Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Pads

The regular size takes 28 of my full breaths. You could extrapolate from the calculated volume.

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I think the pad that most people will compare this to, like myself, is the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core. That said, I just picked up the NeoAir, and have the other pad as well. Thoughts first, then pics.

14.5 ounces on the scale… WAIT – there's a bunch of paper in the middle after I unrolled it! In fact, .5 ounces worth. So, 14 ounces on the nuts. Woot!

Okay, it took 12 of my big breaths to blow it up. I blew up the Big Agnes 72×20 rectangular IAC and it took 12 breaths also. But, I noticed the valve on the NeoAir is easily 1/2 as restrictive to blow through, and thus much easier to blow up. It was so noticeable that I had to check the BA valve to make sure I unscrewed it all the way.

Laying on them is very similar. The NeoAir has a little less bounce, and the sideways tubes are more comfortable. It's not a dramatic difference, but it is more comfortable. Main test for me was side sleeping. For some reason I had to let less air out of the NeoAir to achieve comfort when side sleeping. Not sure why, but this is good because air = insulation. I also didn't roll form side to side as easy. Without a real sleep test, I'm thinking I'm going to like it better. Field test will tell the truth.

Okay, pics. The NeoAir packs down WAY smaller than a BA:

When inflated, thickness is the same, width is the same, but the NeoAir is about 1" longer. I don't get the complaints that it's narrow. It's the same width as any other 20" pad, which is the standard. Here's inflated comparison shots:

It's 4:20 pm here in california, so my maths could be wrong, but the large has about 33% more volume, and should be inflatable in around 33% more breaths. So if a regular takes 28, a large would be close to 37 breaths.

Geoffrey,
Get some sleep man! We'll still be here when you've had a nap.

There now! I've run the numbers on the NeoAir inflation index. To wit…

Size Large (4812 cubic inches) at 37 breaths "H"*

Size Regular (3600 cubic inches) at 28 breaths "H"*

Size Medium (3300 cubic inches) at 25.7 breaths "H"*

Size Small (2350 cubic inches) at 18.3 breaths "H"*

Note: One Breath "H" is equal to one of my very deep breaths expelled, mostly alot. The next breath taken in slowly before exhalation. Repeat 28 times to inflate the NeoAir Regular. ASTM03.003.59a testing standards were observed during the establishment of this inflationary constant.

Looks I'm gonna hafta get one. More comfortable than BA….count me in. Wish they were cheaper too, but you can't have the horse and the pony, or whatever.

For the extra 2.3 breaths and another 40g maybe the regular is a better proposition for me , the medium is short but the R is longer than I need.
The R has a 9"x4" size when rolled up according to Thermarest, that looks about right on Dan's pics; is that close enough to the real size ?
Franco
Nathan, if you keep the horse don't forget to bolt the gate before you count your chickens

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Hi,
So after all this reading I see that most places seem to be out of stock.

Any sources in the US that will ship to Australia you guys and gals would recommend doing business with?

Would like to get one by end of this month,

Cheers

At what altitude were these breath tests conducted? How many breaths would it take at 11,000'? LOL

Franco…

My Regular NeoAir folded into thirds is 7.5"(19cm)x 3.5"(9cm) (caliper readings), is 6'1"(185.5cm) long and weighs 13.05oz(370g). Lighter/longer/packs smaller than advertised. Yes, I like it.

Note: I guess that I didn't think that this was a non-regular, regular.
Also… I have regular sized hands.

Update: I've now had the chance to use it several times and find it extremely comfortable. A couple of photos with the Regular in an MLD Soul Side Zip (large) bivy.

One really big difference with the NeoAir is that the surface doesn't allow for easy sliding around during the night… which is not necessarily a bad thing. Once settled in, I'm in that spot all night.

I really like my Neoair. 2.5 inches of cushion is the difference between sleep and no sleep for me. Having carried BA and POE pads that are heavy (but 2.5 inches thick), the weight savings is worth the extra bucks. I do wonder about the durability of the Neo. It feels a bit delicate compared to the BA and POE stuff, and I believe will require more attention and care when in use. That said, its exactly what I needed and I am thrilled to have one!

Can anyone else who has spent a night or two on the NeoAir comment on the noise? I'm a fairly light sleeper and between my wife and I moving around on each of our pads, it could be one noisy night.

As side sleepers, we could really use the lightweight thick padding.

Also, anyone know where you can get them now? I missed the Backcountry and REI sales recently. Thinking of emailing them to ask if we can get a group buy discount as an early adopter/evangelizer community.

Yeah, very noisy. My wife did not like my sleeping on one at a distance of about 6'.

Cheers

Wow John, that IS small.
Yes at 185 cm that "regular" is pretty long.
Thanks.
Franco

There were four regulars at my local REI yesterday. I need to head back there tonight or tomorrow a.m. to return something. If you want to pay shipping I'd be happy to pick one up and send it to you if there are any left. They weren't on sale though, $150.

PM me if you have any interest.

I was at Second Ascent in Seattle/Ballard and they had a few. I would assume these will be a dime a dozen soon. They are VERY LOUD I dont think I could sleep on one even if it was weightless. Just my 2 cents.

I wish I could have that thick padding at that weight without the noise. That noise could set me back years of introducing and acclimating my lowlander better half to backpacking. I CAN sleep on a single CCF pad, I just don't want to. And doubling up CCF gets very bulky. Trip leader in my local Sierra Club group suggested a DIY CCF pad with contact areas doubled up for extra padding.

Right now for winter I have a GG 3/8 Thinlight CCF pad used with a thick winter inflatable pad. For 3 season use I have an older 1 in. 3/4 length Therm-a-rest.

If I used a 3/4 length CCF pad (like GG's 3/4 in. thick eggcrate pattern pad) and cut up a second one to double up on contact areas, perhaps it won't be super bulky. Anyone try this? Please forgive hijacking the NeoAir discussion, but hopefully alternatives will add something to the discussion.

I had the chance to take a nice nap on a NeoAir, and have to say that I didn't notice the noise. Yes, it crinkles a bit. So do the ProLite pads, and I didn't think there was all that much difference. On another note, anyone out there had a Thermarest old enough to remember the Slip Fix spray they used to have? The surface of the NeoAir reminds me of a pad with that Slip Fix on it– kind of tacky, in a, um, refined way.

I dont know what it is about my ridgerest but I sleep better on it than any other pad Ive tried. Its trimmed to 40×16. I'm 40 years old and every part of my body hurts at some point or another but that old crappy pad is like my woobie. Ali

nm

Regarding noise. I was hopping between the NeoAir and my BA IAC outside today, and the noise difference between the two really isn't much. I think it's subjective. If you are coming from a BA pad, you probably won't notice, but if you are coming from closed foam, you probably will.

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nm

Hey EJ, the NeoAir is not the only air mattress on the market. If you can carry another 8 ounces, there are quiet, extremely comfortable alternatives. Shocking revelation, huh?