Packing a Thermarest Neoair with the new wing valve

You can buy a replacement valve for about $17.

I sometimes roll mine valve-in, sometimes valve-out.  It depends on how the thing “wants” to fold on any given cold morning.

Don’t give up on your Uberlite,  Cascade Designs will either fix the leak for you or warranty it again.  But if it was mine I’d first try to find the leak and fix it myself.  Chances are there is a pinhole leak somewhere.   Fully inflate the mattress and then use a sponge with soapy water to look for the leak while applying some pressure to the mattress.

Thermarest’s current response for Uberlite issues is to send you a new Xlite or Xtherm. They no longer make the Uberlite. I would make a warranty claim with Thermares. You might get a new pad.

I doubt you will experience the same issues with the NXT. The Uberlite material is uber-thin compared to the Xlite. I have an Xlite NXT. I generally roll it from the foot end and then fold the head end once when the roll gets to the head end so when it is completely rolled up the valve is not exposed to rub on anything.

xlite NXT mummy regular weighs 13 ounces – that’s good

when I sit on the uberlite, it bends up into the air, the baffles act like hinges

it looks like maybe they fixed that in the xlite NXT

this being thermarest, I bet it weighs more like 14 ounces : )

Same issue as AK with the Uberlite wing valve. I’ve always felt the side valve was susceptible to leaking with all the repeated twisting and creasing of the fabric in that area. Combined with the super thin material of that pad and you have problems. The NeoAir Xlite should be better.

Yes, assuming you fold in half lengthwise, you then tuck only the valve side of the pad inside the roll towards the end for added protection.

I have a pre-nxt X-therm. I fold it in half length-wise, then roll it up with the winglock valve ending-up on the outside. Then, I wrap it up inside an Exped Snozzle bag.

All the slow-leaks I have had, and my wife has had, with the Thermarest mats (X-lite and Xtherm) with the winglock values have been right next to where the base of the value sits inside the mat. I think that is the weak spot. I take care not to bend the winglock valve back and forth.

I wish Thermarest used flat valves, more like the Exped or Sea to summit valves!

I assume they had problems with their old valve, and thus re-engineered to make the wing lock

But I’ve never heard problems with the valve.  Lots of problems with leaks and delamination though.

Maybe they created the wing lock for marketing purposes – some new thing that competitors don’t have.

I’m currently using prolite.  I use uberlite if I’m really trying to minimize weight.  I’ve bought maybe 6 different thermarest mattresses.  I have sort of a love-hate relationship with them.