New thermarest

Weighs 13 oz, 20" x 72" x 2.75", R factor listed at 2.5, called NeoAir, due to be announced next month, on sale next spring, rumored price $150.

Are they going to offer smaller sizes? For a full length pad these numbers are extraordinary, but I'm not sure if I need a full length pad. Of course, I'll buy it at this size if it is the only option.

Not many hits on a Google search for NeoAir yet. What is the source of your info John?

Anybody know if BackpackGearTest has a sample set yet? How about BPL?

For reference: Big Agnes Clearview Air Pad, 15 oz., 20" x 72" x 2.5", R-value listed at 1.0.

Versus: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir (speculation), 13 oz., 20" x 72" x 2.75", R-value claimed at 2.5.

I will be very curious to see how they would do that. Metalized fabric? New type of insulation?

Ross, I have no idea if shorter pads will be sold. Probably so at some point.

Jason, my info comes from a post by Jerry Goller of backpackgeartest.org who has been testing the pad for 3 years. BGT will review the pad at some point, guessing after it hits the market.

I know a size L will weight about 550 grams.

Tom wrote:

> I know a size L will weight about 550 grams.

550 grams = 19.4 ounces

How is this 'much' better than a Big Agnes Insulated Air Core?

The 'better' could be the rumored R-Value of 2.5 for the thermarest vs. the R 1.0 for the BA.

There's been a lot of talk about the construction of the new pad on the backpacking light Yahoo group. As best I can tell there are sub-layers that slow down the convective heat transfer that you get in an air pad from circulation within the pad.

Chunked aerogel is fairly cheap, they might put some in there to up the R rating. It's also ridiculously light.

Its properties (depending on the type) are:
1-50mg/cm^3
R 10-30 for 1-inch thick pieces

Not saying that's what is happening, but if I had to design a new inflatable mattress, that's what I'd use. United Nuclear sells aerogel to consumers at a considerable cost, but it is readily available. Not cheap though…

>The 'better' could be the rumored R-Value of 2.5 for the thermarest vs. the R 1.0 for the BA.

Chad,

The R value of 1.0 is for an uninsulated BA Clearview pad. A BA insulated aircore has a much higher R value.

I just saw a regular length model but was blown away. Outstanding comfort and R value at 14 oz for regular length. $150

The thermarest Prolite Pads are now warmer and lighter Regular length Prolite 3 16 oz

Kyle
"I just saw a regular length model but was blown away. "
Did anyone run after it ?

This NeoAir sounds like a much lighter version of my Insulmat, possibly warmer. PO don't give the R value of their mats but I would estimate mine to be around 2 (similar to the Thermarest ProLite 3).
I might have to go back to work.
Franco

I was blown away by the pad!

I don't think I would like a pad that leaks with such force that it knocks me off my feet! Do you think you inflated it too much?

Did I mention how bored I am?

Adam

Kyle
You could write "I was blown away WITH the pad" so that silly people with nothing else to do like Franco and Adam could visualize you and the pad flying away never to be seen again.
But what bothers me is that I will have to fork out $150 to save 10oz on my pad. I wonder if there is some Government organization that can assist gear tragics like me ?
Franco

Kyle wrote: "The thermarest Prolite Pads are now warmer and lighter Regular length Prolite 3 16 oz"

Kyle, are these new thermarest prolite 3 pads on sale yet? When are they going to be released?

The thermarest website lists the weight of the current prolite 3 as 20oz… cutting 4oz off this weight *and* making it warmer is quite a feat!

Have you got any more information or can you point me to a link where I can read more about it?

Thanks, Jamie

Hmmm. I'd also be interested in a prolite 3 that weighed 4oz less than the current version. Presumably a 'short' version would then only weigh around 10oz and be longer than a Montbell 90?

Here you can find a bit more info:
http://www.outdoorindustry.org/media.outdoor.php?news_id=4174&sort_year=2008

From the above website: "The Triangular Core Matrix contributes to the warmth by creating a multitude of air cells that minimize air movement and convective cooling. This matrix also creates an internal truss system that virtually eliminates the instability generally found on large tube-based air mattresses and assures that the user will shift less while resting comfortably on a 2.5 inch-thick mattress."

Does this mean the surface is flat, like a Prolite 4? Or does it still use tubes that are stabilized with the truss system? A flat 2.5" mattress would be sweet. Can anyone here who has seen it comment?

Hi John,

As I recall it's pretty flat like a traditional Thermarest.

Ryan

Take a look:

According to press releases, Cascade Designs companies will be releasing a bunch of new products in 2009, apparently with a lightweight focus for some or all. Included on the list I saw were several new tents from MSR, four sizes of NeoAir pads from Therm-a-rest, and several new stoves from MSR.

Hi All

This is the guts of the NeoAir.

As far as I know, the membranes are fabric, and the inner membranes are heat-reflective. Yes, you can get condensation inside, but absent any fill this may not matter. perhaps you will be able to drain it out easily.

The picture is from the official Cascade Designs press release. I hope they won't mind my using it here. (Somehow, I doubt it!)

Cheers
Roger Caffin