After buying a few insulated mattresses that didn’t get the job done, I bought the long wide XTherm about three years ago. I was able to get it on sale which helped on the price. It’s a great product and, to me, worth the price.
I can say it's the best mattress available. I have mine since 2016 and after hundreds of nights I was thinking about buying the wide one. It has never let me down, Iceland several times, Alps, Pyrenees, everywhere. It's one of those things that are pricey but not expensive. Worth every penny.
I have the NXT version and is absolutely fantastic as warmth and reliability.The only slight downside (a nitpick) is that it tends to be a bit slippery but not that bad (maybe on next version some gel pads printed on top side could help).Use'it in Carpathian Mountains in winter (Romania) on -25'C and felt fabulous.For me the noise is not a problem.Sounds a bit like a bag of chips but can't be mad as long as is soo good compared to every other sleeping pad in the market.The valve is bomb proof.In short i tried to make'it work with less expensive sleeping pads (4-5 different sleeping padsover the years) but most leak air trough the valve sometimes or every time and they were nowhere near as good at insulating.I always knew about "that expensive sleeping pad" and finally i feed-up being cold so i got'it.If i add'up the money i spent on 4-5 previous sleeping pads was about the price of this one.Buy once - cry once.Mine is made in Ireland.
I have done so much research on sleeping pads. I've been uncomfortable on backpacking sleeping pads forever. None seemed to work. I got the "best" / "most comfortable" pad on the market that literally everyone says is one of, if not the most comfortable sleeping pads on the market - the Big Agnes Rapide SL. I figured that I was just doomed to bad sleep, and warmth had nothing to do with it. When looking to push into colder weather months, I decided to take Luke's recommendation on this pad. I WISH I had done so at the beginning of my backpacking gear journey. The Thermarest Xtherm is the most comfortable pad on the market that I've tested out, by far. Other youtubers talk about the baffeling system, and they're right in that it matters. But, that's only a small part of the equation. Elasticity of the top layer. How large the baffels are, including length, width, and height. A billion other things are at play here, and Thermarest hits every single nail on the head on this pad and is incredible. If you're looking to upgrade, or even for your first pad, and this puppy is in your budget GET IT!! You won't regret it
I’m about to do the same. Upgrading from a 2016 Nemo 20R and probably going to get the 2024 Nemo tensor all season 25” wide. (Maybe ether light XT by sea to summit).
I have been using Lighttour R7.5 for a while. The heat preservation is completely comparable to Therm-a-Rest R7.2, but the price is only half! Professional test certificate, most importantly, 10cm thickness and wider and longer size are better than Therm-a-Rest.
After a long trip in late fall/early winter in the northeast, I decided to invest in a couple of pieces of gear if the opportunity came up. This was one of the items I got and I am not a person of great means, so it was not easy coughing up that much cash but it makes such a huge difference that I have no regrets. Its very durable, very comfortable and lightweight. It's by far the best sleepingpad I've owned. Its interesting to me how there doesnt seem to be anything different along the edges but with it being such a thick pad its amazing how it holds me centered even when I roll towards the sides. After so long of trying all sorts of budget and make your own gear, its nice to get to know what to look for and slowly buy or make things that will last for years.
I've had mine for a couple of years and LOVE it. I've been on every possible for of sleeping pad, and this is the BEST so far. I do use a small Flextail pump to inflate and deflate. It's so much easier.
With the whole price tag thing, look at it this way. Luke said that his original pad lasted at least 10 years and still going strong. $240 for a high R value pad that has lasted over 10 years for a guy that camps all the time, doesn't sound too expensive at that point.
That logic assumes it WILL last a long time, that you actually need a higher R-value pad and that you and your hiking buddies will put up with the return of the crinkly sounds of yesteryear. No thank you. I am a cold sleeper and am fine with my older Xtherm and my Exped. I add a thin foam sheet on colder trips. That kind of money is better spent on other luxuries such as DCF, titanium or better dehydrated meals.
I don't need my mattress to be that warm or expensive , I use an insulated Klymat V inside my MSS Bivy with a Military Isomat outside underneath , it costs a lot less and covers my needs with more versatility . I like your honest reviews and value your opinions on gear , thanks for all the effort you put into your content Sir .
Good review! But I have to tell you as you know and pretty much everyone else out there the price is absolutely absurd, ridiculous and there’s no reason for it to be that high in price. There’s always a lot of excuses, but it’s just price gouging in my opinion, I don’t care if it’s made in the United States of America or mainland China.
I can strongly recommend to combine it with the Pajak Radical 4 sleepingbag in the winter. Nice video as always =) Best wishes from the land of Fjällräven & Hilleberg!
Here at Alaska Raft Connection, the top 4-season, proven go mild to wild, inflatable sleeping pads 'of this variety' (ie. Reliable make, Lightweight, Compact, Welded-beam) are EXPED Downmat 9, Synmat 9, and Thermarest Luke shares here - as well as the earlier version. For outfitting and guiding.. both EXPEDs I mention are the go-to. Personally, I go with the Thermarest NeoXtherm earlier version in the mummy-shape. It is my go-to especially on solo trips. Most of my solo trips, are remote destination fly outs. These trips are nearly always going to be in very demanding conditions. Luke's review is spot on for this product.
