Description
Rikkar Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1 person |
| Shape | Mummy |
| Regular Weight | 13 oz / 370 g |
| Regular Dimensions | 72 × 20 × 3 in / 183 × 51 × 7.6 cm |
| Regular Short Dimensions | 66 × 20 × 3 in / 168 × 51 × 7.6 cm |
| Regular Wide Dimensions | 72 × 25 × 3 in / 183 × 64 × 7.6 cm |
| Large Dimensions | 77 × 25 × 3 in / 196 × 64 × 7.6 cm |
| Thickness | 3 in / 7.6 cm |
| R-Value | 4.5 |
| Regular Short Weight | 11.5 oz / 330 g |
| Regular Wide Weight | 1 lb / 450 g |
| Large Weight | 1 lb 1 oz / 480 g |
| Regular Packed Size | 9 × 4.1 in / 23 × 10 cm |
| Regular Wide Packed Size | 11 × 4.6 in / 28 × 12 cm |
| Large Packed Size | 11 × 4.6 in / 28 × 12 cm |
| Top Fabric | 30D Ripstop HT Nylon |
| Bottom Fabric | 30D Ripstop HT Nylon |
| Insulation | ThermaCaptureâ„¢ and Triangular Core Matrixâ„¢ |
| Baffle Orientation | Horizontal |
| Valve | WingLockâ„¢ |
| Included | Pump sack, stuff sack, field repair kit |
| Country of Manufacture | Made in USA of US and imported materials |
Weights and dimensions vary by size. The Regular specifications are used as the primary reference throughout this review.
Key Features
- Ultralight inflatable backpacking sleeping pad
- 13 oz / 370 g in Regular size
- 3-inch / 7.6 cm thickness
- 4.5 R-value
- Comfortable for three-season and many shoulder-season trips
- ThermaCaptureâ„¢ technology reflects radiant body heat
- Triangular Core Matrixâ„¢ construction reduces heat loss
- Significantly quieter than previous NeoAir XLite generations
- Horizontal baffle design
- WingLockâ„¢ valve for inflation and rapid deflation
- Mummy-shaped design saves weight and packed space
- Packs down to approximately 9 × 4.1 inches in Regular size
- 30D Ripstop HT Nylon top and bottom
- Available in Regular Short, Regular, Regular Wide, and Large
- Includes pump sack
- Includes stuff sack
- Includes field repair kit
- Made in USA of US and imported materials
Comfort
The biggest improvement with the XLite NXT is how much comfort Therm-a-Rest manages to provide without adding significant weight.
At 3 inches thick, the pad offers substantially more cushioning than the older 2.5-inch XLite. The added thickness makes it easier to find a comfortable sleeping position and provides more forgiveness when camping on uneven or slightly lumpy ground.
The horizontal baffle layout also gives the pad a more stable sleeping surface than some narrow, heavily segmented inflatable pads. The result is a sleeping pad that feels much more substantial than its 13-ounce weight suggests.
For side sleepers in particular, the 3-inch thickness is important. It provides enough loft to keep your hips from pressing through to the ground while allowing you to adjust the firmness to your preference.
The Regular is still only 20 inches wide, however. Backpackers who move around significantly during the night or simply prefer more room may find the 25-inch Regular Wide considerably more comfortable.
Warmth & Insulation
The XLite NXT’s 4.5 R-value is one of its biggest strengths.
ThermaCaptureâ„¢ technology uses reflective material within the pad to help reflect radiant body heat back toward the sleeper, while the Triangular Core Matrixâ„¢ construction limits heat loss through the air chambers.
This combination allows the XLite NXT to deliver a surprisingly high level of insulation without requiring a thick or heavy pad.
An R-value of 4.5 makes the XLite NXT a versatile choice for three-season backpacking and many shoulder-season trips. It is warm enough for considerably colder conditions than a typical summer-only sleeping pad, while still remaining light enough for ultralight applications.
For true winter camping on snow or consistently very cold ground, however, a higher-R-value pad is generally the better choice. The XLite NXT can be supplemented with a closed-cell foam pad underneath when additional insulation is needed.
The key advantage is versatility. You aren’t carrying a summer pad that becomes inadequate as soon as temperatures drop. The XLite NXT provides enough insulation to cover a wide range of backpacking conditions without becoming excessively heavy.
Weight & Packability
The XLite NXT has built its reputation around an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio.
At 13 oz / 370 g for the Regular, you’re getting a 3-inch-thick sleeping pad with a 4.5 R-value while keeping the weight comfortably below one pound.
That makes a major difference for long-distance backpackers. Your sleeping pad is one of the pieces of gear you carry every single mile, so saving several ounces without sacrificing insulation or comfort can have a noticeable impact over a long trail.
The packed size is equally impressive. The Regular compresses to approximately 9 × 4.1 inches, which is roughly the size of a 1-liter water bottle. That means the pad can fit easily into the main compartment of a backpack without consuming much valuable space.
The small packed size also makes the XLite NXT an excellent choice for hikers with smaller ultralight packs.
The Regular Wide and Large versions naturally add some weight and packed volume, but they provide substantially more sleeping surface for hikers who prioritize comfort over absolute minimum weight.
Noise
One of the most important changes with the XLite NXT is the reduction in noise.
Previous generations of the NeoAir XLite developed a reputation for making a distinctive crinkling sound whenever the sleeper moved around. For some backpackers this was simply an amusing characteristic, but for others it was a legitimate reason to choose a different sleeping pad.
The XLite NXT dramatically reduces that noise. Therm-a-Rest says the new construction reduces noise by 83 percent compared with the previous model.
It isn’t completely silent. You can still hear some sound when moving around, particularly inside a quiet tent, but the dramatic crinkling associated with older XLite pads is largely gone.
