which therm-a-rest

[dannnnn]

so i can't decide which therm-a-rest to get and i thought i'd ask the crowd for help....!

all are regular size (51cm x 183cm)

trail lite
weight: 800g
packed size: 28cm x 18cm
r value: 3.4
thickness: 3.8cm

pro lite plus
weight: 680g
packed size: 28cm x 12cm
r value: 3.8
thickness: 3.8cm

neo air
weight: 400g
packed size: 23cm x 10cm
r value: 2.5
thickness: 6.3cm

i currently own a trail lite and am happy with the comfort and warmth. but it is taking up too much room in my pack. i need something smaller.

the pro lite plus looks like it'd have the same comfort and warmth but it'd be smaller and lighter. yay. i was going to buy this but then...

the neo air is smaller and lighter again, but it seems like it'll be colder. on paper i am not very keen on this mat but everyone seems to rave about them. is this just gear lust or are these pads genuinely better than the pro lite? has anyone upgraded from a pro lite to a neo air and can comment on the differences?

thankyou and warm comfortable regards

- dan

[frenchy_84]

I love the thick mats (I own a exped synmat 7) but would never go back to the thinner mats. NeoAir is expensive though...

[sthughes]

I have both the Pro lite and Neo air. I never use the pro-lite anymore as the Neo air is more comfy and lighter. Having said that, both are acceptably comfortable and I have slept on snow just fine with the Neo, though I did shove my wet weather gear and a polarfleece under the mat to be sure.

I wouldn't say the Neo is genuinely better than the Pro Lite, both are excellent. If you value absolute warmth go the Pro Lite, if you value packed size, weight and comfort more then go the Neo.

My only niggle with the Neo is that with it being fairly narrow my arms can tend to not want to stay on it and because it is thicker this can be less comfy than when it happens on the Pro Lite.
Conversely my only niggle with the Pro lite is on rough ground you can sometimes feel stuff under you because it is thinner. Thick or thin both have problems IMHO.

[Tony]

I own,

Prolite 4 680g
Prolite 3 380g
Prolite XS 230g
Neoair regular 400g (this past summer was first season with this mat)
Zlite mat 400g
and an old 3/4 thermarest 900g

In the warmer months I currently prefer to use the neoair, I have read that the neoair is good for around 0ºC, though I have not used it in temps that low yet. I have found the neoair a bit more comfortable that the prolite 3 and a lot more comfortable than the prolite XS, but not a lot different than the prolite 4.

In winter (snow) I use the Prolite 4, with a thin closed cell foam mat on top, I have used the prolite 4 on snow well below -10ºC with good results.

This winter I will try the neoair with a thin closed cell foam mat on top.

There is a very comprehensive sleeping mat review coming out soon on BPL

Tony

[Nuts]

Hi dan (with many n's), Thermarest have a couple of neoair models. A warmer rated one is due for release in the next few months. I'm not sure i would trust the neo style without some cc foam in winter anyhow (so the regular yellow model is good enough imo).

I havent had the thicker prolite though i'd imagine they would be just as comfortable as Tony says. Probably tougher weight for weight.

I saw an article on shortening a neoair recently Simon... I hadnt realised they use heat sealable fabric.... just cut and bond again (with an iron)... Expensive exercise though you could make an extra wide shorter mat...

[ILUVSWTAS]

I've used my NEOAIR in up to -8 and it was fine. I really like mine. and if you buiy from the US they really arent that expensive. I got mine for $99 (the 3/4 model anyway)

[frenchy_84]

yeah but you have to find a retialer in the US that will ship to Aus. Alot have been asked by thermarest not to

[ILUVSWTAS]

yeah but you have to find a retialer in the US that will ship to Aus. Alot have been asked by thermarest not to

Is that because the shops down here sell tham for $350?

[sthughes]

Dunno, I sent Cascade Designs an email yesterday explaining their stupidity because I couldn't get something else they make shipped to Aus. Obviously they don't want Australians business.

