Review: Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad
With a thickness of 4.6 inches and a soft stretchy knit fabric, the NeoLoft is easily the most comfortable backpacking pad I’ve used – and it’s impressively compact when packed.
The NeoLoft sleeping pad breaks new ground in terms of backcountry comfort, with tall vertical sidewalls and a design that contours to support your body. A soft, stretchy 50-denier knit fabric on top adds a level of comfort rarely found in backpacking gear — more like a real bed than a typical air pad. The regular size is slightly larger than standard at 22″ wide and 73″ long, and it’s also available in regular wide and large sizes.
Specs
- weight: 25 oz (regular size)
- R-value: 4.7
- sizes available: regular: 22″ x 73″; regular wide: 26″ x 73″; large: 26″ x 78″
- materials: top: 50D polyester knit; bottom: 75D polyester solution dyed
- price: $239.95-$259.95
View at Therm-a-Rest View at REI
My Experience Using the NeoLoft
I’ve used the NeoLoft on several camping and backpacking trips in Oregon and Washington this year, and it’s made a noticeable difference in my sleep quality. I have severe sleep apnea and don’t bring my CPAP machine on backpacking trips, so my doctor recommends sleeping on my side. On most pads, my hips and shoulders bottom out in that position — but not on the NeoLoft. Even when I sit up, I don’t sink through. I also toss and turn a lot, and while some reviews mention the sides collapsing, I’ve never had that issue. For me, the sides actually cradle me and help keep me centered on the pad. I also love the fabric on the NeoLoft — it’s soft and velvety, not slick and plasticky like many pads.
The only con for me is that I found it to be less warm than expected based on the 4.7 R-value, likely due to the large amount of air in the pad. I’ve used several other pads with a similar R-value, and this one isn’t as warm as they are, so for me it’s good to about 45 degrees overnight. If you don’t tend to sleep cold like I do, then this is likely to be plenty warm under most conditions.
At 25 ounces, it’s definitely heavier than what I normally pack, but honestly the comfort is worth it. It feels as good as any luxury car-camping pad I’ve used, and for how big it is, it actually packs down smaller than I expected.
Inflation is easy using the included extra large pump sack – each time, I’ve been able to fully inflate the pad in just four fills. For comparison, I used my backpacking air pump to fill and it took much longer than when using the pump sack. A bonus feature is that the pump sack is seam-sealed and can double as a pack liner.
The valve system is also well designed, with separate valves for inflation and deflation. The inflate valve doesn’t leak as you fill it, and the deflate valve dumps air quickly. The bottom fabric is a rugged 75-denier, solution-dyed material, which adds durability and cuts down on the environmental impacts of production.
In spite of the extra weight, this pad will definitely be going with me on most backpacking trips for the amount of comfort it provides.
Disclosure: this item was donated for the purpose of a review.