I’ve had my old X-Therm 10 years, no issues whatsoever. The new one would be overkill for me and besides no go on the price. Speaking of price, with the proposed 30% Chinese tariffs, the price of Chinese products may jump next year which is about 75% percent of the products Luke tests.
I have & use the XTherm. It's provided me with everything I want in an inflatable air mattress. I'll not be buying the NXT. The R value, the 70D ground side fabric, the lifetime warranty & MADE IN AMERICA have made the XTherm my all time favorite, forever & ever. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.
I have had mine for over 10 years, I eventually put my money into it after buying umpteen cheap ones that gave up. The cost i put into the cheap ones would have paid for this. Im not Anericsn but if you wsnt homegrown products and to pay staff a decent wage you will have to ay the price, fortunately this is the best in the business. I always take a lightweight mat to put under it, just to protect my investment. The best thing I purchased.
Great review. I have used the regular NeoAir for years and there are times when I push it to real low temps and don't get great sleep cause I can just feel the cold beneath me. They are shockingly durable, used mine in new mexican desert and with a little bit of care it never popped. I got a cactus spine get lodged directly vertical in the bottom of my shoe just barely poking through when I put weight on it, but the sleeping pad never had an issue. Rocks, sticks, mostly non issue for it. Just take care around cactus spines and stuff.
I have the original XTherm and love it. It’s the most comfortable pad I own. I also find that crinkly “bag of chips” sound to be strangely comforting. I do agree however, that the color choice for the new pad is terrible. I prefer earth tones with all of my camping gear. Thanks Luke!
Hi Luke! Great review. I love my Thermarest products from the simple "waffle pad" to the air mattress. For me, comfort is a priority and as you stated (paraphrasing) you get what you buy. $240 is minimal if comfort is a priority.
I have entrusted my camping sleep quality to Therma-a-Rest for almost four decades. Oh, I've used many other brands but, nothing compares to Therm-a-Rest.
Been using xtherms for all my thru hikes on the Appalachian Trail. It allows me to be out there in colder weather and before the bubble hits. It only took me one time to learn cheap gear tends to be cheap even if it passes the test at home. Being 10+ miles away from civilization in freezing temps with no pad to sleep on was an exausting night of trying to stay warm.
My roll up Thermarests are over 35 years old and still good. Mostly self inflation. Heavy. I sleep on one very night. Looking to get one of these. may have to sell the dog. Hell no. Large is 28x77 x 3 and about $280. Worth it. Nothing like a poor nights sleep and a thousand mile ride in rain and cold the next day on my motorcycle. Four essentials in camping, tent bag, pillow mattress. If either is lacking you may quit camping all together. Save up. I've been there. Great place with dedicated American workers making a sustainable living. Warranty to hell and back.
Have you ever tried the NEMO Tensor Extreme Conditions sleeping pad? It has an 8.4 R value and weighs 22 oz. Its a bit heavier but I use the Regular Wide which is 25 inches wide. It is also 3.5 inches as opposed to the Therma Rest 3.0 inches. Another thing, it is quieter and I can tell you the first time I laid down on the NEMO E.C, I felt the warmth immediately. The price varies by size and it tends to be a few more dollars than the T.R. but I consider it a great investment as I have slept out in -50 F. and -60 F. in the past and could feel the cold coming through my other sleeping pads in past years. It rolls up to the size of a Nalgene water bottle. In MY book, it is the best sleeping pad out there so far.
I've got the previous version from a few years back (6.9R instead of the 7+). Thermarest had a first time buyer coupon at the time for about 20% so mine came out to under $200. Ive recieved multiple email coupons for about the same since so thats something to check out if the price is the one thing keeping people from getting one, it may just make the price worth the planned use for many people especially with the quality you get. Ive never had any issues with mine, even being a light sleeper when outdoors the crinkle sound is easy to mitigate using cheap foam earplugs. Typically you get 3 maybe 4: Comfort R value Noise Price Durability Weight/bulk These pads are an easy 4 of those and maybe even 5.
Thank you for this review. I purchased a self inflating air mattress and I could not get it to deflate 😢 the more I tried to pack it up the bigger it got. Really comical. Love the release valve on this one
Nearly everyone in this comment section are saying that it's the best mattress, the most reliable mattress, etc, but I'm not seeing a lot of comments saying this is definitively the most physically comfortable mattress on the market without respect to the warmth factor
As the saying goes…you get what you pay for! You could buy 10 subpar mattresses off of amazon over 10 years or you could buy 1 good mattress for 10 years and then still probably get it warrantied when it fails.
Funny your negative comment is about the color. The first thing I thought when I saw it was that it was a beautiful color! I still have two thick Thermarest mattresses which I bought somewhere around 1997 or so. Still work perfectly! They are comparable with the todays Thermarest LuxuryMap, I guess. They are dark blue. NOt great, but also not bad. I wish they would give more options in colors, because it truly affects my choice when they are too bright! Then I won't buy them, even when they are great to lie on. The ones I have now are less suited for when hiking long distances, but nothing is perfect.
