Do you want to know a secret? The difference between a great backcountry trip and an OK trip is how you sleep. That all starts with the sleeping pad you choose. I have used a bunch over the years from foam pads from the army/navy store all the way through Therm-A-Rest pads. I often even double up the Thermarest Z-Rest and a pad. But on my last few bikepacking trips I took just the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT.
What makes the NeoAir XTherm NXT different than other pads? It has the best weight to warmth ratio of any pad, at 15oz and an R factor of 7.3 nothing comes close to this pad. I have used it on a number of nights with a 32°F bag that otherwise would have been pretty miserable.
At 3″ thick I don’t bring my Z-rest with me, which saves a ton of space in your pack when bikepacking. I have honestly had the best nights sleep on this pad. I usually toss and turn but this pad is amazing.
Like other Therm-A-Rest pads it has their WingLock valve which makes filling and emptying the pad a snap.
The stuff sack is a little oversized making it easy to get in and out, it stuffs down to about the size of a Nalgene.
You should get this pad. The foundation for a good nights sleep is your pad, and this pad is the best I have ever used.
Therm-A-Rest says: https://www.thermarest.com/sleeping-pads/fast-and-light/neoair-xtherm-nxt-sleeping-pad/neoair-xtherm-nxt.html
With cutting edge Triangular Core Matrix™ construction and ThermaCapture™ technology, the XTherm NXT delivers a 7.3 R-value while weighing just 15.5 oz (440 g) in the Regular size. Put another way, the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any sleeping pad ever created. It’s warmer and thicker than the previous model, which is why the XTherm NXT cements the legacy of being the go-to sleeping pad for alpinists, mountaineers and extreme cold expeditions. At 3-inches thick, with horizontal baffles, all-night comfort and support are at hand, while 70D nylon on the bottom ensures the XTherm NXT holds up to extended expedition use. The WingLock™ Valve allows for rapid inflation and deflation but is also intuitive and easy to use in frigid weather when the gloves are not coming off. If reliable overnight warmth is the demand no matter how far the mercury dips and space in the pack is at a premium, there’s no finer sleeping pad than the XTherm NXT.
Best Warmth-to-Weight Ratio Ever: Refined Triangular Core Matrix™ construction and ThermaCapture™ technology deliver a cold-conquering 7.3 R-Value while a Regular size weighs just 15.5 oz (440 g).
Premium Comfort: A 3-inch (7.6 cm) thick profile and horizontal baffled structure delivers premium backcountry comfort while keeping the weight to a minimum.
Ultralight Durability: 70D nylon on the bottom withstands the wear and tear of extended expedition use, while 30D ripstop nylon on top keeps it light and packable.
WingLock™ Valve: Delivers fast one-way inflation and rapid deflation without giving up the ability to easily purge air while you lay on it for comfort micro-adjustments—even with gloves on.
Multiple Sizes: 3 size options allow you to get the XTherm NXT that is perfect for your sleep system.
Pump sack, stuff sack and field repair kit included.