Therm-a-Rest Women’s NeoAir Xlite $429.99
Used by: Fussy mattress user Jo Stilwell
Used for: Two years
Because most of my nights in the hills are spent in a tent, I’m very fussy about my sleeping mat.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally found the (almost) perfect mat in the NeoAir Xlite air mattress.
It’s very light (340g) and extremely small when packed. The women’s-specific version is slightly warmer and smaller than the regular version. It’s still a good length (168cm) and I can lie stretched out on my back and it’s more than wide and thick enough for a comfortable side sleep. While it’s sold as a three-season mat with an R-Value of 3.9, I’ve used it on many winter trips in heavy frosts.
I say it’s the ‘almost’ perfect mat because if I was buying again, I would buy the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir X-Therm for its extra warmth (R-value 7.2) so I can camp on snow.
This mat came with a good warranty – I had mine replaced when the valve started leaking after two years.
Verdict: A compact, light and comfortable mattress suitable for most conditions except for sleeping on snow.
Support Wilderness
Since 1991, Wilderness has had one simple goal: to help Kiwis ‘See more, do more, live more’ of New Zealand.
If you value our mission, please consider subscribing. As a loyal supporter, you’ll receive these benefits:
- New Zealand’s best outdoor journalism We’ve won multiple awards for our journalism and magazine production.
- NZ’s best trips. Browse more than 610 trips with downloadable maps and route notes.
- Trustworthy gear reviews. Each month we review gear we’ve been bashing and thrashing for months so you can determine if its worth your money.
- Web exclusives. Each week we publish stories you won’t find in the magazine. View our latest web exclusives.
- Member benefits. Our WildCard provides discounts at more than 20 partners throughout New Zealand.
- Your support goes a long way. Your subscription will help us fund NZ’s best outdoor journalists and writers and ensure Wilderness will be there to inspire the next generation of outdoor Kiwis.
A subscription costs as little as $7.00/month for instant access to all articles, trips, gear reviews and gear guides.
View all our subscription options and join the club.
Already a subscriber? Login Now.