I don't know about you but that is about the price I paid for my Xtherm 8 years ago and this one is even better. Keep in mind, the pump sack is included with the price.
Price is high, but I will say that thermarest stands behind their product. I can't find anyone else complaining about the problem I had, and thermarest sent me a new pad, no problem.
Luke, how amazing is that. An hour before this video became available, i was thinking i needed to ask you about camp mats. Inflatable mattresses are cool and all, but it's a point of possible failure in my book. Are there any really good foam pads that are good for backpacking?
Re: price Full retail, up front buy-in is hard to swallow. Perhaps. 20 or 30 percent off during your favorite retailer's black Friday or Memorial day sale makes the initial cost more palatable. So, let's call it $200. Still not cheap. However, sleep on it 20 nights during your first year of ownership and it breaks down to $10 a night to be warm and comfy. And the cost per night only goes down thereafter, rt? "Buy once, cry once" is a saying for a reason. As always, thanks for the agenda free review.
I got the last new one from AMZ for a large which is long and wide. $202 free delivery. Not bad about $77 cheaper than normal. It has the older bag design. That makes two of them at home. Haha
I am sure the pad is very good, but I can't afford it. Aside from that it is too small (I am 76 inches tall) so I would need the large one. At the moment I am still on the heavier side (280 lbs) even though my weight is slowly falling (from 325 lbs due to gastric bypass). But price is the main obstacle.
I don't have a problem with the noise from my older 20 inch Xtherm, which seems comparable to the newer model in that respect. But, although I'm mostly a side sleeper, when flat on my back one or both elbows are prone to slipping down to ground level. Best way to mitigate that seems to be positioning some gear or clothes on one or both sides to compensate a little for the elevation and temperature differences.
Wingnut valve design flaw. After lots of use, the area around the wingnut valve wears thin and a very small leak forms that is super hard to find unless you are reading this first. One idea is to beef it up with tape or seam grip prior to it wearing out. Thermarest is pretty good about fixing it but you may be off grid when the leak happens. Safe travels all. OutsideJay
NeoAir XTherm MAX R value is 6.9 (I own two). The thickness is 2.5". The .4R value increase is just due to the extra inflated thickness and as a result extra material. If you don't touch the ground with the old version and are not in arctic conditions (sub zero) then you probably don't need this. According to the standards for sleeping thermal resistance required a 6.9R value is good for comfort down to 2° f whereas a r value of 7.3 is good down to -8 ° f so only a 10° difference between the two and both are more than sufficient for ~20° camping.
If you are backpacking in deep winter conditions or high alpine terrain, well below freezing, its one of only two pads on the market that is reliable for those conditions. If you are not backpacking in those conditions, its probably a waste of money. I own the previous version, having purchased it used 7 years ago. Its been great for me, but its not the most comfortable pad I own. Its been relegated to winter use only, when temps are 20F or lower.
I’ll stick with my original version, I paid once it hurt once and it’s still going strong 5 years later. I will say though that the winter pad that I bought with my AMOK is better, shame it weighs a tonne.
@ The amount of space the AMOK takes up in my backpack bothers me more than the weight tbh, I have ultralight everything but my shelters so I can live in a bit of luxury out in the forests but that AMOK takes up so much space in my 45L I have to add the 12.5L rocket pouches every single time. With my Abisko Lite 2 everything fits perfectly but I do prefer being off the ground in the AMOK.
Sir, I'm new to ur channel. My 9 yr old found ur channel, and he is hooked. And he wants to do some winter camping, so now I'm binge watching ur videos, lol could you please recommend a good hot tent for at least 3 r 4 under 1000$ if possible also one that won't leak at all if possible and you have 2 new fans
A comparison to the Exped Dura-8R and Nemo Tensor Extreme would be helpful. Never see the other 2 mentioned on this channel, although I concede I may have missed it.
Camping gear is never really out of a price range. Just set a goal. Set aside a bit of money when you can, and then purchase it when you can afford to. You don't have to buy everything immediately.
I find my Therm-a-Rest pad to be too noisy. I'm a light sleeper and I toss and turn pretty much all night long. As you say, product quality of the pad is excellent. I would give it higher marks if I could just sleep a couple more hours without the noise waking me up.
Exped for me...I got one of their top of the line many years ago, I think it was $150 18 or more years ago. A baffle failed, called customer service, they mailed me out a brand new 8R for free. Yeah, Exped for me!
Thermarest is a great company. Even they're older mattresses hold the test of time. You fill it up firm and it doesn't leak a pinch. I regret the purchase of a $200.00 Nemo. The first one suddenly started leaking after hardly any use at all. They sent out a new one and it goes soft within an hour. Will not stay where you inflate it to. Yes they sent out another new one, an extreme version , better off selling for a therma rest while it's still new in the box.Nemo not made in the U.S..
