Neo Air XLite Alternative?

I find Nemo pads to be really comfortable. Something about the way the material stretches or the way the baffles are made. But I don’t know what they have in the same weight category as the Xlite, or if they are as comfortable as my Astro and Cosmo pads that I use for car camping.

I switched to Exped Hyperlite.   Regular size is 12.9oz, R value 3.3.   I was initially motivated by the Schnozzle inflation bag, which is brilliant.   For 2.0oz It doubles as a large and truly waterproof drybag for sleeping bad and clothes, so the effective weight penalty for an efficient and reliable inflator is negligible.

The main difference is longitudinal baffles rather than lateral baffles.   It certainly feels a little different, for me it’s neither more nor less comfortable.   There’s no crinkling noise.

When they first introduced them there was a design or QC issue with internal baffles blowing.  They claim to have fixed that, and it’s borne out by my experience – I had my first one blow, but no issue now for ~3 years with the replacement.    So I would say reliability is probably similar.

Based on other recent threads, the Schnozzel valve type is compatible with some other pad brands, but not Thermarest.

I have two REI FLASH Insulated air mattresses. They are comfortable whether I’m in a sleeping bag or lying directly on them as in a quilt application.

1. FLASH Insulated – R 3.7 for 3 season use -> 15 oz.
2. FLASH All Season – R5.3 for winter use -> 19.4 oz.

Both have the same “quilting” pattern. I put a light synthetic T shirt over the head end of the 3 season FLASH for more comfort on my face. Plus it collects any “drool”.

I got them B/C they were light and compact and carried the REI guarantee. I use a Sea to Summit dry bag inflator. It doubles as my clothing bag.

I’ve hiked with the Ex-Peds, Klymit, Neo Air and a couple others. The Ex-Ped is nice but it’s flaw is the inflation and deflation valves, as soon as they start leaking the mattress is done, unless you like reinflating it once or more times every night.  As a thru-Hiker I won’t use any mattress that uses the Ex-Ped type valves as they are not fixable.   Neo Air valves are replaceable and can be done anywhere with a new valve and some glue.

For 20 mile days, I still use the short neo-air xlite to save weight; plus I’m tired enough to sleep comfortably on it.

For shorter days I use a more comfy pad. I have and use the following (and I loan some out to my group):

IN ORDER OF BARRY COMFORT:

1. Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated “Short”, 15oz, 2” thick, R=3.3
2. Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated, 14.8oz, 4”, R=4.2
3. Big Agnes Q-Core SL, 17oz, 3.5”, R=4.5
4. Neo-air Xlite Regular, 12oz, 2.5”, R=3.2
5. Neo-air Xlite Small, 8oz, 2.5”, R=3.2

Ironically for me, the thinnest pad is the most comfortable (2” Sea To Summit).

There are other pads I consider comfortable but are a little too bulky for me:

1. Thermarest Z-lite Sol Regular, 14oz, R=2.6, Thickness is 1.5” when I fold it in half for sleeping. This feels surprising good.
2. Thermarest 40th Anniversary Edition, 24oz, 2”, R=4
3. Thermarest Prolite Plus Sleeping Pad – Womens, 20oz, 1.5”, R=4
4. Thermarest Backpacker Small (similar to the Trail Scout but heavier), 18oz, 1” R=?

May everyone get some rest,

-Barry