Is this normal for a new x-lite? Delam of the reflective cells?

I bought one recently that looked almost the same as this after a few nights of use. I returned it and got something else. There is a hit to the R value due to loss of the reflective surface. There was another thread here about it. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=100172

That's exactly what I needed. I'm surprised I missed it.

Thank you very much for the information.

Cascade will replace defective units. Lifetime guarantee

Wow, this is the first I've read about this. I still have an xlite small that I saved for my toddler but just today I upgraded to Xtherms for my older son and myself. It's reassuring to know that Cascade Designs stands behind their products because at $200 each for my Xtherms I expect a sound, durable pad with customer support post sales. Signed, Concerned Customer.

The generation of Xlites that were translucent seem to have this problem. Cascade will replace these basically no questions asked (and as they do with everything they sell) under their lifetime guarantee. IMO this business model is what makes Cascade products worth the premium price.

The newest generation Xlite has gone back to an opaque fabric and Cascade claims to have addressed the delamination problem. One may argue that the fabric change merely prevents one from seeing the delimitation, but I do not subscribe to that notion. Cascade has a long history of iterating product designs to eliminate problems, and I see the evolution of the Xlite as another example of this.

I'm thinking that because the bulk of the pad, such as under my core, is not delaminating, that I'll hold out on warranting it. I won't need the warmth until December and I can just send it in then. (I'll have this thread and my shipping receipt to prove it arrived to my house defective. Haha!)

I have been using a Prolite extra small and it's a great little pad, much better than the z-lite sol I was using before, but even at 23 years of age, I have severe back problems from years of wrestling and running, so I want to try out the cushy air mat thing. Hopefully it helps with the stiffness and locking up of the muscles I experience most mornings.

Anyway, thanks for the info guys.

Sam,
Are you saying that a brand new, never opened or inflated pad is what you posted a picture of? Is so, this is new information as all reports of delamination that I know of were following significant use (and inflation by mouth). Further, the translucent xlites have been out of production for some time, so you would have received quite old stock.

Regardless, I would open a warrantee claim asap. Cascade usually addresses claims within 2 weeks.

Yes sir, I just received it from MooseJaw brand new yesterday and hadn't blown it up before taking the picture.

I'm glad I have the MooseJaw warranty as well the Cascade Designs warranty. Sounds like it's a bigger problem than I thought.

Edit: now that I've inspected it more thoroughly I can see it's delaminated all over. Just not as bad as the shoulder area.

Looks to me like moose jaw was passing something used for new

That's what I started thinking, but it came with everything in the box. Repair kit, stuff sack, instructions and warranty pamphlet.

I'll be returning it for a refund today. I paid full price for (which was dumb to begin with) an older generation pad. So I'm getting my money back.

Oh well. Maybe I'll stick with my Prolite or get the plus version or something.