Mine lasted 2 hours. Sent it back and they said their repair shop has too many repairs and offered to give me a new one. Great, except they have none in stock. Mine is backordered. Could be a while.
Damn, even if this mat is made by Santa's elfs, the price is just ridiculous. But understand that you pay for the product not being made in China. I wonder what is actual price to manufacture one piece 🤔 shame, top product just out of reach...great review, as always 👍
I normally don't give out this kind of free advice, however you are a good sole in my opinion and deserve a break. You can block other content creators from using your content by copyright protection of your channel name and relative video content. Which is why TH-cam suggested a attorney. Once you have your copyright you can request them to take down and strike the other channels. Reach for more details. I know this because I'm a literary agent.
I will pay whatever it costs to have a warm, cozy, comfortable nights sleep. Look at it like this, if I stay in a motel instead of camping, I will pay $250 a night. So, if I can afford to stay in a motel for 4 days, I can afford the best sleeping system for my time in the wilderness.
Could you test this against the Nemo Tensor Extreme? They are both very similar but it seems like the Tensor Extreme is even better with a lighter but better R value. Your thoughts?
Brother when ur ready to get rid of that osprey rook 65 I sure would like to get it... I have they blue one and I love it.., to me byfar the best affordable pack
I feel like this review is balancing the idea of physical comfort with warmth comfort. In other words when he says this is the best mattress he's ever used, I wonder if the answer would be different if we asked him specifically if this is the most physically comfortable mattress he's ever used without respect to warmth. In that case I suspect he would say that a mattress like the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus or REI Helix fills that role
Lost me at 20 inches wide....forget the cost, I don't mind buying once and crying once, but shoulder to shoulder I am right at 20 inches. That means if I'm not perfectly positioned, Part of me will be hanging off. I can go to sleep fine, but as I move overnight? 20 inches won't cut it.
If you didn't take such short breaths you could of inflated it with half as many breaths without getting lightheaded. Slow and steady is the key. Big slow inhale, big release and repeat. Very simple. I own many sleeping pads some smaller and some bigger than this one and it's never taken me 35 breaths.
Never cheap out on your sleeping gear! You can patch your tent with duct tape, you can hold your backpack together with ratchet straps, you can patch your pants with a tee shirt and fishing line. Two nites of bad sleep in a row will turn a challenging trip into hell on earth and make a good trip want to be cut short. Buy Once, Cry Once, Smile Thereafter.
After buying a few insulated mattresses that didn’t get the job done, I bought the long wide XTherm about three years ago. I was able to get it on sale which helped on the price. It’s a great product and, to me, worth the price.
Picked mine up about 1 1/2 years ago. Used it in all seasons. Absolutely love it!
I can say it's the best mattress available. I have mine since 2016 and after hundreds of nights I was thinking about buying the wide one. It has never let me down, Iceland several times, Alps, Pyrenees, everywhere. It's one of those things that are pricey but not expensive. Worth every penny.
I have the NXT version and is absolutely fantastic as warmth and reliability.The only slight downside (a nitpick) is that it tends to be a bit slippery but not that bad (maybe on next version some gel pads printed on top side could help).Use'it in Carpathian Mountains in winter (Romania) on -25'C and felt fabulous.For me the noise is not a problem.Sounds a bit like a bag of chips but can't be mad as long as is soo good compared to every other sleeping pad in the market.The valve is bomb proof.In short i tried to make'it work with less expensive sleeping pads (4-5 different sleeping padsover the years) but most leak air trough the valve sometimes or every time and they were nowhere near as good at insulating.I always knew about "that expensive sleeping pad" and finally i feed-up being cold so i got'it.If i add'up the money i spent on 4-5 previous sleeping pads was about the price of this one.Buy once - cry once.Mine is made in Ireland.
I have the old version which I purchased used for $150 and love it. Looks like Susie is already putting dibs on your new one!
I have done so much research on sleeping pads. I've been uncomfortable on backpacking sleeping pads forever. None seemed to work. I got the "best" / "most comfortable" pad on the market that literally everyone says is one of, if not the most comfortable sleeping pads on the market - the Big Agnes Rapide SL. I figured that I was just doomed to bad sleep, and warmth had nothing to do with it. When looking to push into colder weather months, I decided to take Luke's recommendation on this pad. I WISH I had done so at the beginning of my backpacking gear journey. The Thermarest Xtherm is the most comfortable pad on the market that I've tested out, by far. Other youtubers talk about the baffeling system, and they're right in that it matters. But, that's only a small part of the equation. Elasticity of the top layer. How large the baffels are, including length, width, and height. A billion other things are at play here, and Thermarest hits every single nail on the head on this pad and is incredible. If you're looking to upgrade, or even for your first pad, and this puppy is in your budget GET IT!! You won't regret it
Moving from a 20 inch wide pad to a 25 inch is one of the best upgrades ever.
Yes. 20" wide pads suck
I’m about to do the same. Upgrading from a 2016 Nemo 20R and probably going to get the 2024 Nemo tensor all season 25” wide. (Maybe ether light XT by sea to summit).
