Less Noisy Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm Mattress?

I’ve long been eyeing an xtherm for 150$, it’s under a pound with an r value of 5.7…. and is very thick and comfy… It seems like the dream product. But every material has a draw back. Is it really that bad?

I tend to sleep with ear plugs myself. Would it still be way too loud? I hypothesis it is not only the material but also the large hollow chamber inside that is amplifying the noise I wonder if a creative but simple modification could fix it?

Well, if you travel solo I think it could be fine. I did wear earplugs my last trip and wasn’t too bothered. My partner was though! It’s definitely worse for the person next to you, since they are asleep and being woken by the noise, versus you who is awake already and just turning over. Other than that I do like the mattress.

This is a well known characteristic of this brand .  I have the yellow xlite version and I’ve gotten used to it.  If you can’t sleep well in the outdoors it’s not the rustling of the pad (only).  I find practice and fatigue work wonders.

I think any other pad will be quieter, but also heavier.  Your choice.  My son uses a Big Agnes insulated pad, and I heard them newer REI pads are worth a look.

I have the REI Flash air pad and it’s quiet. I don’t have many nights on it, but I like it.

Any suggestions for a similar mattress that doesn’t come with all the noise?

Probably not at the same weight and the same reputation for warranty.

Michael F – I would’t hesitate to try an Xtherm, especially if you are using earplugs. My wife, who is a light sleeper, and I  use both the xlight and xtherms and have no problems with noise interfering with sleep. +1 to Bobs answer, possibly a few more miles would help.

Take a look at the Nemo Tensor pads.  Cheaper price, same weight for the same size but rectangular as well as mummy shaped options, and quieter to sleep on.  Nemo doesn’t use R-values to rate pads, but they give the Tensor a temperature rating of 15-25 degrees.  Potential downside is that you have to blow up the pad, no inflation bag included.  I currently use an XTherm and have been happy enough, but the rectangular shape of the Tensor might lure me away.

Xtherm Max is rectangular format, if that works for you.

Nope, they don’t give them puppies away, lol!

I got a lightly-used Xtherm Max in the long/wide size, then lopped off a good chunk of it and resealed it to make it 72″ x 25″ that weighs 20.5 oz. I wish TR would embrace the concept of regular/wide sizing so I wouldn’t have to do that.

Wish they would make Xtherms in 72 x 25 in. as well, think they would be a hit. From a poster here a while back, another thing you can do if you don’t want to cut the pad and void the warranty is just fold the excess length under your head and use that double section as a pillow.

Hmm… I didn’t see that, sounds interesting. Did they actually do it?

My pillow with strap weighs a bit under 2 oz (55.5g) and the section I sliced off weighed about 4 oz, so there’s that.

However I won’t hesitate to void a warranty in the pursuit of perfection!  :^)

Back to the OP’s topic, my experience is the same as Bob and jimmy b… if I’m tired enough nothing bothers me short of getting cold or discovering a rock right under my hip. Earplugs are priceless.

Whatever the Exped Downmats are called nowadays – The Winterlight perhaps?

I have an xtherm and don’t find it very noisy so YMMV.  (Mine is a ~2015).  You want noisy go find one of the original new air pads!

Add an ccf pad over top of the Xlite. It’ll dampen the noise a bit – in my experience.

The thicker the ccf, the more it’ll dampen the noise, but 1/8″ to 1/4″ will work fine.

And it’ll also add a good amt of R value to the system – something which one can never have too much of between them and the ground.

I have an XLite and don’t find it too noisy. It’s quieter if you blow it up more. It doesn’t bother my girlfriend either, in fact she said she likes it as it reminds her I’m there with her. Awww. (We’ll see how long that lasts.)