Hmm I could do that Nuts, perhaps just buy a second mat and make a double bed sized sleeping mat!

[north-north-west]

The NeoAir is a bit narrow (would it have killed them to make it just one inch wider?), but heaps lighter and incredibly comfortable. The Prolite is warmer and not exactly uncomfy. If you can afford it and aren't going to do much snow camping, the NeoAir would be the go. I've kept my Prolite4 for overnight winter walks. The extra weight won't kill me on a two or three day walk.

[ninjapuppet]

Theres sales right across the thermarest range now at campsaver: http://www.campsaver.com/therm-a-rest.html


$100 Aussie bucks for a neoair? i dont think you can complain with that.
My regular 180cm long neoair is 395g but if you can get away with the medium 168cm neoair it weighs abit less without having to go for the short neoair.

Any order over $500 entitles you to free shipping to australia. I didnt know about this and made a $460 order + 80 postage... would have been cheaper to just buy an additional headlamp or something and save on the $80 postage.

[Liamy77]

yeah but you have to find a retialer in the US that will ship to Aus. Alot have been asked by thermarest not to

no you dont.... just use a mail forwarding company (i used shipito.com) some companies offer free shiping in usa so you only pay one shipping fee..... i went through moontrail or a similar company and got 2 neo airs and sleeping bags etc about 5 months ago!

[gayet]

As per a suggestion from ILUV I got a Neo Air from this place, in the US, delivered to Aus no problems. And it was on sale at the time!

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/produ ... 4747/N/990

[ILUVSWTAS]

As per a suggestion from ILUV I got a Neo Air from this place, in the US, delivered to Aus no problems. And it was on sale at the time!

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/produ ... 4747/N/990

Glad to have helped Gayet!! I have never had any issues buying from the US

[Son of a Beach]

Theres sales right across the thermarest range now at campsaver: http://www.campsaver.com/therm-a-rest.html


$100 Aussie bucks for a neoair? i dont think you can complain with that.
My regular 180cm long neoair is 395g but if you can get away with the medium 168cm neoair it weighs abit less without having to go for the short neoair.

Any order over $500 entitles you to free shipping to australia. I didnt know about this and made a $460 order + 80 postage... would have been cheaper to just buy an additional headlamp or something and save on the $80 postage.

Do they ship therm-a-rest to Australia? (Some US shops don't).

[photohiker]

Theres sales right across the thermarest range now at campsaver: http://www.campsaver.com/therm-a-rest.html


$100 Aussie bucks for a neoair? i dont think you can complain with that.
My regular 180cm long neoair is 395g but if you can get away with the medium 168cm neoair it weighs abit less without having to go for the short neoair.

Any order over $500 entitles you to free shipping to australia. I didnt know about this and made a $460 order + 80 postage... would have been cheaper to just buy an additional headlamp or something and save on the $80 postage.

Do they ship therm-a-rest to Australia? (Some US shops don't).

Not according to their website:

*Exclusions: We can not ship MSR, Thermarest, Black Diamond, Patagonia, Steripen or Outdoor Research products internationally,

If the savings are good enough, then a forwarding agent would be the go.

[andrewbish]

Hey Frenchy - have you used the Exped on snow? How was the experience? Did you need to add a closed cell mat to stay warm?

Andrew

[frenchy_84]

no snow yet, ive got myself a pretty good sleeping bag so when i do i wont be taking another mat with me. The only reason i got the exped over the neo was because moontrail would ship it here without going through a us postal address. but ive been very happy with my exped since ive had it

[dannnnn]

i posted a reply to this, no idea where it went??

anyway - i frequently find myself hanging over the side of my trail lite so it sounds like the extra height with the neoair will make it uncomfortable for me. i've decided to go with the prolite plus. i will report back and let you know how i go.