Great you mentioned the noise. Always the issue of the sleeping pad with mylar insulation.
I have been using Lighttour R7.5 for a while. The heat preservation is completely comparable to Therm-a-Rest R7.2, but the price is only half! Professional test certificate, most importantly, 10cm thickness and wider and longer size are better than Therm-a-Rest.
I will check that.
Sounds great.
Looks great on paper
Let me know ten years from now
Sounds great ! Anyways thermarest does make the max (square) version, so you can get full size aswell
Worth the money. Bought that one and used it over 50 nights this year all year. Do not regret it at all.
Just bought one. Looking forward to using it. Price is high but warranty and quality won the day. Buy once, use forever is the hope.
My sentiments exactly!! Get the 25 inch wide one though and never have any issue at all. If you get 20 inch wide you will always wish you got the 25!
After a long trip in late fall/early winter in the northeast, I decided to invest in a couple of pieces of gear if the opportunity came up. This was one of the items I got and I am not a person of great means, so it was not easy coughing up that much cash but it makes such a huge difference that I have no regrets. Its very durable, very comfortable and lightweight. It's by far the best sleepingpad I've owned. Its interesting to me how there doesnt seem to be anything different along the edges but with it being such a thick pad its amazing how it holds me centered even when I roll towards the sides. After so long of trying all sorts of budget and make your own gear, its nice to get to know what to look for and slowly buy or make things that will last for years.
I've had mine for a couple of years and LOVE it. I've been on every possible for of sleeping pad, and this is the BEST so far. I do use a small Flextail pump to inflate and deflate. It's so much easier.
With the whole price tag thing, look at it this way. Luke said that his original pad lasted at least 10 years and still going strong. $240 for a high R value pad that has lasted over 10 years for a guy that camps all the time, doesn't sound too expensive at that point.
It's a completely fair and valid point, sure!
But I just cannot bring myself to pay that kind of money for something that I won't use daily.. 🙅🏻
That logic assumes it WILL last a long time, that you actually need a higher R-value pad and that you and your hiking buddies will put up with the return of the crinkly sounds of yesteryear. No thank you. I am a cold sleeper and am fine with my older Xtherm and my Exped. I add a thin foam sheet on colder trips. That kind of money is better spent on other luxuries such as DCF, titanium or better dehydrated meals.
With a lifetime warranty.
How many different pads he used during this time?...
Yes, and in a addition to that, because its light you dont need some other stuff. You can reduce backpack weight and it is important during winter.
It is what He said it is, all of it I've had 2 of them. Indeed they are the warmest and most relible out there.
I don't need my mattress to be that warm or expensive , I use an insulated Klymat V inside my MSS Bivy with a Military Isomat outside underneath , it costs a lot less and covers my needs with more versatility . I like your honest reviews and value your opinions on gear , thanks for all the effort you put into your content Sir .
Good review! But I have to tell you as you know and pretty much everyone else out there the price is absolutely absurd, ridiculous and there’s no reason for it to be that high in price. There’s always a lot of excuses, but it’s just price gouging in my opinion, I don’t care if it’s made in the United States of America or mainland China.
@@mrenoch2033 Not to be rude, but I don't think your comment ended up where it was supposed to, sorry if I'm mistaken 😅
I can strongly recommend to combine it with the Pajak Radical 4 sleepingbag in the winter. Nice video as always =) Best wishes from the land of Fjällräven & Hilleberg!
Therm-a-rest makes good pads, I have an original pad I bought 36 years ago, and I still never had a problem.
Here at Alaska Raft Connection, the top 4-season, proven go mild to wild, inflatable sleeping pads 'of this variety' (ie. Reliable make, Lightweight, Compact, Welded-beam) are EXPED Downmat 9, Synmat 9, and Thermarest Luke shares here - as well as the earlier version. For outfitting and guiding.. both EXPEDs I mention are the go-to. Personally, I go with the Thermarest NeoXtherm earlier version in the mummy-shape. It is my go-to especially on solo trips. Most of my solo trips, are remote destination fly outs. These trips are nearly always going to be in very demanding conditions. Luke's review is spot on for this product.
Just bought this pad! Haven’t had a chance to check it out yet but I’m excited too soon!
I’ve had my old X-Therm 10 years, no issues whatsoever. The new one would be overkill for me and besides no go on the price. Speaking of price, with the proposed 30% Chinese tariffs, the price of Chinese products may jump next year which is about 75% percent of the products Luke tests.
I have & use the XTherm. It's provided me with everything I want in an inflatable air mattress. I'll not be buying the NXT. The R value, the 70D ground side fabric, the lifetime warranty & MADE IN AMERICA have made the XTherm my all time favorite, forever & ever.
Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.
I got a Big Agnes Hinman doublewide for cot/car camping 2 years ago and love it.
I just realized why I like bushcraft so much.
I have had mine for over 10 years, I eventually put my money into it after buying umpteen cheap ones that gave up. The cost i put into the cheap ones would have paid for this. Im not Anericsn but if you wsnt homegrown products and to pay staff a decent wage you will have to ay the price, fortunately this is the best in the business. I always take a lightweight mat to put under it, just to protect my investment. The best thing I purchased.