For solo hikers, this may not matter much. For couples or anyone sharing a tent, however, the improvement can make a surprisingly big difference.
This is one of the reasons the NXT feels like a more refined product than its predecessor rather than simply a slightly thicker version of the same sleeping pad.
Inflation & Deflation
The XLite NXT uses Therm-a-Rest’s WingLockâ„¢ valve, which is designed to make inflation and deflation easier while allowing the user to make small adjustments to the firmness of the pad.
The included pump sack can be used to inflate the pad without repeatedly blowing humid breath directly into the sleeping pad. This is useful in cold and humid conditions because reducing moisture inside an inflatable pad helps prevent moisture buildup.
Inflation is straightforward, although the included pump sack isn’t necessarily the fastest system on the market.
Deflation is similarly simple. Opening the valve allows the air to escape, after which the pad can be folded and rolled to push the remaining air out.
Getting the pad packed efficiently takes a little practice. The key is to squeeze as much air out as possible before the final roll, particularly when you’re trying to achieve the smallest possible packed size.
Durability
For an ultralight inflatable pad, durability is always a consideration.
The XLite NXT uses 30D Ripstop HT Nylon on both the top and bottom surfaces. This provides a good balance between low weight and reasonable durability for backpacking use.
That said, it is still an inflatable sleeping pad. A sharp rock, thorn, stick, or improperly prepared campsite can damage it.
The included field repair kit provides some insurance against punctures in the backcountry, but basic campsite preparation remains important.
Using a groundsheet or placing the pad inside your tent on a reasonably clean surface can help reduce the chance of damage. It’s also worth checking the area around your sleeping position before inflating the pad.
The durability-to-weight balance is one of the XLite NXT’s strengths, but ultralight gear always rewards a little extra care.
Size Options
One of the best things about the XLite NXT is that you don’t have to choose between the lightest possible option and a comfortable sleeping surface.
The Regular measures 72 × 20 inches and weighs 13 ounces, making it the classic ultralight choice.
The Regular Short drops the length to 66 inches and the weight to 11.5 ounces. This can be an excellent option for smaller hikers or people who don’t need their lower legs fully supported by the pad.
The Regular Wide increases the width to 25 inches while keeping the length at 72 inches. At 1 pound, it adds some weight but provides noticeably more room to move.
The Large measures 77 × 25 inches and weighs 1 pound 1 ounce, giving larger sleepers the most generous sleeping surface.
All four sizes maintain the same 3-inch thickness and 4.5 R-value.
What Is The XLite NXT Best For?
The NeoAir XLite NXT is primarily designed for backpacking, thru-hiking, ultralight camping, and anyone who wants to reduce the weight and bulk of their sleep system without giving up meaningful comfort or insulation.
It’s particularly well suited to long-distance hikers. At 13 ounces, the Regular is light enough for serious ultralight setups while still offering a 4.5 R-value and 3 inches of cushioning.
It’s also an excellent choice for hikers who camp across a wide range of temperatures. The 4.5 R-value gives it considerably more versatility than a basic summer sleeping pad.
Side sleepers will appreciate the 3-inch thickness, while anyone carrying a small backpack will appreciate how little space the pad occupies when packed.
The XLite NXT also makes sense for backpackers who have historically avoided inflatable pads because of the noise associated with older NeoAir models. The NXT’s much quieter construction removes one of the biggest drawbacks of the previous generation.
The Tradeoff
The XLite NXT’s biggest compromises are its narrow Regular width, relatively high price, and the inherent vulnerability of an inflatable pad to punctures.
At 20 inches wide, the Regular isn’t particularly spacious. If you are a restless sleeper or frequently find yourself hanging over the edge of sleeping pads, the Regular Wide is worth considering.
The pad also isn’t the cheapest option available. You’re paying for an extremely refined combination of weight, warmth, comfort, and packability.
The other tradeoff is that inflatable pads require more care than closed-cell foam pads. A foam pad can be tossed onto almost any surface, while the XLite NXT needs a reasonably clean sleeping area.
And although the NXT is dramatically quieter than earlier XLite versions, it isn’t completely silent.
In exchange, you get one of the most impressive combinations of warmth, comfort, weight, and packed size available in a backpacking sleeping pad.
Rikkar Take
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is one of those pieces of backpacking gear where the numbers tell most of the story.
Thirteen ounces. Three inches thick. A 4.5 R-value. A packed size roughly the size of a 1-liter bottle.
That’s an exceptional combination.
What makes the XLite NXT particularly impressive is that it doesn’t achieve its low weight by making comfort an afterthought. The 3-inch thickness provides legitimate cushioning, while the insulation system makes the pad useful across a much broader range of conditions than a typical ultralight summer pad.
The noise reduction is another major improvement. Previous XLite models were famous for their crinkling sound, but the NXT is dramatically quieter and feels like a much more polished sleeping pad as a result.
We also like the range of available sizes. The 13-ounce Regular remains the sweet spot for ultralight backpackers, while the Regular Wide and Large versions give bigger sleepers an opportunity to prioritize comfort without moving into excessively heavy territory.
The biggest weakness is the 20-inch width of the Regular. If you move around a lot at night, the Regular Wide is probably worth the additional weight.
For backpackers looking for one sleeping pad that can handle long-distance trails, three-season trips, shoulder-season adventures, and ultralight setups, the NeoAir XLite NXT is an exceptionally strong choice.
It’s lightweight enough to satisfy the gram counters, warm enough for serious three-season use, comfortable enough for long nights in camp, and compact enough that you’ll barely notice it in your pack.
That’s exactly what a great ultralight sleeping pad should do.
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