New thermarest

> As a side sleeper with old-before-my-time hips and legs, the > super cushioning of the BA will be worth the 7 ounces, along > with the R-value benefits (4.1 vs 2.5).

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the 4.1 R value is somewhat "optimistic", so the difference may not be huge. If/when I get a neo air I'll just add a GG thinlite pad (about 1.5 oz?) to it when I expect cold temperatures.

The other advantages of the neo (apart from weight) are that the 'baffles' are horizontal and there are plenty of them… so it should feel flatter to lie on and won't wobble so much. Plus it is rectangular which gives you a little extra room before your legs start slipping off the pad.

Well the 17 ounce difference between the Neo and the BA insulated large sizes is enough for me. I am a hot sleeper, and a big guy who needs the extra width for my shoulders. Since no manufacturer wants to do a wide torso inflater the larger full length pads will have to do. Now at 19 ounces this is a huge weight difference between that and my existing Camplite XL at 43 ounces. This was the lightest full size mattress at the time. 24 ounces now freed up!

nm

What an incredible disappointment after all the rave reviews early on. I bought it, tried it, and soon disliked it for all of the reasons already stated. It was a waste of money and not a good product.

Dirk

>Joe Clement
>The world loves beta testers.

After 34 years of backpacking, it wouldn't be the first time I've been let down.

I've done a bit of beta testing.

Ok, there is now way in hell (or heaven) that the BA IAC pad has R4.1. I had the heat sucked out of me at 5C/40F on substrate dry earth, and at the same temp I would have been fine on 1" Thermarest R2.5 and toasty warm on a 1.5" Thermarest R3.2.

My 2nd gen BA IAC weighs 28 oz against 24 oz spec'd.

My BA EM3 tent weighs 5.5 lb against 5 lb spec'd.

BA tents have leaky floors due to 1200mm spec. (Do I even believe that?)

Bottom line: I'm getting a NeoAir and returning all my BA products.

BA's tent specs (at least as regard to my beloved SL2) are accurate.

As for BA's bag warmth and weight specs — I think they are way off. It's one strike I have against BA — as much as I like my SL2.

Ben, does your SL2 really weigh 2lb 13oz? And you don't mind the water soaking through the floor on wet ground?

My 1st gen BA IAC was 25.5 oz, still 1.5 oz over spec. The second gen went to heavier, less slippery fabric and the valve was changed from plastic to brass.

I have one on order for when they're released and the small size is advertised here (UK) as 260 gm (9.3 oz)……. but let's see.

From previous experience thermarest have seemed prone to publishing what sometimes turn out in reality to be 'optimistic' weights – oddly, with any real-life variance to published weights seeming to err on the higher side rather than the lower!

FWIW, REI's website as of a couple of days ago allows for "preorder/backorder" of the NeoAir (along with application of your Patronage Dividend if you so desire in the payments screen).

My size regular is now on backorder status!

And, not that it is binding on anyone, LL Bean shows a ship date of April 16 on NeoAir.

Count me in on the beta testing. My regular is on order from Backcountrygear.com with the 25% discount. They are telling me that it will ship in mid-April. I have been waiting a long time to upgrade from my 10 yr old Therm-a-Rest Ultralite (1" Thk,23oz) and can't wait for (hopefully) a better nights sleep. I am a side sleeper that thrashes around all night because my arms and shoulders get numb.

I'll also be a beta tester.

Thanks Bill, you just spent $14.30 for me (REI 20% off NeoAir minus dividend).

Hey Dan,nice to see we have the same great taste. By the way, does Leah know yet?

> By the way, does Leah know yet?

Yes – she knew about the dividend, so if I didn't tell her, there would have been explaining later. She was mostly gracious about it. I said with the discount and dividend it would only be $14 – she said cool… paused… and asked how much the dividend was. Then she had trouble understanding why it was that much better than what I had.

I just said what I've been saying lately – I need it for my thru hike!

It's a shame it doesn't come in a mummy shape. Since it won't be shipping until mid-April, maybe you all should wait and see if BPL gives it a favourable review!

Since it won't be shipping until mid-April, maybe you all should wait and see if BPL gives it a favourable review!

Now what fun is that? I know Roger keeps hinting at the upcoming review, but details are mum on when that'll happen.

I can always cancel my order, or go the store when it shows up and look at it. If I don't like it, I can just leave it there and get my money back. Until then, I'm pretty close to the front of the line if it becomes hard to get, and I got 20% off with my coupon, which ends at the end of the month and will be useless in April.

True Dan. There's at least one good thing about living in the US, by not having to fork over big money for postage on an item of unknown and untested quality. Perhaps I should have phrased my comments to those that live outside the US or a long way from an REI or other retailer…perhaps you will be the first to review it for the rest of us???

rei only lists the medium 66" one, but none of the others. i was about to order it and use my 20% coupon… but no small and it said item is out of stock, sorry… when i hit add to cart… maybe if i go into the store… but i'll just wait and see what the actual weights really are. 9oz though would be really nice, since that is what my chopped up z-rest weighs and i can't get a good nights sleep to save my life on the zrest, let alone fall asleep.

rei only lists the medium 66″ one, but none of the others

Just noticed… It’s back up! Quick, go order!

Does anyone want to speculate if the NeoAir (small size) would function as a virtual frame in a pack. I use a GG Nightlight torso pad in my Conduit and it performs well as a virtual frame. For sleeping it’s marginal but I like the weight savings. If the NeoAir reviews are positive I’ll consider getting one but ideally I wouldn’t want to carry both items to perform separate functions.

they got the large and medium… i still can't find a listing for the small…

I only have one question. How safe is it to lie on a mat that's laced with shiny aluminum surfaces in a lightning storm? The NeoAIR You Tube videos have got me wondering!
Aluminized emergency blankets have fried more than one person in a lightning storm. Could the same thing happen with a NeoAIR mat.

Not any worse the aluminum tent or trekking poles.

At least you'd be comfortable, right up to the end. Works for me.

"Aluminized emergency blankets have fried more than one person in a lightning storm."

I'd be interested in reading sources behind that association. But I'm not having much luck finding any.