 6.9, but it also has a 70D reinforced bottom, reducing the risk of bursting, which makes you want to choose this pad. If I were to raise the drawback, I would be concerned about the extraordinary price and the crisp sound caused by the thermocapture layer in the area.

Neo Air X Light

The weight of 350g is light enough compared to the competition, which is the same warmth, and the insulation with an R value of 4.2 is great for warmth, making it a great option even in winter. In other words, this model offers the best balance between lightness and warmth. It can be said that it is highly versatile enough to allow it to be used all year round, provided it is not done hard during such harsh winters. However, the good balance may be that for people who use multiple other mats, it may be shorter for the obi and longer for the sash.

Neo Air X Light for Women

This Neo Air X Light for women has been made a regular size of the above Neo Air X Light by shortening it by about 15cm and adding one thermocapture layer to make it a little warmer. While maintaining its basic versatility, it has been adjusted to a performance that is preferred by women, but given the typical Japanese size, there are actually some men who are perfect for them. Even if that's not the case, users who want to reduce the weight of the product can now gain weight and insulation while also placing a backpack, boot or other gear on the slightly understated foot. The price is the same as the Muji X Light, so this may be a hidden standard model.

Neo Air Uber Light

Although there is no thermocapture layer, the brand's lightest mat is the lightest mat, with its Triangular Core Matrix structure that maintains high insulation and comfort while still achieving surprisingly lightweight and compactness. Needless to say, it offers the best choice for fast and lighter hikers and alpinists, where lightness is justice. Even for ordinary hikers, it has insulation that is almost always a problem in warm seasons, but as it is an extremely thin fabric (15D), be careful not to break.

[Reference] Comparison of the Neo Air Series lineup specs

*All numbers are regular sizes

summary

The evolved Therm-a-Rest Neo Air series has been made in the first place, and the advantages of the air matt type, which are the common benefits of this series, such as high insulation per weight and light weight and compactness, which are the common benefits of this series, and without compromising that it has sharpened its properties to a level that is far ahead of the rest of the other brands. Furthermore, the new aspect of "ease of use of valves" gave it a sufficient finish to give the impression that it has suddenly surpassed the competitor brands that have been ahead of the past few years.

Of course, some of the other competitors still have advantages in terms of comfort and durability. Naturally, there is no sleeping pad in this world that can be adapted to any situation on its own. Rather than searching for the best one, it's best to choose the right sleeping pad in the right place, depending on the usage environment and purpose.

Personally, I believe that the most appeal of the air matt type comes into play in winter when you have a lot of luggage. So, in the coming season, any model will be perfect for you, from winter camping, hiking low mountains to fast packing, or snowy mountains in the harsh winter. If you choose the best model from the four new Neo Air series models to suit your mountain climbing style, you will never betray the high cost.