[wazzawalkin]

Theres sales right across the thermarest range now at campsaver: http://www.campsaver.com/therm-a-rest.html
Do they ship therm-a-rest to Australia? (Some US shops don't).

Well they must not read their own web page, as along with a few other items I just had an MSR mug mate shipped to Oz.

Wazza

[ninjapuppet]

I bought msr pegs and a ridgerest from campsaver. Depends on who serves you maybe?

[alanoutgear]

Why a Therm-a-Rest? I've had Therms for years and don't use them any more. I now sleep on a Exped Downmat 7 with integral pump and it packs small and is great to sleep on. 7cm of down between you and the ground makes for a great sleep. Pricey though at around $170 - but a good night's sleep on the track is worth it. I've also got the Exped inflatable pillow which attaches to the mat with mini 'biners so it can't move in the night. Weighs 50g and worth every cent.

[ninjapuppet]

+1 on the exped pillow.
Ive got the comfort foam one in the same shape and would rate it to be the most comfy pillow on the market at the moment.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Why a Therm-a-Rest? I've had Therms for years and don't use them any more. I now sleep on a Exped Downmat 7 with integral pump and it packs small and is great to sleep on. 7cm of down between you and the ground makes for a great sleep. Pricey though at around $170 - but a good night's sleep on the track is worth it. I've also got the Exped inflatable pillow which attaches to the mat with mini 'biners so it can't move in the night. Weighs 50g and worth every cent.

It weighs 50g?? Im sorry I just cant believe that. Are you talking about the mat here?

[Liamy77]

i think he means the pillow thingy.... i just stuff my jumper etc into the sleeping bag bag and leave the extra bulk and weight home....

[ILUVSWTAS]

i think he means the pillow thingy.... i just stuff my jumper etc into the sleeping bag bag and leave the extra bulk and weight home....

Likewise. throw the down jacket on top of that and you have a nice soft pillow.


So hw much do those exped mats weigh then?

[Liamy77]

around a kilogram i think..... i'll check n edit the weight into this post in a sec....


Downmat 7 880grams
downmat 7 delux 1150 grams
downmat 9 990 grams
downmat 9 delux 1270 grams


compared to my neoair standard length of 400 grams..... so less than half the weight of the ligtest downmat, and a LOT less bulky (about the size of a coke can)- thats a lot of chocky, whisky, etc to soften the thinner mat up (i find the neoair at LEAST as comfy as any other mat i've had (thermarest, cc foam, even a cheap pool lilo before ( cost me $8 and was fine for a week, weighed 750 grams).....

the downmats are about R 5.9 for the 7s and R8 for the 9s - the neo air is rated at R 2.5.... most mats are not even properly rated....

unless i was snow camping i personally would save the weight (obviously as that is what i have done) you can always add in a foam mat for extra warmth / comfort if needed ( a couple of elastic loops are great for holding the 2 mats together btw)...

[ILUVSWTAS]

Really?? So nearly 3 times as much as a NEOAIR?

[Liamy77]

Really?? So nearly 3 times as much as a NEOAIR?

so really a fair comparison would be a stack of 3 neoair mats.....
18cm thick, 7.5 R value, same weight, probably still less bulk... more $ though

bring a puncture repair kit as neither mat will be any good if it deflates on you - down filling or not- although technically the neoair would still reflect some body heat back.....
Also the neoair is condensation proof (it wont get wrecked by moist breath for eg) whereas the downmats are not reccomended to be blown up as the moisture in your breath will mess with the down filling eventually it can compromise the insulation valeu if wet enough.... and then heavier too etc..... i hate to think how "easy" it would be to dry one out so be careful how you use a downmat...

[ILUVSWTAS]

around a kilogram i think..... i'll check n edit the weight into this post in a sec....


Downmat 7 880grams
downmat 7 delux 1150 grams
downmat 9 990 grams
downmat 9 delux 1270 grams

ALL heavier than my tent!

Can you see any snow from your place Liam?? Hills behind us are covered!