Great review. I have used the regular NeoAir for years and there are times when I push it to real low temps and don't get great sleep cause I can just feel the cold beneath me. They are shockingly durable, used mine in new mexican desert and with a little bit of care it never popped. I got a cactus spine get lodged directly vertical in the bottom of my shoe just barely poking through when I put weight on it, but the sleeping pad never had an issue. Rocks, sticks, mostly non issue for it. Just take care around cactus spines and stuff.
I have the original XTherm and love it. It’s the most comfortable pad I own. I also find that crinkly “bag of chips” sound to be strangely comforting. I do agree however, that the color choice for the new pad is terrible. I prefer earth tones with all of my camping gear. Thanks Luke!
Hi Luke! Great review. I love my Thermarest products from the simple "waffle pad" to the air mattress. For me, comfort is a priority and as you stated (paraphrasing) you get what you buy. $240 is minimal if comfort is a priority.
I have entrusted my camping sleep quality to Therma-a-Rest for almost four decades. Oh, I've used many other brands but, nothing compares to Therm-a-Rest.
Thanks Luke!! Strength and honor my friend!! May you and Susie be well!!👍🏿💯❤️
Been using xtherms for all my thru hikes on the Appalachian Trail. It allows me to be out there in colder weather and before the bubble hits. It only took me one time to learn cheap gear tends to be cheap even if it passes the test at home. Being 10+ miles away from civilization in freezing temps with no pad to sleep on was an exausting night of trying to stay warm.
My roll up Thermarests are over 35 years old and still good. Mostly self inflation. Heavy. I sleep on one very night. Looking to get one of these. may have to sell the dog. Hell no. Large is 28x77 x 3 and about $280. Worth it. Nothing like a poor nights sleep and a thousand mile ride in rain and cold the next day on my motorcycle. Four essentials in camping, tent bag, pillow mattress. If either is lacking you may quit camping all together. Save up. I've been there. Great place with dedicated American workers making a sustainable living. Warranty to hell and back.
Thank you for the video and review! God bless! Be safe!
🤙🪖👮🙏🇺🇸
Have you ever tried the NEMO Tensor Extreme Conditions sleeping pad? It has an 8.4 R value and weighs 22 oz. Its a bit heavier but I use the Regular Wide which is 25 inches wide. It is also 3.5 inches as opposed to the Therma Rest 3.0 inches. Another thing, it is quieter and I can tell you the first time I laid down on the NEMO E.C, I felt the warmth immediately. The price varies by size and it tends to be a few more dollars than the T.R. but I consider it a great investment as I have slept out in -50 F. and -60 F. in the past and could feel the cold coming through my other sleeping pads in past years. It rolls up to the size of a Nalgene water bottle. In MY book, it is the best sleeping pad out there so far.
I've got the previous version from a few years back (6.9R instead of the 7+). Thermarest had a first time buyer coupon at the time for about 20% so mine came out to under $200. Ive recieved multiple email coupons for about the same since so thats something to check out if the price is the one thing keeping people from getting one, it may just make the price worth the planned use for many people especially with the quality you get. Ive never had any issues with mine, even being a light sleeper when outdoors the crinkle sound is easy to mitigate using cheap foam earplugs.
Typically you get 3 maybe 4:
Comfort
R value
Noise
Price
Durability
Weight/bulk
These pads are an easy 4 of those and maybe even 5.
First of all
Massive bicep vein👌
I use the xtherm max old model and love it too
Even as a side sleeper
Thank you for this review. I purchased a self inflating air mattress and I could not get it to deflate 😢 the more I tried to pack it up the bigger it got. Really comical. Love the release valve on this one
Nearly everyone in this comment section are saying that it's the best mattress, the most reliable mattress, etc, but I'm not seeing a lot of comments saying this is definitively the most physically comfortable mattress on the market without respect to the warmth factor
Hey you managed another great review but without wearing all black! Awesome
I got one in a recent REI sale with the idea that I will be keeping it for many many years
As the saying goes…you get what you pay for! You could buy 10 subpar mattresses off of amazon over 10 years or you could buy 1 good mattress for 10 years and then still probably get it warrantied when it fails.
Thank you I will be purchasing one. I was having a hard time between the thermarest neoair nxt and the nemo tensor extreme.
Funny your negative comment is about the color. The first thing I thought when I saw it was that it was a beautiful color!
I still have two thick Thermarest mattresses which I bought somewhere around 1997 or so. Still work perfectly! They are comparable with the todays Thermarest LuxuryMap, I guess.
They are dark blue. NOt great, but also not bad.
I wish they would give more options in colors, because it truly affects my choice when they are too bright! Then I won't buy them, even when they are great to lie on.
The ones I have now are less suited for when hiking long distances, but nothing is perfect.
I don't know about you but that is about the price I paid for my Xtherm 8 years ago and this one is even better. Keep in mind, the pump sack is included with the price.
