NeoAir XLite didn’t make it through night 1

Ouch, I had high hopes for that thing. Guess I'll just keep my neo air.

I wonder if it was a fluke. Maybe you could exchange it for another?

It's really strange.

– Tear length: 1 inch
– Location: ground side of the pad about 12 inches from the bottom in the middle.

Worked fine until about 5 am this morning. Went out for a bio break and returned to the shelter. After getting comfortable under the quilt again I noticed that the pad was flat. I tried to add air, but no luck. Just slept chilly the rest of the night. Seems strange because the foot area was getting very little pressure because I was entering the shelter from the head end of the pad. I was under a trailstar with polycro on the ground. Didn't notice any tears in the polycro. Also didn't notice any sharp objects that would have tore the pad. Just strange.

Brad

Yikes, that's not very comforting that it failed without any real stress. I guess that means the material just isn't strong enough huh? That story alone is enough to make me steer clear.

I wonder if it tore where it was folded from the factory to store it?

Wait, no, I'm not. Some weight just isn't worth cutting.
My current neoair long=19oz. XLite long=16oz. 180/3oz= 60 dollars an ounce for an already-fragile product. No thanks.

Not on the fold, but close.

I'm curious to see how others fair after using in the field. Something just isn't adding up. If I would have been on something sharp enough to cut the fabric I would have expected the polycro to have similar tears. Doesn't seem logical that when I reentered the tent that the pressure I put by sitting on the head end would have created the tear. I did all my entering/exiting the shelter across the head end of the pad. That is where I would have expected any issue. Well in all my years of backpacking I have never had a pad leak. Maybe just my time. Couple pictures.

Sorry for your cold, uncomfortable night — and thanks for posting, Brad!

Seems like we all have to "take our pick" on the continuum that has "bombproof heavy" at one end and "fragile light" at the other. I myself felt a bit hesitant the first field night after switching from my trusted REI Lite Core self inflator to a Thermarest Neoair. The Neoair did fine, but in truth, the fabric really did seem a lot more fragile (and thus the significantly lighter weight).

Truth be told, I'm tempted by the Neoair X-lite… but should probably wait for more actual user reviews to come out…

Curious, will you continue to use your X-lite — after a repair or exchange?

Does the XLite use the same material as the upcoming XTherm? I want to get the XTherm because it's r-value makes it reasonable for shoulder seasons and it's light. I guess I'll be sure to get it from REI so I have their guarantee.

Handled one at REI and that material is rather thin, though I'd assume the product has been tested. Could some debris have come into your shelter, between pad and groundsheet?

For now I wouldn't use it again. If I had a trip tomorrow I would either take my NeoAir or Exped synmat UL. Both have worked many nights in the field without any issue. I've ask manufacturer what my options are (i.e. replace, different model, etc). Regretting that I didn't buy this from REI.

Hopefully mine is an isolated incident. Hard to imagine CD not resolving. They have a good track record with products. Anxious to hear from other BPL users about any issues.

Brad

HK,

Debris is possible. However I would think if the debris caused the issue it would have effected the polycro also. Scary if the polycro material is more durable than the XLite material. Just shaking my head.

Brad

From the photo, it looks like a blowout to me.
It doesn't look like a puncture.

Man, it's disheartening to read several people on here having issues with the Xlite. I have one and tested out on an overnighter a few weeks back and it was great. I have since blown it up and toyed around with it in my house and it is still fine. BTW, any Ti Goat bivy owners that have not tested out using an Xlite inside the bivy, it was very hard to get it inside because it stuck to the bivy, and it also gave me very little room once I got inside. So now when I use my bivy (high chance of rain), I will use my POE Peak Oyl Lite, and save my Xlite for tent/bug net/built shelter use.

Makes me worried about using the Xlite now, I will handle it very gentle! Other than it seeming to be very frail, I love this mat. Comfy, warm, lightweight, easy to blow up, not very slippery.

I'm sorry to hear about your leak. Since Neoair mattresses already have a reputation for air leaks, I think it's prudent for all Neoair owners to carry a repair kit. In fact, a repair kit should be included with the mattress, in my opinion.

I agree that it was comfy, warm and was working great. It was 24.8 degrees when I woke up this morning on a flat pad. My 7 year old son was on the down mat 7, so I was try to steal ever spare inch he wasn't using. Before it went flat I was sleeping warm at 26-27 degrees using my Katabatic Sawatch. On a positive note that Katabatic quilt is amazing. I'm really hoping I just got a bad one.

Brad

You look like your a pretty muscley dude in your profile photo–I wonder if there's a weight limit to these pads if it did in fact blow out? I mean, it would kind of make sense given that the material is seriously thin.

If I remember correctly, the first batch of the original NeoAirs had a few similar issues like this as Cascade Designs got production issues squared away. I also remember hearing several good stories about their customer service too. I haven't taken my XLite out yet, just napped on the floor, and it's been good so far; though, that's no real test.

I'm 5'10" and 182 pounds. I did have mash potatoes and salami for dinner, so maybe 183. Probably 185 post trip after the eggs, bacon, hash browns and waffle at the Waffle House.

I didn't have the pad completely full of air. It also had been blown up for 11 hours with temps in the high-mid 20s. So i wouldn't have expected it to be really stressed at that point. I'm sure I didn't gingerly sit down on the pad, but I certainly didn't do the Ric Flair elbow drop on it. Regardless, if I have to be that gentle with the pad, then I would pick something different.

Brad

… and then people ask me why I never use an inflatable mattress, at least not in the last 15 years.

–B.G.–

Bob,

Curious at what you use? I'm a side sleeper and have some hip pain with the thinner pads.

Brad

Yeah, that should be nowhere near enough way to blow it out.

I wonder if you had one of the ones from the bad batch before CD corrected the issue? Where did you buy it?

Backcountry Gear on January 16.

Brad

Well, I've always considered backcountry to be a reputable site. If they only give you the option of exchanging for another one maybe you could emphasize that you would like one that is as recently produced as possible. I have no idea how long ago the problem xlites were made (or maybe they still are) but maybe that would ensure you get a good one. Hopefully they'll just straight up refund your money. I sure wouldn't trust another one after that.

Up until 1985 or so, I used serious Thermarest inflatables, especially for snow camping. Then there were too many problems.

Now I have a collection of several closed cell foam pads, some large, some small. For a snow camping trip, I would take one 1/2" thick by full length plus one 1/2" thick by half length. For summer, I take about three pieces of 3/8" thick of one square foot each. For summer, if I go crazy, I take about one piece of that plus some bubble-wrap, then I utilize all spare clothing, socks, and micro-towel as padding underneath me.

Want to know how I get used to that? I sleep on that arrangement indoors for one or two nights before I leave on each trip.

–B.G.–