Thermarest XTherm - when is it available?

[Strider]

Yeah, 200+ grams, ¼kg, ½lb, about 4 mars bars difference in weight, but the pack size is almost identical - 23X10 V's 23X11, or 1.8l V's 2.1l.

Remember 150g of that is the weight of the down itself.

[ninjapuppet]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpPzjPYCJe4&feature&hd=1

[Strider]

5 seconds into the video and it's already crinkling!

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

I'm sorry, but I have to criticise the presentation skills of the gentleman on the youtube review.
The content delivered in 6 minutes could have been delivered in 1 minute, had it been prepared and delivered properly.
I gave up counting "um" and "ah". He said everything three times and went around in circles.

If Outdoor gear lab want to be taken seriously, they should employ someone who can do the presentation well - or employ a media company to produce and edit the video. I cringed the whole way through!

*Climbs down off soap box*

The review was helpful however. I think I will stick with my All Season, which is only 100g heavier, much quieter - and much more durable fabric.

[Son of a Beach]

I'm glad you said it, because yesterday I was thinking something along the lines of, "that guy has absolutely no stage presence and definitely not the right personality for video presentations". It was really quite painful to watch. However, as you said there was some useful information in it, but nothing that I couldn't have learned from reading a very short paragraph somewhere.

One thing I did like in the video that I couldn't get from just reading was how obviously very light the thing is (by the way it moves when he moves).

[Nuts]

Anyhow... that aside, the trade off here (as I understand it) is a vague fear of noisiness V something thats lighter and has a history of remaining usable?

[north-north-west]

Yeah, 200+ grams, ¼kg, ½lb, about 4 mars bars difference in weight, but the pack size is almost identical - 23X10 V's 23X11, or 1.8l V's 2.1l.

Eating those mars bars will keep you warmer. Remember, there's no such thing as too much chocolate.

[Penguin]

Xtherm arrived yesterday.

The blow up bag is a novelty, I think I will tire of using it.

The snap crackle and pop could drive some people crazy; it does not faze me. It is not that loud. Also, I don't sleep in huts much so I can please myself bout the noise.

It is so comfortable, even more than my neoair. Very warm on the lounge room carpet - time will tell what it will be like out in the field.

Will write a field report when I take it out into the wilds.

P

[Mountain Rocket]

Regular Xtherm is in stock at Ultralight Outdoor Gear. I just bought myself a new pack so I won't be purchasing one right away, but I figured it would surly interest some of you!

[Mountain Rocket]

Scratch the above - just ordered a regular one. I think my gear is finally complete (for now... almost)
Ultralight Outdoor Gear said they are still having trouble getting stock. They only received eight regulars, most of which have sold now (depending on how current their website is, I got the last one).

Now to sit back, cross my fingers and wait.

[Mountain Rocket]

Got my regular sized Xtherm today from Ultralight Outdoor Gear .

First observation is it is 12g over the specified weight (442g vs stated 430g).
The stuff/pump sack weights 45g. Interestingly the stuff sack is made in China.
The included repair kit is a nice touch, and was seriously lacking from the previous NeoAir models.

Trying to be 'proper' the first time, I tried inflating the mat with the provided pump sack. Blo-dy hell it took ages!
It was my first time using a sack to blow up anything so I might have been horrible inefficient. I will keep experimenting with it.
The first thing I noticed as it was blowing up was how un-crinkly it was. I was worried that it would be really bad, but after lying on it for the past half an hour I can honestly say I hardly notice it (and that is when I am paying attention to it). I also love the vertical baffles/tubes. My previous mats have never had (noticeable) tubes, so this was my first time lying on them.

Some users noted that the edges collapse when you roll on them. For the past 30 minutes I have been lying on the matt in my sleeping bag, rolling around, and I did not notice it happening. It is worth noting that I am a side sleeper, and although I find the mat narrow - it was certainly adequate. In other words, you don't have oodles of space but you can roll over without going on the ground. The thickness is something I also love. You can localise your weight without touching the ground, which tends to happen to me with other mats. Oh and you can certainly feel the heat radiating back at you, even after a few minutes.
It am looking forward to trying it out in the field soon, after uni exams (bleh!).

Here are some supplementary photos taken with my phone. Sorry for the quality.