Price is high, but I will say that thermarest stands behind their product. I can't find anyone else complaining about the problem I had, and thermarest sent me a new pad, no problem.
Luke, how amazing is that. An hour before this video became available, i was thinking i needed to ask you about camp mats. Inflatable mattresses are cool and all, but it's a point of possible failure in my book. Are there any really good foam pads that are good for backpacking?
Re: price
Full retail, up front buy-in is hard to swallow. Perhaps.
20 or 30 percent off during your favorite retailer's black Friday or Memorial day sale makes the initial cost more palatable.
So, let's call it $200. Still not cheap. However, sleep on it 20 nights during your first year of ownership and it breaks down to $10 a night to be warm and comfy.
And the cost per night only goes down thereafter, rt?
"Buy once, cry once" is a saying for a reason.
As always, thanks for the agenda free review.
Thermarest has great sales several times a year. They usually have a 20%-25% sale before Christmas
I got the last new one from AMZ for a large which is long and wide. $202 free delivery. Not bad about $77 cheaper than normal. It has the older bag design. That makes two of them at home. Haha
ok just a suggestion.. I am for hire for a stand in stunt blower upper lol
Thank you Luke!👍
I am sure the pad is very good, but I can't afford it. Aside from that it is too small (I am 76 inches tall) so I would need the large one. At the moment I am still on the heavier side (280 lbs) even though my weight is slowly falling (from 325 lbs due to gastric bypass). But price is the main obstacle.
They have different sizes the larger one would fit you fine
I have the previous version of the xtherm. In my mind the biggest con is how difficult it is to connect and disconnect the pump sack to the valve.
I don't have a problem with the noise from my older 20 inch Xtherm, which seems comparable to the newer model in that respect. But, although I'm mostly a side sleeper, when flat on my back one or both elbows are prone to slipping down to ground level. Best way to mitigate that seems to be positioning some gear or clothes on one or both sides to compensate a little for the elevation and temperature differences.
Its also 1/2 inch thicker. As a sidesleeper its very warm and its thick enough to not touch the ground when on the side.
Wingnut valve design flaw. After lots of use, the area around the wingnut valve wears thin and a very small leak forms that is super hard to find unless you are reading this first. One idea is to beef it up with tape or seam grip prior to it wearing out. Thermarest is pretty good about fixing it but you may be off grid when the leak happens. Safe travels all. OutsideJay
Looks nice Oooool Luke!
i got a bestway sleeping pad for £30 on amazon with a 7.3r rating, havent used it yet but worth the buy even if its only half as good
NeoAir XTherm MAX R value is 6.9 (I own two). The thickness is 2.5". The .4R value increase is just due to the extra inflated thickness and as a result extra material. If you don't touch the ground with the old version and are not in arctic conditions (sub zero) then you probably don't need this. According to the standards for sleeping thermal resistance required a 6.9R value is good for comfort down to 2° f whereas a r value of 7.3 is good down to -8 ° f so only a 10° difference between the two and both are more than sufficient for ~20° camping.
I was going to buy one until I just heard the price lol
If it lasts 10 years - well worth $250
They have a 20%-25% off sale before Christmas. Likely just a few weeks from now
If you are backpacking in deep winter conditions or high alpine terrain, well below freezing, its one of only two pads on the market that is reliable for those conditions. If you are not backpacking in those conditions, its probably a waste of money.
I own the previous version, having purchased it used 7 years ago. Its been great for me, but its not the most comfortable pad I own. Its been relegated to winter use only, when temps are 20F or lower.
@@dianecaffrey4897yup, it’s all about the return on investment you get. I got this pad a few weeks ago, love it.
Imagine 325$ + 15% taxes in Canada 😮
I’ll stick with my original version, I paid once it hurt once and it’s still going strong 5 years later. I will say though that the winter pad that I bought with my AMOK is better, shame it weighs a tonne.
My AMOK pad is amazing yet...as you said is quite heavy. Its HUGE! and offers a weight suitable for car camping only.
@ The amount of space the AMOK takes up in my backpack bothers me more than the weight tbh, I have ultralight everything but my shelters so I can live in a bit of luxury out in the forests but that AMOK takes up so much space in my 45L I have to add the 12.5L rocket pouches every single time. With my Abisko Lite 2 everything fits perfectly but I do prefer being off the ground in the AMOK.
Sir, I'm new to ur channel. My 9 yr old found ur channel, and he is hooked. And he wants to do some winter camping, so now I'm binge watching ur videos, lol could you please recommend a good hot tent for at least 3 r 4 under 1000$ if possible also one that won't leak at all if possible and you have 2 new fans
You should do a review on the Bestway AlpineLite it has an R rating of 7.3 and is only £40 uk money, its also puncture proof to a point
A comparison to the Exped Dura-8R and Nemo Tensor Extreme would be helpful. Never see the other 2 mentioned on this channel, although I concede I may have missed it.
U and your family stay safe
Camping gear is never really out of a price range. Just set a goal. Set aside a bit of money when you can, and then purchase it when you can afford to. You don't have to buy everything immediately.
