Best for weight and space-saving

Plusses: Light, compact, warm for its size, comfy
Minuses: Tapered shape may not suit everyone

486g / R4.5

Features: Rated a high R4.5, the NeoAir uses ThermaCapture reflective coating and triangular baffles to reduce convective heat loss. It’s 7.6cm thick and the new WingLock valve has three times the airflow of Therm-A-Rest’s classic valve. It packs down small and, although not seam-sealed, the pump bag can be used as a stuff sack. A repair kit with instant patches and an alcohol wipe is included.

Shape: The NeoAir Xlite NXT’s mummy shape trims weight and the mat is available in four sizes, so there’s plenty of choice. We tested the regular, which is 51cm at its widest and 183cm long. The wide version is 7cm wider and the large is 13cm longer.

Comfort: I’ve used earlier, thinner, versions of this mat extensively and found all to be really comfortable. There are no elevated side baffles to cradle you, and if the ground is not flat you’re more likely to creep towards the edge. The tapered shape means you don’t have the wriggle room of a rectangular pad (unless you buy the wider version), or as much floor coverage if you have two side by side in a tent.

In use: Rolled up, the NeoAir is tiny and super light. The pump bag is generously sized, easy to operate and inflates the mat reasonably quickly. The valve is at the top corner of the mat so it’s accessible and provides precise air bleeding to fine-tune pressure but it’s slightly fiddly to operate. However, the mat deflates quickly. Therm-A-Rest claims this mat is 83% less noisy than the previous model due to ‘quieter’ fabric, but it was just as squeaky as the other mats tested in this review. The space and weight savings this mat provides are appealing, but do come with a small compromise to comfort.

Value: The Neo Air Xlite NXT is expensive but best in its class considering its low weight for the warmth and comfort level.

Verdict: Popular with through-hikers and fastpackers, this mat is plush, light and compact.