Buy once-cry once. Also, I got tired of my arms slipping off the mat so I buy the wide version on all of my pads even though I'm 5'7".
How funny. A few hours ago I was googling a good sleeping pad. On a road trip and my Amazon special pad kept deflating😂
Nice. I have the old model and have a issue on slipping off the matrass during sleep
USB air pump. I recommend the giga pump 2.0 . It inflates/deflates and also is a lantern.
At that price I would want 1/4 foam pad to protect it with like I usually do. Which tends to boost R value.
Bought mine yesterday , Regular wide model, Price was $ 260.00 plus tax
was $ exactly $ 280.00
I find my Therm-a-Rest pad to be too noisy. I'm a light sleeper and I toss and turn pretty much all night long. As you say, product quality of the pad is excellent. I would give it higher marks if I could just sleep a couple more hours without the noise waking me up.
Exped for me...I got one of their top of the line many years ago, I think it was $150 18 or more years ago. A baffle failed, called customer service, they mailed me out a brand new 8R for free. Yeah, Exped for me!
Hopefully pretty soon we will start finding more "made on the USA" tags on things.
Thermarest is a great company. Even they're older mattresses hold the test of time. You fill it up firm and it doesn't leak a pinch. I regret the purchase of a $200.00 Nemo. The first one suddenly started leaking after hardly any use at all. They sent out a new one and it goes soft within an hour. Will not stay where you inflate it to. Yes they sent out another new one, an extreme version , better off selling for a therma rest while it's still new in the box.Nemo not made in the U.S..
Mine lasted 2 hours. Sent it back and they said their repair shop has too many repairs and offered to give me a new one. Great, except they have none in stock. Mine is backordered. Could be a while.
I passed out watching you blow that thing up!
Damn, even if this mat is made by Santa's elfs, the price is just ridiculous. But understand that you pay for the product not being made in China. I wonder what is actual price to manufacture one piece 🤔 shame, top product just out of reach...great review, as always 👍
I normally don't give out this kind of free advice, however you are a good sole in my opinion and deserve a break. You can block other content creators from using your content by copyright protection of your channel name and relative video content. Which is why TH-cam suggested a attorney. Once you have your copyright you can request them to take down and strike the other channels. Reach for more details. I know this because I'm a literary agent.
I will pay whatever it costs to have a warm, cozy, comfortable nights sleep. Look at it like this, if I stay in a motel instead of camping, I will pay $250 a night. So, if I can afford to stay in a motel for 4 days, I can afford the best sleeping system for my time in the wilderness.
Luke the only thing is the price it may impact on it's sales i wonder how long before this is made in China ?
In this particular case I would say that you are getting what you pay for. Particularly if your camping in adverse conditions.
Can you lay down a reflective “space blanket” on top of your tarp first. Then the pad. ?
Could you test this against the Nemo Tensor Extreme? They are both very similar but it seems like the Tensor Extreme is even better with a lighter but better R value. Your thoughts?
Brother when ur ready to get rid of that osprey rook 65 I sure would like to get it... I have they blue one and I love it.., to me byfar the best affordable pack
If you're in EU, the ones you're buying are from Republic of Ireland, from what I've been seeing.
I feel like this review is balancing the idea of physical comfort with warmth comfort. In other words when he says this is the best mattress he's ever used, I wonder if the answer would be different if we asked him specifically if this is the most physically comfortable mattress he's ever used without respect to warmth. In that case I suspect he would say that a mattress like the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus or REI Helix fills that role
Have the original orange 3/4 length therm a rest. Maybe it's time for an upgrade
Lost me at 20 inches wide....forget the cost, I don't mind buying once and crying once, but shoulder to shoulder I am right at 20 inches. That means if I'm not perfectly positioned, Part of me will be hanging off. I can go to sleep fine, but as I move overnight? 20 inches won't cut it.
Is there a budget mattress you’d recommend for cold weather camping, one that most people can afford?
Klymit static v insulated. 👍
Homage Wanderlust did have a problem with a thermarest pad and no satisfaction in her favor. I’m not sold on that brand.
She uses a Thermo rest all the time. So one time she had a problem Big deal.
If you didn't take such short breaths you could of inflated it with half as many breaths without getting lightheaded. Slow and steady is the key. Big slow inhale, big release and repeat. Very simple. I own many sleeping pads some smaller and some bigger than this one and it's never taken me 35 breaths.
He tries to be too cool
How does this compare with the Nemo Extreme and its 8.4 R value?
How you store your sleeping pad my friend? with valve open or closed
Never cheap out on your sleeping gear! You can patch your tent with duct tape, you can hold your backpack together with ratchet straps, you can patch your pants with a tee shirt and fishing line. Two nites of bad sleep in a row will turn a challenging trip into hell on earth and make a good trip want to be cut short. Buy Once, Cry Once, Smile Thereafter.
Does the Flextailgear air pump attach to it?
How about the REI helix?
Takes 2 minutes to explain what pump sack is, then proceeds to blow air into mattress
Yep, and it’s not for cold weather only.